ADVERTORIAL
For award-winning luxury travel group APT, the stage is set for a fresh approach to European river cruising in 2025.
Equipped with a clear vision and the talented design agency Hecker Guthrie in tow, the APT Solara and APT Ostara are under construction, ready to set sail next year.
Influenced by seasonal colours along the Main, Rhine and Danube rivers, guest suites are enriched with lush furnishings and elegant social spaces welcome an ample amount of sunlight, flooding in through panoramic windows.
Both vessels conceptually stem from a desire to create a luxurious experience in the spectacular backdrop of Europe with Australian and New Zealand guests in mind, creating a home away from home.
Autumn in Durnstein in the Wachau Valley in Austria (artist’s impression)
The All-Seasons Sun Deck
The ample exterior spaces on both ships are outfitted with plush furnishings and draw from the outdoor Australian way of life.
Awe-inspiring 360-degree views of Europe’s finest riverside scenery offer the ultimate backdrop on the upper sun deck.
Soft lounges present an ideal place to relax with a cocktail in hand while taking in the idyllic vistas of the lower sun deck. The open-air pool is the perfect place to cool off after a day of exploring and a rooftop barbeque invites guests to dine alfresco on the sun deck while delighting in panoramic landscapes.
Owner’s Suite, APT Solara (artist’s impression)
The Suite Life
With a selection of luxurious suites on board including Twin Window Suites, Balcony Suites and Owner’s Suites, each offers guests unique charm and evokes a sense of serenity.
Opulent rooms feature all the must-have modern amenities including seasonal shades of linens, stylish furnishings, ample storage and luxurious ensuites with decadent toiletries.
The Owner Suites’ floor-to-ceiling windows lead out onto a spacious balcony, beckoning in the outside and optimising natural sunlight. This relaxed ambience continues with a light colour palette and homely wall panelling, alluding to the ease of Australian design and cultivating a sense of calm.
This theme continues in the Balcony Suites, where French balconies offer ample fresh air and light-filled interiors.
The Twin Window Suites give a true feeling of cosiness and warmth, echoing the natural tones of the two sister categories and are enhanced with wooden accents to elevate the space.
For a quiet evening of entertainment, guests can enjoy in-suite dining accompanied by a fully stocked minibar, Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV.
World-Class Dining
With six unique dining venues, guests’ palates will be tantalised by culinary flavours from fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Contemporary and locally inspired dishes reflect the culturally rich regions through which APT Solara and APT Ostara cruise.
The main restaurant, the wine cellar and the exclusive aft restaurant are just some of the delectable options aboard these custom-designed river ships.
Taking inspiration from European-style bistros, the classic flavours offered in the main restaurant give guests a glimpse into the traditions and culture of nearby locations and surrounding regions.
Local wines and beers marry flavourful dishes to amplify guests’ dining experiences. The exquisite aft restaurant can be likened to a high-profile restaurant, serving gastronomic delicacies with the best seasonal produce sourced locally.
Guests can choose to dine in the comfort of the lounge for a more casual affair or take in the open air and panoramic views on the sun deck.
Abundant Wellness Spaces
There are plenty of ways to rejuvenate with various wellness spaces on board.
The wellness centre provides the ultimate spa retreat and the gym offers an alternative way to relax with a fast-paced workout session on modern equipment. E-bikes are also available for exploration on shore.
Whichever way guests choose to unwind while on board, APT has created a host of wellness activities to ensure all health and fitness needs are covered.
Impeccable Onboard Service
On board APT’s new river ships, a high crew to guest ratio ensures that each guest receives the ultimate care and optimal attendance from the experienced crew.
In addition, a dedicated Cruise Director and a superb entertainment and wellness host guarantee that guests get the most out of their river cruise.
An artist’s impression of the new APT Solara
Taking Initiative in Sustainability
At every stage of planning, sustainability has been at the forefront of APT’s mind.
The design of the vessels has set a new standard for sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly technology and practices, and achieving up to 20% fuel savings.
Committed to protecting the planet, APT continues to focus on a sustainable future so guests can limit their environmental footprint while travelling.
The design utilises the latest in advanced fuel-saving technology, including engines that reduce exhaust gas emissions and promote fuel efficiency.
The vessels are equipped for shore power to reduce reliance on fuel while in port and feature highly insulated glass. Eco-friendly practices on board also include no single-use plastics.
Sustainability has been part of every process in some way big or small.
With a wealth of innovation to celebrate, APT Solara and APT Ostara define a new level of luxury in river cruising and are eager to set sail in 2025, taking to Europe’s waterways in style.
The popular 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’ is just one of the many itineraries to showcase the new fleet in 2025.
Book by April 30, 2024, for an early bird offer of flights Included plus an early payment discount of $1,000 per couple.
For more information visit aptouring.com.au/europe or speak to your APT Travel Expert.
Words by Annie Gray
Featured Image: An artist’s impression of the new APT Ostara
