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AVALON Waterways
Choice Cruising Customized to You!
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Grand France
16 DAYS
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| GRAND FRANCE Southbound |
Duration: 16 days
from Paris to Côte d’Azur
Includes: All-inclusive
River Cruise
Visits
to: FRANCE
Specially-priced
Air Rates
Available: YES |
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Avalon Waterways
Grand
France
- Southbound
16 days from Paris to
Côte d’Azur
This splendid vacation showcases
France’s exciting scenery, history, and culture as you sail along its
beautiful rivers. Embark in Paris and head northwest along the Seine
River up to the picturesque Normandy region. Dock at Vernon and choose
between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or
remarkable Bizy Castle. Continue to Les Andelys—home of Château
Gaillard, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196. Then,
on to Caudebec, where you choose between an included excursion to the
poignant Normandy landing beaches or a fascinating “Taste of Normandy.”
Visit Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen, and in Conflans, choose between a
guided excursion to Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and
Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison before heading back to
Paris for sightseeing that includes the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel
Tower. Disembark and ride the TGV train to Dijon, then travel south to
fascinating Beaune for a wine tasting or visit of the Hôtel-Dieu.
In Chalon-sur-Saône, board your second cruise ship and sail on to
medieval Tournus, Mâcon, the twin cities of Tournon and Tain
l’Hermitage, Viviers, Avignon, and Arles, as well as France’s
gastronomic capital of Lyon, where you have time to explore this
fascinating city. Your vacation ends with an overnight on the stunning
Côte d’Azur.
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DISCOUNT
OFFERED FOR THIS TOUR! |
INCLUDED
FEATURES
It's about you. You are the reason
we've used our 80-plus
years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise
experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about river
cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and
amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships.
- Panoramic
windows throughout every ship.
- Elegant,
contemporary design throughout.
- Included
shore excursions with Local Guide.
- Headsets
for shore excursions.
- Complimentary
Wi-Fi access.
- Personalized
room options & excursions.
- Space
to
relax & unwind
- Premium
coffees, cappuccinos and lattes.
- Coffee
self-serve beverage station.
- A
lounge
serving premium spirits.
- Maintain
your routine in the fitness center.
- The
Comfort Collection BedsSM.
- Premium
L'Occitane bath amenities.
- Daily
early- and late-riser breakfast.
- Full
buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
- Complimentary
juices with breakfast.
- Made-to-order
egg station at breakfast.
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- Complimentary
soft drinks with lunch.
- Al
fresco
lunches on the Sky Bistro.
- Chef-inspired
regional recipes.
- Four-course
dinners with open seating.
- Nightly
choice of appetizers, entrées, desserts or
cheese.
- Complimentary
regional wines at dinner.
- Free
soft
drinks or beer with dinner.
- Night
Fare
served at 10:30 p.m.
- Remarkable
service throughout the cruise.
- English-speaking
crew.
- Non-smoking
interior.
- Large
bathrooms - showers w/ glass doors.
- Flatscreen
satellite TV with movie channels.
- Spacious
3-door closets for ample storage.
- Alternative
dinners of light regional specialties and wines
in the Panorama Bistro on Suite ShipsSM.
- And,
much
more.
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MEALS
- Meals are indicated by
breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Captain’s welcome & farewell
receptions with sparkling wine and canapés
- Welcome dinner
- Daily Afternoon Tea
- Daily Night Fare
- Local chef dinner
- Farewell dinner
- Complimentary sparkling wine with
breakfast; soft drinks with lunch; and wine, beer, or soft drinks with
dinner are included daily on board your vessel
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport
transfers
may be included when you make your flight arrangements
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Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France (Embarkation)
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Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine, the “City of
Light,” where romance fills the air. This afternoon, board your river
cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welcome reception.
Before dinner, your ship glides smoothly out of Paris. (Dinner)
NOTE:
Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship
by 5 pm.
This morning in Vernon, choose between a guided visit of Giverny and a
visit to Bizy Castle. Claude Monet lived at GIVERNY from 1883-1926, and
viewed his gardens as works of art—just like his paintings. See his
collection of Japanese prints, his charming house, and his biggest
sources of inspiration. Or, visit BIZY CASTLE, built in 1740 and
nicknamed “Normandy’s Versailles.” It is known for its famous
stables—inspired by those at Versailles—and its magnificent courtyard
and water garden. After lunch, join an onboard PASTRY DEMONSTRATION
before your ship arrives in Les Andelys, situated on a bend of the
Seine and one of the most beautiful places in France. Join a Local
Guide for a GUIDED WALK of the town, visiting the PARISH CHURCH OF LE
GRAND ANDELY. Imposing Château Gaillard, built by England’s King
Richard the Lionheart as a fortress in 1196, is seen above the town.
