EUROPE RIVER CRUISES

* Danube (Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Romania)
Europe’s second-longest river and a vital means of transportation for 2,000 years, the Danube is the only major European river to flow from west to east.

A TASTE OF THE DANUBE (WVB)
5 days incl. travel, or 4 days from Vienna to Budapest
Starting at: $949.00 (not including airfare)

A TASTE OF THE DANUBE (WBV)
6 days incl. travel, or 5 days from Budapest to Vienna
Starting at: $1,279.00 (not including airfare)

CHRISTMASTIME ON THE DANUBE (WNV)
10 days incl. air, or 9 days from Prague to Vienna
Starting at: $1,919.00* (not including airfare)


BLACK SEA DISCOVERY (WOB)
12 days incl. air, or 11 days from Bucharest to Budapest
Starting at: $2,999.00* (not including airfare)


BLACK SEA DISCOVERY (WBO)
12 days incl. air, or 11 days from Budapest to Bucharest
Starting at: $3,099.00* (not including airfare)


THE LEGENDARY DANUBE (WNB)
12 days incl. air, or 11 days from Prague to Budapest
Starting at: $2,599.00* (not including airfare)


CHRISTMASTIME IN GERMANY & AUSTRIA (WVF)
13 days incl. travel, or 12 days from Vienna to Frankfurt
Starting at: $2,769.00 (not including airfare)

CHRISTMASTIME IN GERMANY & AUSTRIA (WFV)
13 days incl. travel, or 12 days from Frankfurt to Vienna
Starting at: $2,769.00 (not including airfare)

THE UPPER RHINE TO THE CITY OF MUSIC (WZV)
14 days incl. travel, or 13 days from Zurich to Vienna
Starting at: $3,559.00 (not including airfare)

EUROPEAN SPLENDOR (WAV)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Amsterdam to Vienna
Starting at: $3,649.00* (not including airfare)


BLUE DANUBE TO THE BLACK SEA (WOV)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Bucharest to Vienna
Starting at: $3,489.00* (not including airfare)


THE BLUE DANUBE DISCOVERY (WBN)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Budapest to Prague
Starting at: $3,189.00* (not including airfare)


BLUE DANUBE TO THE BLACK SEA (WVO)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Vienna to Bucharest
Starting at: $3,689.00* (not including airfare)


EUROPEAN SPLENDOR (WVA)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Vienna to Amsterdam
Starting at: $3,549.00* (not including airfare)


MAGNIFICENT EUROPE (WAB)
16 days incl. air, or 15 days from Amsterdam to Budapest
Starting at: $3,349.00* (not including airfare)


MAGNIFICENT EUROPE (WBA)
16 days incl. air, or 15 days from Budapest to Amsterdam
Starting at: $3,349.00* (not including airfare)


JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE (WTB)
18 days incl. air, or 17 days from Paris to Budapest
Starting at: $4,869.00* (not including airfare)


JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE (WBT)
20 days incl. air, or 19 days from Budapest to Paris
Starting at: $5,599.00* (not including airfare)


GRAND BLACK SEA CRUISE (WNO)
20 days incl. air, or 19 days from Prague to Bucharest
Starting at: $5,469.00* (not including airfare)


GRAND BLACK SEA CRUISE (WON)
20 days incl. air, or 19 days from Bucharest to Prague
Starting at: $5,369.00* (not including airfare)


NORTH SEA-BLACK SEA CRUISE (WAO)
24 days incl. air, or 23 days from Amsterdam to Bucharest
Starting at: $6,829.00* (not including airfare)


NORTH SEA-BLACK SEA CRUISE (WOA)
24 days incl. air, or 23 days from Bucharest to Amsterdam
Starting at: $6,329.00* (not including airfare)

NORTH SEA—BLACK SEA CRUISE WITH ISTANBUL EXTENSION (WOAE)
27 days incl. travel, or 26 days from Instanbul to Amsterdam
Starting at: $8,848.00 (not including airfare)

NORTH SEA—BLACK SEA CRUISE WITH ISTANBUL EXTENSION (WAOE)
27 days incl. travel, or 26 days from Amsterdam to Instanbul
Starting at: $9,348.00 (not including airfare)

* Price listed does not include airfare. From the Dates & Prices section of the vacation, you can get an air quote.

 

* Rhone (France, Switzerland)
Running through France and Switzerland at approximately 505 mi (813 km) long, the Rhône is the only major European river that flows directly into the Mediterranean Sea. An important inland trade and transportation route since Greek times, the Rhône River flows south to the Mediterranean, winding through the orchards and vineyards of the fertile Rhône Valley. Of all the French rivers, the Rhône has the largest water flow due to its Alpine characteristics.

