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Jilly Goolden to host AmaWaterways’ wine themed river cruise

31st May 2011 Print
Jilly Goolden

For the first time AmaWaterways is offering UK guests a wine themed river cruise hosted by a British celebrity, when British wine critic, journalist and television personality Jilly Goolden comes on board the cruise line’s luxurious AmaDolce for a Danube cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest on 14th November 2011.

Jilly Goolden, known for her eccentric descriptions of wine that have included pear drops, liquorice and even rubber, presented BBC’s `Food & Drink’ show for 18 years. She went on to write a series of books on wine and food, and to appear in a number of TV shows, including the fifth series of `I’m a Celebrity – Get me out of here’.

Ms. Goolden will be joining guests on AmaWaterways’ picturesque `Romantic Danube’ river cruise past rolling hillsides, vineyards and medieval castles, through Austria’s captivating Wachau Valley with highlights that include visits to Vienna and Budapest. While on board, she will present her knowledge of local wines, host wine tastings, accompany guests on a wine-themed shore excursion and mingle freely with passengers during meals and in the ship’s public areas.

All presentations, wine tastings and excursions are complimentary to guests and are included in the 7 night cruise price, starting from £1376, which also includes all meals, free-flowing wine with dinner, free wi-fi and free use of on-board bicycles.

The cruise is one of a series of wine themed cruises offered by AmaWaterways in October and November 2011, timed to coincide with the harvest. The cruises will showcase Europe’s wine regions on the Rhine, Mosel and Danube, and in addition to Jilly Goolden, will feature hosts such as Anthony Dias Blue, one of the U.S.’s most influential wine, food and lifestyle personalities, and representatives from the Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma, and winemakers from the St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Santa Rosa and Trinchero Napa Valley.

Itineraries include complimentary onboard lectures, wine tastings and excursions to historic vineyards and cellars. Passengers will also enjoy special wine-themed excursions, such as a Medieval Wine Fest in the Mosel town of Zell; a traditional “Heuriger” tasting of new wine in the villages of Grinzing and Neustift on the outskirts of Vienna; a tour and tasting at the historic Bergweiler Winery in Bernkastel; an introduction to Alsatian wines at the “Wunsch et Mann” winery in Wettolsheim and an unforgettable candlelit evening and wine tasting at the Hofkeller, or cellar of the famous Residenz in Wurzburg. Each of the distinctive wine-themed activities is complimentary and open to all passengers.

Jilly Goolden will be sailing on board the 148-passenger M/S AmaDolce, which debuted in 2009 and is one of six luxury river cruisers that the award winning AmaWaterways operates on Europe’s waterways, to be joined by a seventh ship, the AmaCerto in 2012. The company also offers cruises on Russia’s waterways and on the Mekong.

For more information and bookings, visit: amawaterways.co.uk

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Jilly Goolden