Chateaux, Rivers & Wine

Transcription

1 Deluxe River Cruise in France Chateaux, Rivers & Wine Onboard the Elegant Viking Forseti May 1-9, 2015 Featuring: Bordeaux Blaye Cognac Saint-Émilion Libourne Cadillac Sauternes with seven nights of luxury cruising on the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers

2 Chateaux, Rivers & Wine Celebrate joie de vivre in this land of wine and oysters, truffles and cognac, as we enjoy an in-depth view of this region and cruise the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers. Caressed by Atlantic breezes, the vineyards that cover the rolling hills along the rivers of Aquitaine 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 river bank, inviting visitors to savor its grand architecture, tempting cafés and superb museums. e Arcachon Pauillac GIRONDE Bordeaux Blaye GARONNE Cognac FRANCE Libourne Saint-Emilion Bergerac Cadillac Loire Valley DORDOGNE P Friday, May 1 Day 1 Departure Day Our exciting journey begins as we board our flight bound for Europe. Months of anticipation and preparation make this day a most welcome arrival. Saturday, May 2 D Day 2 Bordeaux We arrive in Bordeaux and are met at the airport and take to our ship. The rest of the day is ours to relax or begin exploring Bordeaux on our own. Second only to Paris in French historic monuments, Bordeaux's beautifully preserved 18thcentury urban areas make it a desirable film location and its graceful port on the Garonne River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS). We remain docked overnight. Sunday, May 3 BLD Day 3 Pauillac (Margaux) We sail along the Gironde River this morning, docking at Pauillac in the Médoc region before lunch. This afternoon we take a wine country tour featuring several wine-tasting opportunities, including the area s famous full-flavoured Margaux. Relax on board this evening, or explore Pauillac s marina and the Plaza Lafayette Pauillac is where the Marquis de Lafayette set sail to the New World. Undisputed capital of the Médoc wine region, Pauillac is home to Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild, among others. We may also catch a glimpse of the lighthouse on the Île de Patiras in the middle of the Gironde. Monday, May 4 BLD Day 4 Blaye (Cognac) Early this morning we sail to Blaye, arriving during breakfast. Blaye boasts an extraordinary 17th-century citadel dramatically set on a rock beside the river, which incorporates the ruins of an ancient Gothic château. The château contains the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine and legend has it that the Frankish hero Roland, who served Charlemagne, is also buried there. The citadel of Blaye, its city walls, and two other forts are collectively listed as a World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour of the citadel, then enjoy some free time in Blaye or you may choose to take an optional excursion to the charming medieval town of Cognac, birthplace of one of the world s bestknown types of brandy. We lift anchor late this afternoon and dine while sailing toward Libourne, where the Isle and Dordogne Rivers meet. Tuesday, May 5 BLD Day 5 Libourne (Saint- Émilion) Begin our day with a leisurely stroll to Libourne's picturesque city square, lined with buildings dating as far back as the 16th century. Later, a tour takes us to Saint-Émilion (WHS) where we see the town's superb medieval lanes and delightful views over the surrounding vineyards from the upper town. Spend a pleasant afternoon exploring the town's streets and shopsor participate in one of two optional excursions: an exploration of the Bergerac area in the Dordogne, to learn more about truffles, a great French delicacy, or a