Constructed in only a year, it is a masterpiece of medieval military
architecture. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, either join an excursion along the Route des Chaumières
to see some of Normandy’s charming and traditional half-timbered houses
with their long, sloping thatched roofs, often sporting blue wooden
doors and window shutters, or visit JUMIÈGES ABBEY, a former
Benedictine Abbey church considered one of the most ancient and
important monasteries in the western world. The afternoon is free to
explore on your own or to join an optional excursion to the pretty
coastal town of Honfleur. Before dinner, you may wish to attend an
ONBOARD LECTURE about D-Day. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Make your choice today between an included full-day excursion to the
historic NORMANDY LANDING BEACHES—with poignant sites such as Omaha
Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery—or a
“TASTE OF NORMANDY” for a more in-depth look at this picturesque,
mainly agricultural region. The most important products are dairy,
apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is CALVADOS, a
strong apple brandy that you’ll have the chance to taste at a local
distillery. And for a touch of history, visit the famous BAYEUX
TAPESTRY. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy, is an important commercial city
perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was
imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in
1431. Enjoy the included GUIDED WALK through the medieval quarter with
its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and take your pictures of the
intricate Gros Horloge astronomical clock, dating back to the 16th
century. Visit the gothic CATHEDRAL, which was once the tallest
building in the world and the subject of a series of paintings by
Claude Monet. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast you may either join our guided excursion to
AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived
and died, or to Napoleon and Josephine’s CHÂTEAU DE MALMAISON
just outside Paris. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country
estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was
fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it “the most beautiful and
curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation.” This evening,
arrive in Paris. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
One of the world’s most romantic and lively cities, Paris delights the
senses. Included CITY SIGHTSEEING shows off the must-see attractions:
Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a
contrast to its ancient architecture, the Arc de Triomphe, and the
Eiffel Tower. Alternatively, you may wish to join a GUIDED WALK through
historic IÎe St. Louis with its narrow one-way streets and
IÎe de la Cité, the center of Paris where the medieval
city was founded and home to NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL. In your free time,
stroll down the Champs-Elysées with its lavish cafés, or
perhaps visit the world-famous Louvre or Montmartre with its
Sacré Coeur Basilica and bevy of artists on Place du Tertre.
Paris is known for its colorful nightlife, and an optional outing to
the famed Moulin Rouge cabaret makes the perfect finale to the Seine
portion of your cruise. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Paris (Disembarkation)–Dijon–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône
(Embarkation)–Tournus
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This morning, say goodbye to your crew and board the TGV train to
Dijon. From there, drive to Beaune, the unofficial capital of the
Côte d’Or area. Beaune owes its wealth to the production, aging,
and selling of fine wines. Although life here centers around wine,
Beaune offers much more. Choose a guided visit to the HÔTEL-DIEU
charity hospital, built in 1443 and paid for by the chancellor of
Burgundy after the Hundred Years’ War left many of the town’s
population destitute. Today, it houses Van der Weyden’s painting of The
Last Judgment and is one of France’s architectural highlights.
Alternatively, enjoy a TASTING of Burgundy wines before continuing
south to Chalon-sur-Saône, where your ship awaits. Before dinner,
meet your crew at a welcome reception as you depart for Tournus.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
After breakfast, your LOCAL GUIDE shows you the highlights of this
delightful town in the southeast corner of Burgundy. Tournus is one of
the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, with a
superb ABBEY, St. Philibert, part of which dates back to the 10th
century. There’s free time to stroll through the quaint streets or to
explore the arts and crafts shops near the abbey. After lunch, your
ship departs for Mâcon, a city that plays an important role in
the wine trade. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a
wine cellar, is available. Before dinner, enjoy an onboard CHEESE
TASTING. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 Beaujolais
Region–Lyon
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This afternoon, arrive in Lyon, France’s third-largest city and its
gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city’s
prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial,
industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, excellent museums,
and renaissance architecture delight visitors. A LOCAL GUIDE joins you
as you survey the city from Fourvière Hill and explore the Old
Town with its maze of medieval alleyways and Place des Terreaux, a
popular area with lively cafés, monuments, and the famous
fountain often depicted on postcards. Before dinner tonight, attend an
ONBOARD LECTURE and learn more about the French. (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
Enjoy a free day to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to
visit the local produce market. Perhaps wander through one of Lyon’s
parks, discover some of the murals (there are over 100 of them), or
select one of the available optional excursions. Be sure to taste the
gastronomic delights and sample Beaujolais, the wine of the region;
wine connoisseurs know the grapes must be hand picked. Your Cruise
Director will have suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
Day 12 Tournon/Tain
l’Hermitage–Viviers
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The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among
vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the
Hermitage. A LOCAL GUIDE will show you Tournon, one of France’s oldest
medieval cities, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins.
