Three luminaries of Australian television and journalism have been signed by river cruise brand Scenic to host travelers on three themed river cruise itineraries tailored to their respective fields of expertise scheduled for next year.

Travelers will have the chance to cruise with Catriona Rowntree, long-time host of Channel Nine’s travel program Getaway, as part of an 11-day cruise along the Seine River in Paris. This itinerary departs and returns to the same place, between which it will visit Honfleur, the beaches of Normandy, Monet’s garden, and the home of Vincent Van Gogh. Inclusive of return airfares from Australia, this cruise costs $8,190 per person twin share.

Guests interested in Australian wartime history might prefer to depart on 29 June instead on a cruise hosted by journalist, author, and wartime historian Peter FitzSimons. This cruise will take on more of a wartime history theme, with the guest host conducting several lectures about the topic onboard. In addition, guests will have a chance to visit the Somme Battlefields, Villers-Bretonneux, and the beaches of Normandy, their experience amplified by the knowledge, experience, and extensive research that FitzSimons will be able to provide.

Finally, legendary journalist & TV presenter Ray Martin will welcome guests on an eight-day cruise along the Mekong River from Siem Reap, Cambodia, to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, onboard the new small ship Scenic Spirit. This itinerary will include a visit to the capital Phnom Penh, Tan Chau towns, and the Cao Dai Temple, among many other highlights. This itinerary is priced from $3,595 per person twin share, with bookings made before 30 April 2017 earning a $250pp discount.

In addition to the three celebrity-hosted itineraries, Scenic has lined up several themed river cruises designed for fans of cycling and fine food.

Multiple opportunities exist to explore Europe on two wheels while onshore, notably on the eight-day ‘Gems of the Danube Cycling Adventure Discovery.’ Two departures between Budapest and Nuremberg will occur on 24 May and 05 June 2017, sailing onboard Scenic Amber and Scenic Jade, respectively.

Both cruises will feature opportunities to explore the region by bicycle, including Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Linz, Passau, Regensburg, and Nuremberg. We recently visited these ports, and you can learn more about them HERE.

Fans of fine food, gastronomy, and general epicurean wonders might opt instead for Scenic’s foodie itinerary, which next year is the 11-day ‘Bordeaux’s Culinary Delights.’

Sailing round-trip on 09 July 2017 from the French town onboard Scenic Diamond, this cruise takes guests along the Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde rivers, with the region enveloped by harmonious landscapes, wineries, and tiny villages with shops that will welcome guests and put forth some of its famous produce including wine and cognac, oysters, cheese, fruits, and chocolate varieties, to name a few.

This cruise will also serve as the launch event for Scenic’s recently announced onboard cooking school, Scenic Culinaire, which will host cooking demonstrations and gourmet tasting sessions onboard the ship. At the same time, travelers will also be able to learn some of these cooking techniques themselves at specially hosted cooking classes.