New River Cruise Ships, Ideas & Vacation Itineraries for 2013

On the heels of announcing two new Suite Ships in Europe and Avalon Choice – an entirely new concept in river cruising – for 2013, Avalon Waterways is also unveiling plans to add five new itineraries (plus a new themed cruise) to its already impressive roster of cruise options.

"Our choice cruise options will now include more journeys through northern Holland, Austria, Central Europe and Germany," said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. "In addition, we're giving cruisers the chance to discover the divine tastes and incredible flavors of northern France on a new Culinary Cruise. And, in Asia, we're adding an exciting new cruise along China's mighty Yangtze River, aboard two new ships."

NEW EUROPE CRUISES:
Thanks to increased demand for "passion travel," Avalon Waterways is expanding its popular wine-, music-, art-, legacy- and holiday-vacations to include a NEW! culinary-themed cruise, available on two itineraries for 2013: Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches (departure 1029; priced from $2,399) and Grand France (departure 1022; $4,999).

Another sure-to-be-hit for those interested in cruising Europe is Avalon's 8-day NEW! Tulips of Northern Holland vacation, priced from $2,449. "Every year, our traditional Tulip Time Cruise sells out," said Clark. "Now, we're giving our travelers who love the beauty and history of Holland's tulips a chance to combine some well-known sights with off the beaten path experiences."

Originating in Amsterdam, on this itinerary, cruisers will enjoy the region of "North Holland" where tulip fields abound before cruising farther north to the region known as "Friesland," famous for its black and white cows.

Other new European cruises for Avalon for 2013:
• NEW! Austrian Highlights & Bavaria: On this 9-day cruise vacation, travelers will visit Austria's capital, Vienna, as well as charming small towns like Melk, Dürnstein and Grein before heading into Germany's Bavaria. This new vacation also includes time in Munich and a visit to Oberammergau. Priced from $2,579 land/cruise (priced from $1,849 cruise-only).

• NEW! Capitals of Central Europe: With both 10- and 12-day options, this itinerary focuses on Europe's splendid capital cities – Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest – as well as the many small towns that dot the landscape along the way. Priced from $2,939 land/cruise (priced from $2,299 cruise-only).

• NEW! Highlights of Germany: On this 13-day journey from Munich to Basel, Avalon guests will visit two of King Ludwig's most famous castles: Newuschwanstein, the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle, and Linderhof. They will also enjoy a beer tasting in Nuremberg and exploration throughout Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Itinerary visits also include UNESCO World Heritage sites in Bamberg and Würzberg. Priced from $4,129 land/cruise (priced from $3,399 cruise-only).

NEW ASIA OFFERINGS:
In 2013, Avalon Waterways is introducing two new ships in Asia – The Century Legend and Century Paragon – and adding a fourth itinerary (a Small Group Discovery vacation): 15-day NEW! Enchanting China & the Yangtze River, priced from $3,629.

According to Clark, on this new itinerary, travelers can experience China in-depth. They'll visit world-famous sights in Beijing, Xi'an, Lijiang, Shanghai and Hong Kong, including such must-see sites as the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, Terracotta Warriors, Yu Yuan Gardens and Stanley Market.
In 2013, our travelers can choose from a 4-to 24-day cruise as well as a cruise-only voyage or an extensive cruise-plus-land journey," said Clark. "We have put together more than 100 cruise package possibilities on the greatest waterways in the world with hundreds of guaranteed departures to fit cruisers' interests in Europe, Egypt, China, Southeast Asia and the Galápagos Islands."

DEAL ALERT: Right now, Avalon Waterways is offering travelers a few ways to save on its 2013 cruises including offering up to $1,000 off per couple on "Book Now Sailings" as well as an early airfare price guarantee for Europe sailings. For details, visit the limited-time deals page.


ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS
Award-winning Avalon Waterways offers travelers the youngest, most innovative fleet of ships in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, Egypt and the Galápagos. Our travelers have inspired us to utilize more than 80 years of travel expertise to design the best river cruise experience possible. We've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better-down to the last detail. Our views are panoramic and spaces large and inviting; comfort is king and dining both personal and flexible. And, thanks to our partnership with Globus, our itineraries are legendary. By design, Avalon cruisers are privy to all-inclusive access to a destination, including guided sightseeing in every port, VIP entry into key destinations and unparalleled cultural immersion and storytelling thanks to highly skilled Cruise and Tour Directors. In addition to countless trade accolades, Avalon Waterways has garnered some of the industry's most prestigious honors: Among them, the river cruise company was voted the Best River Cruise Line in 2010 by Cruise Critic editors, among the top 5 river cruise lines in Travel + Leisure's 2011 World's Best Awards and Condė Nast Traveler's 2011 Reader's Choice Awards; the river cruse line was also chosen as the "Best Value in River Cruising" by Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel. Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands.

Consumers can book an Avalon Waterways vacation or request brochures by visiting a preferred travel agent or by calling the following toll free number: 1.877.380.1535. For more information, please visit www.avalonwaterways.com or "Like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/avalonwaterways.