BURGUNDY & PROVENCE (WCA)
12 days incl. air, or 11 days from Paris to Nice
Starting at: $2,969.00* (not including airfare)


BURGUNDY & PROVENCE (WAC)
12 days incl. air, or 11 days from Nice to Paris
Starting at: $3,199.00* (not including airfare)

GRAND FRANCE (WAP)
17 days incl. travel, or 16 days from Côte d’Azur to Paris
Starting at: $4,829.00 (not including airfare)

GRAND FRANCE (WPA)
17 days incl. travel, or 16 days from Paris to Côte d’Azur
Starting at: $4,429.00 (not including airfare)

GRAND FRANCE W/ PROVENCE EXT (WPAE)
19 days incl. travel, or 18 days from Paris to Côte d’Azur
Starting at: $5,038.00 (not including airfare)

* Price listed does not include airfare. From the Dates & Prices section of the vacation, you can get an air quote.

* Rhine
(France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland)
The Rhine River is one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe, perhaps most famous for its legendary Lorelei rock and the imposing medieval castles that line its banks. The Rhine River flows from the Swiss Alps into Holland's North Sea.

ROMANTIC RHINE (WAZ)
9 days incl. air, or 8 days from Amsterdam to Basel
Starting at: $1,999.00* (not including airfare)


ROMANTIC RHINE (WZA)
9 days incl. air, 8 days from Zürich to Amsterdam
Starting at: $2,099.00* (not including airfare)


TULIP TIME CRUISE (WAA)
9 days incl. air, or 8 days from Amsterdam to Amsterdam
Starting at: $1,799.00* (not including airfare)


EUROPEAN SPLENDOR (WAV)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Amsterdam to Vienna
Starting at: $3,449.00* (not including airfare)


WINDMILLS,VINEYARDS & PARIS (WRA)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Paris to Amsterdam
Starting at: $3,689.00* (not including airfare)


EUROPEAN SPLENDOR (WVA)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Vienna to Amsterdam
Starting at: $3,549.00* (not including airfare)


WINDMILLS,VINEYARDS & PARIS (WAR)
15 days incl. air, or 14 days from Amsterdam to Paris
Starting at: $3,889.00* (not including airfare)


THE RHINE & MOSELLE (WAT)
15 days incl. air, or 14 days from Amsterdam to Basel
Starting at: $3,679.00* (not including airfare)


MAGNIFICENT EUROPE (WAB)
16 days incl. air, or 15 days from Amsterdam to Budapest
Starting at: $3,349.00* (not including airfare)


MAGNIFICENT EUROPE (WBA)
16 days incl. air, or 15 days from Budapest to Amsterdam
Starting at: $3,849.00* (not including airfare)


NORTH SEA-BLACK SEA CRUISE (WAO)
24 days incl. air, or 23 days from Amsterdam to Bucharest
Starting at: $6,829.00* (not including airfare)


NORTH SEA-BLACK SEA CRUISE (WOA)
24 days incl. air, or 23 days from Bucharest to Amsterdam
Starting at: $6,329.00*

NORTH SEA—BLACK SEA CRUISE WITH ISTANBUL EXTENSION (WOAE)
27 days incl. travel, or 26 days from Instanbul to Amsterdam
Starting at: $8,848.00 (not including airfare)

NORTH SEA—BLACK SEA CRUISE WITH ISTANBUL EXTENSION (WAOE)
27 days incl. travel, or 26 days from Amsterdam to Instanbul
Starting at: $9,348.00 (not including airfare)

* Price listed does not include airfare. From the Dates & Prices section of the vacation, you can get an air quote.

* Moselle
(France, Germany)
Flowing through France, Luxembourg, and Germany, the Moselle River is known for its picturesque medieval castles and excellent wines, such as Riesling, Elbling, Müller-Thurgau and Kerner.

CENTRAL EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE (WTN)
13 days incl. air, or 12 days from Paris to Prague
Starting at: $3369.00* (not including airfare)


CENTRAL EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE (WNT)
13 days incl. air, or 12 days from Prague to Paris
Starting at: $3,369.00* (not including airfare)


WINDMILLS,VINEYARDS & PARIS (WRA)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Paris to Amsterdam
Starting at: $3,689.00* (not including airfare)


WINDMILLS,VINEYARDS & PARIS (WAR)
15 days incl. air, or 14 days from Amsterdam to Paris
Starting at: $3,889.00* (not including airfare)


THE RHINE & MOSELLE (WAT)
16 days incl. air, or 15 days from Amsterdam to Basel
Starting at: $3,679.00* (not including airfare)


JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE (WTB)
18 days incl. air, or 17 days from Paris to Budapest
Starting at: $4,869.00* (not including airfare)


JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE (WBT)
20 days incl. air, or 19 days from Budapest to Paris
Starting at: $5,599.00* (not including airfare)

* Price listed does not include airfare. From the Dates & Prices section of the vacation, you can get an air quote.