As you cruise to Viviers, there’s a treat in store for chocoholics: an
onboard CHOCOLATE TASTING to delight the palate. Arriving in Viviers in
the late afternoon, an included GUIDED WALK shows you this charming
town that developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL. The OLD TOWN has
an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region—the
most picturesque part of Provence with its intact ramparts encircling
the entire city, cobblestone streets and squares, and private mansions
built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Known as the “City of Popes,” it
was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century. Your GUIDED
TOUR includes a visit of the PALACE OF THE POPES, built in the 14th
century as the sovereign popes’ residency. A photo of the famous Pont
Saint Bénezet (Saint Bénezet Bridge), of the popular song
Sur le Pont d’Avignon, is a must. Optional outings to Pont du Gard or
to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 14 Arles-Camargue
Region
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On arrival in Arles, located on the northern tip of the Camargue and
the capital of the Provence region, your LOCAL GUIDE will show you
highlights of the city and you’ll visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. Still
used today, it dates to the 1st century and was constructed to hold
over 20,000 spectators. This evening, sail toward the mouth of the
Rhône for a taste of the tranquil vistas of Camargue National
Park. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 15 Arles (Disembarkation)–Côte
d’Azur
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After breakfast, a comfortable motorcoach ride takes you to the
Côte d’Azur for a last night in France. Also known as the French
Riviera, the Côte d’Azur stretches along France’s Mediterranean
coast from Toulon to the Italian border and is synonymous with prestige
and beauty. (Breakfast)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
You may also want to view the NORTHBOUND
VERSION of this cruise/tour.
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NOTES:
In the event of
water level problems or any problems of a technical
nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or
to alter the program.
Included visits
and special features are subject to change. If a change
is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
 
Creativity
THIS CRUISE IS ALSO OFFERED ON THE SISTER
SHIPS TAPESTRY II AND THE POETRY II
 Built
2009 | Length 361 | Crew Members 39 | Staterooms 68 | Suites 2
Enjoy unmatched service, sumptuous cuisine,
panoramic views, first-class amenities, and spacious staterooms as you
cruise through France on the Avalon Creativity. Carrying a maximum of
just 140 passengers, the Creativity offers staterooms that are a full
15% larger than the industry standard - with floor-to-ceiling windows
on two decks - so you'll be comfortable, relaxed, and fully engaged
with the passing French countryside as you cruise between Paris and
Rouen. From a fitness center and hair salon to Wi-Fi access and a
complimentary premium beverage station, the Creativity was built with
an impressive collection of remarkable amenities to enhance your
journey. The whirlpool on the Sky Deck allows for a refreshing dip
after a day of sightseeing, and the Internet corner allows you to stay
in touch with friends and family back home.
