Luxury cruises aboard privately chartered yachts, exclusive after-hours access to famous landmarks and elegant rail journeys are all part of the five star service in the latest Captain’s Choice itineraries.
The ultra-luxurious Captain’s Choice Europe 2017 Collection is day-dreaming stuff. The eight carefully curated, fully inclusive journeys have all been designed to cater for small groups with a high staff-to-guest ratio.
Four new journeys have been added for 2017.
In Search of the Northern Lights ($25,360 per person, twin share)
This 21-day journey meanders through Sweden, Finland and Norway. For those who want to experience the magnificent Aurora Borealis, travelling through Scandinavia at this time of year is a real experience.
With the demand so high, the first tour sold out in record time. A second departure is now on sale, departing 21 March 2017. Highlights include a day trip aboard icebreaker Sampo, a five night cruise aboard the MS Nordnorge, a reindeer and husky safari and a journey aboard the scenic Flam railway.
Luxury accommodation features throughout and includes the incredible glass igloos at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, the elegant Hotel Kamp in Helsinki and the chic Hotel Continental in Oslo.
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An Alpine Adventure ($27,160 per person, twin share)
This 22-day journey through Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France departs 15 June 2017. For those who enjoy the romance of rail, travelling aboard Europe’s most scenic railways will be a major drawcard. The Alpine Express, Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Ritter Railway, and Golden Pass Panoramic Express all showcase the stunning regional views.
Other highlights include a Bavarian welcome dinner at a local Brewery in Munich; visiting Mozart’s House in Salzburg and Ludwig XVI Castles; crossing the tremendous Dolomites aboard a cable car; and seeing France’s longest glacier, Mer de Glace.
Luxury accommodation is offered at all locations and Captain’s Choice guests are guaranteed Matterhorn view rooms at Schonegg Hotel Zermatt and lake view rooms at the Palace Hotel Lucerne.
Canals of Europe ($24,150 per person twin share)
For those wanting a taste of Italy combined with the chance to spend balmy summer days gliding over Burgundy’s prettiest waterways, Captain’s Choice offers this new 18-day tour.
Departing 18 August 2017, it begins in Italy with a three night stay at Palazzo Victoria in Verona. Guests are welcomed with a special dinner at the edge of Lake Garda, enjoy the best seats at the famous Arena di Verona Opera Festival and are treated to an exclusive after hours, doors-closed, visit to St Marcos Basilica in Venice.
Then it’s all aboard the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris before the short local rail journey on to Champagne. Staying at the Chateau Les Crayeres and dining at Le Parc restaurant, you’ll enjoy a stunning dinner prepared by Michelin starred chef Phillippe Mille.
Then in Dijon, guests board the MS Jeanine, a dainty French barge, for a six night cruise along the Cote d’Or canals to the UNESCO sites in the Loire Valley.
Hidden Balkan and Dalmatian Gems ($21,100 per person, twin share)
This 20-day tour departs 6 September 2017 and takes guests on a discovery of Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. With travel aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express from Budapest to Venice, the journey also features a cruise along the hidden corners of the Dalmatian coast aboard the MV Princess Eleganza, a brand new 36 passenger privately chartered ship.
Highlights of this new journey include a visit to Bran Castle in Brasov, known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’; the chance to explore the Krka National Park and admire the multiple cascades of Skradinki; and boarding small boats for a voyage along the emerald green valley of the River Cetina.
These new journeys join perennial favourites such as Quest to the North Pole, The Midnight Sun, Northern Spain and the Douro Valley and White Christmas in Europe.
These prices include all travel, with international flights from Australia; five star accommodation, all meals with wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner, all sightseeing, airport-home-airport chauffeur driven transfers; a talented tour host and accompanying doctor plus the four T’s – tipping, taxes, transfers and travel insurance; and other thoughtful extras.
