A&K's new waterway connections

Explore the beauty of Europe on a river cruise London - Arabstoday River cruising has remained under the radar as not only one of the most relaxed and intimate ways to experience the beauty of Europe, but also one of the best values in travel today. Whereas European tours typically focus on big cities, a river cruise offers the opportunity to explore beyond the urban landscape to the rural countryside that is the heart and soul of Europe. In response to the growing interest in seeing Europe from a different perspective, Abercrombie & Kent has developed three new Connections by Abercrombie & Kent journeys featuring six and seven night cruises on the sophisticated MS Amadeus Brilliant on the picturesque Danube, Main and Rhine rivers. Follow these waterways in style aboard the 76-cabin and suite Amadeus Brilliant, built in 2011 and featuring the latest in modern-day design, including panoramic windows and French balconies. This floating hotel offers the utmost in comfort and convenience, eliminating the need to pack and unpack as guests travel from one of Europe’s great cities to the next. Abercrombie & Kent has enhanced the classic European river cruising experience by adding hallmark A&K amenities, from pre- and post-hotel nights at historic properties, including the Hotel Torbräu, located in the heart of Munich and owned by the same family for the last 100 years, to group welcome and farewell dinners and private transfers. A&K guests enjoy private sightseeing before the cruise embarks – such as an Opera House visit and strudel-making demonstration in Budapest – in addition to private vehicle excursions during the cruise, accompanied by an expert A&K Tour Director. Visit Weltenburg Monastery to sample its famous dark Weltenburg beer and explore the scenic Wachau District with a stop at the 900-year-old Melk Abbey. A small group size of no more than 24 guests allows ample one-on-one interaction with the A&K Tour Director during walks through some of Europe’s most charming cities, like Linz, known for its colorful, half-timbered houses; and Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Classical Danube (July 25-Aug 3, 2013) Follow the romantic Danube through storied Eastern European lands including three capital cities: Hungary’s Budapest, Bratislava in Slovakia and Vienna, Austria. Explore Budapest’s neo-Renaissance Opera House, Vienna’s modern Hundertwasser House and Melk’s spectacular 900-year-old Benedictine abbey. Three Rivers (Oct 17-26, 2013) Discover cosmopolitan cities and idyllic towns, following the Rijnkanaal canal in vibrant Amsterdam, the Rhine River through Cologne’s vineyard-cloaked hillsides and the Main River along Bamberg with its rich medieval architecture. Tour the 13th-century Gothic cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cologne and the 2,000-year-old town of Koblenz, Christmas Cruise on the Danube (Dec 21-29, 2013) Celebrate the holidays cruising the Danube through Germany, Austria and Slovakia. Stroll through festive, traditional Christmas markets in Munich and Salzburg, explore Melk’s Benedictine abbey, tour the 800-year old town of Landshut and awaken on Christmas morning in Vienna with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Representing the utmost in value, these European Connections journeys include all the essentials for a relaxing holiday: accommodations, three gourmet meals daily aboard the ship, beverages (including wine at dinner), guided sightseeing and entry fees. Whether your interests run toward epicurean or more active endeavors, there are optional activities and excursions suited to all types of travellers. Amadeus Brilliant has received the “Green Certifications” seal of approval awarded by “Green Globe,” the leading world body issuing certificates for sustainable tourism, for compliance on more than 300 indicators of resource efficiency and sustainability.