3 Rostad Tours Group Advantage Tipping included [$150+ value] Rostad Early Booking Discount Up to $200 Rostad Frequent Traveller Discount Services of a Rostad Tour Host worry-free travel! special inclusions Onboard Entertainment and Lectures Quietvox audio headset during shore excursions Wine and beer with lunch and dinner during cruise tasting of some local vintages, both from the Saint-Émilion and the Pomerol appellations, at a nearby château. Wednesday, May 6 BLD Day 6 Cadillac (Sauternes) We enjoy scenic cruising along the idyllic Garonne River all morning, stopping after lunch at Cadillac. Then we disembark for our excursion to Sauternes. We learn how the area s sweet dessert wines are made and taste some examples during our tour. Thursday, May 7 BLD Day 7 Cadillac & Bordeaux Begin sailing along the Garonne toward Bordeaux and enjoy a quiet morning sailing. Tour the city centre upon arrival to see some of Bordeaux s highlights, including the Place des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe; the neoclassical Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux and several spectacular Loire Valley churches. We remain docked overnight so we are free to deposit information explore the city s restaurants, bars and nightlife. Friday, May 8 BLD Day 8 Bordeaux We have a full day at leisure, giving us more time to appreciate the well-preserved architecture by Louis XV favorites Jacques Ange Gabriel and son and to taste the city s cuisine and wine appellations perhaps pick up a few bottles to take home with usyou. Do not miss the Place de la Bourse, with its mirror-like reflecting pool impressive by day but absolutely stunning at night. We also have the option of taking an afternoon excursion to Arcachon, a commune on the Atlantic coast, to see the Victorian-era villas, walk on the boardwalk and taste the oysters, a local delicacy. Or we have the option of participating in a market visit with the Viking Chef to see where the local chefs of Bordeaux find their fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. Saturday, May 9 B Day 9 Return home This morning we are taken to the airport to start our journey home, excited to share our photos and experiences in Bordeaux with our envious friends. Deposit of $500 is fully refundable until June 30, 2014 Make cheque payable to Rostad Tours Ltd. Visa or MasterCard accepted Call TOUR ACTIVITY LEVEL Leisurely Able to walk 2 km easily and stand for extended periods of time while visiting museums and historic sites. Suitable for most fitness levels. Explore More Want to see more of the region? Begin your discovery of the châteaux of France with a 3-day fully escorted program in the Loire Valley, including guided tours of two of the region s most spectacular estates. One night in Paris and two nights in Tours are included. Viking also offers a 3-night post-cruise extention to experience the romance of Paris. Interested? Give us a call for the details and pricing. discounts available Ask about our Early Booking Discount, Rostad Frequent Traveller discount and Viking's alumni travel credit prices Toronto/Ottawa $4595 Halifax $4725 Winnipeg $4745 Regina/Saskatoon $4795 Calgary/Edmonton $4795 Vancouver/Victoria $ 4795 Prices from other cities available upon request. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in a Category E Standard Cabin on the cruise. Cabin categories are subject to availability and will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis. When you make your deposit, you will select your preferred cabin category from those remaining in our allotment. For single occupancy, call for prices and availability. Cabin Upgrade Costs Category Description Price D French Balcony $ 700 C French Balcony $1000 B Verandah $1200 A Verandah $1500 Cabin upgrade prices are per person. There are a limited number of lower priced cabins available. If available, a Category F Main Deck cabin will reduce the price by $100 per person. This tour is not subject to GST/HST. Price IncludeS Return economy class airfare Current airline taxes, fuel surcharges and airport fees ($650) Transfers between airport and ship Category "E" riverview cabin on cruise ship Meals as shown (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner during cruise Hot coffee and tea on the ship Comprehensive sightseeing program Shipboard entertainment and lectures Tipping for all included services Port taxes and foreign taxes Rostad Tours travel gift Tour documentation and travel information Not Included: Other beverages, Optional shore excursions, Items of a personal nature, Any airline luggage fees, Increases to surcharges, taxes or fees, Insurance.

