Page 15 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – January/February 2016

TRAVEL AGENCY
AAA
TM
Voyages with Viking: A Leader in River Cruises
Edited with additional content by Craig Haberle, CTC
A BETTER WAY TO EXPLORE
Legendary waterways. Inspiring itineraries. Delicious regional cuisine. River cruising offers many attractive features and provides generous opportunities for travelers to interact with local folks in a personal way. You can expect all that and more on a river cruise operated by one of AAA Travel’s preferred partners,
a leader of which is the well-known Viking River Cruises.“Today’s travelers are looking for immersive experiences that bring them right to the heart of a destination,” says Viking’s Chairman Torstein Hagen. “That explains a lot of the growth in river cruising... and why there are so many loyal fans of Viking.”
AN INSIDER EXPERIENCE
While Viking® delivers the expected and iconic – such as visits to museums and landmarks – the
cruise line also goes beyond, and on most itineraries offers a Local Life experience and a Working World experience, as well as an optional Privileged Access experience. For example, Viking offers a number of home-hosted visits or trips to local markets so guests can experience Local Life. It provides experiences like the Kinderdijk windmills near Amsterdam or porcelain factory in Meissen, so guests can gain insight into the working world. Viking also offers guests the option of experiencing Privileged Access to museums, private collections and after-hours events curated especially by Viking, such as exclusive behind-the-scenes tour partnerships with Lobkowicz Palace in Prague,
Czech Republic, and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.
THE VIKING DIFFERENCE
Viking owns and operates its own river cruise
fleet, which has advantages for guests. Direct communication between the ship and headquarters, increased efficiency, economies of ship design, and high standards all lead to increased benefits and savings that are passed on to Viking’s guests. This adds up to the best value in river cruising. Viking’s inclusive fares cover accommodations, all onboard meals, ship-wide Wi-Fi, daily shore excursions, port charges, lectures and cultural enrichment.
YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME
An innovative, creative departure from traditional ship design, the award-winning Viking Longships® offer guests a choice of stateroom categories unlike any other. From spacious Veranda Staterooms and French Balcony Staterooms with a sliding glass
door, to the two-room Veranda Suites, each offers casual comfort and excellent river views. Guests may also choose one of two spacious Explorer Suites – the largest on Europe’s rivers – with wraparound verandas providing 270-degree views.
EXPLORE BORDEAUX LIKE NEVER BEFORE
As one of Viking’s most popular countries to cruise, France is among the few destinations that lends itself so perfectly to exploring by river. Stunning countryside, medieval castles, sophisticated cities and charming villages hug every riverbank, putting the best of French culture and history within easy reach. From the winding and tranquil Seine to the vineyard-flanked rivers in the South of France, each captivating waterway provides a wonderful glimpse into France’s appealing ambiance.
Russia and China. Cruising the rivers of the world has never before been so enjoyable, so comfortable and so enriching. For your convenience and best value, AAA Travel’s Discoveries has readied a variety of escorted river cruises in 2016 that benefit from the advantages of group travel while still providing you independence and choices. Join in the fun with your river cruise friends and guides or explore river ports on your own. Your local AAA Travel Agent can help you navigate the selection of the river cruise that’s best for you.
Caressed by Atlantic breezes, the vineyards that cover the rolling hills along the rivers of the Bordeaux region have for centuries produced France’s most remarkable wines. Saint- Émilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, Médoc and Margaux are but a handful of the appellations that make Bordeaux wines world famous. At the region’s heart, the city of Bordeaux stretches along the riverbank, inviting visitors to savor its grand architecture, tempting
cafés and superb museums. Celebrate joie de vivre in this land of wine and oysters, truffles and cognac, as
you cruise the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde rivers.
CRUISING THE RIVERS OF THE WORLD
Viking Cruises covers more than France with their exciting river voyages throughout Europe, plus
CHATEAUX, RIVERS & WINE CRUISE
September 13-24, 2016 • From $4,499 per person, double occupancy
Celebrate joie de vivre in France’s Bordeaux region, a land of wine and oysters, truffles and cognac, as you enjoy an in-depth view of this region and cruise the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde rivers.
INCLUDED FEATURES:
• Free parking with round-trip transfers from Carlisle, PA to airport
• Three-night pre-cruise hotel stays in Paris & Tours with guided tours
• Seven-night Chateaux, Rivers & Wine River Cruise aboard the Viking Forseti
• Transfers airport/hotel/pier/airport
For more information or reservations, contact your local AAA Central Penn office.
• Six guided tours with audio headset
• Meals: 3 breakfasts (hotel); all onboard meals
and entertainment
• $125 onboard credit per person
• Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with
onboard lunch and dinner service
Travel
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016
15
Now!