Three swoon-worthy 2018 Europe river cruise itineraries
Sailing through Europe's most iconic rivers creates pure magic, whether it is your first, second, or twentieth time. We're featuring some of our favorite all-inclusive Avalon Waterways cruises for 2018 that include a special perk: we're covering all of your onboard gratuities for bookings made by October 31, 2017!
ACTIVE DISCOVERY ON THE RHINE
8 Days • May 27, 2018 • Avalon Felicity®
Amsterdam, Netherlands to Frankfurt, Germany
Oceanview starting at $3,167/pp
This itinerary is a new and exciting way to river cruise as you actively discover well-known and off-the-beaten-path treasures along the Rhine. At each stop, you choose your activity—get some exercise with an active outing, discover a fascinating but perhaps lesser-known site, or do the more traditional sightseeing activity. The choice is yours!
Your river cruise adventure begins in Amsterdam, Holland’s lively capital. The energetic on board might like to join a guided running tour, or for a gentler pace, see the city on a cruise, gliding through the myriad of canals lined with stately homes. Alternatively, participation in a painting class could reveal the artist in you! And every day we have more planned: Active guests can choose to bike along the Rhine, participate in a reenactment of the Roman Games, climb the many steps up to Marksburg Castle and enjoy spectacular views of the Rhine River, and hike in the beautiful landscape around Duisburg, or near Eltville. You can choose to discover fascinating sites with a visit to the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, where you’ll be introduced to the art of chocolate making, learn about German food on a guided culinary walk in Duisburg, and a chance to taste regional wines in Eltville. Participate in a Roman Clothes Workshop, walk the mining corridors of an ancient volcano from which basalt was extracted, and visit the Zollverein Coal Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided walks acquaint you with highlights of Cologne and Koblenz, from where you’ll take a cable car ride up to Ehrenbreitstein Castle for magnificent views of the surrounding area.
All these activities and more are yours for the taking—and if that’s not enough—you’ll cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, attend a concert at Castle Engers, and enjoy onboard specialty dinners of the region. This is an unforgettable river cruise experience that offers something for everyone.
View full itinerary here.
PARIS TO NORMANDY
8 Days • June 9, 2018 • Avalon Tapestry II®
Roundtrip Paris, France
Oceanview starting at $3,167/pp
This fabulous river cruise combines time in France’s unparalleled capital of Paris with beautiful scenery along the Seine River and the picturesque and historical region of Normandy.
Embark on your adventure in Paris and sail to Vernon, where you’ll choose between two exciting guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” You may choose to go on an excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. In Rouen, best known as the home of Joan of Arc, you’ll go on a guided walk through the medieval quarter and visit the gothic Rouen Cathedral—once the tallest building in the world. From Conflans, go on an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Auvers-Sur-Oise—associated with several famous artists, including Vincent Van Gogh—or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison.
On this French river cruise, you’ll enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful scenery along the Seine River, and stops in charming and historical parts of France, but your adventure would not be complete without some time in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic and vibrant cities! The “City of Light” has Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum with its elegant glass pyramid contrasting its ancient architecture. A guided walk through the historic Île St. Louis with its narrow streets, and Île de la Cité where medieval Paris was founded, will be a delight.
View full itinerary here.
JEWELS OF EUROPE
17 Days • August 11, 2018 • Avalon Visionary®
Paris, France to Budapest, Hungary
Suite starting at $8,173/pp (availability is going fast!)
On this remarkable Europe river cruise vacation, you’ll sail along the Moselle, Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers. Start with two overnights in dazzling Paris and end in Budapest, Hungary’s vibrant capital—with the most intriguing cities of France, Germany, and Austria along the way.
Before you embark on your European river cruise, the famous sights of romantic Paris will be yours. You’ve seen pictures of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, and the Eiffel Tower—now experience these treasures up close. Ride the high-speed train from Paris, then board your ship to cruise the wide, peaceful curves of the Moselle River Valley, famous for its picturesque scenery. First stop is Trier, Germany, believed to be even older than Rome and many remnants can still be found, such as imperial baths. The wine village of Bernkastel, surrounded by Germany’s largest expanse of vineyards, will fascinate you with its narrow streets and half-timbered houses still standing from the Middle Ages. Continue your European river cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, considered the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River. See the rock of the Lorelei and ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit the magnificent Bishop’s Residenz in Würzburg and marvel at medieval Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided visit of historic Nuremberg and an excursion to Bavaria’s capital, Munich. Along the Danube River is Regensburg, Germany, one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities, where you can taste some of Germany’s famous beers! Visit Passau with its narrow, winding cobblestone streets, and Melk’s magnificent 11th-century Benedictine Abbey, before arriving in Vienna, the “City of Music” that inspired the genius of Beethoven, Mozart, and Strauss.
There are countless opportunities to be enchanted by the sights on this fascinating Europe river cruise, and it doesn’t end until you’ve experienced the unique energy of Budapest. A local expert will show you the famous sights and you can walk across the Chain Bridge and bask in the coffee house culture with a rich cream cake in the renowned Gerbeaud Café.
View full itinerary here.
To book your Europe river cruise experience with the all-inclusive Avalon Waterways, contact one of our travel planners to help you with the details and give you access to our exclusive offers and perks!