 |
AVALON Waterways
Choice Cruising Customized to You!
|
Highlights of
Germany
13 DAYS
|
 |
 |
HIGHLIGHTS OF
GERMANY |
Duration: 13 days
from Munich to Basel
Includes: All-inclusive
River Cruise
Visits
to: GERMANY
Specially-priced
Air Rates
Available: YES |
|
|
|
Avalon Waterways
Highlights of Germany
13 days from Munich to Basel
Willkommen in Deutschland—welcome to
Germany! On this spectacular cruise vacation, enjoy one of Germany’s
largest cities, Munich, and many of its charming villages and towns,
with picturesque scenery along the way. Visit King Ludwig’s most famous
castle—Neuschwanstein, the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty
Castle—and spend time in delightful Oberammergau. Explore and savor
beer tasting in Regensburg, a beautifully preserved medieval city where
you’ll visit one of Germany’s oldest restaurants. Enjoy the picturesque
Bavarian village of Miltenberg with its medieval homes, and visit
Speyer with its excellent Technology Museum or Heidelberg and its
famous castle. Explore La Petite France district in Strasbourg. Cruise
through the Rhine Gorge, the most dramatic part of the river, and drive
through the garden-like landscapes of the Bavarian Alps. This is just a
sampling of the scenic wonders and delightful destinations awaiting
your discovery!
 |
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.
|
- 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.
|
|
|
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
|
|
Day 1
Arrive in Munich, Germany
|
Welcome to Munich! The rest of the day is free to start exploring.
Munich, capital of Bavaria, offers a small-town feel with its
pedestrian- and bike-friendly atmosphere. With its historical museums,
splendid English Garden, traditional cafés, and delightful
shops, Munich has plenty to see and do. A LOCAL GUIDE will show you the
highlights of this fascinating city, including Nymphenburg Palace,
summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs; MARIENPLATZ with its Old and
New Town Halls; and the gothic Frauenkirche, a prominent landmark for
Munich. Then, enjoy time on your own in this vibrant city. Watch the
famous Glockenspiel, recreating a royal wedding from the 16th century;
enjoy the pedestrian zone; linger at an outdoor café; or visit
St. Peter’s, the oldest church in town. Why not visit the
Viktualienmarkt with its Maypole that carries figurines featuring the
arts and crafts of this region? This large market is popular for fresh
produce, meats, cheeses, spices, baked goods, flowers, and more. Or,
maybe relax alongside the locals at one of the Biergärten or
breweries to sample Bavarian beer specialties. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Munich. Excursion to Neuschwanstein
& Oberammergau
|
This morning, a full-day outing takes you into the garden-like
landscapes of the Bavarian Alps and for a visit to King Ludwig’s
fairytale NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, situated high above the village of
Hohenschwangau. Continue to Oberammergau, famous for its once-a-decade
production of the Passion Play. Enjoy free time in this small town to
stroll along the streets and admire the typical Bavarian houses, many
beautifully painted with scenes from fairytales. (Breakfast)
Day 4 Munich–Passau (Embarkation)
|
Enjoy a free morning in Munich, then, in the afternoon, drive to
Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and
Danube. Join your Local Guide for an included WALKING TOUR through this
charming town of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets before
boarding your river cruise vessel. Alternatively, you might like to
join a full-day optional excursion to Salzburg, which will end in
Passau with embarkation on your ship. Meet your crew at a welcome
reception this evening as you set sail for Regensburg. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BC, Regensburg is one
of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Established during the
Holy Roman Empire and the only German city not bombed during WWII,
Regensburg has at least 1,300 listed buildings of “historic interest.”
Architectural highlights of your GUIDED WALK include the Altes Rathaus
(Old Town Hall), built in the 13th century, and Porta Pretoria, gates
to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Wander through the city’s
lanes and alleys to discover the many mansions with high towers.