4 Tour Conditions & Information Reservations An initial deposit of $500 is required to reserve your place on this tour. This initial deposit is completely refundable until June 30, Final Payment The final payment is due November 30, A reminder will be sent to passengers in advance of this date. Credit Card Payments For payments made by credit card, we reserve the right to have credit card charges processed by the suppliers of travel services such as the airline, cruise line, etc. If this occurs, your payment will be split between Rostad Tours and the other suppliers and will appear as separate payments on your credit card statement. Shared & Single Accommodation You must indicate at the time of booking whether you want to share a room or if you prefer a single room. Your roommate, if known, should also be indicated. If a roommate is not found by November 30, 2014 a single supplement will be applied. Reservation Changes If you want to change your reservation, such as change your departure city or plan an extended stay, you must submit your request in writing at least four months prior to departure. Any subsequent changes, cancellations of extension arrangements or changes requested within four months of departure are subject to a service fee of $ per person in addition to any fees charged by the various travel suppliers. Tour Price The prices shown are based on currency levels, airfares, and taxes valid as at June 1, 2014 and are subject to change. Cancellations Your initial deposit is completely refundable until June 30, Maximum cancellation penalties after this date are as follows: Up to November 30, 2014 $ 200 December 1 to 125 days $ 1000 prior to departure 124 to 95 days $ to 65 days $ to 35 days $ to 0 days $ 4000 If you cancel, you will receive back all money paid towards the tour less the applicable cancellation fee. The charges apply to the base price of the tour only and do not include cancellation charges for any extra arrangements such as cabin upgrades, single supplements, additional tours, etc. Insurance We recommend that all passengers buy insurance to protect themselves against any possible cancellation charges or out-of-country medical expenses. An all-inclusive policy which has cancellation, hospital/medical and baggage coverage will be offered to Alberta residents prior to making their final payment. For passengers residing outside of Alberta, we will explain how you can obtain our special group rates for travel insurance direct from Reliable Life Insurance. As the maximum cancellation penalty is only $200 up to November 30, 2014, we recommend that you wait and purchase insurance at the time you make your final payment. Passports A passport is required for all tour participants. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least three months and some at least six months past your intended return date. If you do not already have a passport, or if your current passport will expire within this period, apply for your new passport at least 125 days before departure. Health Requirements During walking tours you will likely experience uneven ground, cobblestone streets and various amounts of steps or stairs. For your enjoyment, and in fairness to your fellow passengers, you should be in good physical condition, with the ability to stand for extended periods of time and walk up to two kilometres easily. Should you feel a particular excursion may be too strenuous, you are welcome to forego the sightseeing tour and rest or explore on your own. At the time of printing, no inoculations are required for this tour. Tour Documents An extensive set of tour documents will be sent approximately days prior to departure. Please notify our office in writing if you require any information in advance of this date. Baggage Allowance Tour members are allowed one suitcase per person. The dimensions of the suitcase should not exceed 60 (i.e. 30 length + 20 height + 10 width) and the weight should not exceed 23 kgs. Rostad Tours accepts no responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, any baggage or any tour member s personal belongings. Itinerary Variations The cruise operator, Viking River Cruises, Inc reserves the right to withdraw and/or cancel a tour or to make changes in the itinerary whenever, in its sole judgement, conditions warrant it. It is not obliged to substitute another vessel or itinerary and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to guests by reason of any such cancellation, advancement or postponement. Rostad Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour due to airline schedule changes or any other circumstances beyond our control. Tour Membership Rostad Tours reserves the right to reject any person as a tour member and to expel from the tour any person whose actions are deemed to be detrimental to the enjoyment of the tour by the other passengers. Children 6 years of age and under at the time the tour departs are considered too young to travel on tour. Responsibility Rostad Tours Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta act as agents for the various owners or contractors providing hotels, means of transportation or other services. Issuance and acceptance of the tour documents shall be deemed to be consent to the condition that Rostad Tours Ltd. shall not become liable or responsible in any way for any personal or property loss, damage or injury, howsoever caused or arising. In the event that we are forced to cancel a tour due to insufficient registrations, Rostad Tours Ltd. s sole responsibility shall be the refund of all monies paid to Rostad Tours by the tour participant Palliser Drive SW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2V 4W5 Toll Free: Phone: (403) Fax: (403) tours@rostad.com

5 PASSENGER REGISTRATION FORM Please complete this form and mail it to the Tour Host or directly To Rostad Tours If paying by credit card, you may also register by phone or fax this form to Rostad Tours PASSENGER INFORMATION Chateaux, Rivers & Wine Departs: May 1, 2015 Chateaux1505 (1): Date of Birth: 19 / / Title Last Name First Name Year/Month/Day (2): Date of Birth: 19 / / Mailing Address : City/Town: Prov/State: Postal Code/Zip: Phone: Home ( ) - Work: ( ) - Type of Accommodation Requested: Twin/Double or Single Departure City: Roommate (if known): If unknown, would you like us to find you a roommate? CRUISE INFORMATION Cabin Category: (1st choice) (2nd choice) Cruise Special Requests: PRIVACY: Rostad Tours is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. The main purpose of collecting your personal information is to arrange travel products and services for you. Accordingly, personal information required for this purpose may be shared with airlines, hotels, cruise lines, travel insurance companies, tour operators and other travel-related vendors. It may also be used to provide you with information regarding future travel opportunities. We will not sell or trade your personal information with third parties. Our complete Privacy Policy is available at our website at or, if you wish, we can send you a copy via or by postal mail. PAYMENT INFORMATION Deposit Required (per person): $500x = Total: Deposit is fully refundable until June 30, 2014 Payment Method: Visa Mastercard Cheque (made payable to Rostad Tours Credit Card # Expires: / Month/Year Cardholder Name: Please note that we reserve the right to have credit card payments processed by third parties such as Cardholder Signature: airlines, cruise lines, etc. Mail with payment to either address below: Rostad Staff or Tour Host Palliser Dr SW Calgary, AB T2V 4W5 OR Rostad Tours 10, 3109 Palliser Drive SW Calgary, AB Canada T2V 4W5

