Vancouver Sun

Experience the world’s most enchanting rivers with these 6 adventures

Discover the small-ship advantage with Emerald Cruises

- JENNY GABRUCH

It’s a hidden gem, and one that today’s traveller will appreciate as they set sail for the adventure of a lifetime.

Emerald Cruises is a leading small-ship cruise line, curating culture-rich, immersive experience­s along the most iconic rivers of Europe and Southeast Asia.

With low-guest numbers of up to 180 passengers, many savvy Canadian travellers are jumping on board the growing trend of smallship excursions, choosing Emerald Cruises as their go-to cruise line.

Winner of Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks “Best River Cruise Line for Value” five years in a row, this boutique cruise line is all about creating itinerarie­s packed with intimate, authentic experience­s — whether it’s exploring world-famous wine and food regions, touring a quaint chocolate-box village or discoverin­g museums and galleries of culture-rich cities.

SIX RIVER ADVENTURES TO EXPLORE IN 2022 AND 2023 DANUBE

The famous Danube winds through the heart of Europe, visiting some of the world’s most elegant and vibrant cities such as Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and Belgrade. Rich in culture and history, this picturesqu­e river runs through 10 countries, more than any other river in the world. Flowing from the enchanting Black Forest of Germany to the Black Sea in Romania, many of Europe’s finest architectu­ral gems are found along this waterway, including castle ruins, monasterie­s and grand palaces.

RHINE

With age-old castles and medieval towns flanking its riverbank, the Rhine highlights the beautiful fairy-tale landscape of western Germany. Experience the history and ancient culture of this country, which takes cruisers past lush countrysid­e and the region’s classic timber houses. A highlight is journeying through the Rhine Gorge which boasts such spectacula­r scenery and natural beauty that is has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another breathtaki­ng sight is Cologne’s Kölner Dom, a mighty Gothic cathedral that is Germany’s most visited landmark.

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Home to medieval and modern marvels, this wandering waterway flows through the pastoral landscapes of Bavaria, a region laden with

German splendour. With castle-dotted hillsides and Bavarian towns, the area boasts legendary wine regions, hearty food and local charm. Journey through such ancient towns as Bamberg and Miltenberg, see the spectacula­r Wertheim Castle and explore the Residenz in Würzburg, one of Germany’s most important and beautiful Baroque palaces.

RHÔNE

The Rhône flows through the heart of France, towards the Mediterran­ean Sea from beautiful old Lyon, the unofficial ‘food capital of the world.’ Medieval cities and Roman ruins line the waterway, which winds through celebrated wine regions, including Burgundy and Beaujolais. Home to a variety of

the world’s finest vintages, discover the wine-making customs of Chalon-sur-saône and explore the bountiful vineyards of Provence. It offers a wealth of European history and cultural highlights as well, such as the exquisite Palais des Papes in Avignon and impressive Romanesque monuments in Arles.

DOURO

Lining some of Europe’s most picturesqu­e countrysid­e, the Douro runs through Portugal’s vast stretches of sun-drenched vineyards, provincial villages and striking

fields of green. Soak up its wine heritage, history, culture and local cuisine – including its national dish Bacalhau, Portuguese salt cod stew. Visit the coastal city of Porto, world-famous for its port wine, one of the country’s most beloved exports. For an exclusive epicurean

experience, join Masterchef Canada’s Michael Bonacini on a culinary cruise, sailing July 23, 2022.

MEKONG

The mystical Mekong winds through some of the most awe-inspiring stretches of Southeast Asia. Sailing right through the heart of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to the Cambodian town of Siem Reap, explore rich and vibrant landmarks along the way such as the mysterious Cu Chi Tunnels and Cái Be’s floating markets. Visit the renowned Temples of Angkor in Cambodia and discover rich agricultur­al traditions in the Mekong Delta region on this exotic passageway.

THE SUPERYACHT LIFESTYLE

Emerald Cruises’ new luxury 100-passsenger oceangoing superyacht, Emerald Azzurra, travels the waterways of the Mediterran­ean, Adriatic Sea and Red Sea — exploring such captivatin­g ports of call as Greece, Italy, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Croatia and France.

In 2023, it will be joined by sister-ship Emerald Sakara, which will add the Seychelles to the destinatio­n line-up.

These sleek, amenity-rich superyacht­s feature infinity pools, wellness and entertainm­ent options, watersport­s, a sky deck and stylish lounges and dining spaces. Guests can expect spacious, contempora­ry suites and staterooms, most with private open-air balconies.

The superyacht­s are custom-built to sail into fascinatin­g ports only smaller yachts can usually access — docking directly in the heart of cities, towns and villages.

With more space and smaller guest-lists, Emerald Cruises offers a personaliz­ed and distinctiv­e travel experience — which equals a worryfree way to explore, relax and enjoy.

THE SMALL-SHIP ADVANTAGE

The small-ship cruise experience is not only big

on adventure but big on value. So much is included — from day excursions and meals to compliment­ary regional wine and beer with lunch and dinner and all gratuities and transfers.

Passengers can also

customize their trip, with outings designed for more active guests, such as hiking and biking tours, or special immersive experience­s, such as home-hosted coffee with a local family.

Along with river cruises, Emerald Cruises offers a range of special interest getaways, including food and

wine cruises, plus with a wide range of additional itinerarie­s and destinatio­ns. Other amenities include a heated pool at the aft, which at night turns into a cinema.

With recent, pandemicbo­rn upheaval in the world of

travel, a seamless cruise is a wonderful way to reconnect and re-ignite that passion to explore the freedom and excitement of a dream getaway.

Ready to return to the world of travel or plan an exciting new adventure? Their Time to Travel Sale is now on until June 30, 2022 and if you mention code TIME22, get

an extra bonus on select river and yacht sailings. Contact an Emerald Cruises expert at 1-833-507-6639 or your travel advisor.

For more informatio­n or to request a free brochure, visit

Emeraldcru­ises.ca.

Emerald Cruises will be holding compliment­ary Travel Showcase Events in select cities across Canada June 13-25; visit

emeraldcru­ises.ca/events

to register.

 ?? SUPPLIED ?? Explore world-famous wine and food regions, tour a quaint chocolate-box village or discover museums and galleries of culture-rich cities.
SUPPLIED Explore world-famous wine and food regions, tour a quaint chocolate-box village or discover museums and galleries of culture-rich cities.
 ?? SUPPLIED ?? The luxury oceangoing yachts feature infinity pools, watersport­s, sky decks, stylish lounges and much more.
SUPPLIED The luxury oceangoing yachts feature infinity pools, watersport­s, sky decks, stylish lounges and much more.
 ?? SUPPLIED ?? Many savvy Canadian travellers are jumping on board the growing trend of small-ship excursions.
SUPPLIED Many savvy Canadian travellers are jumping on board the growing trend of small-ship excursions.
 ?? SUPPLIED ?? The Emerald Azzurra is one of the spectacula­r luxury yachts in the company’s fleet.
SUPPLIED The Emerald Azzurra is one of the spectacula­r luxury yachts in the company’s fleet.

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