New York, NY, November 2011 – Hurtigruten’s 10-day Western Europe voyage offers guests a wonderful alternative to the usual Easter at home, exploring many of the jewels of five countries as the expedition ship MS Fram sails between Portugal and Germany. The “Western Europe Easter Voyage,” departing April 1, celebrates the spring holiday with visits to eight disparate ports including the UNESCO-listed city of Porto, noted for its eponymous wine; the Spanish town of La Coruña where glass and white-framed harbor buildings have earned it the nickname “The Crystal City”; and an Easter Sunday stop in Honfleur, where guests can stop by France’s oldest surviving wooden church, Saint Catherine’s Church. The voyage features the classic attributes that set Hurtigruten apart: expert lectures about the history, culture and natural environment of the ports visited; a small ship size that allows for many city-center dockings; and Polarcirkel boats for landings in places cruise ships cannot reach, such as Sark in the Channel Islands. Fares reflecting 10% early booking savings (reserve by Dec. 31) range from $2,363 to $5,063 per person, double, and include accommodations; all meals onboard; wind & water-resistant jacket; and all aspects of the onboard program.
The springtime voyage kicks off in Portugal with stops in two of its largest and culturally rich cities: Lisbon, the capital and home to two UNESCO heritage sites – Belém Tower, a former lighthouse, and Jerónimos Monastery, an example of Manueline architecture; and Porto, a hub of Portuguese music and art. In Spain, guests can join an overland excursion to Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia, before porting in La Coruña, where a visit to the well-preserved Old Town is a step back in time. After making its way through the Bay of Biscay, the 318-guest MS Fram sails to France and visits the world’s major wine industry capital, Bordeaux, whose historic region has been called an "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century. Guests spend Easter eve on the small Channel Islands of Sark and Guernsey, just off the coast of Normandy, and Easter Sunday in the charming French town of Honfleur, whose architecture had a large influence on the Impressionist movement. The voyage ends in Hamburg, where a balance of economic success and environmental efforts earned it the title of 2011 European Green Capital.
Guests can enhance their holiday trip with a range of optional excursions that allow for an even more in-depth exploration of the regions. Past offerings include a tour and river cruise on a typical Rabelo Boat – traditionally used for transporting wine – in Porto, Portugal; a guided bus tour to Santiago de Compostela, a magnificent example of medieval town building; a visit to the Saint-Emilion region, where a guide shows off a local vineyard, arranges lunch in a traditional local restaurant and points out the town’s highlights; and a walk through the picturesque fishing town of Honfleur, France, with a stop at the Eugene Boudin Museum. Excursion options and pricing for 2012 become available in late January.
Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring and fall. The company’s fleet of 13 intimate ships, with 151 to 646 berths, allows passengers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere. Additional information on all of these adventures, as well as brochures and reservations, can be obtained from travel agents or Hurtigruten's visitor-friendly web site, www.hurtigruten.us; or by phone: (877) 301-3117; fax (888) 524-2145; for brochures (800) 582-0835, 24 hours a day.
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Gillies and Zaiser
10 Nytko Drive
Pomona, NY 10970-2646
HTN-40-November 2011