Wealthy families built these towers to emphasize their status and
wealth during the Middle Ages, and many still remain today. Walk across
the 12th-century Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge), the oldest of
its kind in Germany. Grab a beer and enjoy an included SNACK at the
Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), one of Germany’s
oldest restaurants. Here—where the locals congregate—feel the vibrant
atmosphere and take in the remarkable views along the river. Before
dinner, we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s FAMOUS BEERS.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, enjoy a relaxing morning of cruising, and before lunch, attend a
fascinating ONBOARD LECTURE about the engineering marvel that is the
Main Danube Canal. Arrive in Nuremberg in the early afternoon. Although
90% of Nuremberg’s Old Town suffered extensive damage during WWII, much
of it has been restored to the glory it once knew as the unofficial
capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Choose from an included GUIDED
SIGHTSEEING TOUR and marvel at this thousand-year-old city’s medieval
fortifications, extraordinary gothic churches, and the Kaiserburg
(Imperial Castle), or join a more specialized “NUREMBERG TRIALS” tour.
During free time, be sure to make a wish at the beautiful fountain in
the Hauptmarkt (main square). Legend says your wish will come true if
you turn its gold ring three times. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Leave your ship after breakfast and head for medieval Bamberg, former
residence of one of Germany’s most powerful imperial dynasties. Your
GUIDED WALKING TOUR takes in its historic center, including the
13th-century Romanesque cathedral and the fascinating Altes Rathaus
(Old Town Hall)—built on an island in the middle of the Regnitz River
when the bishop refused to give the townspeople land for a town hall!
Your Local Guide will also show you the serpentine streets with
charming houses and 18th-century mansions. Enjoy free time before
returning to your ship for lunch and sailing to Kitzingen, where you
dock for several hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Surrounded by verdant hillside vineyards, Würzburg, the “Pearl of
the Romantic Road,” makes an immediate impression with imposing
Fortress Marienberg perched above town and the 15th-century Alte
Mainbrucke (Old Main Bridge). On your GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR, visit
the magnificent baroque BISHOP’S RESIDENZ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
and home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. The afternoon is
free for you to explore or shop, or you may wish to join an optional
excursion to the medieval walled city of Rothenburg on the “Romantic
Road.” (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Tucked away behind medieval defensive walls and towered gates, the
picturesque Bavarian village of Miltenberg is a cultural gem on the
banks of the Main River. The town’s delightful Marktplatz (market
square) centers around a Renaissance-era fountain and features striking
half-timbered buildings, cobblestone lanes, and one of the oldest inns
in Germany, Haus zum Riesen (the giant’s house). Marvel at the gothic
splendor of the Merchant Hall and the renaissance houses on your GUIDED
WALK. There is free time in this charming city before your ship
departs. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon on board as you sail out of the
River Main and head for the Rhine. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 Boppard–Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim
|
This morning, arrive in Boppard on the left bank of the Rhine. After
breakfast, a GUIDED WALK will acquaint you with this town, which saw
its beginnings as a Celtic settlement, then a Roman stronghold, and
today as a spa center and a popular tourist destination. During lunch,
sail southward through the most dramatic part of the river, the RHINE
GORGE, before arriving in Rüdesheim, the perfect example of a
Rhine Valley wine town. Visit SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
MUSEUM, where you’ll see and hear a large collection of self-playing
calliopes and music boxes from the 18th to the early 20th centuries;
and enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
This morning, relax on board as your ship sails to Speyer. Located on
the left bank of the Rhine, Speyer was a bishopric and boasts a
Romanesque cathedral with six imposing towers and the finest and
largest crypt in Germany. A Local Guide joins you for a GUIDED WALK and
a visit to Speyer’s impressive TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM, housing a vast
collection of aircraft, classic cars, locomotives, and fire engines,
including a Boeing 747 jet and an original space shuttle. Or, you may
choose to take an afternoon excursion to HEIDELBERG, home to the oldest
university in Germany, founded in 1386. With a Local Guide, visit the
