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Blue
Danube to the Black Sea 2015/2016
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AVALON Waterways
Choice Cruising Customized to You!
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Blue Danube to the
Black Sea
14 DAYS
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BLUE DANUBE TO THE BLACK SEA
Eastbound |
Duration: 14 days
from Vienna to Bucharest
Includes: All-inclusive
River Cruise
Visits
to: AUSTRIA,
SLOVAKIA, HUNGARY, CROATIA, BULGARIA and ROMANIA
Specially-priced
Air Rates
Available: YES |
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Avalon Waterways
BLUE
DANUBE TO THE BLACK SEA - Eastbound
14 days from Vienna to Bucharest
A
visit to the Danube Delta is the highlight on this fascinating getaway
through Eastern Europe. Start with two nights in Vienna, the “City of
Music,” then transfer to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, for
included sightseeing before you embark your river cruise ship. Sail to
Budapest for included sightseeing, Croatia’s Vukovar and Osijek, and
Serbia’s Belgrade. Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, and
visit the Lepenski Vir archaeological site, Veliko Târnovo
(Bulgaria’s ancient capital), and Arbanassi. Explore the Danube Delta
with its unique birdlife, and celebrate the end of the Danube’s journey
as it flows into the Black Sea. End your Danube River cruise in
Oltenita, then travel to Romania’s lively capital of Bucharest for
guided sightseeing and an overnight.
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DISCOUNT
OFFERED FOR THIS TOUR! |
INCLUDED
FEATURES
It's about you. You are the reason
we've used our 80-plus
years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise
experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about river
cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and
amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships.
- Panoramic
windows throughout every ship.
- Elegant,
contemporary design throughout.
- Included
shore excursions with Local Guide.
- Headsets
for shore excursions.
- Complimentary
Wi-Fi access.
- Personalized
room options & excursions.
- Space
to
relax & unwind
- Premium
coffees, cappuccinos and lattes.
- Coffee
self-serve beverage station.
- A
lounge
serving premium spirits.
- Maintain
your routine in the fitness center.
- The
Comfort Collection BedsSM.
- Premium
L'Occitane bath amenities.
- Daily
early- and late-riser breakfast.
- Full
buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
- Complimentary
juices with breakfast.
- Made-to-order
egg station at breakfast.
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- Complimentary
soft drinks with lunch.
- Al
fresco
lunches on the Sky Bistro.
- Chef-inspired
regional recipes.
- Four-course
dinners with open seating.
- Nightly
choice of appetizers, entrées, desserts or
cheese.
- Complimentary
regional wines at dinner.
- Free
soft
drinks or beer with dinner.
- Night
Fare
served at 10:30 p.m.
- Remarkable
service throughout the cruise.
- English-speaking
crew.
- Non-smoking
interior.
- Large
bathrooms - showers w/ glass doors.
- Flatscreen
satellite TV with movie channels.
- Spacious
3-door closets for ample storage.
- Alternative
dinners of light regional specialties and wines
in the Panorama Bistro on Suite ShipsSM.
- And,
much
more.
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MEALS
- Meals are indicated by
breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Captain’s welcome & farewell
receptions with sparkling wine and canapés
- Welcome dinner
- Daily Afternoon Tea
- Daily Night Fare
- Local chef dinner
- Farewell dinner
- Complimentary sparkling wine with
breakfast; soft drinks with lunch; and wine, beer, or soft drinks with
dinner are included daily on board your vessel
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport
transfers
may be included when you make your flight arrangements
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Day 1 Arrive in Vienna,
Austria
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Welcome
to Vienna, Austria’s
capital, known as the “City of Music” and
which inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss.
The rest of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.