* Main
(France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland)
Winding across Central Germany, the Main River is formed by the joining of the Red Main and the White Main, meeting the Rhine River at the town of Mainz.

CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART OF GERMANY (WFN)
9 days incl. air, or 8 days from Frankfurt to Prague
Starting at: $1,809.00* (not including airfare)


CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART OF GERMANY (WNF)
9 days incl. air, or 8 days from Prague to Frankfurt
Starting at: $1,809.00* (not including airfare)


CHRISTMASTIME IN GERMANY & AUSTRIA (WVF)
13 days incl. travel, or 12 days from Vienna to Frankfurt
Starting at: $2,769.00 (not including airfare)

CHRISTMASTIME IN GERMANY & AUSTRIA (WFV)
13 days incl. travel, or 12 days from Frankfurt to Vienna
Starting at: $2,769.00 (not including airfare)


CENTRAL EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE (WTN)
13 days incl. air, or 12 days from Paris to Prague
Starting at: $3,369.00* (not including airfare)


CENTRAL EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE (WNT)
13 days incl. air, or 12 days from Prague to Paris
Starting at: $3,369.00* (not including airfare)

THE UPPER RHINE TO THE CITY OF MUSIC (WZV)
14 days incl. travel, or 13 days from Zurich to Vienna
Starting at: $3,559.00 (not including airfare)

EUROPEAN SPLENDOR (WAV)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Amsterdam to Vienna
Starting at: $3,449.00* (not including airfare)


EUROPEAN SPLENDOR (WVA)
14 days incl. air, or 13 days from Vienna to Amsterdam
Starting at: $3,549.00* (not including airfare)


MAGNIFICENT EUROPE (WAB)
16 days incl. air, or 15 days from Amsterdam to Budapest
Starting at: $3,349.00* (not including airfare)


MAGNIFICENT EUROPE (WBA)
16 days incl. air, or 15 days from Budapest to Amsterdam
Starting at: $3,349.00* (not including airfare)


JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE (WTB)
18 days incl. air, or 17 days from Paris to Budapest
Starting at: $4,869.00* (not including airfare)


JEWELS OF CENTRAL EUROPE (WBT)
20 days incl. air, or 19 days from Budapest to Paris
Starting at: $5,599.00* (not including airfare)


NORTH SEA-BLACK SEA CRUISE (WAO)
24 days incl. air, or 23 days from Amsterdam to Bucharest
Starting at: $6,829.00* (not including airfare)

NORTH SEA-BLACK SEA CRUISE (WOA)
24 days incl. air, or 23 days from Bucharest to Amsterdam
Starting at: $6,329.00* (not including airfare)

NORTH SEA—BLACK SEA CRUISE WITH ISTANBUL EXTENSION (WOAE)
27 days incl. travel, or 26 days from Instanbul to Amsterdam
Starting at: $8,848.00 (not including airfare)

NORTH SEA—BLACK SEA CRUISE WITH ISTANBUL EXTENSION (WAOE)
27 days incl. travel, or 26 days from Amsterdam to Instanbul
Starting at: $9,348.00 (not including airfare)

* Price listed does not include airfare. From the Dates & Prices section of the vacation, you can get an air quote.

* Douro (Portugal) PORTUGAL CRUISE - 2010

EGYPT RIVER CRUISES

The mysterious Nile River, the world's longest river, flows from Lake Victoria in East Africa to its mouth at the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. It passes through rainforest, mountain, savanna, and swamp until, on the final leg of its journey, it winds its way through Egypt like a giant snake, passing through some of the driest desert on earth. With a name from a Greek word meaning "river valley," the Nile River played a crucial role in the founding of Egyptian civilization.

EGYPTIAN SPLENDOR (WAL)
10 days incl. air, or 9 days from Cairo to Cairo
Starting at: $2,211.00* (not including airfare)


GRAND TOUR OF EGYPT (WLA)
12 days incl. air, or 11 days from Cairo to Cairo
Starting at: $2,608.00* (not including airfare)

* Price listed does not include airfare. From the Dates & Prices section of the vacation, you can get an air quote.

