For the epicurious sort

One of the most popular specialty vacations for today’s upscale traveler revolves around fine wines and superb cuisine. A seriously satisfying wine/culinary experience requires four other ingredients: small group intimacy, a world-class winemaking region, expert and entertaining educators and exceptional accommodations and surroundings.

American Safari Cruises has packaged all of these elements into an exciting series of cruise departures for this fall’s crush season along the Columbia and Snake rivers. Their October and November small group cruises focus on fine wines and paired cuisine while cruising through one of America’s most scenic backdrops—the Columbia River Gorge. All-in-all this is the best wine and culinary cruise experience in the United States. The convenience and comfort of visiting wineries via a 145-foot warm and inviting yacht is their answer to European hotel barges. Now that’s the kind of answer we like to hear!

Jayne’s cruise, RSSC Voyager

Join professional crusier Jayne White, on her favorite line, Regent Seven Seas, on the newly refurbished RSSC Voyager. You’ll travel from Stockholm to London, August 28 to September 9.  Beginning with two days in Stockholm, you’ll have three full and exciting days in St. Peterburg, and get a chance to know Helsinki, Tallin,Visby, Copenhagen, Oslo, and Amsterdam before arriving in London.

“An additional dollop of whipped cream for me is the full day at sea to really enjoy the amenities of our luxurious ship!” enthuses Jayne. Highlights include: a special cocktail party for the group and Jayne’s Complimentary Voyager Club Shore Event in Tallinn, where you’ll have a grand tour of the city, new and old, walk the charming streets of Old Town, have lunch at one the best restaurants in Estonia, the Peppersack, and shop at St. Catherine’s Arts Market for wonderful handicrafts and art. Jayne rhapsodizes, “Oh, the Amber on the trip is amazing! Then too are the laquer boxes and icons from Russia.”

She adds, “RSSC has opened this year will some tremendous savings that will expire soon on March 31! Please call me to learn about the Two for One savings, almost free air from Little Rock, and the complimentary RSSC shore excursions. Remember RSSC is all inclusive, gratuites and all (normal) alcohol and drinks are included!  Sure, if you want Dom Perignon it’ll be extra!”

Click here to view a pdf of the itinerary.

Windstar Cruises

Make some misty water-colored memories

Venice/Venice

7-Day Cruise

June 13, 20

September 12

October 17

Begin and in Venice, the famed city once at the crossroads of the Byzantine and Roman worlds. Travel via the unspoiled Croatian islands along the blue Dalmatian coast. Sip a Bellini in the Piazza San Marco, visit the fascinating island cemetery of San Michele, or start at the Madonna dell’Orto for a walking tour though one of Venice’s most arresting but least-touristy neighborhoods. Awaken in Croatia to the colorful gardens and balconies of Rovinj. Explore the Austrian villas and seaside promenade of Opatija. A seven-mile seaside walk takes you through the city’s intriguing history of health sanitariums, grand hotels, and green parks. End with a tour through the monumental “Stone City” of Trojir and the artistic offerings of Dubrovnik before returning to Venice.

When in Rome

Rome/Rome

May 2, 7 nights

Windstar’s collection of cruises hosted by food and wine luminaries just keeps getting better. If your idea of escape includes a delicious piece of chocolate, then here’s your golden ticket: sailing the Mediterranean with chocolatier and award-winning author Fran Bigelow of Fran’s Chocolates. Bigelow will discuss her artisan confections and conduct chocolate tastings during this romantic voyage, part of Windstar’s new Signature Collection Host Series.

Seabourn Cruise Line

7 nights, Greek Isles and Turkey-Athens to Istanbul

Seabourn Odyssey

Departs May 8, June 5, July 3, August 21, September 18, October 16

What will you remember about the experience of having every desire met? Every whim fulfilled? Perhaps you’ll recollect simply perfect days aboard your ultra-luxurious all-suite Seabourn yacht. Or Seabourn Signature delights such as Massage Moments on deck. Then there are the intriguing ports of call.

Avalon Waterways

River Cruises 2010

From the world’s youngest river cruising fleet to the sleek, contemporary ship design and state-of-the-art technology, Avalon Waterways leads the way in modern river cruising and small-ship cruising.

This splendid Central Europe river cruise introduces you to the magnificent Moselle, Rhine, and Main Rivers, as well as to the fascinating Main Danube Canal. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Paris, Trier, Würzburg, Bamberg, and Prague. Also, visit Reichsburg Castle above the little town of Cochem, sample the area’s famed Riesling wines in a local wine cellar in Bernkastel, and marvel at Miltenberg’s half-timbered houses.

Oasis of the Seas

RoyalCaribbean introduces the world’s most revolutionary cruise ship. A feat of architecture and imagination, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are designed around 7 neighborhood concepts, each with a distinct personality and range of sights and activities. From the awe-inspiring ocean-side seating of the AquaTheater to the lush green landscape of Central Park, there’s something for everyone to discover on the grandest ships the world has ever seen.

The Oberoi Zahra Luxury Nile Cruiser

The royal treatment

Exotic Honeymoon

The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser continues the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts’ tradition of offering the highest standards of hospitality. Some of the most spacious accommodations on the Nile, the mutedly elegant interior of the Luxury Cabins and Luxury Suites is complemented by expansive views of the river framed by large windows within the cabins and the en suite bathrooms. The Oberoi Zahra is the only boat on the Nile with a full-service spa.

It sails on a seven-day itinerary from Luxor to Aswan (and vice versa), allowing guests the opportunity to leisurely discover five thousand years of Egyptian culture.

Seadream

$200 Spa Credit Offer on Select Sailings

April 1-April 25

With only 110 guests and 90 crewmembers, the meg-yachts of SeaDream Yacht Club are ideal for even the most discerning travelers. Enjoy award-winning cuisine and personal service that boasts a 1 to 1 crew to guest ratio. Days can be as active or as relaxed as desired. Play with a variety of “water-toys” from the yacht’s marina or indulge and relax on a Balinese Dream Bed. SeaDream offers voyages to the yachting playgrounds and intimate hideaways of the Mediterranean, the enchanting Greek Islands, and the beautiful shorelines in the Adriatic and Black Sea. Also offered are yachting voyages in the azure crystalline waters of the Caribbean.

Orion Expedition Cruises

October 11

Escorted by Ellison Poe

Each day of this 12-day expedition will reveal yet another aspect to the wonderful cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea and the breathtaking scenery unique to this remote land. This is still a land of magic and spirits despite the best efforts of colonial missionaries over the centuries. A land of 800 languages, the cultural diversity will take your breath away. From volcanic tropical fjords and the flooded crater that is Rabaul’s Simpson Harbour to pristine white sand beaches, the beauty of PNG is wonderfully varied.

Regent Seven Seas

Upscale but not uptight

Venice to Istanbul, 14 nights, May 28

Seward to Vancouver, 7 nights, July 21

Stockholm to London (Dover), 12 nights, August 28, escorted by Jayne White

The ships of Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer voyages of exploration and discovery to more than 300 ports on all seven continents. Their luxury vessels are designed for guests numbering in the hundreds rather than the thousands. The ambiance on board is personal, individual, accommodating, and all ships share certain distinctions in accommodations, service, dining and amenities that elevate them to the lofty vantage point of our enviable six stars.