CRUISING WITH A THEME
River rides get topical
Almost five years ago, I took my first river cruise on Europe’s Danube River. Despite having cruised for nearly two decades, I’d never tried a river cruise before. My (mistaken) impression was I’d be bored.
That couldn’t have been further from the truth. River cruises are so immersive that they could almost qualify as an expedition cruise without the inflatable zodiac rafts.
These journeys aren’t confined to sailing the same stretch of river each week.
Avalon Waterways (avalonwaterways.com) is pulling out all the stops for the 2017 river cruise season in Europe, even as ships continue to sail right up until the end of December.
For the active river cruiser, Avalon has its Active Discovery on the Danube cruises.
A nine-day journey between Budapest, Hungary and Linz, Austria, these voyages offer a variety of active excursions, from hiking tours to guided cycling excursions. There’s even a canoe trip guests can indulge in, and a hike to a vineyard.
“Our Active Discovery itineraries give cruisers the opportunity to bike, hike and canoe along the Danube,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. “They can also explore an ice cave, take an archery lesson, descend into an underground salt mine or ascend a mountain during a guided climb. This is European vacation focused on enjoying every moment of the journey.”
I think this voyage is a real winner — even if you’re not inclined to hop on a bike and cycle the paths that run along the Danube. Avalon also offers some great excursions that should appeal to novice and experienced river cruisers alike on this run, such as the offered excursion to the Belvedere Palace in Vienna; a medieval knight’s tournament in Visegrad, Hungary; or a journey back in time to the dark side of the Second World War with a tour of the Mauthausen concentration camp.
Avalon’s Active Discovery on the Danube voyages are offered on four departure dates next year: July 14; Aug. 12; Sept. 9; or Oct. 8. All are operated aboard the striking, 138-guest Avalon Luminary and offer port calls throughout Austria.
This active journey is just one of several themed cruises Avalon has lined up. Theme river cruises are absolutely fantastic. They have all the regular ports of call you expect, but with excursions and on-board offerings tweaked to fit within a theme.
Usually, these voyages are offered on only a handful of dates, so it makes sense to check with your favourite travel agent.
Next year, Avalon is offering five different wine-themed itineraries, all of which take place in October. A Master of Wine will educate guests during on-board tastings that can include pairings with chocolate and cheese, along with a special dinner paired with selected wines.
Avalon also offers two culinarythemed river cruises through France: A Culinary Experience from Paris to Normandy (April 25); and A Culinary Experience on the Grand France (April 17).
There are also beer-themed voyages in April and July, Jazz cruises in June, and themed voyages that focus on music, art, Second World War history.
There’s even a Jewish Heritage history cruise that departs on Aug. 13.
You can also cruise through France with Canada’s own Jann Arden, who will be aboard the April 29 Paris to Normandy cruise for four days to offer up a private concert, CD signing and more. Arden is the godmother of Avalon Tranquility II, which entered service last year.
If you’ve ever seen one of Arden’s concerts before, you’ll know she sings a good tune, but is also spectacularly funny. Expect this voyage to be a special one.
The most important thing to remember with these theme cruises: they’re only offered on a couple of sailing dates apiece, and that means they have a tendency to sell out. Which is why you’re reading this now and not early next year: by then, it could be too late to book many of the departures on this list.
Happy cruising.