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Included Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Windows
- Sky
Deck with
shade awnings
- Expanded
fitness
center
- Elevator
- Outside
Viewing
Deck
- English-speaking
crew
- Cruise
Director
- Revolutionary
engineering
- Internet
Corner
- Lounges
and
upscale bar serving premium spirits
- Relax
and
enjoy
onboard movie nights
- 2013
- Biking
excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
- Avalon
Choice
cruising experience
- Choice
of
excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
- Culture
&
Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and
experts
- Guest
Services
is
available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Sky
Deck Game
Area
- Fitness
Center
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- Sky Deck with shade
system & premium lounge chairs
- Sky Deck Whirlpool
- Non-smoking interior
- Elegant, contemporary
design throughout
- Headsets for all
guided shore excursions in Europe
- Sightseeing with a
Certified Local Guide
- Onboard lectures,
activities & nightly entertainment
- Room service
available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
- Hair salon (manicures
available)
- Self-serve beverage
station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
- Access to iPad mobile
digital devices (Royal Suites only)
- Alternate dining
experience with regional specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama
Bistro
- Behind-the-scenes
ship tour
- Complimentary maps
and use of Nordic walking sticks
- Expanded "on-demand"
in-room entertainment
- Panorama Bistro
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access
- Well-stocked library
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Scenery
Built
2008 | Length 361 | Crew Members 39 | Staterooms 67 | Suites 2
The Avalon Scenery is the ship to choose when
cruising in France. France is known for its gastronomy, and the Avalon
Scenery answers the call for remarkable cuisine with the finest
chef-inspired recipes, 5-star service, and complimentary regional
wines. Accommodating only 138 passengers in an elegant, contemporary
design, the Avalon Scenery also offers deluxe staterooms and suites -
most with floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors and French balconies -
with all the comforts you'd want and expect on a vacation to France. A
host of popular onboard amenities further enhances the cruise
experience, including three lounges and a bar, an Internet corner, Sky
Deck with deck chairs and whirlpool, elevator, hair salon, and fitness
center.
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Included Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Windows
- Sky
Deck with
shade awnings
- Expanded
fitness
center
- Elevator
- Outside
Viewing
Deck
- English-speaking
crew
- Cruise
Director
- Revolutionary
engineering
- Internet
Corner
- Lounges
and
upscale bar serving premium spirits
- Relax
and
enjoy
onboard movie nights
- 2013
- Biking
excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
- Avalon
Choice
cruising experience
- Choice
of
excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
- Culture
&
Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and
experts
- Guest
Services
is
available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Sky
Deck Game
Area
- Fitness
Center
|
- Sky Deck with shade
system & premium lounge chairs
- Sky Deck Whirlpool
- Non-smoking interior
- Elegant, contemporary
design throughout
- Headsets for all
guided shore excursions in Europe
- Sightseeing with a
Certified Local Guide
- Onboard lectures,
activities & nightly entertainment
- Room service
available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
- Hair salon (manicures
available)
- Self-serve beverage
station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
- Access to iPad mobile
digital devices (Royal Suites only)
- Alternate dining
experience with regional specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama
Bistro
- Behind-the-scenes
ship tour
- Complimentary maps
and use of Nordic walking sticks
- Expanded "on-demand"
in-room entertainment
- Panorama Bistro
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access
- Well-stocked library
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Imagery
Built
2007 | Length 443 | Crew Members 43 | Staterooms 81 | Suites 4
What
better way to see Europe and some of its most scenic rivers - the
Rhine, Main, and Danube - than from the comfort of a small ship, where
you unpack only once and spend the rest of your time enjoying the
architecture, sumptuous cuisine, diverse culture, and amazing sights
only available in Europe's most historic cities. After a day of
sightseeing, experience the Imagery's innovative attributes and
top-notch amenities - a panoramic Sky Deck, lounge, bar, and fitness
center. Featuring the largest staterooms on the European rivers today,
all rooms and suites feature premium bedding, nightly turn-down
service, a large private bathroom with full shower, a well-stocked
minibar, Wi-Fi access, and more. The Avalon Imagery was designed with
your comfort in mind, including the Silent Drive System which separates
the engines from the guests - providing a quieter and more enjoyable
cruise experience.
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Included Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Windows
- Sky
Deck with
shade awnings
- Expanded
fitness
center
- Elevator
- Outside
Viewing
Deck
- English-speaking
crew
- Cruise
Director
- Revolutionary
engineering
- Internet
Corner
- Lounges
and
upscale bar serving premium spirits
- Relax
and
enjoy
onboard movie nights
- 2013
- Biking
excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
- Avalon
Choice
cruising experience
- Choice
of
excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
- Culture
&
Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and
experts
- Guest
Services
is
available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Sky
Deck Game
Area
- Fitness
Center
|
- Sky Deck with shade
system & premium lounge chairs
- Sky Deck Whirlpool
- Non-smoking interior
- Elegant, contemporary
design throughout
- Headsets for all
guided shore excursions in Europe
- Sightseeing with a
Certified Local Guide
- Onboard lectures,
activities & nightly entertainment
- Room service
available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
- Hair salon (manicures
available)
- Self-serve beverage
station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
- Access to iPad mobile
digital devices (Royal Suites only)
- Alternate dining
experience with regional specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama
Bistro
- Behind-the-scenes
ship tour
- Complimentary maps
and use of Nordic walking sticks
- Expanded "on-demand"
in-room entertainment
- Panorama Bistro
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access
- Well-stocked library
|
Avalon Waterways
GRAND FRANCE
16 days from Paris to
Côte d’Azur
You may also want to view the NORTHBOUND
VERSION of this cruise/tour.
|
|
From $5209USD
(Less applicable
Globus Discounts)
Prices
are
per person based on double occupancy and are cruise only. We also offer
competitive group-based airfares from your home city airport that fit
with this particular touring program.
