Avalon - Discover River Cruising

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in association with avalon waterways

Discover river cruising ** *

hot destinations inspiring itineraries new ship reviews

Go dutch

Discovering Holland’s waterways

romantic rhine

Sailing along Germany’s rivers

PLUS the mississippi the danube the Rhone the Seine the mekong l

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CONTENTS

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Editor’s letter Did you know that 130,000 of us took a river cruise last year? More and more of us, it seems, are

From the Mighty Mississippi to the

with state-of-the-art ships (just take a look at

Our essential round-up of what’s hot Our favourite colourful accessories and best beauty buys for your cruise

12 avalon expression

mysterious Mekong, from the ancient history

immerse yourself in the local culture. And

Features

extraordinary range of destinations on offer.

opportunity to really discover a country and

The Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia can be explored by river cruise

10 cruise style

Personally, I’m constantly amazed at the

of the Danube, river cruises give you the

is a holiday like no other.

from the wildlife of the Amazon to the music

6 hot spot

8 avalon news

realising that a river cruise

of the river Nile to the romantic Seine, and

Up Front

26

We review the new river ship with a cruise along the Rhine – and watch our video

16 recipes

The head chef reveals some of Avalon’s best recipes from around the world

19 going dutch Discover the enchanting waterways of

the ones on page 24) offering every

Holland on a Dutch river cruise

22 rivers of the world Which river will you choose?

conceivable luxury, there’s never been a better time to experience river cruising.

26 room with a view

We’ve put this guide together for Avalon

Waterways to help you discover all the

On Avalon’s sleek Suite Ships

amazing aspects of river cruising. You’ll find

28 ask the experts Shore excursions; when to go; and the

stunning ships (page 10), the world’s most

memorable scenery (page 20), and unique

difference between river and ocean cruises

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experiences (page 17). No doubt about it, river crusing offers something for everyone.

Liz Jarvis, Editor liz.jarvis@cruise-international.com Follow us @Cruisemag Like us facebook.com/cruiseinternational Visit us cruise-international.com

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Hot sp t o

Angkor wat, the mekong In Siem Reap, Cambodia, you can visit the spectacular Angkor Wat temple on a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the Khmer Empire of the 9th-15th centuries. Travel to Angkor Wat on a Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong River cruise with Avalon Waterways. >> Turn to page 22 to read more about the Mekong River

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Inspiration

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5

Avalon

news

Ships Events Destinations l

New themed cruises

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New ships

In 2014 there will be more themed cruises for Avalon. To mark the centenary of the start of World War I there’s a Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches cruise (on the 22 July departure) visiting some of Europe’s most famous war sites including Villers-Bretonneux and Beaumont-Hamel. There’s the chance to discover regional beers and European beer-brewing techniques on the Austrian Highlights and Bavaria cruise departing on 13 October, with visits including breweries and Salzburg, while the 7 July cruise takes on a golf theme, where golfers can play on courses along the Danube in the region of Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Grein and Linz. And for relaxation the Wellness Cruise includes morning yoga, stretching and healthy dining on the Blue Danube Discovery cruise (14 July).

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In spring 2014 Avalon will launch three new Suite Ships: Avalon Poetry II, Illumination and Impression. They will offer stateof-the-art design with two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall panoramic windows that open to create open-air balconies, like their sister ships.

Cruises will include the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers.

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Exotic voyages

what’s XXXX hot

Avalon has launched a new dedicated Asia, Africa and the Americas brochure with cruises on the Mississippi, Mekong, Yangtze, Nile and coastal cruising around the Galapagos. Voyages include the 13-day Music City to the Big Easy cruise on the classic style paddlewheel steam boat American Queen and a 16-day Discover the Galapagos & Peru cruise. A new Amazon cruise is now offered on the intimate Aria ship, featuring just 16 suites, a boutique dining room and an outdoor jacuzzi.

photo: © avalon waterways/istock

Holiday reads The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris

By Jenny Colgan (Little, Brown, £7.99) Following an accident Anna heads across the Channel to work for a chocolatier, and former sweetheart, in this delightful, funny romantic novel. cru ise -i n t er nat iona l .com

The Food of Love Cookery School

By Nicky Pellegrino (Orion, £12.99) Four women, all at turning points in their lives, converge at a cookery school in a Sicilian mountain town. And they take away more than just a few new recipes.

