Thursday, August 12, 2010

The legendary Christmas Markets in Europe mark the beginning of Advent and bring the magic of the holiday season to life. Each town, village and even city seems to participate with festively decorated stalls in enchanting settings.  These are laden with unusual gifts, arts and crafts and seasonal food and drink that complete the setting of winter wonderland.

We invite you to join one of the tours or take a river cruise to visit some of the most famous Christkindlmarkts in Europe. Witness first hand how each town and city center transforms during this time of year through a unique blend of hand made crafts, regional delicacies, glittering lights, nativity scenes and magnificent Christmas trees.

Browse our most popular Christmas market trips:

Europe's Christmas Markets featuring Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland: 
8 days from $1,249 pp

Christmastime in Bavaria and Alsace:
8 days from $1,499 pp

Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland:
7 days from $1,385 pp

Vienna, Prague and Budapest w/ Christmas Markets: 
7 days from $1,175 pp

Christmastime in Munich & Eastern Europe:
9 days from $1,329 pp 

There are also wonderful Christmas market river cruises available. Here is a short video from Uniworld's Rhine & Holiday markets river cruise.

Monday, August 09, 2010

Uniworld offers exciting Epicurean Adventures program! Private wine tastings, culinary demonstrations, and a special wine and food pairing dinner make your trip extra special:

• Learn how to select the perfect wine to complement your meal at special wine and food pairing dinners
• Cooking demonstrations led by master chefs who will teach you trade secrets
• Guided exclusive shore excursions to places like vintners’ homes for private wine tastings
• All meals with complimentary fine wine during dinner onboard

Crab Cakes

These delightful morsels are easy to prepare, make a perfect appetizer, and are distinctly delicious!

Ingredients

4 ounces fresh breadcrumbs, seasoned 

1 large egg

2 fl oz creme fraiche, full fat

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp mustard powder

1 lb crabmeat

Handful of fresh tarragon

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for additional seasoning

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, egg, creme fraiche, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard powder.
2. Add the crab meat and tarragon. Mix thoroughly and season to taste. If the mixture is too dry, add more crème fraÎche. Put in the refrigerator to bind.
3. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and shape into eight small cakes.
4. Shallow fry the cakes over a gentle heat until brown on both sides.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Inspired Dining

In addition to providing travelers the chance to immerse themselves in each destination they visit, we help them enjoy local cuisines, inspired by local ingredients and created by some of Europe’s most highly skilled chefs, as well as regional wines on board our ships.

In 2011, with help from our top European chefs, we’re reigniting our cruisers’ culinary experience by unveiling a number of dining enhancements and selections. They include:

• Giving cruisers a choice of appetizer, salad, entrée, cheese and dessert
• Featuring local fare options at each meal
• Highlighting sustainable cuisine on our French itineraries
• Providing cruisers more healthy menu options including low calorie, low sodium and glucose-free cuisine
• Introducing Night Fare, served at 10:30 PM to cap off each day with a treat

Avalon Waterways is adding even more selections for the “most important meal of the day” in 2011 as well. In addition to providing our travelers Early- and Late-riser breakfast options, we are adding complimentary sparkling wine – great for Mimosas – and made-to-order egg stations to our already robust breakfast buffet, fleet-wide. Guests can also order continental breakfast in their room and have drinks delivered throughout the day.

More drink options are also on the menu for Avalon Waterways in the coming year. In addition to offering cruisers the customary complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks at dinner and soft drinks included with lunch, we will feature a Cocktail Hour on our ships for cruisers interested in enjoying local wine, beer and other spirits before dinner, while socializing with fellow travelers. Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, latte and premium, Lavazza coffee will also be provided to our passengers throughout the day.

Celebration Packages are also new on our ships in 2011. We will be offering cruisers the chance to commemorate a birthday or anniversary in their room with several celebratory cuisine selections.

This year, we also introduced alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink packages: Packages that can be pre-purchased by interested passengers.

Meal Schedule

Early Riser Coffee, 6 a.m.
Start your day right with self-service coffee, hot water, croissants, cookies, and assorted finger foods.

Breakfast Buffet, 7 a.m.–8:30 a.m.
Enjoy a tempting selection of breads, cereals, fruits, cold cuts and cheeses, smoked salmon, pastries, yogurts, and juices. Hot items such as eggs, sausage, and bacon vary daily.*

*Buffet breakfast items are conveniently color coded on all Avalon Waterways river cruise ships to indicate foods that are low calorie, low fat/low calorie, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy

Late Riser Breakfast, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Self-service coffee, hot water, croissants, cookies and assorted finger foods.

Lunch Buffet, 12:30 p.m.
Select from intriguing appetizers, hearty soups, hot dishes, homemade breads, cold cuts and cheeses, salads, and delectable desserts.

Afternoon Tea, 4 p.m.
Take a mid-day break with coffee or tea and cake or cookies served in the lounge or on the top deck.

Dinner, 7:30 p.m.
Dine elegantly with a sit-down meal served in a single sitting. The chef will delight you with gourmet selections and the perfect, complimentary wines (complimentary beer or soft drinks also available). Menus typically feature an appetizer, soup, entrée, dessert, and coffee or tea.