We provide an additional agency point-of-sale discount for
all Globus,
Cosmos
and Avalon
Waterways
tour programs. Offer subject
to availability and change without notice.
Order
Your
AVALON BROCHURE HERE! |
|
|
TALK
TO AN EXPERIENCED
 |
As a full-service travel provider, we
can
help
you in finding your
perfect tour at the best price available, today. We've been
representing the GLOBUS Family of
Brands for
over 35 years as a Premier Agency
Partner - a designation only awarded to the top tier agencies
that are authorized to represent the full Globus Family of Brands. We
can take you all the way from your own hometown to
some of the most beautiful touring experiences in Europe and then back
again - all with the expertise of a seasoned GLOBUS professional
representative.
When it is important to get it right, you can trust the services of our
own professional GLOBUS Certified travel specialists. Please feel free
to call us or email us or we would be happy to provide your information
via email
on the tour form, below.
Requesting Availability
We
will check your requested tour program and accommodations for the
date range that you may specify in the boxes below and reply back to
you
as soon as possible. Of course the more information that you can
provide
us, the closer we will be in matching your needs and preferences. We
will
not
knowingly sell or pass along your information that you provide to any
third
party for any reason (see Liabilities
and Privacy Policy). And we use
SSL Technology to safeguard your information on our tour request forms
that we have posted throughout our website.
We
are available to answer
your inquiries in person Monday - Friday (except holidays) from 8:30am
until 5:30pm CST (1-877-510-4653 |
817-788-5210). We are available from
time to time
on
the weekends via email to answer your questions. Our typical response
time
for your email request ranges from 3 hours to as many as 72 depending
upon
the availability of onsite resources and those of the tour companies
and
resorts/lodging establishments, as well as any variations you may
request
from our listed programs. For those inquirers requesting a trip within
two weeks, we will give you a priority due to your need to establish an
immediate plan. At any rate, we will respond to your requests as
quickly
as possible and as soon as we have all components of your package
confirmable.
All tour program rates are based upon double occupancy unless otherwise
specified.
Thank
you for
your interest in this quality tour by The GLOBUS Family
of Brands!
Randy C.
Gardner
President
Gardner Travel
Service,
Inc.
We
look forward to serving
your travel needs and wants!
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| REQUEST
RATES, AVAILABILITY AND
OTHER INFORMATION HERE |
To request our LOW
UNPUBLISHED RATE and
availability for this tour please view
our
scheduled departures listed HERE. Then, email
us on the form BELOW and
we
will provide our private rate back to you by email
response or phone call
as you prefer it.
PLEASE NOTE:
We have access to the
U.S./Canada reservations only for this tour.
If
you reside outside of the U.S./Canada please contact the closest Globus
Family of Brands travel agent in your country of origin.
|
|
Exceptional
Vacations
Celebrating
over 80 Years of Travel!
|
|
BOOK IT ONLINE or CHECK AVAILABILITY
|
HOW TO READ OUR LIVE
AVAILABILITY
DISPLAY:
You
may reserve this tour by using our Globus/Cosmos secure server (right)
by
clicking on any of the "Book Now!"
departures.
Book Now!
- Tour is available to reserve.
Not
Available - Tour is currently sold out.
Please
Call - There may be 1-4 seats available but tour is selling out.
Please have the names of passengers as listed in each
passport available to complete the brief booking process. This online
reservations engine will not calculate our additional GLOBUS/COSMOS
Preferred
LOWER rate. Although this portal will not show or add our
discounts,
they will be added when we receive your booking and an adjusted quote
will be provided by our experienced GLOBUS Family of Brands agent.
OR
You may provide your
information ABOVE via EMAIL REQUEST and we will return a quote to you
including our
lowest available discount for this tour.