Once Upon a Time There Was a Traveller Short stories (Little, Brown, £8.99) The Asham Award, the foremost prize for stories by women, presents a collection of tales that transport you to faraway lands, from both new and much-loved writers.

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Cruise

Style

Our pick of the hottest travel buys for your next trip

Flower power

Walk Tall

Daisies are a big trend again – for an instant wardrobe update try Danish designers Pilgrim’s Marguerite Silver Blue ring (£29.99, available from argento.co.uk)

For a splash of colour step into a pair of Aase Hopstock Cuba Floral shoes (£215 aasehopstock.com)

it’s a wrap

follow the SCENT Les Senteurs Gourmandes.

A vanilla base blended with fruit essences. (£22.50, marksand spencer.com)

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a r e i v Ri chic

This Wellicious Flirtini scarf is our must-have accessory making a great cover-up on deck (£65.95, wellicious.com)

For sheer elegance it would be hard to beat this Fifties-style Oriental Bloom silk print dress. Available in sizes eight to 16 (£750, suzannah.com)

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shopping

for men cover up

Want something that will take you from the whirlpool to lunch (and back again)?

This tunic is ideal (£113, aubadestore.com)

Finishing Touch For the man who wants to look his best in the evening: vintage print Ted Baker cufflinks, (£40, houseoffraser.co.uk)

Beauty luxe Delicate leaf pendant necklace from Dinny Hall (£115, dinnyhall.com)

Bag it

Aase Hopstock Gemini Floral bag (£195 aasehopstock.com)

Going places Beauty luxe

Carol Joy’s Swiss-made IV range of skincare products include Golden Millet Oil and Diamond Dust, (from £60, caroljoylondon.com)

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Add a stylish and practical touch to your luggage with a world map tag (£9.99, theletteroom.com)

Go online: For more shopping ideas go to cruise-international.com/ category/cruise-style-blog

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Avalon Natalie Milner reviews Avalon’s newest Suite Ship – and takes a cruise along the Rhîne

Expression

photo: © avalon waterways/natalie milner/istock

T

he latest addition to Avalon Waterways’ fleet, Avalon Expression, joins their collection of sleek Suite Ships and offers cruises along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. It has two full decks of Panorama Suites where, on a warm evening, you can open the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling French doors to unveil your own private piece of the river.

Beds are angled for a perfect view, and the marble and granite bathroom oozes elegance with power shower, extravagant L‘Occitane bath products and dark polished wood. It’s these small but significant details that make this a luxury river cruise experience.

The ship’s streamlined, panoramic windows in both the lounge and restaurant perfectly frame the passing landscape, or for an even better view you can relax at the front of the ship in the sheltered outdoor Observation Lounge.

There are some surprising touches on board, including a fitness centre, giant chess board and whirlpool on the Sky Deck, hairdressing salon, flatscreen televisions in every room – including a channel tailored to the ship’s current location – and excellent complimentary wifi.

Avalon Expression has the design elements to match its elegance: from the effective soundproofing in between suites to the multi-sided shower cubicles offering maximum comfort. The restaurant is designed with a clever half divide, enabling you to enjoy an intimate dining experience while taking in views from both sides of the ship.

When it’s time to dine you’re in for a treat. A hot and cold buffet greets you at breakfast, and the chef can rustle up anything you fancy, from Eggs Benedict to a bespoke omelette. At lunchtime guests disperse between the two dining areas, for either Light Lunch in the lounge or a generous lunch buffet in the restaurant – and when it’s warm a barbeque Sky Bistro is provided on deck.

