AN EPICUREAN VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
Discover the great wine regions of Europe and enjoy a flavour of the continent’s most beautiful landscapes and cities on a river cruise with Avalon Cruises
WHETHER you’re a passionate oenophile with a sophisticated, discerning palate, or you simply take pleasure in sampling different wines and are curious to know more about their provenance, there is something truly special about visiting the world’s great vineyards and meeting the winemakers who help cultivate the distinct flavours of each region.
So, imagine a leisurely holiday immersed in the beautiful landscapes of Europe’s historic winelands, exploring renowned wineries, enjoying tastings and learning about viticulture from those who spend their days creating world-famous wines.
One of the best ways to discover Europe’s rich wine heritage is on a cruise along one of the rivers that meander through the undulating landscapes steeped with ancient vines. Your tranquil journey will offer an ever-changing panorama as you glide along the water, taking in the unique terroir of some of France, Germany and Austria’s acclaimed winemaking regions, and welcoming local producers on board to give expert talks and host tastings. As you’re transported serenely, taking in Europe’s cities, towns and rural areas from a unique vantage point, perhaps from the balcony of your stateroom or on the upper deck of your ship, your trip will be punctuated with opportunities to step ashore and explore.
RHÔNE CRUISE
Picture yourself on an enchanting journey from the sun-drenched Côte d’Azur to Paris, through the picturesque countryside of southern France and some of the country’s most distinguished wine regions. Guests on the Burgundy and Provence itinerary with Avalon Cruises begin their epicurean adventure with a night on the beautiful Côte d’Azur before joining their ship in Arles to begin cruising through the stunning Camargue National Park on to the pretty Provençal countryside that inspired Vincent van Gogh and many other artists. As you wend your north, your cruise offers the chance to discover the medieval city of Tournon, the Roman ruins of Lyon, a wealth of ancient churches and cathedrals and plenty of scenic stops that immerse you in local history and culture, with English-speaking guides to offer insight and expertise. Head to the exalted cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, meet the vintners and discover the illustrious wines of Beaujolais and Burgundy at stately chateaux that are home to some of the world’s most celebrated wine estates.
Of course, in France, particularly, gastronomy goes hand in hand with a taste for fine wines, and this itinerary offers plenty of scope to sample local cheeses and other mouthwatering regional cuisine, before concluding your cruise and being driven to Paris for time to discover the culinary capital of the world.
PARIS, MOSELLE AND RHINE CRUISE
Journey through northern Europe’s captivating countryside on a restorative ten-night break starting with two magical nights in Paris, before joining your Avalon ship for a relaxing cruise through northern France, Luxembourg, Germany and the Netherlands. Once you’ve enjoyed a flavour of the French capital with its awe-inspiring art galleries, stylish shops, chic cafés and world-class restaurants, you’ll be whisked by high-speed train and luxury coach to join your cruise ship in Remich.
Your passage along the Moselle will stop in Luxembourg City before heading on to the charming wine village of Bernkastel, with its quaint narrow streets and half-timbered houses, many of which date back to the Middle Ages. In the heart of Germany’s largest expanse of vineyards, see banks of ancient vines and perhaps sample the region’s most celebrated vintage, Bernkasteler Doktor. Enjoy a wine tasting before dinner in Zell, then wend your way north along the Moselle and acres of Riesling grapes stretching as far as the eye can see. Explore Cochem, where Reichsburg Castle, built in ad1000, sits atop a conical, vine-covered hill, before heading towards the spectacularly beautiful Rhine Gorge, where ancient castles sit atop dramatic cliffs, and a tour of the typical Rhine valley wine town of Rüdesheim. A day in Cologne offers scope to explore its many historic sights, with the chance to try a locally brewed Kölsch pale lager, before your cruise concludes in Holland’s charming 700-yearold capital. There discover priceless Dutch Masters in Amsterdam’s world-renowned Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, or take to the city’s waterways on a canal cruise.
BLUE DANUBE CRUISE
Few rivers offer a more beautiful passage than the majestic Danube as it carves a path from Hungary, through Slovakia and Austria and on to Germany. Avalon Cruises guests will begin their Danube experience with two nights in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, a city rich in history that offers much to curious travellers – and even more with Avalan’s expert local guides showing you the sights. Joining your ship and sailing west, your journey takes you through unspoiled countryside, dotted with tiny villages as you make your way to the magnificent city of Vienna, steeped in cultural heritage and breathtaking architecture. The ‘City of Music’ inspired great classical composers including Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, and is home to the world-renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir and the Spanish Riding School, with its balletic Lipizzaner stallions. Indulge in strudel or Sachertorte and an espresso in one of the many
elegant coffee houses, and wander around the stunning Hofburg Imperial Palace, with its impressive art collection and regal history.
From the gilded city of Vienna your ship sails on to the bucolic Wachau Valley, lined with banks of apricot orchards and row upon row of gnarly vines that produce the region’s wines. Stop in the quaint 16th-century village of Dürnstein, where you’re transported back in time to wander through narrow cobbled streets lined with time-worn houses, to witness the somewhat incongruous sight of the baroque blue Stiftskirche.
A distinct microclimate in this beautiful valley has created a unique terroir that is perfect for cultivating tender Riesling grapes and apricots, so a wine tasting – and purchase – is definitely in order, while many visitors pack preserves, liqueurs, chocolate-dipped fruit and other sweet treats to take home as epicurean souvenirs from their visit.
Enjoy a leisurely lunchtime cruise to Melk and a guided tour of its wondrous 11th-century Benedictine Abbey, perched high above the Danube.
There’s the chance to follow in the footsteps of the von Trapp family on an excursion to Salzburg, or to discover medieval Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or simply stay on board your luxurious ship and enjoy panoramic vistas as you sail on to Passau, where the Inn, Ilz and Danube converge.
On to Regensburg, which dates back to around 500bc and is the only German city not bombed during the Second World War, to witness ancient architecture, both humble and grand, before sampling some of Germany’s famous beers. Your cruise culminates in Nuremburg, steeped in both ancient and modern history, before you travel by coach to Prague to spend a few nights in the ‘Golden City’, before flying home at the end of a fascinating voyage along this most beautiful waterway.
Visit the world’s great vineyards and meet the winemakers