How
We Will Handle Your Request and Your Privacy:
Your request will be handled by a responsible and knowledgeable tour
specialist that can not only check availability for this particular
tour but can further advise you as to other general queries that you
may have about traveling conditions, passport/visa requirements,
immunization requirements and other valuable information that you may
need before making your reservation. We are a full service travel
company and we have always catered to the individual traveler and
his/her specific needs. We want to get to know you as a valued friend
in travel. We are always available with our email service but feel free
to call upon us if you have an immediate request at 1-817-788-5210.
 We use SSL
Technology for secure data and information
transfer to protect your privacy.
Humans
do it best!
Your
Privacy is also very important to us. If you elected to be listed with
us in the above Optional Advisory List then, you will be added to our mail list for the
particular area(s) of interest that you have selected to be informed
about. If you do not elect to be on our mail list, simply do not
complete that section and we will not add you to our list. We will not
add you to any other mai llist either. We do not sell or otherwise pass
along any information that you may provide to to us in the process of
completing your inquiry. For further information on your privacy please
see Liabilities
and Privacy Policy.
Our 35TH Year!
representing
the Globus Family of Brands |
GARDNER
TRAVEL
SERVICE
1-877-510-4653
817-788-5210
Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm
Central
Standard Time
FOR
MORE INFORMATION E-MAIL US AT
globusfamily@gardnertravel.com
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Traditional
Service Values with a
Southern Flavor since 1979!
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Cruise
Staterooms & Comfort
The
Roomiest
Staterooms.
We have always
provided river cruisers the most spacious staterooms in Europe. With
our Panorama-style Suite Ships, we're not only offering cruisers our
award-winning Avalon Deluxe Staterooms, we're featuring 200-square foot
Panorama Suites (30 percent larger than the average stateroom) and
300-square foot Royal Suites, offering cruisers even more room to relax
and take in 360-degree views of Europe.
Inspired by design, our ships are crafted to entice all five senses.
Some enhancements, including deluxe woven carpeting, flowers, premium
L'Occitane products and scented sticks in our staterooms are subtle.
Other offerings, such as Avalon-branded premium bedding (Comfort
Collection BedsSM), marble bathrooms as well as a perfect balance of
warm interiors, natural lighting and panoramic views are distinctive
and unexpected. Combined, all elements provide travelers with a unique
feeling of space, freedom and comfort not found with any other river
cruise line.
Avalon Waterways offers cruisers an exclusive, premium-bedding suite
(Comfort Collection Beds) in all of our staterooms, fleet-wide, in
Europe. Comfort Collection Beds provides travelers a choice of pillows
as well as orthopedic mattresses, high-comfort mattress covers,
European-style duvets, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, extra
blankets and bed configuration options.
Peering through the looking glass to determine how we can continue to
improve our cruisers on-board experiences, we have invested in the
finest bathroom appointments available and such luxury touch-points
such as L'Occitane toiletries, quality robes and slippers in each room,
fleet-wide. We've also designed contemporary staterooms with the most
available storage space, and plenty of "comfort touches" like
complimentary bottled water and fully stocked mini-bars.
For some cruisers, comfort comes in the form of connection: staying in
touch with friends, colleagues and family members while away. Because
of this, Avalon has taken great strides to enhance the technology
available to guests on ship. In addition to offering them flat-screen
televisions, providing a plethora of news and entertainment options,
Avalon provides cruisers with FREE Wi-Fi fleet-wide. Furthermore, Royal
Suites guests will have access to in-room iPads.
On any deck, your well-appointed Avalon Deluxe Stateroom is a spacious
refuge of inviting home-awayfrom- home features. Delight in the large
private bathroom featuring full shower with glass shower door; deluxe
beds with premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens,
European-style duvets, and a choice of soft or firm pillows; and ample
closet space. And, of course, don't miss out on the never-ending views
from the large windows or floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors. In
fact, you'll love your Avalon Deluxe Stateroom so much, you may never
want to go home!
