Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways is a river cruise company. The brand was founded in 2004 and is owned by the Globus Family of Brands, a multinational present in various countries of the world and which offers itineraries along the most famous rivers: the European rivers (Rhine, Danube, Seine, Saonne, Moselle and Main ) the Asian ones (Ganges in India, Mekong in Cambodia and Vietnam), the Nile in Egypt, the Amazon River in Peru. Avalon debuted in Italy in 2021 and has two ships dedicated exclusively to the Italian market – Avalon Visionary and Avalon Illumination – with onboard and onshore service in Italian. The two units for the 2022 season foresee cruises on the Rhine and the Danube.
Cruises on the Rhine
“Enchanting Danube” is the name of Avalon Waterways' cruise itineraries on the Danube, designed for the Italian market, from Deggendorf to Budapest and vice versa, with departures between May and August for 8 days/7 nights. Famous throughout the world, sailing along the "beautiful blue Danube" passes charming cities of Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary: Deggendorf; Passau, called the city of three rivers due to the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz; Linz, with the largest medieval square in Austria; the Wachau Valley wine region with stops in Melk and Dürnstein; Vienna, Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, and finally Budapest. New for 2022 are the "A taste of the Danube" cruises, short 4-day/3-night itineraries from Dubapest to Vienna and vice versa. Expected departure in May and July from both river ports. These mini cruises on the Danube allow you to discover Budapest, Bratislava, Melk, the Wachau valley, Dürnstein and Vienna.
The Avalon style and the Panorama Suites
Fresh and local ingredients with which the chefs create traditional dishes and regional specialties, and no shifts for lunch and dinner, and all catering included in the price of the cruise ticket. Guests can choose to have lunch or dinner wherever they prefer: elegant four-course dinner at the Panorama Restaurant, grilling on the Sky Deck, informal specialty dinner at the Panorama Bistrot. The picnic formula is also possible, for those who want to bring the culinary specialties on board ashore.
Customizable and included excursions
Avalon's Rhine cruises dedicated to the Italian market include 8-day/7-night itineraries from Amsterdam to Basel or from Basel to Amsterdam called "Romantic Rhine", with departures from May to September. Sail along the canals of Amsterdam, stop in the Gothic architecture of Cologne, the meeting of the Rhine and Moselle in Koblenz, the crossing of the spectacular Rhine Gorge, the wine town of Rüdesheim, Mainz with the tour of the Gutenberg Museum dedicated to history of the press; Strasbourg, Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest, Basel. To the "Romantic Rhine", the 2022 programming adds a new itinerary with a single departure on 21 August: "The Gems of the Rhine", from Amsterdam to Frankfurt. Among the stops, Nijmegen the oldest city in Holland, Düsseldorf, in Germany, Cologne, Koblenz, the Rhine Gorge, Mainz and Frankfurt.
Cruises on the Danube
Contemporary and linear style, elegant design, open and bright spaces: floating boutique hotels for informal luxury and a refined yet comfortable lifestyle. This is how the ships of the Avalon Waterways fleet present themselves, which are equipped only with external cabins and dedicate two entire decks to the Panorama Suites, cabins larger than the industry standard, which have panoramic windows that go from wall to wall and make the cabin a open-air balcony, from which you can admire the view while lying on the bed. The service on board the river cruises includes free wifi throughout the ship, drinks included during meals, buffet breakfast and lunch and à la carte dinner in the Panorama Restaurant, possibility of informal dinners in the Panorama Bistro, 24-hour self-service drinks, fitness room equipped, Sky Deck with sunbeds and whirlpool. On land, there is a program with many excursions and activities included.
On board, the gastronomic experience is personalized
The excursion offer is varied. Each stage includes tours in Italian with local guides to discover the historical and architectural heritage of European destinations, or bike rides and nature walks (always accompanied by local guides or the ship's adventure host), or itinerant food tours. Alongside the daily excursions included, there are also optional tours to allow guests to follow their passions and gain new experiences. Another possibility is to explore the destinations independently and for this Avalon Waterways has created the AvalonGo app, equipped with gps, with detailed daily program, maps, list of nearby attractions, entertainment options, indications on bars and restaurants.