As for evening meals, there are generous fine-dining menus with complimentary wine – and waiters 8

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Above: Cologne Cathedral lights up the skyline cru ise -i n t er nat iona l .com

rhine river cruise

Avalon Expression has two full decks of Panorama Suites where, on a warm evening, you can open the wall-to-wall French doors to unveil your own private piece of the river cru ise -i n t er nat iona l .com

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Above: Watch our video to view the features on board Avalon Expression

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Below: For perfect views of the passing landscape head to the Sky Deck

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rhine river cruise make sure there’s never a dry glass. There’s a selection of salads and soups to start, with main meals ranging from risotto to plump steaks, and an array of cheese platters, ice cream and cakes for dessert. Later you can steal a moment to sip a complimentary tea or coffee, and try to resist the delectable cookies, in the Club Lounge overlooking the stern of the ship. And just before bed – in case you’re still peckish – a Late Fare snack is available.

You’ll have to put your name down early if you want to experience the exclusive Panorama Bistro dinner, served with views from the bow of the ship for just 25 guests. This unravels as nine sumptuous courses of taster dishes displayed as mini pieces of art, including melt-in-the-mouth scallops and cherrychocolate cakes – a culinary delight.

If the sun is shining on the Sky Deck it’s the perfect place to settle into a premium lounge chair, sip a cool local Riesling spritzer and journey along the Romantic Rhine. The lush forests – setting to many a Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale – are interspersed with vineyards clinging to the steep hillsides.

As the ship meanders along the river, castles and towers emerge from behind a blanket of trees and turrets cut into the sky – Sleeping Beauty eat your heart out. “Father” Rhine puts on a parade, allowing the ship

Spiral staircases wind into elegant rooms adorned with towering f ireplaces to glide between his banks while proudly displaying the castles of times gone by – it’s enchanting.

The next day the castles become tangible with a visit to Reichsburg Cochem. As the cool air of the castle envelops you it conjures a childhood world of secret passages and knights in shining armour. The tour guide brings the castle alive, and the handy headphones supplied on every tour mean that you can wander at your own pace and still hear every word.

Spiral staircases wind into elegant rooms adorned with chandeliers, towering fireplaces, engrained ceilings and extravagant dining tables. As I perched on the balcony I felt like Rapunzel. Cochem itself is worth exploring and you can sample a glass, or two, of the local Riesling wine.

As you travel northwards the hills flatten, the castles disperse and the fairy tale adventure develops a sinister aura as you call at Cologne. The city was turned to dust in World War II, with ninety per cent of its prewar architecture destroyed. But while this absence is prominent today, the city’s past is being constantly rediscovered, and highlights include the Roman Dionysus mosaic at the Romano-Germanic museum.

Of course the city’s most famous heritage comes in a bottle: Eau de Cologne created by John Maria Farina in 1709. But visually Cologne Cathedral dominates the city – the tallest building in the world when finally completed in 1880 – having escaped the war mostly unscathed it stands proud above the skyline.

There’s no better way to take in the captivating variety of this beautiful region than by its waterways on a ship of pure elegance. As Avalon Expression journeys towards Amsterdam, the final port of call, we don’t want our fairy tale cruise to end. cru ise -i n t er nat iona l .com

MAGNIFICENT EUROPE A 14-night Magnificent Europe voyage with Avalon Waterways on Avalon Expression, from Amsterdam to Budapest from April-December 2014, includes the Rhîne Gorge and Cologne in Germany plus destinations along the Danube and Main rivers. Prices start at £3,619pp based on two sharing, including flights and door-todoor pick up service, meals, excursions and transfers. For more information call 0800 668 1801 or visit avaloncruises.co.uk

Clockwise, from top left: Cologne Cathedral; old town of Cologne; the gatehouse, Reichsburg Cochem; exploring the little town of Cochem; stained glass in the castle; the old gate in Cochem

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Culinary

voyages

Avalon’s head chef, Stefan Bloch, shares some favourite recipes inspired by their ports of call

SAUTÉED SPINY-LOBSTER TAILS WITH SAFFRON SAUCE (France) Serves 2 spiny lobster (crawfish) tails 20g chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley, thyme) Some butter A little oil A pinch of salt 200g mangetout

for the saffron sauce: 2 shallots 3/8 cup fish stock 1⁄4 tsp ground saffron or saffron strands A little cornflour or a similar thickening agent 60ml white wine 1⁄2 tbsp Noilly Prat (French vermouth) 50g butter

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2

30g crème fraîche A little lemon juice to taste A pinch salt, pepper

Method l Halve the spiny lobsters lengthways, and remove the flesh as far as the lower third of the tail (the carcass should remain attached to the flesh). l Peel and finely dice the shallots and sauté gently in oil until soft.