Once
the center of the mighty
Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical
capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. This
is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna
Boy’s Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions; the neo-renaissance
Vienna Opera House; and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral—to name
just a few of the sights your Local Guide will show you on your
INCLUDED TOUR. The afternoon is all yours. Shop in the delightful
pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse, and be sure to enjoy a piece of
decadent Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in one of the classic Viennese
coffee houses, historic institutions that helped shape Viennese
culture! An optional concert is available during your stay. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Vienna–Bratislava,
Slovakia (Embarkation)
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Enjoy
a free morning to relax or explore on your own. Then, a
motorcoach transfer after lunch takes you to Bratislava, capital of
Slovakia, situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Join
your Local Guide for a tour of the city, including a GUIDED WALK of its
fascinating Old Town, where winding cobblestone streets and narrow
alleyways twist and turn to reveal the Town Hall, one of the oldest
stone buildings in the city. Also visit gothic ST. MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL,
coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th
centuries. Your river cruise vessel is docked here on the Danube, and
after the tour of Bratislava, meet the crew at a welcome reception.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Spanning
the banks of the Danube,
Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s
liveliest cities. Whether you’re seeing the sights, shopping for
handcrafted embroidery or Herend porcelain, or basking in the coffee
house culture over a rich cream cake in the renowned Gerbeaud
Café, Budapest’s unique energy is positively palatable. On an
INCLUDED TOUR with your Local Guide, see the massive hilltop castle
complex with its remarkable Fishermen’s Bastion—with spectacular views
of the city—and 11th-century Matthias Church, the coronation spot of
several Hungarian monarchs. Be sure to take note of the city’s eight
bridges—many famous sights in and of themselves—which connect ancient
Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. You may even want to walk
across Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849. (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 Mohács.
Excursion to Pécs & Villány Wine
District
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This
morning, enjoy tranquil cruising past the peaceful riverscapes of
southern Hungary before arriving in Mohács, where there’s free
time to explore on your own. After lunch, an excursion takes you first
to Pécs for a GUIDED TOUR. Established by the Romans in the 2nd
century, this was a flourishing and important town for Christianity by
the 4th century. Pécs is also a rich showcase of Turkish
architecture and home to Turkish mosques, striking churches, and an
enjoyable atmosphere around its restaurants and cafés. Next, on
to the Villány district, where some of Hungary’s best red wines
are produced. As you enjoy a WINE TASTING, learn about which varietals
are grown and why the climate and soil conditions here are ideal for
the production of excellent wines. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 Osijek
& Vukovar, Croatia
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Today,
learn about the complex
history of Croatia and the events that
led to the Croatian War of Independence during GUIDED SIGHTSEEING. Led
by Local Guides, explore Osijek, an important economic and cultural
center, as well as Vukovar, Croatia’s largest river port, at the
confluence of the Danube and Vuka Rivers.
Vukovar was scene to an 87-day siege in 1991, known as The Battle of
Vukovar, and is today considered a symbol of Croatian resistance. The
siege and other dramatic events have shaped both the present and future
of the region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Early
this morning, arrive in
Belgrade. One of the oldest cities in
Europe, the capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the
Danube and Sava Rivers. A Local Guide will be proud to show you its
main sights, including St. Sava, the world’s largest orthodox church.
Also visit the city’s principal landmark, KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS, which
showcases the history of Belgrade. Built in stages between the 1st and
18th centuries, the fortress witnessed many battles and observed the
courage of those trying to defend the city from conquerors. The
surrounding park is the most beautiful and largest park in Belgrade. In
your free time, be sure to check out the city’s lively pedestrian area
and charming outdoor cafés. Perhaps visit one of the many art
galleries or museums, relax in the park, or walk along the city streets
and browse the local shops. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Excursion
to Lepenski Vir–Iron
Gates
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After
breakfast, dock at Donji
Milanovac, from where a short drive
takes you to the impressive LEPENSKI VIR EXHIBITION CENTER, which
houses area archaeological artifacts and from where you have unique
views of the Danube Gorge. Return to your ship before lunch, then
cruise what must surely be the most spectacular scenery of the dramatic
IRON GATES gorge, a narrow and formerly very dangerous passage dividing
Europe’s Alps in the northwest from the Carpathians in the southeast
and forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 Excursion
to Veliko Târnovo,
Bulgaria & Arbanassi–Rousse
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The
ancient Bulgarian capital of
Veliko Târnovo is a comfortable
ride from the Danube. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra
River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses
clinging to the steep slopes. One of the oldest towns in Bulgaria
(dating back to 4300 BC), the oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home of
the Royal Fortress, palaces, and the PATRIARCH’S CHURCH. With your
Local Guide, discover this town that played an important role in
Bulgaria’s history. Then, journey to Arbanassi. Founded in the 15th
century, the historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its
examples of Bulgarian Revival architecture and its ETHNOGRAPHICAL
MUSEUM, a 400-year-old house preserved as a museum. Visit the CHURCH OF
THE NATIVITY, one of the oldest churches in Arbanassi, and see its
outstanding collection of frescoes. Rejoin your ship in Rousse,
Bulgaria’s largest inland port. If you do not wish to participate in
the full-day excursion, remain on board and relax, then join a GUIDED
TOUR of Rousse in the afternoon. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, relax on board and
enjoy a peaceful morning of cruising. Before
lunch, learn about the fascinating Danube Delta at an ONBOARD LECTURE.