CHINA RIVER CRUISES * Yangtze
The third largest river in the world, the Yangtze River winds 3,900 miles through the country from west to east cutting through 10 provinces before disgorging its water into the Yellow Sea. The Upper Reaches are the most attractive part to cruise with wild mountain ranges, unbroken ravines, and charming landscapes. Along this 130 mile stretch, the river passes through the Three Gorges. There's plenty of time to unwind and plenty of opportunities to see the sights and the history of Magical China.

MAGICAL CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER (WYC)
13 days incl. air, or 12 days from Shanghai to Beijing
Starting at: $2,799.00* (not including airfare)


CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET W/ YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (WXY)
15 days incl. air, or 14 days from Beijing to Shanghai
Starting at: $3,829.00* (not including airfare)


THE HEART OF CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (WCY)
17 days incl. air, or 16 days from Beijing to Hong Kong
Starting at: $3,989.00 (not including airfare)


FASCINATING CHINA & MONGOLIA W/YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (WYX)
19 days incl. air, or 18 days from Shanghai to Beijing
Starting at: $5,389.00 (not including airfare)

* Price listed does not include airfare. From the Dates & Prices section of the vacation, you can get an air quote.

SOUTH AMERICA SMALL SHIP CRUISES * Galapagos Islands
Consisting of 13 large and hundreds of small islands in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of South America, the Galápagos Islands are home to some of the world’s most fascinating animal life. From Quito, Ecuador, fly to Baltra Island, then board your luxury yacht and cruise from island to island, encountering giant tortoises, penguins, sea lions, lizards, and a whole host of diverse bird species. As you explore these remarkable volcanic isles firsthand, you’ll discover the wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin.

ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS (WBG)
9 days from Quito to Guayaquil
Starting at: $3,379.00 (not including airfare)


DISCOVER THE GALAPAGOS & PERU (WGG)
14 days from Lima to Quito
Starting at: $5,169.00 (not including airfare)


DISCOVER THE GALÁPAGOS & PERU WITH AMAZON EXTENSION (WGGE)
18 days from Lima to Quito
Starting at: $6,199.00 (not including airfare)


* Price listed does not include airfare. From the Dates & Prices section of the vacation, you can get an air quote.

THEME RIVER CRUISES AND VACATIONS
* Christmastime Cruises
* Food, Wine, and Music Vacations

CHRISTMAS RIVER CRUISES

Experience the holiday season the Central European way on these festive Christmas river cruise vacations featuring deluxe cruises on the Danube and Main River. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of 1,000-year-old Prague and all along the legendary Danube on this enchanting river cruise vacation. Delight in the sights, smells and tastes of local Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Regensburg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Miltenberg and Vienna.

CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART OF GERMANY (WFN)
9 days incl. travel, or 8 days from Frankfurt to Prague
Starting at: $1,809.00 (not including airfare)

CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART OF GERMANY (WNF)
9 days incl. travel, or 8 days from Prague to Frankfurt
Starting at: $1,809.00 (not including airfare)

CHRISTMASTIME ON THE DANUBE (WNV)
10 days incl. travel, or 9 days from Prague to Vienna
Starting at: $1,919.00 (not including airfare)

CHRISTMASTIME ON THE DANUBE (WVN)
10 days incl. travel, or 9 days from Vienna to Prague
Starting at: $1,919.00 (not including airfare)

CHRISTMASTIME IN GERMANY & AUSTRIA (WFV)
13 days incl. travel, or 12 days from Frankfurt to Vienna
Starting at: $2,769.00 (not including airfare)

 

GLOBUS WINE RIVER CRUISE

Expand your horizons on these marvelous wine-themed river cruises. Learn the differences between an Austrian Grüner Veltliner and a French Sauvignon Blanc. A distinguished wine authority explains how various grape varieties are cultivated, and teaches you what to look for in a good wine. Visit a wine village and taste the wines to test your newfound talent. An adventure Bacchus himself would enjoy!

Windmills, Vineyards & Paris Wine River Cruise
Amsterdam to Paris - July 31, 2010
Vineyards, vintages, varietals, and some very fine wines are the focus of our exciting “Windmills, Vineyards & Paris” Wine river cruise. As you leisurely float past the legendary vineyards along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, a distinguished wine authority will describe how various grape varieties are cultivated, and will teach you what to look for in a good wine. On board your ship, the luxurious Avalon Affinity, participate in onboard tastings of regional wines, attend fascinating lectures on French and German wines, and be pampered at a food and wine pairing gala dinner.

