Avalon Waterways UK has launched its 2017 brochure with a new type of European river cruise featuring active excursions and local authentic experiences to appeal to a new and potentially younger market.

Available on one of the most spectacular stretches of the Danube, from Linz to Budapest, the new 'Active Discovery on the Danube' cruises have been carefully planned so Avalon guests can experience the area like a local. Depending on an individual's interests, local experiences on offer are based on culture, cuisine, outdoor pursuits and even the harvest of local produce combined with the comfort and luxury of staying aboard an Avalon river cruise ship.

Those wanting to be active can join guided mountain climbing, hiking through spectacular landscape, paddling a canoe or cycling alongside the picturesque River Danube. Guests will have the opportunity to conduct an orchestra, learn the Viennese waltz, explore an ice cave or even visit a local farm to help with the apricot harvest. Culinary experiences include a lesson to make authentic Austrian Linzer Torte, a brewery tour to taste locally produced cheeses and beer brewed by Trappist monks, or a hike through vineyards and wine tasting at a traditional Austrian wine tavern. This new approach will tap into demand for more “authentic” experiences and to get much closer to the destination guests are visiting, where the experience is as important as the destination.

The 9 day 'Active Discovery on the Danube' cruise from Linz to Budapest (and reverse itinerary) is priced from £2483* per person to include a selection of activities (based on 16 October 2017 departure). Cruise highlights include Linz, Grein, Durnstein, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava, Visegard and Budapest.

The new cruise choice coincides with the launch of Avalon Fresh, a range of innovative and healthy menus for all Avalon cruises using fresh, local produce from small farms and producers. The menu choice has been designed by two of Europe's rising culinary stars, the Vienna based Wrenkh Brothers, whose focus is on “all-natural” ingredients and exciting flavours.   Available on all European cruises for 2017, the new mouth-watering menus will include regional dishes as well as more western style dishes accompanied with regional wines at both lunch and dinner.

New for 2017, Avalon guests will be able to enjoy a choice of complimentary regional wines and beers served with lunch, which is already available during the evening dinner service and offers even greater value for money.

David Binns, Avalon Head of Product commented: “We are really looking forward to being able to offer our customers such a thrilling and fun choice of activities. They will be able to fully immerse themselves in local life and be as active as they wish as they sail through the stunning landscapes of Austria, Bratislava and Hungary.”  

“Avalon offers guests the most flexible river cruise experience, from the relaxed style of dining options to choosing an excursion pace or activity that suits the individual. Our suite ships have a high percentage of larger sized Panorama Suites so we can offer the premium stateroom capacity that our competitors are not able to.”

Newly featured in the 2017 brochure are Avalon's cruises on the Irrawaddy, Mekong, Yangtze and Amazon rivers offering the same level of luxury and service available on European cruises. Suite Ships, Avalon Myanmar and Avalon Siem Reap, have a passenger capacity of 36 and are specially designed to provide the best way of experiencing the unique sights and landscapes from the river.  Staterooms are sized at a spacious 245 square feet (larger than the European Avalon Suite Ships) and feature a wall-to-wall panoramic window measuring 14-feet wide which opens to transform the living space into a large open air balcony. The 16 day 'Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong' river cruise is priced from £4,875* per person.

Customers booking a river cruise before 30 September 2016 can benefit from a FREE upgrade offer worth up to £1100 per person to enjoy spectacular views from one of Avalon's modern and luxurious open-air balcony staterooms for the price of a Deluxe Stateroom. The offer applies to all Avalon ships in the European fleet. **

Avalon Waterways features an exciting and aspirational range of river cruises from 7-24 nights on the most popular rivers in Europe. The choice includes the Danube, Main, Moselle, Rhine, Rhone, Saone, Seine rivers as well as the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Prices are from £1966pp based on the 8 day 'Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches' river cruise*.

To make a booking call Avalon Waterways on 0800 668 1801. For detailed information about cruises, offers and Avalon ships, visit www.avaloncruises.co.uk, Twitter @Avaloncruises

Ends

*Prices quoted include a private home pick up service (within 100 miles of UK airport),return flights, deluxe full board cruise accommodation with local wines/beers served with lunch and dinner, hotel accommodation, guided excursions, overseas transfers, on board gratuities and all taxes.

**Conditions apply

Note to editors:

Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, an international travel company with offices worldwide.   Launched to the UK market in 2009, the luxury river cruise operator has quickly become one of the most recognised and fastest growing river cruise brands with a 98% customer satisfaction rating and boasting the youngest, quietest and most spacious fleet of ships currently on Europe's rivers.   Avalon Waterways features fourteen 'Suite Ships' providing ultimate worldwide river cruises with spacious and modern suites designed to enhance the cruising experience, state-of-the-art facilities, a la carte dining and the highest level of on-board service.