This afternoon, dock in Tulcea, the “gateway” to the Delta. Explore the
town with a Local Guide and visit the DELTA MUSEUM. There’s time to
stroll around on your own before dinner. During the night, your ship
sails for St. Gheorghe at the mouth of the Danube. (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
Day 11 St.
Gheorghe, Danube Delta
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Arrive
in St. Gheorghe this morning. After breakfast, an excursion in
small boats takes you into the DELTA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and
the best preserved of Europe’s deltas, hosting over 300 species of
birds as well as 45 species of freshwater fish. From its source in the
Black Forest to its delta at the Black Sea, the Danube measures 2,845
kilometers in length. The Km markings can be clearly seen on the river
banks the length of the river. Enjoy a small celebration to mark Km
“0”—the end of the Danube’s journey. This afternoon, relax on board as
you sail to Cernavodă. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 Cernavodă.
Excursion to Constanta
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This
morning, dock in Cernavodă,
a city at the western end of the
40-mile-long Black Sea Canal, the pride and joy of communist
achievement. From here you may choose to take an included full- or a
half-day excursion to Constanta on the Black Sea, the most important
commercial center in Romania. A Local Guide shows you the city
highlights, with a visit of the NATURAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGICAL
MUSEUM. Visit a WINERY at Murfatlar before returning to Cernavodă in
the late afternoon. Alternatively, you may want to relax on board in
the morning and visit Constanta in the afternoon only. Sail overnight
to Oltenita. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13 Oltenita
(Disembarkation)–Bucharest
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Bucharest,
Romania’s lively
capital, is only a short drive from
Oltenita. Its wide, tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—built in
1922 to honor the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in WWI—have
gained it the name “Paris of the East.” Much recent history has taken
place in the city. During the INCLUDED TOUR this afternoon, see the
impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the
world after the Pentagon, and the Royal Palace Square, the scene of
riots in 1989, which led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship.
The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM, which
includes over 100,000 works of Romanian and European art from the 15th
to the 20th centuries. In your free time, explore this interesting city
even further. Stroll down Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue), Bucharest’s
most historic and alluring street. Initially built in 1692, today it is
lined with shops, museums, churches, restaurants, cafés, and
fine houses. (Breakfast)
Your vacation ends with
breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
You may also want to view the WESTBOUND
VERSION of this cruise/tour.
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NOTES:
In the event of
water level problems or any problems of a technical
nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or
to alter the program.
Included visits
and special features are subject to change. If a change
is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
 
Luminary
 Built
2010 | Length 361 | Crew Members 39 | Staterooms 65 | Suites 4
Cruising
on the Avalon Luminary is the ideal way to experience the majesty,
extensive history and fascinating culture of some of Europe's oldest
cities along the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers. Built in 2010,
the Avalon Luminary is one of the latest additions to the Avalon fleet,
and holds a maximum of just 138 passengers. Visit multiple countries
and cities and unpack only once, so you spend your time experiencing
and enjoying Europe rather than dealing with the logistics of travel.
Enjoy a highly personalized cruise experience, spacious deluxe
staterooms and suites, contemporary décor, and popular onboard
amenities, including a large Sky Deck with deck chairs and whirlpool,
multiple lounges and a bar, Internet corner, fitness center, hair
salon, and elevator. |
Included Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Windows
- Sky
Deck with
shade awnings
- Expanded
fitness
center
- Elevator
- Outside
Viewing
Deck
- English-speaking
crew
- Cruise
Director
- Revolutionary
engineering
- Internet
Corner
- Lounges
and
upscale bar serving premium spirits
- Relax
and
enjoy
onboard movie nights
- 2013
- Biking
excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
- Avalon
Choice
cruising experience
- Choice
of
excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
- Culture
&
Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and
experts
- Guest
Services
is
available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Sky
Deck Game
Area
- Fitness
Center
|
- Sky Deck with shade
system & premium lounge chairs
- Sky Deck Whirlpool
- Non-smoking interior
- Elegant, contemporary
design throughout
- Headsets for all
guided shore excursions in Europe
- Sightseeing with a
Certified Local Guide
- Onboard lectures,
activities & nightly entertainment
- Room service
available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
- Hair salon (manicures
available)
- Self-serve beverage
station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
- Access to iPad mobile
digital devices (Royal Suites only)
- Alternate dining
experience with regional specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama
Bistro
- Behind-the-scenes
ship tour
- Complimentary maps
and use of Nordic walking sticks
- Expanded "on-demand"
in-room entertainment
- Panorama Bistro
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access
- Well-stocked library
|
Illumination
Built
2014 | Length 443 | Crew Members 47 | Staterooms 17 | Suites 67
2014
is a big year for Avalon, as we expand our fleet of dynamic Suite Ships
once again. In addition to the Avalon Poetry II and Avalon Impression,
the beautiful Avalon Illumination will grace the waterways of Europe.