• Tastings of Moselle wines
• Lectures on Moselle and France wines
• Vineyard visits
• Food and Wine pairing dinner
  

Grand France Wine River Cruise
Paris to Nice - August 16 & October 25, 2010
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just an enthusiast, you’ll expand your horizons on our exciting “Grand France” Wine river cruise. As you leisurely float by the legendary vineyards along the Saône and Rhône Rivers, a distinguished wine authority will describe how various grape varieties are cultivated, and will teach you what to look for in a good wine. You'll also cruise the Seine river and the picturesque Normandy region on this 17-day river cruise vacation. Visit a wine cave in Beaune, and participate in tasting excursions of France’s famed Burgundy, Chardonnay, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. On board your ship, the magnificent Avalon Scenery, attend a Beaujolais wine tasting, a food and wine pairing gala dinner, and a scrumptious wine and chocolate tasting. An adventure Bacchus himself would enjoy!

• Wine tasting in Beaune
• Chardonnay excursion
• Onboard Beaujolais Wine Tasting
• Dinner with Food & Wine pairing onboard
• On board Wine & Chocolate Tasting
• Chateauneuf du Pape excursion

Burgundy & Provence Wine River Cruise
Paris to Côte d’Azur - August 21 & October 30, 2010
Enhance your knowledge and love of European wines on our exhilarating “Burgundy & Provence” Wine Cruise. As you leisurely float by the legendary vineyards along the Saône and Rhône Rivers, a distinguished wine authority will describe how various grape varieties are cultivated, and will teach you what to look for in a good wine. Visit a wine cave in Beaune, and participate in tasting excursions of France’s famed Burgundy, Chardonnay, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. On board your ship, the magnificent Avalon Scenery, attend a Beaujolais wine tasting, a food and wine pairing gala dinner, and a scrumptious wine and chocolate tasting.

• Wine tasting in Beaune
• Chardonnay excursion
• Onboard Beaujolais Wine Tasting
• Dinner with Food & Wine pairing onboard
• On board Wine & Chocolate Tasting
• Chateauneuf du Pape excursion
  

The Legendary Danube Wine River Cruise
Prague to Budapest - October 27, 2010
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just an enthusiast, you’ll expand your horizons on our exciting “The Legendary Danube” Wine Cruise. Learn the differences between an Austrian Grüner Veltliner and a German Riesling Spätlese—and a whole lot more! A distinguished wine authority will describe how various grape varieties are cultivated, and will teach you what to look for in a good wine. Participate in a wine tasting excursion in Prague, marvel at Austria’s legendary Wachau Wine Valley, and consider visiting the Wine Academy or a typical Wachau wine cellar in Melk. On board your ship, the splendid Avalon Tranquility, attend an Austrian sweet wine lecture and tasting, and be pampered at a food and wine pairing gala dinner. An adventure Bacchus himself would enjoy!
View Dates & Prices

• Wine Tasting in Budapest or Prague
• Onboard Sweet wine tasting
• Wine Accademy of Und or Wachau wines excursion from Melk
• Dinner with Food & Wine pairing onboard

 

2010 MUSIC RIVER CRUISE

Let Avalon musically transport you to a symphony of destinations! On our Jazz river cruise, attend the Jazz Festival in Vienne, an annual event on the European and World Jazz scenes. On our Music cruise, local experts provide an overview of European music, and shore excursions include a Strauss concert in Vienna, an organ recital in Melk, and a visit to the Opera House in Bayreuth, home of the Richard Wagner Music Festival. In Salzburg, explore the city of Mozart’s birth as well as the stunning countryside where “the hills are alive with the sound of music!”

Burgundy & Provence and Grand France Jazz River Cruise
Côte d’Azur to Paris - July 4, 2010
On our exciting "Burgundy & Provence" and "Grand France" Jazz river cruise departures you’ll attend the Vienne Jazz Festival, an annual event on the European and World Jazz scenes, including a Jazz concert in the Théâtre Antique. On board your ship, the majestic Avalon Scenery, you’ll also enjoy a Jazz Manouche (Gypsy Jazz) music lecture and concert as you cruise along the Rhône and Saône Rivers.

Magnificent Europe Music River Cruise
Amsterdam to Budapest - October 16, 2010
On our exciting "Magnificent Europe" Music river cruise departure you’ll enjoy fascinating overviews of European music, presented by local experts. Shore excursions include a visit of the Bayreuth Opera House, home of the Richard Wagner Music Festival, as well as the Budapest Opera House, once considered Europe’s most modern Opera House. From Regensburg, visit the ancient shop of a violin maker, and stop for lunch and musical entertainment in vibrant Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and setting of The Sound of Music. Attend concerts at Bratislava’s St. Martin’s Cathedral, where Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis was played for the first time; in the Upper Austria town of Ansfelden, hometown of composer and organist Anton Bruckner; in Melk at the abbey’s incredible baroque church; and a classical Royal Waltz concert at one of Vienna’s most famous concert halls.