OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH RIVER CRUISES FOR 2013

[HostDave]

LITTLETON, Colorado – August 1, 2012 – In addition to announcing two new Suite Ships in Europe and Avalon ChoiceSM – 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 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.”

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. They’ll sail across the Ijsselmeer and take a walking tour of the small town of Hoorn. They will also visit the ZuiderZee Museum in Enkhuizen, the Batavia shipyard in Lelystad and a windmill outside the fishing village of Volendam, with even more excursion choices in Arnhem and Rotterdam. Onboard, they will delight in a sampling of local Dutch cheeses and Genever tastings as part of Avalon’s new Culture & Cruise program.

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. First, they will enjoy Vienna, with its spectacular museums, awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral and delightful music. In Dürnstein, cruisers will explore the small town above which stand the ruins of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. They will also visit magnificent Melk Abbey, and Grein’s quaint historical theater. In Germany, visits will include the Bavarian capital of Munich, the charming town of Oberammergau and the fairytale castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. Onboard, as part of the complimentary Culture & Cruise offerings, a local chef will prepare regional specialties and travelers will enjoy a wine tasting from the Wachau valley. Priced from $2,579 land/cruise (priced from $1,849 cruise-only).

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. Itinerary visits also include UNESCO World Heritage sites in Bamberg and Würzberg. Onboard, travelers will have another the opportunity to taste a variety of German beers, courtesy of Avalon’s Culture & Cruise program. Priced from $4,129 land/cruise (priced from $3,399 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. Travelers can shop for paprika in Budapest, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava, savor a Sachertorte in Vienna and explore the grounds of majestic Hradcany Castle in Prague. In addition to these amazing and fun cities, there’s even more, including a choice of excursions in Krems that include Austrain wine tastings, visiting Austria’s oldest theater still holding regular performances in the resort town of Grein and exploring one of Europe’s largest and most spectacular monasteries at Melk. And, as part of the Culture & Cruise experience, cruisers will have the opportunity to attend an onboard Slovak folk music performance. Priced from $2,939 land/cruise (priced from $2,299 cruise-only).

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. We’re also offering them amazing, immersive experiences such as attending a special cloisonné and lacquer workshops, a noodle-making demonstration, calligraphy class, rickshaw ride through Beijing’s hutongs and a sampan ride on Hong Kong’s harbor.

“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.”