Night Fare, 10:30 p.m

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Visiting Central Europe can be an easy and convenient vacation when you take a river cruise. From Amsterdam to Budapest, Berlin to Vienna, Paris to Prague, there's a wonderful choice of ships and itineraries to show you fascinating cities as well as beautiful countryside, vineyards and hill top castles. Be enlightened by Europe's history, art and culture - and be pampered aboard today's luxurious river boats.

Discovering Central Europe

While cruise ships call at the sea ports of Europe, you can enjoy a river cruise while discovering Central Europe. The many rivers of the continent were once the centre of commerce and transportation. Towns and villages were built along the river banks and many buildings were designed to face the water. A river cruise gives you a unique perspective on these historic places. It also lets you visit the leading cities of Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Cologne, Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Basel, Strasbourg and many more. Our preferred partners, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and Viking River, offer cruises on the following rivers:

• The Danube in Germany, Austria, Slovalia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.
• The Rhine in Holland, Germany, France and Switzerland.
• The Moselle, Main and The Main-Danube canal in Germany.
• The Elbe in Germany and the Czech Republic.
• The Seine, Saône and Rhône in France.
• The Douro in Portugal and Spain.
• The Nieuwe Maas, Nederrun, Waal and Schelde in Holland and Belgium.

Good reasons to take a river cruise

Consider the many advantages of seeing Europe by river boat:

• Convenience - unpack once and the river boat is your floating hotel.
• Scenic cruising – Daylight cruising of the most scenic areas is a feature. Around the ships there are plenty of picture windows and open deck space for you to enjoy the passing scenery. Many cabins have large windows or French doors.
• Central locations - In most ports, river boats can dock conveniently downtown allowing passengers to step ashore in the heart of the city at their leisure.
• Outstanding excursions - Informative local guides lead sightseeing tours in each town which are included in the fare. Additional organized excursions are available for purchase. Companies are using Quietvox headsets so tour members can always hear the guide.
• English speaking staff & guides - Tour guides and staff speak English on the cruises offered by Ensemble's preferred partners, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and Viking River Cruises.
• No motion sickness - There's no problem with motion as you aren't on the open sea and boats are stable.
• Friendly companions - With under 300 passengers, there is a great camaraderie on board. These are very friendly cruises.
• Excellent Value - Packages include pre and post cruise stays in great cities, transfers, port excursions, and complimentary wine with dinner making them great value.

Life on board

What can you expect aboard ship when sailing Europe's rivers? Luxurious surroundings, gourmet meals, quality wine, cabaret entertainment and excellent service. Aboard a river boat you'll be well looked after as you glide serenely from town to town. Browse our selection of river cruise vacations. Sounds inviting doesn't it? Consider taking a river cruise when planning your next vacation to Europe. If you're looking for an easy and convenient way to travel that lets you see a lot of interesting places as well as enjoy the countryside, a river cruise could be just right for you.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Travelers are realizing that river cruises offer comfort, convenience and variety. The ship is both a hotel and a means of transportation. You don't have to get up early like you do when on a traditional tour or cruise to see the sites. Your ship will be in a new and exciting place every day. Ranging from picturesque villages, breathtaking riverbanks with castles, colorful fields with windmills or vibrant capitals, every day will be a unique experience on your European waterways cruise.

Over the years, we have found that consumers desire more choices when traveling. Cruise lines responded with open dining, tour operators with more leisurely trips, but until recently, the river cruise industry did not offer the choices that seem to attract new clientele. Now the newer river cruise ships with modern decor, larger cabin options and added amenities have helped the river cruise industry experience considerable growth in a short amount of time. In the age of technology, we also find more clients asking for WiFi, which is not available on many of the older ships. You now travel in more style and comfort than with the older riverboats. Staterooms are spacious and most include floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balconies. You can enjoy fine linen on your hotel-style beds, flat screen satellite TV and radio, safes, hairdryers and many other amenities that make you feel at home. On many ships you even have the convenience of elevators.

From the time you arrive to your first destination you are escorted, guided and waited on by English speaking staff. Once you unpack you are ready to enjoy your wonderful adventure. From medieval castles, to Monet's Giverny gardens or perhaps Egypt's Mysterious Nile, you will not only be awed by the sights but you will also have qualified tour directors and specialist to guide you during your excursions. Many ships also offer theme departures that provide you with a unique opportunity to experience a destination focusing on its music, food and wine, to enrich your subject knowledge by including expert presentations, special concerts and top chefs.

All meals on board are carefully chosen to give you the variety of the region you are visiting along with many of your favorites. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily. The meal presentation is outstanding as is the service. You can also enjoy the complimentary wine with dinner along with coffee or tea. After dinner you will be pleasantly surprised by the on board entertainment provided by both local entertainers and the crew.

It is small ship cruising at its best. It provides you with the opportunity to experience history, art and culture unhurried and at a relaxed pace. Rather than having to take a bus to see the sites, in most cases you walk right off of the river cruise and you are already in the center of it all.

River Cruise Sites : Avalon Waterways | Uniworld River Cruises | River Cruises