Jetsettersblog

Connections, the specialist independent travel division of Titan Travel, has launched its latest Elegant River Cruises brochure for 2009, growing its itineraries beyond the European river cruise programme to include four exciting new Nile adventures from April 2009.

Clients booking a Nile cruise will also benefit from a brand new Uniworld ship, the River Tosca. The luxurious vessel will cruise the Nile for the four new itineraries – Ancient Wonders of Egypt, Splendours of Egypt, Jewels of the Nile & Lake Nasser and The River Tosca Nile Cruise.

Nile cruise prices start from £2,025 per person for a 10 day Ancient Wonders of Egypt itinerary, which begins with a city tour of Cairo and a visit to the magnificent Pyramids, before flying down to Luxor where clients board the River Tosca. From here they will visit The Valley of the Kings before the four night cruise visits Dendera, Kom Ombo and finally Aswan. At Aswan clients disembark and take a short flight back to Cairo to conclude their trip with a visit to Alexandria before flying back to London Heathrow. Departures are available from mid April 2009 through to May 2010 and include VIP Home Departure Service, international flights, internal flights, transfers to and from ship, 5 nights hotel bed and breakfast accommodation, 4 nights full board cruise accommodation and a full range of shore excursions with an English-speaking guide.

Also new to the Elegant River Cruise brochure is an eight-day “Week on the River Douro” itinerary on board the Douro Queen, which costs from £1,245 per person. The Douro Queen is the most luxurious of any vessel to sail the Douro and is one of two itineraries available to clients. For 2009 customers will also be able to enjoy a range of new facilities on board the entire Uniworld fleet of ships, including al fresco dining on the deck and new satellite equipment that will greatly enhance internet services and provide Wi-Fi service in all public areas.

Welcoming the revamped Elegant River Cruises brochure and reassuring customers about the current economic situation, Hugh Clayson, Marketing Director for Connections commented: “Clients booking one of our river cruises can remain secure in the knowledge that Connections will continue its policy of no fuel surcharges whatsoever. Once the client has paid their deposit, we guarantee that the price of the holiday will remain no matter how much the price of oil should rise, which is a great comfort for many of our clients wishing to book well in advance, especially in this current uncertain economic climate”.

These new additions to the Elegant River Cruises brochure join a host of stunning voyages along Europe’s grandest and most scenic waterways, including the Rhone, the Rhine, the Douro and the legendary Danube. Every itinerary featured in the brochure is aboard a first-class river cruiser offering lavishly appointed, outside-facing staterooms (with en suite facilities), sumptuous cuisine, evening entertainment and all shore excursions included within the cost of the holiday.

Holiday prices lead in at £1,195 per person for the 10-day Tulips & Windmills cruise, which is timed to take in the incredible sight of the Dutch bulb fields at their springtime best. A particular highlight of this peaceful journey along rivers and canals is the visit to Keukenhof Gardens, a 70-acre showcase of literally millions of flowers in a breathtaking array of vibrant colours. The cruise operates from mid-March to mid-April, with the price including VIP Home Departure Service; flights; in-resort transfers; full-board accommodation on the elegant River Duchess, River Queen or River Empress; and admission to Keukenhof among various other shore excursions (with use of state-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headsets that ensure passengers can clearly hear the tour guides’ commentaries, even in crowded places).

For details or to book call Connections on 0800 988 5860 or visit the dedicated website www.elegantrivercruises.co.uk