An industry professional with more than 30 years experience, Bill has managed all aspects of the wine business. He is the former Director of Wine Education for Banfi Vintners, a position he held for over 20 years. Bill has been a keynote speaker at national and international conferences including events from the Society of Wine Educators, Vinitaly, the American Wine Society and the New York City Wine Expo. He has lectured at over 30 hospitality schools, including a gathering of 700 students at Cornell University, who holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest wine class in the world.
Bill is the youngest son of Mrs. Joan Mariani Whiting, who is the daughter of Banfi founder, John Mariani Sr. Bill was born and raised in Garden City, NY and graduated from the University of Dayton School of Business.
Bill’s personal dream of producing his own wine became a reality while attending the Washington Wine Industry Foundation Gala. He won a bid for single ton of Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and a French/American oak barrel. With this life-changing experience, “BILL’S BLEND” was born.
Itinerary
Route: Budapest to Giurgiu
Dates: August 5th – 12th , 2024
Ship: AmaVerde
August 5, 2024 BUDAPEST (Embarkation)
Board the ship for your Gems of Southeast Europecruise.
August 6, 2024 MOHACS
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohacs. You’ll then visit Pecs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis: St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Or for wine connoisseurs, you’ll want to go to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago. You may also take an exhilarating guided bike tour around Mohács.
August 7, 2024 VUKOVAR
Enjoy your morning in Vukovar on a guided city tour where you may visit sites such as Eltz Manor House and Vukovar’s famous water tower. Alternatively, you may see Osijek on a guided tour. For those looking for a more active experience, you may explore Vukovar on an active bike tour. In the afternoon, enjoy a Croatian wine tasting and tour in the Old Cellars, famous for their Grasevina, Tramina and Frankovka wines. You can also choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe.
August 8, 2024 BELGRADE
Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor’s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling a few types of Serbian brandy paired with delicious local appetizers, including Slivovitz, which was added in 2022 to UNESCO’s list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage.” For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. Or explore Novi Sad, a city rich in tradition and culture, on an afternoon walking tour. Begin your tour at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall.
August 9, 2024 IRON GATES
Visit Golubac Fortress – a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River – before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers.
August 10, 2024 VIDIN
“Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’ oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also getto make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle:
August 11, 2024 ROUSSE
Visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry o 14th-century paintings. Later in the day, travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East.” Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture.
August 12, 2024 GIURGIU
Bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home.
*optional 2-night, pre-cruise extension in Vienna
*optional 3-night, post-cruise extension in Istanbul
*optional 4-night, post-cruise extension in Brasov (2 nights) and Bucharest (2 nights)
Suite
350 sq feet w/ Double Balcony- In-room temp control, large wardrobe, hair dryer and safe
- Deluxe bedding w/ Egyptian linens, down pillows, and duvet
- Flat-screen TV, with On-Demand entertainment
Category AA
235 sq feet w/ Double Balcony- In-room temp control, large wardrobe, hair dryer and safe
- Deluxe bedding w/ Egyptian linens, down pillows, and duvet
- Flat-screen TV, with On-Demand entertainment
Category AB
235 sq feet w/ Double Balcony (one deck lower than AA)- In-room temp control, large wardrobe, hair dryer and safe
- Deluxe bedding w/ Egyptian linens, down pillows, and duvet
- Flat-screen TV, with On-Demand entertainment
Category C
170 sq feet w/ French Balcony- In-room temp control, large wardrobe, hair dryer and safe
- Deluxe bedding w/ Egyptian linens, down pillows, and duvet
- Flat-screen TV, with On-Demand entertainment
On top of these Amazing prices, you will receive an additional 5% off plus On-Board Credit
For more information on this cruise contact Nicole Zima
Phone: 407-457-9799 / Email: nicole@sailawaygrouptravel.com
Terms & Conditions
ITINERARY:
Schedule and times are subject to change without notice due to water levels, wind factors and other conditions.
REGISTRATION FORM
To book a stateroom on this sailing, you must submit a completed registration form with deposit. For your convenience the registration form can be completed and electronically signed online by all passengers traveling.
For PC users the PDF form can be completed online, saved and returned via email to nicole@sailawaygrouptravel.com.
For MAC users, the process for properly filling in and saving a PDF form is slightly different than on a Windows machine. By default, the Mac’s Preview application is set to open all PDF files, but Preview will not save the data you put into the forms. Right-click on the pdf or hold down the Control key on your keyboard and click on it. A menu will appear, select “Open With”. Choose Acrobat Reader from the list of programs. From within Acrobat you will be able to fill in the fields and save the file with your text and submit the completed form via email.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
All Guests will be required to check‐in online to complete and submit their PASSENGER INFORMATION FORM before final documentation will be processed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Sail Away Group Travel strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to safeguard your trip investment.