Deglaze with the white wine, and then add the fish stock, Noilly Prat and saffron, bring to the boil, then simmer for a while. Press the soup through a fine sieve. Dissolve the cornflour in a little cold water, stir into the soup and allow to thicken. Stir in the cold butter followed by the crème fraîche. l Season with lemon juice, pepper and salt. Melt butter in a frying pan to gently sauté the mangetout until tender. Sprinkle lobster tails with salt before frying them briskly in oil. Add the butter and chopped herbs.

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recipes

SALMON & PUMPERNICKEL (germany) Serves 2 8 slices smoked salmon 1 shallot A pinch of salt, pepper A little lemon juice 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley) 2 slices pumpernickel

l Finely slice the salmon slices and the shallot. l Stir in the chopped fresh herbs, and then season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice. l Cut small rounds from the pumpernickel and arrange the salmon mixture on top.

words: Stefan Bloch/Pia Rosbach photos: Š www.eg-media.com/info@eg-media.com/Einhard Giehrl

chocolate cake (united states) Serves

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200g chocolate (with a high percentage of cocoa) 200g butter 200g sugar 60g flour

1

6 eggs A pinch salt A little chilli powder Some butter and sugar for the cake tin

l Grease a cake tin with butter, and sprinkle the inside

with a little sugar. The tin should be placed in the fridge for about one hour and only taken out just before use. l Chop the chocolate coarsely before melting it with the butter in a bain-marie. Preheat the oven to 210°C. l Add the sugar and a pinch of salt to the eggs before beating them until they are frothy. l Stir in the flour, and then carefully fold in the cooled chocolate and butter mixture. l Add the chilli powder. Remove the chilled cake tin from the fridge and spoon in the cake mixture. Bake for about 10 minutes. l Serve when hot, the inside should still be runny.

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Luxury River Cruises Danube | Main | Rhine | Seine | Moselle | Rhône | Mississippi | Yangtze | Galápagos | Amazon

Discover a cruise unlike any other…

On the most contemporary fleet on Europe’s rivers Cruise the tranquil rivers of Europe in spacious luxury and enjoy panoramic views of stunning passing landscapes. This year we welcome two new Suite Ships plus, a further three new ships in 2014, offering our guests the very latest in ship design and technology.

3 Included

3 Included

Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew †† so there are no hidden costs or expenses.

Private door-to-door home pick-up in an executive car to and from chosen departure airport or station, for exceptional service from the moment you leave home†.

3 Included

3 Included

Full board dining with free flowing regional wines and beer with dinner, plus complimentary soft drinks with lunch and all day beverage station with premium Lavazza coffee.

Fully packaged holiday with scheduled flights or Eurostar, transfers and port charges so everything is taken care of for you.

3 Included

3 Included

Sightseeing with expert loc al guides to must see stunning loc ations and individual audio systems for all guided shore excursions.

Service of a professional Cruise Direc tor to help and support you plus on board lectures, local entertainers, activities and evening piano music.

Look online or call us FREE for savings and for all our worldwide cruises

Call reservations FREE on 0808 115 4898 • Visit www.avaloncruises.co.uk We are members of ABTA and our flight inclusive packages are protected by ATOL. †This service is available if you live within 75 miles of your chosen departure airport or Eurostar station, if you live further than 75 miles away you can still take advantage of this offer by paying the excess mileage at £1.70 per mile. ††On European, Mekong and Yangtze holidays. All offers are subject to availability for new bookings only and can be withdrawn at any time. For further details please see your brochure or our website. All details are correct to time of supply (August 2013).

