Ostarais born


A pair of new sister ships are raising the bar on Europe’s rivers, writes Jane Archer


DESTINATIONS MAIN & RHINE | CRUISE


i


f, like me, you thought pretzels were an American invention, sorry but we’ve all got it wrong. “They were invented in the 7th century by German monks. The cross in


the middle represents the way they fold their arms to pray,” says tour guide Dorothea. Apocryphal? Maybe. But I’m going with it. We’re in Miltenberg, a pretty medieval town on the Main River


(pronounced ‘mine’) where half-timbered houses date back to the 1300s. We’re part way through a river cruise on APT Ostara, one of two new river ships (alongside sister vessel Solara), that APT has launched on the Rhine, Main and Danube this year. These are not only the first APT-branded vessels in Europe


– until the end of last year, its cruises were on overbranded AmaWaterways vessels – but they have also raised the bar on the rivers in more ways than one.


DINING IN STYLE The luxurious finish and spectacular design might be the first things guests see when they get on board, but the food and drink options are the real standout. There are six places to eat – seven if you include room service – far more than on other river ships this size. Plus it has a nifty bar that really does rise: when Ostara is sailing, the Grüner Bar & Dining is accessed from the back


² travelweekly.co.uk 11 SEPTEMBER 2025 39


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