Avalon
Deluxe
Staterooms Include:
Award-Winning
Deluxe Staterooms by Avalon
Waterways
- Comfort
Collection Beds featuring premium
memory foam mattress
toppers with special construction for increased air flow and ventilation
- Egyptian
super-combed cotton linens, woolen
blankets
& Europeanstyle duvets
- Soft
and firm pillows
- Choice
of bed configuration (two twins or one
queen)
- Floor-to-ceiling
sliding-glass door with French
Balcony (most staterooms & suites)
- Private
bathroom with full shower with glass
door,
hairdryer & premium L'Occitane® bath products
- Spacious
3-door closets with shelves for ample
storage
- Flatscreen
satellite TV with movie channels
- Bathrobes
& slippers
- Well-stocked
minibar with complimentary bottled
water
- In-room
safe
- Individual
climate control
- Extra
blankets
- Nightly
turn-down service
- Bedside
tables with reading lamps
- Easy
under-bed luggage storage
- Alarm
clock
- Writing
desk/vanity with comfortable chair
&
mirror
- Complimentary
Wi-Fi access
- Direct-dial
telephone
- Continental
breakfast & beverage room
service
available
Panorama
Suites & Royal Suites Include (in addition to the above):
- Nearly
11' Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window—50% wider
than industry standard
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Window opens to create a
large Open-Air Balcony
- Open-Air
Balcony with full 6-person seating area
- Complimentary
use of iPad mobile digital devices*
while onboard (Royal Suites only)
*
iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc.
Your River Cruise
Voyage Your Way
On an Avalon Waterways river cruise,
"included" is the name of the game. Spacious outside staterooms with
expansive riverscape views—included. VIP access into the must-see
sites—included. Your choice of enriching shore excursions led by
Certified Local Guides—included. Wi-Fi access—included. Sparkling wines
with breakfast, regional beers and wines at every onboard dinner, and
unlimited lattes and premium coffees—included. And we're proud to offer
Avalon Choice®, an exciting concept in river cruising that gives
you the freedom to personalize so many elements of your cruise.
Our
Cuisine is
Choice - So are the ways to Enjoy it.
Avalon dining has always freed taste
buds from the ordinary. And now — it frees you from restrictions. At
every meal, you'll have the ability to choose from a multitude of
dining experiences. All feature the highest-quality local ingredients,
hand crafted by true culinary artisans. And all are included at no
extra cost.
Discovery By Your
Design - Cruise Excursions.
We've done our due diligence
pre-selecting Certified Local Guides who truly are the best in the
world. But what you see and the pace in which you see it, is completely
up to you. And the best part? Unlike other cruise operators, our
preplanned discoveries are included at no extra charge to you. We even
provide Nordic walking sticks for active guests looking for an extra
spring in their step.
River Cruise
Vacation Excursions
This.
That. And
Everything.
Having the most thoughtfully designed,
newest ships in the industry isn't the only advantage of Avalon. We
tailor experiences too. Our handpicked Cruise Directors and Certified
Local Guides in Europe, Asia, Egypt, U.S. and South America are the
best in the business.
Avalon's inspired, 360-degree, engaging cruise experiences afford
travelers the chance to immerse themselves into a destination and
culture thanks to award-winning land programs and world-class guides.
Our Egyptologists (along the Nile), Naturalists (in the
Galápagos), Cruise Directors (in Europe, Southeast Asia, U.S.
and China) and special guest lecturers also offer them a vast onboard
educational program, giving cruisers the chance to soak in the history
and culture of a region as they drift from village to village or island
to island.
It's not easy to be an expert on everywhere. Thanks to Avalon's
relationship with Globus – an award-winning tour company with more than
85 years of experience and 300 support staff on the ground in 65
countries around the world — our cruisers are privy to the best,
all-inclusive land programs available.
We transform tourists into travelers and storytellers and help them
truly experience each destination with guided sightseeing in every port
(complete with headsets), daily port lectures, VIP access into key
destinations, no waiting in lines and great cultural immersion and
storytelling thanks to highly skilled Cruise and Tour Directors.
Biking
Excursions
Avalon is also encouraging cruisers to
drive their personal enrichment by experiencing ports on two wheels
(from the seat of a bicycle). Adding to our already robust roster of
activities, we have partnered with bicycle tour specialists in
Amsterdam, Lyon, Durnstein, Vienna, and Breisach for optional, guided
excursions.
Stroll
Along Ancient
Roads & Feel the Strange Become Familiar.
Custom
River Cruise Excursions by Avalon
Waterways
At Avalon, we never lose sight of the reason you're
traveling—to see the people, places, and sights on shore. And because
we're part of the Globus family of brands, we're backed by more than 85
years in the travel business…which means you'll experience the world in
a way that no other river cruise operator can deliver!
