We travel to see new places, to meet new people. We travel to learn, to see history, to walk in the footsteps of those who've gone before us. We travel to see beauty and charm, to marvel, to be moved, to be surprised - to get a better understanding of different cultures - and for a sense of adventure. We travel so we can share the stories of our journeys. And now there's a way to travel that by its very nature captures with it all of this. A way to travel that is in itself romantic and adventurous, new and different. A way to travel that gives you an understanding and one that makes an adventure out of the journey. It's river cruising with Avalon Waterways.

With an Avalon River Cruise the journey is just as awe-inspiring as the destinations themselves. You move effortlessly through towns and villages, through beautiful coastal landscapes without traffic or congestion or worry. If you're interested in European history, come to central Europe.

You have but three goals on a river cruise; to rest, relax and enjoy. River cruising is like nothing else. It's a unique voyage, a different way to travel, a new way to vacation. Along the way you'll experience marvels of engineering as you navigate a series of locks that have made miles of river travel possible. River cruising is a hassle free, worry free way to see the world. The ship is your hotel, taking you peacefully from place to place. You unpack only once, allowing you to relax and take in the sights and sounds of the world around you. Your English-speaking crew pampers you. They’re at beck and call. There’s always a friendly face close by, ready to give you an insider secrets about your locations or to educate you with little known facts along your journey. A river cruise allows you to visit multiple countries and you certainly see a lot and do a lot but the pace is still very relaxing.

Because the ships of Avalon are the newest ships in river cruising, you'll be surrounded in elegance, creature comforts, and state-of-the-art technology. There are places aboard where you can enjoy the company of your like-minded traveling companions. And for those moments when you want quiet time, you can retreat to your room, where in the comfort of some of the most spacious rooms in all of river cruising, you can still enjoy spectacular views out your floor-to-ceiling windows.

On board the ship there's always something for you to do. There are dinners where you can enjoy everything from your traditional favorites to the traditions of the cultures you’re visiting. There are onboard lectures that give you a better understanding of the villages and towns along your journey. And there’s entertainment for you to just sit back and enjoy. The beauty of the small ship ambience is that all the comforts of the ship are close at hand. It's a convenience you'll appreciate along the way, and because of the more intimate setting. It will allow you to get better acquainted with your fellow passengers and forge new friendships that will last a lifetime.

On a river cruise it’s as if all the beautiful and intriguing sites are brought to you. The beauty of a river cruise is that when the ship docks, it docks in the heart of the small towns we visit. With an Avalon River Cruise you'll stop at ports along the way, where you're free to explore the big cities and quaint villages. You’ll see medieval castles and awe-inspiring cathedrals, and you’ll have plenty of free time to do whatever you want to do. You can walk quiet streets off the beaten path, stop for a bite to eat, browse small local shops, and all the while you have at your service cruise directors and tour guides who will show you the most interesting sites. Want to know the famous spots? Looking for hidden secrets? Or just want to know the history and the stories of the places you visit, your tour guides are ready with answers and unique insight. Want to know when that building was built? What happened in that castle - or who has walked the very streets you are on? Just ask.

Where do you want to travel? What do you want to see? With an Avalon River Cruise you could find yourself on the rivers of Europe, Russia or China. In Europe, Avalon offer cruises down the Danube, the Main, The Rhine, the Moselle and the waterways of Holland. The Main River through the heart of Germany. The Rhine that flows from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea. The Moselle through France, Luxembourg and Germany, and the legendary Danube, cutting through eight countries on its way to the Black Sea. In Russia they cruise the Volga, and in China the Yangtze.

A cruise through Holland takes you to Amsterdam and Antwerp. A Russia Cruise takes you from St. Petersburg to Moscow, and the Yangtze will show you the heart of China. An Avalon waterways River Cruise will bring you one of the most relaxing and rewarding travel experiences of your life. For a vacation adventure unlike any other, choose Avalon Waterways River cruising.

For more information on how to book your vacation, see your preferred travel agent or visit AvalonWaterways.com.