ABTA No.V3031 COSMOS COACH TOURS LTD

COSMOS COACH TOURS LTD

dutch waterways

Going

Dutch Deborah Stone discovers the enchanting waterways of Holland

I

wake up and look out of the French windows to see the sun glancing off the sea. It’s going to be a wonderful day… Hang on a minute, when I went to bed I was on a river cruise, sailing through the Netherlands past tall townhouses, flat fields and distant windmills. But now there’s nothing but water outside and, although it’s very calm, it’s definitely sea. And I can see seagulls.

Racing up to the Sky Deck, I discover that on the other side of our luxury river ship there is land. We’re sailing through the IJsselmeer, which was once the inland sea known as Zuiderzee but has been the largest freshwater lake in Western Europe since a major dam cut it off from the North Sea in the 1930s.

The breeze on the open deck still smells as fresh as the ocean though, and as we dock at Volendam there’s no mistaking the jaunty seaside feel of the pretty little yachting town, with a row of traditional Dutch-gabled buildings along the promenade and a few old fishing boats moored near a three-mast ship.

At 9am the 170 or so passengers on board Avalon Imagery have the place to ourselves and, like every other Dutch town we see on the trip, the narrow streets are spotless and the neat brick-built buildings are brightened by pots of flowers.

Our included excursion today takes us to nearby Edam, a tiny historic town that looks far too small to be the home of one of the world’s most famous cheeses.

We certainly can’t drive through its narrow streets, so the coach drops us near a path that follows a canal and we peek into the exquisitely neat gardens of the grand homes once owned by wealthy merchants during the Netherlands’ Golden Age, back in the 17th century.

This neighbourhood, Damplein, is so old that many of the historic houses are leaning over and an ancient brick-built bridge straddles the 16th century dam at the end of the canal.

The shops here sell organic groceries and desirable knick-knacks that are only possible to resist because of the prices. Like most of euro-land everything is more expensive here than in Britain and not for the first time I’m glad to be on a holiday that includes all my meals (with complimentary wine at dinner), daily sightseeing trips and – the clincher – regular access to proper tea.

We have some free time to explore the museum in the grand old town hall, or Stadhuis, built in 1737. There is also a tourist information centre here, but there’s no such thing as a free tourist map in the Netherlands where even the municipal museums have an entrance fee.

So I’m pleased to regroup with the others for our included guided tour of the Edam cheese museum.

Edam cheese is made all over the country but it’s named after the town because it was sold in Edam’s Kaasmarkt after being weighed at the Kaaswaag, from the late 1700s.

We return to Volendam where the streets are now full of happy day-trippers busy buying souvenir clogs and enjoying the sunshine, and I’m ready for lunch back on the ship.

Although I try to stick to salads for lunch on Avalon Imagery it is hard to resist the carvery in the hot buffet section. However, I’m glad I still have an appetite when it comes to the evening meal: four courses including dishes such as Atlantic perch with chilli-scented tagliatelle, wok-fried chicken with honey-ginger-garlic sauce and crêpe with sautéed chanterelles.

An open-seating policy means I can sit with different people at every meal, and afternoon tea is served in the main lounge, where the armchairs and sofas are arranged in sociable groups.

Also, there are often regional treats such a freshly-made suikerbrood.

Free tea and coffee is always available, as is complimentary WiFi access, and when I just want to get away from everybody I can lounge on my hotelstandard bed and watch the world through the full-length windows of my pleasantly spacious cabin.

It’s such a friendly ship, though, that I’ve taken to sitting with a group of American friends for a glass of wine on the Sky Deck in the last of the sunshine before getting ready for dinner. We all bring snacks such as Dutch Gouda cheese with mustard seeds (my favourite), and pretzels or crisps to share.

My eight-day Tulip Time cruise dips into Belgium with excursions to the glorious medieval towns of Antwerp and Ghent, but the highlight is a day at the Keukenhof Gardens with its rivers of Tulips and swathes of Narcissi, Daffodils and Hyacinths.

The gardens close in late May, though, which signals the opportunity for river cruise operators to take advantage of the Netherlands’ watery superhighway, The Rhine, to explore Germany, Luxemburg, Switzerland and France.