6 Travel knowing you have chosen the best. Viking River Cruises: Award-winning River cruise Line Since 1998 Rostad Tours has partnered with Viking River Cruises to bring you the best river cruise experiences possible and together we always strive to exceed your expectations. Viking s river cruises in Europe and Russia, plus their cruisetours in China, have consistently received high scores in customer satisfaction. Through the years, they also have been recognized with several awards, presented based on recommendations from travellers like you. Viking River Cruises is a multiple-time award winner on Conde Nast Traveler Magazine s Gold List. This prestigious list reflects the very best in travel, placing them with the world s top hotels, resorts and cruise lines. Their ships have also been recognized on annual lists on the Best Small Ship category. The other best of list is Travel + Leisure s World s Best Awards. Since 2004 readers recognized them among the world s Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Lines with rankings for service, itineraries and overall quality that placed them as the #1 river cruise line. These awards are some of the most distinguished in the travel industry because they re based on input from veteran travellers and cruisers like you. And, such recognition only motivates them to work harder to provide you with superior service, unique itineraries and an overall cruise experience that keeps you coming back. So join us and discover the joys of river cruising with The World s Leading River Cruise Line - Viking River Cruises.

7 FEATURING THE AWARD-WINNING VIKING LONGSHIPS Viking Longships Viking Longships top 2014 Condé Nast Traveler s Readers Poll for Best River Cruise Ships. Viking has the # 1 ranked river cruise ship. Built: 2012/2013/2014 Length: 443 ft. Crew: 50 Guests: 190 Decks: 4 Staterooms: 95 (2 Explorer Suites, 7 Veranda Suites, 39 Veranda, 22 French Balcony, 25 Standard) Explorer Suite (ES) Veranda (B) Standard (E) Veranda Suite (AA) French Balcony (C) Standard (F) Veranda (A) French Balcony (D) Main deck Upper deck Herb Garden, Middle deck Sun deck Solar Panels Shop, Reception Library, Internet Bridge Observation lounge Restaurant Aquavit Terrace VIKING Sun deck Herb Garden Walking Track Solar Panels Walking Track French balcony Suite with a veranda & French balcony Upper deck Internet Library Elevator Observation lounge Bar Buffet Aquavit Terrace Grills Explorer Suite Stateroom with a veranda French balcony Middle deck Shop Reception Elevator Restaurant Buffet Kitchen Stateroom with a veranda Main deck Water-level staterooms have smaller windows The Viking Longships: Best New River Ship, The first six of Viking s revolutionary Longships debuted in 2012, offering an airy ambiance with plenty of big-ship amenities. Verandas are full-sized. Suites, mirroring hotel accommodations, each offer two-rooms. The Aquavit Terrace, an indoor-outdoor casual eatery, is a dedicated alternative restaurant. And the ships are state-of-the-art when it comes to engineering, with hybrid engines, solar panels and even an organic herb garden. Cruise Critic editors All staterooms are outside with river view Observation lounge & bar with floor-toceiling glass doors that lead to an open air Aquavit Terrace Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views Sun deck with shaded sitting area; organic herb garden & solar panels; putting green and walking track Library corner & onboard boutique Elevator Free wireless Internet Laundry service Bottled water replenished daily Voltage: 220V & 110V (U.S. outlet) in stateroom Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride

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9 All-inclusive itiner aries a great value As the most all-inclusive river cruise line, we provide great value. When you travel with Viking, we make sure that there are no surprises or hidden fees. The price you pay covers just about everything port charges, Wi-Fi, meals, lectures, activities and shore excursions as well as hotel accommodations on our cruisetour itineraries. So, all you have to do is relax and enjoy a great vacation that is also a great value. EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS aboard the newest, most deluxe river cruise fleet. Enjoy your choice of staterooms: many of our ships, especially the Viking Longships, have verandas, French balconies and two-room suites ATTENTIVE SERVICE from our award-winning, English-speaking staff, plus the personalized assistance of your onboard Viking Concierge ENRICHING DAILY SHORE EXCURSIONS led by friendly, knowledgeable local guides utilizing a high-tech audio headset system so you never miss a word ENGAGING CULTURAL ENRICHMENT with lectures, craft demonstrations, performances, hands-on cooking classes and much more ALL ONBOARD MEALS created by our Swiss-trained chefs featuring fresh ingredients, regional specialty options and served in a variety of settings including al fresco dining COMPLIMENTARY WINE, BEER AND SOFT DRINKS with onboard dinner and lunch service; bottled water and complimentary cappuccino, coffee and tea at our 24-hour hot beverage bar DELUXE HOTELS for overnight stays during our cruisetour programs and pre & post packages COMPLIMENTARY onboard Internet service IN-ROOM INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM features movies on demand, plus CNBC, CNN, National Geographic and more Palliser Drive SW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2V 4W5 Toll Free: Phone: (403) (Calgary) Fax: (403) tours@rostad.com