Avalon Waterways Ups the Pace in River Cruising

MEDIA RELEASE

Avalon Waterways Ups the Pace in River Cruising

- FREE Air Credit of up to NZ$2000 with Release of New 2017 Brochure -

Avalon Waterways will set a new pace in European river cruising next year with the introduction of Active Discovery cruises, offering a new action-packed itinerary that gives travellers more to choose from as they bike, hike and canoe along the Danube.

The Active Discovery concept has been unveiled with the release of Avalon Waterways’ 2017 brochure, which is now available with a FREE Air Credit of NZ$2000* per person with all European cruises of 15 days or more, or NZ$1500* per person with European cruises of 7-14 days.

Avalon’s new brochure features more than 55 exceptional river cruise itineraries on the great waterways of Europe, including the newly released Active Discovery on the Danube, a nine-day cruise between the Hungarian capital Budapest and the Austrian city of Linz.

Avalon Waterways General Manager New Zealand Troy Ackerman said the new cruise was designed for an increasingly active generation of river cruisers who were seeking more hands-on experiences.

“Our Active Discovery itinerary gives cruisers the opportunity to bike, hike and canoe along the Danube,” Mr Ackerman said. “They can also explore an ice cave, take an archery lesson, go underground in a salt mine or ascend a mountain on a guided climb. This is European travel with a focus on enjoying every moment of the journey.”

Eight departures of the Active Discovery cruise will operate between July and October 2017, priced from NZ$5536* per person twin share. They are also available with optional three-day extensions to Prague (from NZ$6496* per person twin share including cruise and extension) or to Salzburg and Munich (from NZ$7353* per person twin share including cruise and extension).

Active choices are included in the fare and also provide a cooking class in Vienna, a viewing at a private Habsburg art collection, a trek along a World War II smugglers route, wine tasting in the renowned Wachau Valley and a brewery tour at the rococo Engelszell Abbey.

Other initiatives unveiled in the Avalon Waterways 2017 brochure include the new Avalon Fresh dining concept. With the help of two rising Austrian culinary stars, brothers Karl and Leo Wrenkh, Avalon will introduce a series of wholesome new menu items that are both healthy and exciting, putting a fresh perspective on nutritious dining.

Best known for their Wrenkh restaurant and cooking school in Vienna, the brothers have developed a reputation for inventive cuisine that offers healthier options and vegetarian dishes that are as impressive as other signature dishes. The Avalon Fresh concept will feature local seasonal ingredients from small local farms and producers, and will be offered on European cruises in 2017 alongside Avalon’s other impressive dining options.

Avalon’s FREE Air Credit of NZ$2000* per person is available with all 2017 European cruises of 15 days or more when booked by May 31, 2016. It provides NZ$2000* per person towards the cost of flights and gives travellers the flexibility to choose their own airline, travel dates and class of travel. Popular options include:

• Magnificent Europe – 15 days between Amsterdam and Budapest, from NZ$7339* per person twin share.

• Grand France – 16 days between Paris, Normandy and the Côte d’Azur, from NZ$8756* per person twin share.

The FREE Air Credit of NZ$1500* per person is available with all 2017 European cruises of 7-14 days when booked by May 31, 2016. Popular options include:

• A Taste of the Danube – eight days between Budapest and Vienna, from NZ$2811* per person twin share.

• Romantic Rhine – eight days between Zurich and Amsterdam, from NZ$3404* per person twin share.

• Burgundy & Provence – 11 days between Paris and the Côte d’Azur, from NZ$5518* per person twin share.

Avalon Waterways operates among the most modern fleet of ships in Europe, offering a relaxed luxury aboard its revolutionary Suite Ships. Offering 30 per cent more cabin space than the industry average, the Suite Ships feature two entire decks of all-suite accommodation. Each suite has been cleverly designed to maximise the views, with beds that face the scenery instead of the wall in front and wall-to-wall panoramic windows that open to turn the entire cabin into an open-air balcony.

For full details and bookings see travel agents, or for information visit www.avalonwaterways.co.nz

*Prices per person twin share, subject to availability and conditions. Air credit of NZ$2000 per person for European cruises of 15 days or more and NZ$1500 per person for European cruises of 7-14 days valid for new bookings until May 31, 2016.

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