From my window seat on the flight home I can see that the Netherlands is mostly under water – whether inland seas, lakes, rivers or canals – and it occurs to me that this is a country that was made for river cruising.

Especially if you like a chunk of Gouda with mustard seeds to nibble with your pre-dinner wine.

Right, clockwise from top: Edam cheese; the IJsseldelta; Suikerbrood; Cadzand in Zeeland; Volendam’s gabled buildings; Panorma Suite; beach in Cadzand; Keukenhof, Lisse is renowned for its beautiful floral displays

photos: © netherlands board of tourism & conventions/lighthouse productions/dirk verwoerd/istock

We peek into the exquisitely neat gardens of the grand homes once owned by the wealthy merchants during the Netherlands’ Golden Age, back in the 17th century

Avalon Waterways offers a 13-day Rhine & Moselle cruise departing from Amsterdam between 13 April and 20 September 2014 from £3,135pp including flights, private door-to-door home pick-up service, meals, excursions, and transfers. Calls include Edam and Kinderdijk in the Netherlands, as well as Germany, France and Switzerland. Visit avaloncruises.co.uk or call 0800 668 1801.

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dutch waterways

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Rivers

world of the

Waterways cut through some of the most incredible places in the world. Here are just a few of the diverse rivers that you can cruise along with Avalon

Rhine Winding 830km northeast from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, the Rhine has defined this part of the European continent for centuries – as the historic barrier between Celtic and Germanic tribes, as the backbone of the Frankish, Carolingian and Holy Roman Empires and, later, as the much disputed border between France and Germany. One of the most spectacular sites is the view from the river as it winds through the Rhine Gorge. There are more stunning vistas from Basel in Switzerland to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, plus the river winds through the beautiful French Alsace region, multicultural Strasbourg, and the ancient cities of Speyer and Cologne.

The Romantic Rhine eight-day cruise departing from Amsterdam between 29 March and 19 October 2014 costs from ÂŁ1,935pp.* 20

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river cruising

* including flights, door-to-door pick up service, meals, excursions and transfers. photos: © istock/avalon waterways/mississippi development authority

Danube Deep in the Black Forest of Germany the Danube begins its journey towards the Black Sea, passing through ten countries and four European capitals.

Discover the music of the river immortalised by Strauss in the Blue Danube waltz for yourself as it flows through an ever-changing landscape of picturesque valleys and perfect panoramas, its glorious banks forming a patchwork of picturebook castles, medieval monasteries, luscious vineyards, historic cities and tranquil villages.

The river is ideal for cruise holidays and offers many diverse wonders, from Austria’s picturesque Wachau Valley and the magnificent cities of Budapest and Bratislava, to imperial Vienna and Romania’s impressive Iron Gates Gorge.

The Balkan Discovery 10-day cruise from Bucharest to Budapest, departing between 23 May and 10 October 2014, costs from £2,415pp.*

Rhône and Seine The Seine and Rhône Rivers are wonderful routes into the heart of France, allowing you to access the north of the country, including Paris and Normandy, or head south to the sunny Rhône, visiting lively Chalon-sur-Saône and Avignon. A Seine cruise of course takes you into the heart of Paris, but there’s plenty more to see along the way. Experience history firsthand at the Normandy beaches, site of the Allied invasion on D-Day in 1944; delight in the Gothic architecture of Rouen, and see where Joan of Arc was tried and executed; lose yourself in the exquisite

gardens of Giverny that inspired the Impressionist painter Claude Monet; and walk the cobblestone streets of provincial Vernon.The Rhône flows to the Med through the gastronomic capital of Lyon and the picturesque wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône.

Cruising north from Lyon to Chalonsur-Saône there's Tournus and the pretty pastoral villages of Beaujolais and the Mâconnais wine region.

