AmaWaterways Wine River Cruises with Wine Experts on Board for 2011

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterays has announced details for its exciting theme cruises set to take place in the late summer and fall of 2011. The customized "In Celebration of Wine" and "Jewish Heritage" river cruises will feature unique shore excursions and other complimentary programming designed to highlight the cultural richness of Europe?s great waterways. "We are extremely proud to present our In Celebration of Wine and Jewish Heritage cruises for the 2011 season. We have designed these specialized itineraries to showcase the centuries-old traditions and heritage of Europe. Our team has worked very hard to provide a number of exclusive opportunities to enrich the river cruise experience for our passengers taking part in these cruises," said AmaWaterways President, Rudi Schreiner. In Celebration of Wine This fall, AmaWaterways will transform select October and November departures of Vineyards of the Rhine and Mosel, The Romantic Danube, Enchanting Rhine and Europes Rivers and Castle itineraries into In Celebration of Wine theme cruises. Timed to coincide with harvest time in Europe, the cruises will showcase Europe's acclaimed wine regions along the Rhine, Mosel and Danube Rivers. These very special sailings will feature hosts such as James Beard Foundation Award?winner Anthony Dias Blue, one of the most influential wine, food and lifestyle personalities in the country. Other hosts include British wine critic, journalist and television personality Jilly Goolden; a representative from the acclaimed Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma County, the President/CEO of the St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma County and wine educators from Trinchero Family Estates in St. Helena, CA, as well as Sterling Vineyards. In Celebration of Wine itineraries will 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.