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Miami – (November 05, 2008 ) – In celebration of her Asia debut this winter, the deluxe, 694-guest Azamara Quest is offering guests a way to make the most of their experiences in the exotic destinations that she will visit. Two tour packages that each include a well-rounded selection of excursions will be available for seven select sailings during Azamara’s 2008-09 Asia season. The packages are similar to those Azamara Cruises offered in its first Europe season earlier this year, offering guests a 5% savings over the retail value of the tours in each package. The packages opened for sale this week.The “Omega Collection” is designed for a more experienced traveler who has been to the destination before or is looking for a more specialized excursion experience. The “Alpha Collection” is ideal for first-time visitors to the destination or for those who seek a variety of highlights in the destination. The packages do not include a tour in every port, which gives guests the option to purchase other, individual tours in those locations.Three of
Azamara Quest ‘s Southeast Asia itineraries will offer the packages: an 18-night sailing from Singapore to Hong Kong, departing on December 16, 2008; a 14-night sailing from Hong Kong to Singapore, departing on January 3, 2009, and a 14-night voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong, departing on January 17, 2009. Sample tours included in each package during these itineraries include:
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” In the Alpha Collection, a visit to Hue (Danang), Vietnam, called “Imperial Hue.” Hue is known as the Imperial City of the Nguyen Emperors and this tour allows guests to visit the Imperial Citadel, which was built following a plan similar to the one that shaped the Forbidden City in Beijing beginning in 1804. Guests will enjoy a buffet “Imperial Feast” lunch featuring Asian specialties before visiting one of the numerous imperial tombs that dot the countryside. |
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” In the Omega Collection, a two-night visit to Bangkok (Klong Toey), Thailand, called “Essence of Cambodia.” The highlight of this tour is a visit to Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world. The temple took 30 years to complete and has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks. Guests also will have the opportunity to visit Ta Prohm temple, which has been left in near-original condition, as well as Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmers, with its Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and the stunning Bayon temple. |
Four Northeast Asia sailings will offer the tour packages: a 14-night sailing from Hong Kong to Beijing, departing on January 31 and February 28, 2009; and a 14-night sailing from Beijing to Hong Kong, departing on February 14 and March 14, 2009. Sample tours included in each package during these itineraries include:
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” In the Alpha Collection, a visit to Shanghai, China, called “Shanghai Famous Acrobats.” This evening activity includes an acrobatic performance that follows a tradition that has been unbroken since 200 BC. |
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” In the Omega Collection, a multi-day overland tour of Hiroshima, Japan, called “Bullet Train Overland Tour.” On the January 31 and February 28 sailings, this tour goes from Hiroshima to Osaka, and on the February 14 and March 14 sailings, it goes in the reverse direction. The tour features time in Kyoto, which was the capital of Japan for 1,100 years. Kyoto has over 1,200 Buddhist temples and more than 400 Shinto shrines, most of which are completely intact. In Kyoto, this tour features visits to several temples and the Nijo Castle. In Hiroshima, the tour includes visits to Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb dome. The centerpiece of this tour is a ride between Hiroshima and Osaka on the famous “Shinkansen,” or bullet train, which makes the trip in approximately 105 minutes. |
Packages are available for purchase online, and must be purchased before ten days prior to the date of sailing. Tours within the package cannot be exchanged or cancelled by the guest. If Azamara Cruises cancels a tour, the guest will receive a refund for the full retail value of the tour.
Azamara Cruises unlocks the hidden corners of the world for those who desire to immerse themselves in the rich details of every voyage. The deluxe ships – Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest - offer an intimate experience, while allowing access to exotic destinations experienced travelers long to reach. For the 694 guests on each Azamara Cruises ship, every moment at sea embodies the pinnacle of luxury, and each footstep on shore accentuates the difference between visiting a place and getting a true sense of place. This year, Azamara Cruises presents the best of enchanting Europe, elite Asia, and the most captivating Caribbean and the Panama Canal. The line also offers unique cruisetours in Asia and Europe. For more information call 1-877-325-7522.
Tags: Asia, Azamara Cruises, Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Exotic Excursion
Miami - From Italian “slow food” and Slovenian salt to the French vineyards of Sauternes and Graves, Azamara Cruises’ slate of culinary-themed shore excursions offer travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the richness of Europe’s culture. Azamara also has begun offering packaged shore excursions on certain itineraries.