The 11-day Burgundy and Provence cruise from Côte d'Azur to Paris departs between 24 March and 20 October 2014 and costs from £2,430pp.* 8

Left: Avalon Visionary on the Rhine Clockwise from top left: The Hungarian Parliament building; on the Danube in Bratislava, Slovakia; Lyon at dusk cru ise -i n t er nat iona l .com

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Mekong The mighty Mekong (translated from the Thai, Mae Nam Khong, or ‘The Mother of Water’) rises together with the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers from the Tibetan Plateau and then runs through China’s Yunnan province and onwards, entering Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam until it reaches the South China Sea. Avalon’s Mekong cruise itineraries go from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in Vietnam, or vice versa. This offers the chance to see the watery landscape of green fields and sleepy villages in the rice-growing area of the Mekong Delta, the capital and largest city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, and one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia, the temples of Angkor.

The 16-day Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong cruise from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, or vice versa, costs from £3,995pp.*

Mississippi Rising in northern Minnesota and meandering slowly southwards for 2,530 miles to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico, this is the world’s fourth longest river. The Mississippi River Valley is one of the most fertile agricultural regions of the US, which resulted in the river’s storied steamboat era of around 1830 to 1870, and now the golden age of Mississippi steamboats is being recreated for the 21st century, with ships like Avalon’s American Queen. It's in this region, the south-central United States, where you can best experience the history and culture of America’s heartland on a cruise. Imagine times gone by as you visit historic ports of call like New Orleans – a great way to enjoy the American South from past to present.

The 13-day Music City to the Big Easy cruise departs from Nashville from 19 March to 3 December and costs from £4,485pp.*

Go online: For more information call 0800 668 1801 or visit avaloncruises.co.uk

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Clockwise from top left: Novice monks, Angkor; Vietnamese woman rowing a boat in Mekong River; wooded scenery on the banks of the Mississippi

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The launch this year of Coachella’s first festival at sea on board Celebrity Silhouette, headlined by Pulp and Hot Chip, marks a new age of cruising. From chocolate tours to personal shopping experiences, if you’re after a unique holiday there are some incredible options available, discovers Annabelle Bladon

Cool Cruıses

Samba your way to the Rio Carnival From the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, birthplace of the tango, to the laid-back beaches of Rio de Janeiro, fiery Latin rhythms lie at the heart of this Azamara cruise, which culminates in three days at the largest carnival in the world. On your way you will pass through Punta del Este, summer playground of Latin America’s rich and famous, and the lush green island of Ilhabela, once a hideout of smugglers and pirates. With an emphasis on overnight and late stays, you will have plenty of time to explore, but as the ship enters

Rio’s spectacular harbour, make sure you savour the peace and quiet with a Caipirinha; you’re about to hit the frenzy of the street parties and the world-famous Sambadrome.

Azamara (azamaraclubcruises.com) Twelve nights on Azamara Quest, Quest, 31 January 2013, from £2,309 (approx.) based on double occupancy, cruise only, calling at Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; Punta del Este, Uruguay; Ilhabela, Brazil; Parati, Brazil; Buzios, Brazil; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

from £7.99 CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM23

Room

with a View Avalon Waterways is launching three new Suite Ships with space to enjoy Europe’s historic sights in comfort, says Deborah Stone

S

ailing through the middle of Europe is like being part of an archaeological dig: you can see the layers of history unfolding before you. And Regensburg’s layers are particularly fascinating to see.

It was just a 10-minute walk from where our cruise ship was moored to the old town centre, but in that time we passed the remains of the Roman walls, and walked through a jumble of medieval courtyards and through narrow streets to the Italian Renaissance houses where the merchants who made Regensburg a wealthy trading town once lived.

pastel-washed buildings are home to boutiques, market squares sell local produce you can buy to take home, there’s a castle on the hill and a glorious cathedral.

Mainz, on the River Rhine, is equally multi-layered.

Once the northern outpost of the Roman Empire it became one of the most important cities for its successor, the medieval Holy Roman Empire.

It’s also deep in the heart of Germany’s wine territory, as are other river cruise favourites such as Cologne with its UNESCO-listed cathedral and Koblenz, where the Rhine and Mosel converge.

The latest ships have two decks of extra-big suites that are 30 per cent larger than average with f loor-to ceiling windows The town’s 12th-century stone bridge was the first permanent crossing over the entire length of the Danube, which takes in the exciting capital cities of Vienna, Budapest and Prague.

