Fall is a gorgeous time of year in Europe, and a wonderful time to cruise there; I especially love visiting the “Old World” vineyards on the Rhine during the autumn. AmaWaterways agrees: they have put together a wonderful set of “In Celebration of Wine Cruises” itineraries- they include the October 14 and November 13, 2011 “Vineyards of the Rhine and Mosel”; the November 6, 2011 “Europe’s Rivers and Castles” cruise; the November 12, 2011 “Enchanting Rhine” itinerary and the November 14 and 21, 2011 departures of “The Romantic Danube.”
These voyages will visit the beautiful European wine country, but with a twist- guest also will sample wines from renowned “New World” California wineries, including Trinchero Napa Valley, Farrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma, Rodney Strong Vineyards and St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Santa Rosa.
These complimentary wine tastings are a delightful addition to AmaWaterway’s onboard lectures from celebrity wine hosts, wine pairings, beer tastings and outstanding complimentary shore excursions. These “Old World” voyages will include special wine-themed shore excursions such as the Medieval Wine Fest in the Mosel town of Zell; a traditional “Heuriger” tasting of new wine in the villages of Grinzing and Neustift on the outskirts of Vienna; a tour and tasting at the historic Bergweiler Winery in Bernkastel; an introduction to Alsatian wines at the “Wunsch et Mann” winery in Wettolsheim and an unforgettable candlelit evening and wine tasting at the Hofkeller, or cellar of the famous Residenz in Wurzburg.