APT shares its picks for river cruising in 2016

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River cruising is growing in popularity amongst Australians. According to latest figures from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), this gentle and intimate style of cruising grew by more than 60 percent last year to 79,530.Luxury travel operator, APT, was recently voted by the travel industry as Australia’s ‘Best River Cruise Operator’ and with river cruising becoming ever-popular as a travel style, Debra Fox, APT Chief Marketing Officer, shares her pick of some of the ‘best’ new river cruises for 2016.Chobe River, Botswana: A river cruise safari offers the chance to see hippos, elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards congregating along the river banks so you get a really close encounter of a vast array of wildlife. With just 14 suites, the Zambezi Queen features internet access, a plunge pool, sun deck and shaded area, as well as an open restaurant and lounge area with panoramic windows for viewing the animals.Book: APT’s all inclusive 15-day African Journey is priced from $9,995 per person, twin share.Lower Ganges, India: APT is just one of a few Australian travel companies offering river cruising on the lower Ganges in India. Sailing aboard the brand new RV Ganges Voyager, guests can visit Mother Theresa’s house, learn about the local Hari Krishna community and culture, enjoy a tour of the Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad, built by an English architect in 1837 and featuring 1,000 doors and a collection of European painting, china and weapons; and shopping at shore side bazaars.Book: APT’s all inclusive 15 Day Spirit of India is priced from $13,695 per person twin share.Irrawaddy River, Myanmar (Burma): A relatively new destination for river cruising, 2016 will see Burma slowly emerging from the far-reaching shadows of its more developed neighbours and with good reason. Guests who set sail aboard APT’s new Burma river ship, the RV Samatha, on the Irrawaddy in 2016 will enjoy exclusive dinners every evening that have been personally designed by our Asia Ambassador, celebrity chef Luke Nguyen. Also exclusive for APT guests is the chance to sample Luke’s specially designed degustation menu in the ship’s private dining room, an intimate eight-seat venue.Book: APT’s all inclusive 15 Day Hidden Wonders of Burma is priced from $7,195 per person twin share. Garonne and Dordogne rivers, Bordeaux: In 2016 APT will introduce Bordeaux river cruising, with a choice of five itineraries available covering the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Sailing aboard APT’s boutique 74-suite luxury rivership, the MS AmaDolce,guests visit Bordeaux, Cadillac, Pauillac, Blaye, Libourne, Saint Émilion and Libourne. Guests will enjoy a range of gourmet experiences designed to showcase the regional food and wine, for example a private dinner at Bordeaux’s Château Pape Clément, enjoyed with perfectly paired wines; and a visit to a family-owned cooperage before a wine tasting in Ludon.Book: APT’s all inclusive 11-Day Grand Bordeaux river cruise is priced from $4,995** per person twin share.Amazon River, Peru – Travel with APT and you’ll enjoy an exclusive four night cruise aboard the Delfin II – a boutique river ship for just 28 guests. Swim with pink river dolphins, hike through lush rainforest, enjoy a night safari, fish for piranhas, canoe tranquil waterways, cruise on a skiff over otherwise inaccessible tributaries and visit a riverside community to gain an insight into their way of life. This really is the river cruise of a lifetime.Book: APT’s all inclusive 24-day South America with Amazon Cruise is priced from $18,495 per person twin share.

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