And like other tourist towns along the longest river in Europe, Regensburg is full of medieval charm: 24

Add these attractions to a week or two on one of Avalon’s Suite Ships with private balconies, a choice of restaurants, included excursions and all gratuities paid for – and you’ve got a holiday that’s not only fascinating but relaxing too.

Following the launch of Avalon Artistry II in March cru ise -i n t er nat iona l .com

photos: © avalon waterways/istock

2013 and Avalon Expression in May, there will be three new Suite Ships for 2014: Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Illumination and Avalon Impression, bringing Avalon Waterways’ collection to a total of eight Suite Ships.

They join Avalon Panorama, launched in 2011 and the first of its kind in the industry, plus Avalon Vista and Avalon Visionary, both launched in 2012. All their cruises include door-to-door home pick-up plus air or Eurostar travel and transfers.

The latest ships have two decks of extra-big suites that are 30 per cent larger than average, with wider floorto-ceiling windows than you’ll find elsewhere. The best invention is that if you open these you can transform part of your suite into a large balcony – the perfect place to sit with your morning coffee as you enjoy the wonderful moveable feast of a changing countryside.

There’s enough room for six people on each balcony so what could be better than inviting new friends for a drink as the sun sets before dinner, which you might want to take in the spacious dining room with picture windows, or perhaps in the more intimate Panorama Bistro where you can try regional dishes and wines.

Whether you’re on the Avalon Artistry II, sailing cru ise -i n t er nat iona l .com

down the Rhine, or on the Avalon Expression enjoying the Danube’s treasures, not only are excursions included but there is a choice of three sightseeing groups – leisurely, traditional or essential – so you can explore at the pace that suits you. And if you do find yourself in Regensburg make sure you visit the old town hall, an ornate building with mullioned glass windows, where you can still see the measuring rods once used in the nearby marketplace. It neatly encapsulates a way of life that is still thriving for us all to enjoy along Europe’s major waterways.

Clockwise, from top left: Panorama Suite; bathroom with L‘Occitane products; Avalon Artistry II; the lounge and outdoor observation area

The Legendary Danube The 11-day Legendary Danube cruise departs between March and November 2014 and includes a 3-night hotel stay. Prices start from £2,265pp, including flights, private doorto-door pick-up service, meals, excursions and transfers. Call 0800 668 1801 or visit avaloncruises.co.uk 25

Luxury River Cruises Danube | Main | Rhine | Seine | Rhône | Mississippi | Mekong | Yangtze | Galápagos | Amazon

Luxury cruises to the world’s most exceptional places Avalon Waterways offers a selection of inspiring worldwide river and small ship cruises to some of the world’s most outstanding destinations.

Get up close and personal to some of the most exotic and legendary sights in total luxury onboard your elegant Avalon cruise.

3 Included

3 Included

Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew (on Mekong & Yangtze river cruises) so there are no hidden costs or expenses.

Private door-to-door home pick-up in an executive car to and from chosen departure airport or station for exceptional service from the moment you leave home†.

3 Included

3 Included

Full board dining with free flowing wines with dinner, plus complimentary soft drinks with lunch and all day beverage station.

Fully packaged holiday with scheduled flights, transfers and port charges so everything is taken care of for you.

3 Included

3 Included

Guided shore excursions and sightseeing with expert local guides to must see stunning locations.

Service of a professional Cruise Director to help and support you plus on board lec tures and ac tivities.

Look online or call us FREE for savings and for all our worldwide cruises

Call reservations FREE on 0808 115 4898 • Visit www.avaloncruises.co.uk †This service is available if you live within 75 miles of your chosen departure airport or Eurostar station, if you live further than 75 miles away you can still take advantage of this offer by paying the excess mileage at £1.70 per mile. All offers are subject to availability for new bookings only and can be withdrawn at any time. For further details please see your brochure or our website. All details are correct to time of supply (August 2013).

ABTA No.V3031 COSMOS COACH TOURS LTD

COSMOS COACH TOURS LTD