Included
Guided
Sightseeing & Excursions
When it comes to showing you the world,
we select the very best guides—professionals who are certified locally
in each destination and selected by the Globus family of brands. These
Certified Local Guides are recognized for their expertise, enthusiasm,
and knowledge of the area. They will lead you on engaging, included
sightseeing tours, delivering genuine, behind-the-scenes destination
experiences. You'll even benefit from the use of personal headsets for
sightseeing, which gives you the freedom to roam through some of
Europe's most famous attractions without missing a moment of
fascinating commentary.
MyAvalonSM
Avalon offers a great selection of
optional excursions to help you further personalize your cruise.
Whether it's a classical music concert in Vienna, a visit to a French
winery, time at the colossal Romanian Parliament building in Bucharest,
or a guided bicycle tour through town, with MyAvalon, selecting and
paying for your optional excursions before your cruise is a cinch! Just
go to AvalonWaterways.com/MyAvalon.
Sightseeing
at Just
the Right Pace
Sightseeing should never be a one-size-fits-all proposition. Travelers
like to see the sights in different ways, so we've developed three
sightseeing pace options to choose from:
Leisurely
Sightseeing
A Certified Local Guide shows you the
destination's highlights in a relaxed and unhurried way.
Traditional
Sightseeing
Led by a Certified Local Guide, you'll
explore a wide range of sights at a moderate pace.
Essential
Sightseeing
This orientation shows you the must-see
sights, with plenty of time to explore on your own.
Explore on
Your Own
Feel like discovering your destination
on your own? Your onboard Guest Services is happy to assist you in
making a dinner reservation on shore, getting tickets to the opera or a
local cultural performance, or hiring a taxi so you can visit a friend
or explore outlying areas. And for a more active experience on shore,
consider the complimentary use of a Nordic walking stick.
We
invite you to come experience a cruise unlike any other.
Some
big-ship cruise deals sound like an incredible bargain...until you are
on board and have to pay extra for everything. On an Avalon Waterways
river cruise, "included" is the name of the game – and has been since
we came on the scene a decade ago.
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Awards
For
thirteen years in a row, Globus has been selected by
Recommend Magazine as the best Tour Operator to Europe, and a top
finalist for North America, Asia, Latin America and Africa. The brand
was also named in Travel Weekly's 2013 Reader's Choice Awards as Best
Tour Operator - Europe and 2013 Reader's Choice Awards as Best Tour
Operator - Europe, Best Tour Operator - International and Best Tour
Operator - Asia and South Pacific.
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If
you like the above tour program
you
may also want to view the following tour programs for
comparison:
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EUROPE
GRAND TOURS
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Europe in
Depth 
31 Days
ENGLAND, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, ITALY, SPAIN
and FRANCE |
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The
Grand
European 
23 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, ITALY, SPAIN AND FRANCE |
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| European
Tapestry
14 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, ITALY and
FRANCE |
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| Europe's
Highlights
15 Days
ENGLAND, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND, ITALY
and FRANCE |
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| East
Meets West 14 Days
AUSTRIA, SLOVENIA, CROATIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA and MONTENEGRO |
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| European
Charm
13 Days
HOLLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, ITALY, SWITZERLAND and FRANCE |
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| European
Sampler London to London 10 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, and FRANCE |
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| European
Sampler London to Paris
9 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY,
SWITZERLAND, and FRANCE |
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| Bohemian
Dream London to London 9 Days
HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA and CZECH REPUBLIC |
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THE BRITISH ISLES | England,
Scotland, Ireland and Wales
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| ITALY | GREECE | TURKEY
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| FRANCE | GERMANY |
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| SWITZERLAND | AUSTRIA
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| RUSSIA | NORTHERN/EASTERN EUROPE
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| SPAIN | PORTUGAL | MOROCCO |
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Globus River and Small Ship Cruising
- Is River Cruising for You?
View
the short video about touring Europe (right) via the decks of these
beautifully appointed and specialized ships! >>>
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ENJOY THE GAME OF
GOLF?
Check out our SOUTHERN BREEZE
GOLF TOURS - golf packages for some fantastic destinations
throughout the U.S!
Click on the banner
below to visit our golf site.
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TOURS
BY REGION
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Gardner
Travel Service, Inc.
Serving
Dallas/Fort Worth and the World
Our
Hours
Are:
Monday - Friday
from 8:30am to 5:30pm
Central Standard
Time
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