CALABASAS, CA – (June 17, 2019) – Acclaimed luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways and award-winning Caymus Vineyards—both known for quality and innovation—will share their passion for wine and travel with guests sailing on the new AmaMagna. The seven-night Melodies of the Danube Wine Cruise will depart August 4th from Budapest, Hungary traveling to Vilshofen, Germany. AmaWaterways guests are invited to join Janet Thomas, Wine & Market Relations for Caymus Vineyards, on this specialty cruise with exclusive tastings and shore excursions, insightful seminars and a special onboard wine-paired dinner.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed wineries such as Caymus Vineyards,” says Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “Whether they are seasoned wine experts or just beginning to discover the nuances of a great vintage, our guests are treated to an unforgettable river cruise experience highlighting both Europe’s Old World palate and North American New World taste.”
Located in Napa Valley, California, Caymus Vineyards was founded in 1971 by Charles F. Wagner, his wife Lorna Belle Glos Wagner, and their son, Chuck. Today, the Wagner family produces some of the region’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon and many of California’s finest wines.
AmaWaterways’ Wine Cruises invite guests to discover the culture and history of the world’s finest wine regions while learning from, and engaging with, expert hosts like Thomas. These cruises add a unique epicurean dimension to guests’ European river cruise, offering the perfect blend of wine-related activities paired with expertly guided excursions to iconic cities and sights.
Guests joining Caymus Vineyards on this special Wine Cruise will discover why Wine Spectatorawarded the winery its prestigious “Wine of the Year Award” for their 1984 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, and again five years later for their 1990 vintage, making it the only winery to have twice earned the publication’s highest accolade.
“AmaWaterways curates an unparalleled river cruise experience with an intrinsic and thoughtful understanding of the role that food and wine play in discovering a culture and place,” said Thomas. “We feel privileged to sail on the stunning new AmaMagna and share our deep love of wine with AmaWaterways’ guests.”
During the cruise, guests will be treated to two exclusive castle tours with special wine tastings in picturesque towns. Sailing through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, home to some of the finest vineyards in Austria, guests will visit Schloss Gobelsburg and enjoy a taste of their famed Grüner Veltliner and Riesling vintages while taking in the castle’s history, which dates back to the 1700’s. Then, in the medieval riverside town of Grein—sitting at the entrance of the beautiful Strudengau Valley—they will be treated to a folklore show and wine reception in Greinburg Castle, Austria’s oldest residential castle, built in 1488 and perched regally above the village. After a day of exploration and discovery, guests will return to the luxury and comfort of the AmaMagna which, at twice the width of traditional river cruise ships, boasts four dining venues, five bars, elegant lounges and exceptional spacious accommodations. Suites, measuring between 355 and 710 sq.ft., feature full outside balconies, open seating areas, and luxurious bathrooms complete with double sinks and walk-in showers. AmaMagna’s enhanced entertainment offerings and amenities include an onboard cinema; a large boutique; an expansive Zen Wellness Studio, complete with a large exercise area and classes led by a professionally trained Wellness Host, a juice bar and two massage rooms, along with manicure, pedicure and hair salon services; and an expansive sun deck with a large heated pool, relaxing whirlpool and sky bar.
Sailing between Budapest, Hungary and Vilshofen, Germany, the seven-night Melodies of the Danube cruise immerses guests in the romance and history of the famed Danube River. Itinerary highlights include a tour of Vienna’s majestic Opera House and formal imperial palace; visit to Basilica St. Michael in Salzburg, filming sight for the “Sound of Music;” and exploration of the 2,000-year-old city of Passau. For guests seeking active tour options, AmaWaterways provides guided bicycle and hiking tour options. Pre-and post-cruise stays in Budapest and Prague are also available.
For full details, or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred Travel Advisor, call 1.888.626.0994 or visit AmaWaterways.com. Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook atFacebook.com/AmaWaterways, Instagram @AmaWaterways and Twitter @AmaWaterways.
About AmaWaterways:
A family-owned company celebrating 17 years on the river, AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 23 ships sailing Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhône, Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro Rivers, Southeast Asia’s Mekong and Africa’s Chobe River. Led by experienced river cruise co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst, the company is renowned for its innovative stateroom design featuring unique “twin balconies”; its wellness activities including a wide choice of included shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options for the active traveler; and its award-winning dining—including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant as well as complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, each ship features onboard amenities such as hair and massage salons and a fitness room, and many have heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation highlighted with the launch of AmaMagna, which at twice the width of traditional river ships, offers a new dimension in luxury river cruising. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travelers and families as well as group and charter options.
With the highest-rated ships in Europe according to the third edition of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe & the USA, AmaWaterways has received countless honors and accolades including Cruise Critic’s Editor’s Pick Award for “Best for Active Cruisers” and 2018 AFAR Reader’s Choice Award for “Best River Cruise Line.”