imposing ruins of HEIDELBERG CASTLE, towering magnificently over the
city and among the most important Renaissance structures north of the
Alps. You’ll also see the famed GREAT VAT, the “World’s Largest Wine
Barrel.” At nearly 23 feet high and 28 feet wide, the cask holds over
58,000 gallons of wine and has a dance floor built on top of it! Enjoy
free time in this peaceful yet vibrant town before rejoining your ship
in the early evening in Speyer. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 Strasbourg, France
|
Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg blends the
cultures of both countries in a delightful way. As capital of the
Alsace region and seat of the Council of Europe and European
Parliament, it is without a doubt an important city, yet it manages to
retain its historic charm. In fact, here, on your included WALKING
TOUR, you will discover Europe at its most quintessential. Visit the
monumental red-sandstone GOTHIC CATHEDRAL with its ancient murals,
stained-glass windows, and fascinating astronomical clock, as well as
the magical LA PETITE FRANCE district, home to half-timbered houses,
quaint shops, inviting bistros, and a waterfront promenade. Also spend
time exploring Place Kléber, a large historic square in the
heart of the city, and Place Gutenberg in the heart of medieval
Strasbourg, which features a statue of the inventor of the printing
press. A choice of optional excursions is available this afternoon; a
trip into the Alsace wine region in France may strike your fancy, or on
the other side of the river in Germany, the Black Forest beckons.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13 Basel, Switzerland
(Disembarkation)
|
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
NOTE:
Departure flights should
not leave Zürich airport before 10 am.
|
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.
Affinity
PLEASE NOTE: This cruise also offered on
sister ship Artistry II.
 Built
2009 | Length 361 | Crew Members 39 | Staterooms 65 | Suites 4
Accommodating a maximum of 138 passengers for
an intimate cruise experience, the Avalon Affinity set sail in 2009 and
reflects the uniqueness of the rivers it cruises - the Rhine, Main,
Danube, and Moselle. After a day of exploring some of Europe's most
exciting cities, relax in the ship's two lounges, soak in the
whirlpool, or unwind in a deck chair atop the Sky Deck. This elegant,
contemporary ship features popular amenities such as an Internet corner
with Wi-Fi access, a fitness center, hair salon, and elevator. For
accommodations, the Avalon Affinity boasts spacious and well-appointed
deluxe staterooms and suites. With most staterooms featuring a large
floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass door with a French balcony, passengers
experience Europe's beauty and history even when on board. |
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
Highlights of Germany
13 days from Munich to Basel
|
|
From $3599USD
(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!
|
| 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
|
Traditional
Service Values with a
Southern Flavor since 1979!
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
If
you like the above tour program
you
may also want to view the following tour programs for
comparison:
 |
|
EUROPE
GRAND TOURS
|
Europe in
Depth 
31 Days
ENGLAND, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, ITALY, SPAIN
and FRANCE |
|
The
Grand
European 
23 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, ITALY, SPAIN AND FRANCE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| European
Tapestry
14 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, ITALY and
FRANCE |
|
|
|
| Europe's
Highlights
15 Days
ENGLAND, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND, ITALY
and FRANCE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| East
Meets West 14 Days
AUSTRIA, SLOVENIA, CROATIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA and MONTENEGRO |
|
|
|
|
|
| European
Charm
13 Days
HOLLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, ITALY, SWITZERLAND and FRANCE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| European
Sampler London to London 10 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, and FRANCE |
|
| European
Sampler London to Paris
9 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY,
SWITZERLAND, and FRANCE |
|
| Bohemian
Dream London to London 9 Days
HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA and CZECH REPUBLIC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE BRITISH ISLES | England,
Scotland, Ireland and Wales
|
|
|
| ITALY | GREECE | TURKEY
|
|
|
| FRANCE | GERMANY |
|
|
| SWITZERLAND | AUSTRIA
|
|
|
| RUSSIA | NORTHERN/EASTERN EUROPE
|
|
|
| SPAIN | PORTUGAL | MOROCCO |
|
|
|
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! >>>
|
 |
|
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.
 |
TOURS
BY REGION
|
|
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
|
|
|