This summer and fall, the 694-passenger Azamara ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, are sailing the Baltic and Mediterranean seas, respectively, for the first time. Onboard, guests enjoy complimentary meals in the ships’ restaurants, including two specialty restaurants, as well as various wine-themed workshops and activities. On land, the offerings are no less tantalizing. Examples of Azamara Cruises’ food- and wine-related Europe shore excursions include:
Azamara also has introduced select shore excursion packages during its European season, that make it easy for guests to enjoy an in-depth, immersive experience in the region in which they are cruising. “Capitals of the Baltic,” for example, offered on some of Azamara’s Scandinavia/Russia sailings, includes a slate of excursions such as “Berlin’s Cultural Splendors,” “Porvoo, Hirvihaara Manor and Helsinki Highlights,” “The Best of St. Petersburg,” “Hermitage Splendor,” “Moscow and the Mysterious Kremlin,” “Historic Stockholm and Sigtuna,” and ‘Drottingholm Palace, Residence of the Swedish.” The packages, which guests can book before sailing, are offered on 18 different sailings. Booking these tours as a package individually costs guests less than it would to book all of them separately.
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“Slow food” tours in Livorno, Civitavecchia, and Venice, Italy; designed for those who love tastes that have endured through the ages, and who appreciate traditional ways of preparing and savoring meals, these tours feature wine tastings, olive oil tastings, cooking demonstrations and serene countryside walks. |
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A sampling of Koper, Slovenia’s wine, olives and salt during a tour that begins with a drive through the Slovenian Mediterranean coast to the salt plants that date back more than 700 years; there, guests see the salt houses, where raw salt is processed and packaged, and continue their journey to a farmhouse known for its olive-oil production and its depiction of Istrian farm life, as well as to a Slovenian wine cellar for a tasting. |
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A “Vineyards of Sauternes and Graves” tour in the Bordeaux region of France, where guests travel through acres of vineyards before visiting the underground winery at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, known for its red wines; the region of Sauternes, where the world-renowned dessert wine is vented; and chateaux Y’Quem and Suduiraut, which offer outstanding tastes as well. |
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An exclusive cooking workshop at Amsterdam, Holland’s Michelin-2-star Ron Blaauw restaurant, where guests have the opportunity to learn from a culinary master before enjoying a gastronomic four-course lunch paired with select wines. |
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A “pasta party” at Country Relais due Laghi in Civitavecchia, featuring a visit to the medieval village of Anguillara by the lake of Bracciano before a trip to Tuscia, where local chefs demonstrate the traditional art of pasta-making three ways: with water and flour, with eggs, and with potatoes, before inviting guests to try their hand at it before enjoying a five-course gourmet meal. |
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A celebration of the colors, tastes and smells of Turkey in Kusadasi, during which guests experience a visit to Sirince, known for its incredibly fragrant and flavorful apricots and peaches; a trip to the mountainous area of Kirazl Koy, where guests can visit the local primary school, nap beneath a tree, or stroll through the village sipping Turkish coffee; a freshly prepared special lunch of gozleme, keskek and manti; and even a chance to help the locals pick seasonal fruits. |
Azamara also offers guests the opportunity to extend their European vacation with a cruisetour, exploring destinations inland that are not accessible by ship. Azamara’s cruisetours in Europe are offered pre-cruise; ranging from three to eight nights in length, they focus on the regions of Italy, Greece and Eastern Europe.
Travel enthusiasts are encouraged to visit Azamara Cruises website for more information.
Azamara Cruises unlocks the hidden corners of the world for those who desire to immerse themselves in the rich details of every voyage. The deluxe ships – Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest - offer an intimate experience, while allowing access to exotic destinations experienced travelers long to reach. For the 694 guests on each Azamara Cruises ship, every moment at sea embodies the pinnacle of luxury, and each footstep on shore accentuates the difference between visiting a place and getting a true sense of place. This year, Azamara Cruises presents the best of enchanting Europe, elite Asia, and the most captivating Caribbean and the Panama Canal. The line also offers unique cruisetours in Europe. For more information, call your travel agent atl 1-877-325-7522.
Tags: Azamara cruise, Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Tastes of Europe
