Avalon Waterways Offers Off-the-Beaten-Path River Cruise Vacations for 2013

In addition to announcing two new Suite Ships in Europe and Avalon Choice – an entirely new concept in river cruising – for 2013, Avalon Waterways is also helping river cruisers explore more of the world on its waterways with five new itineraries.

"In 2013, we're not only providing our cruisers more choices on our ship, we're giving them more off-the-beaten-path cruises to choose from in northern Holland, Austria, Central Europe and Germany," said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. "And, in Asia, we're adding an exciting new cruise along China's mighty Yangtze River, aboard two new ships."

NEW, UNIQUE EUROPE RIVER CRUISES:
Many cruisers have explored Netherlands' Tulips in southern Holland, but in 2013, Avalon is encouraging them to try the NEW 8-day 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."

For cruisers interested in central and Eastern Europe, Avalon also has new choices from which to choose the perfect river cruise vacation, including:

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.

NEW! Highlights of Germany: On this new 13-day journey from Munich to Basel, Avalon guests will visit two of King Ludwig's most famous castles: Neuschwanstein, 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.

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.

NEW ASIA OFFERINGS:
For the next cruise season, Avalon Waterways is also 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: Save up to $500 off many of these off-the-beaten-path itineraries on special, "Book Now" departures. Visit the Avalon Waterways site to view details of river cruise deals.

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.