WHALE OF A TIME
An Arctic voyage from Active Travel that visits Canada's fabled Northwest Passage will follow the route of explorer Sir John Franklin's ship, the wreck of which was recently and sensationally discovered after a 170-year search. The trip starts in Greenland in August aboard Russian icebreaker Akademik Ioffe and takes passengers inside the Arctic Circle, charting explorer Sir John Franklin's final path through the Canadian Arctic. Zodiac excursions ashore allow passengers to meet the local Inuit people and spot wildlife including polar bears, seals and beluga whales
Phone 1300 783 188. See activetravel.com.au.
INSIDE KNOWLEDGE
River-cruise company Travelmarvel is introducing 21 new "Insider Experiences" next year to its European itineraries, showing that river travel in Europe is no longer just about the same old sights and activities. Among them is a visit to 19th-century Drachenburg Castle above the Rhine in Germany and Nelahozeves Castle near Prague in the Czech Republic, where a guided tour is followed by wine tasting and lunch. And at Vilshofen on the German Danube near Passau, passengers can enjoy a special "Oktoberfest" evening with locals, which promises to be a merry occasion.
Phone 1300 196 420. See travelmarvel.com.au.
TEMPTING TWOSOME
Avalon has two stylish new ships sailing the waterways of Asia next year which, though smaller than its Suite Ships in Europe, promise the same levels of style and comfort. Both offer just 18 suites, fitted in contemporary Asian style with wall-to-wall panoramic windows that slide back to create an open-air balcony. Avalon Siem Reap sails the Mekong River from January and will operate Avalon's 13-day itinerary between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap. Avalon Myanmar starts cruising the Irrawaddy River in September in a brand new 14-day itinerary beginning and ending in Yangon.
Phone 1300 230 234. See avalonwaterways.com.au.
GRAPE EXPECTATIONS
If you're a wine lover looking for fresh vineyards, then Un-Cruise Adventures sails a new wine-centric itinerary on four departures along the Columbia and Snake rivers in the US north-west in mid-2015. Departing round trip from Portland in Oregon, the itinerary blends scenic cruising along four rivers with visits to nine wineries. The week-long itinerary highlights the burgeoning wine regions in Washington and Oregon including Walla Walla, recently named one of the top 10 wine regions in the world. A local wine expert joins guests on board to lead presentations, wine tastings and wine pairings with meals.
See un-cruise.com.
GALLIPOLI LANDINGS
With Australian and New Zealand guests in mind, SeaDream Yacht Club has combined sailings with a pilgrimage to Gallipoli for the 100th anniversary year next year. Its two mega motor-cruisers sail seven voyages in the eastern Mediterranean between May and October 2015, starting or ending in Istanbul and including a day at Kepez in Turkey for an optional 4½-hour tour of Gallipoli. Sights include the 1915 North Beach ANZAC landing site, Ari Burnu and Johnston's Jolly cemeteries, Lone Pine Memorial, Chunuk Bair's ANZAC and Turkish trenches, and the Kabatepe Military Museum.
Phone 02 9958 4444. See seadream.com.