Like its sister ship, the Avalon Expression, the Illumination features
two full decks of Panorama Suites with Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
that transform the living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. Cruise
along the legendary Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers, enjoying fresh
breezes and enchanting scenery from the comfort of your suite. With 200
square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry
standard, affording you the incomparable opportunity to wake each
morning facing the splendid passing scenery. Onboard amenities include
an alternative dining option in the Panorama Bistro, an expanded
fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck
with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, and light al fresco lunches at
the open-air bistro.
|
Included Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Windows
- Sky
Deck with
shade awnings
- Expanded
fitness
center
- Elevator
- Outside
Viewing
Deck
- English-speaking
crew
- Cruise
Director
- Revolutionary
engineering
- Internet
Corner
- Lounges
and
upscale bar serving premium spirits
- Relax
and
enjoy
onboard movie nights
- 2013
- Biking
excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
- Avalon
Choice
cruising experience
- Choice
of
excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
- Culture
&
Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and
experts
- Guest
Services
is
available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Sky
Deck Game
Area
- Fitness
Center
|
- Sky Deck with shade
system & premium lounge chairs
- Sky Deck Whirlpool
- Non-smoking interior
- Elegant, contemporary
design throughout
- Headsets for all
guided shore excursions in Europe
- Sightseeing with a
Certified Local Guide
- Onboard lectures,
activities & nightly entertainment
- Room service
available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
- Hair salon (manicures
available)
- Self-serve beverage
station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
- Access to iPad mobile
digital devices (Royal Suites only)
- Alternate dining
experience with regional specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama
Bistro
- Behind-the-scenes
ship tour
- Complimentary maps
and use of Nordic walking sticks
- Expanded "on-demand"
in-room entertainment
- Panorama Bistro
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access
- Well-stocked library
|
Imagery
Built
2007 | Length 443 | Crew Members 43 | Staterooms 81 | Suites 4
What
better way to see Europe and some of its most scenic rivers - the
Rhine, Main, and Danube - than from the comfort of a small ship, where
you unpack only once and spend the rest of your time enjoying the
architecture, sumptuous cuisine, diverse culture, and amazing sights
only available in Europe's most historic cities. After a day of
sightseeing, experience the Imagery's innovative attributes and
top-notch amenities - a panoramic Sky Deck, lounge, bar, and fitness
center. Featuring the largest staterooms on the European rivers today,
all rooms and suites feature premium bedding, nightly turn-down
service, a large private bathroom with full shower, a well-stocked
minibar, Wi-Fi access, and more. The Avalon Imagery was designed with
your comfort in mind, including the Silent Drive System which separates
the engines from the guests - providing a quieter and more enjoyable
cruise experience.
|
Included Amenities
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Windows
- Sky
Deck with
shade awnings
- Expanded
fitness
center
- Elevator
- Outside
Viewing
Deck
- English-speaking
crew
- Cruise
Director
- Revolutionary
engineering
- Internet
Corner
- Lounges
and
upscale bar serving premium spirits
- Relax
and
enjoy
onboard movie nights
- 2013
- Biking
excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
- Avalon
Choice
cruising experience
- Choice
of
excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
- Culture
&
Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and
experts
- Guest
Services
is
available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Sky
Deck Game
Area
- Fitness
Center
|
- Sky Deck with shade
system & premium lounge chairs
- Sky Deck Whirlpool
- Non-smoking interior
- Elegant, contemporary
design throughout
- Headsets for all
guided shore excursions in Europe
- Sightseeing with a
Certified Local Guide
- Onboard lectures,
activities & nightly entertainment
- Room service
available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
- Hair salon (manicures
available)
- Self-serve beverage
station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
- Access to iPad mobile
digital devices (Royal Suites only)
- Alternate dining
experience with regional specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama
Bistro
- Behind-the-scenes
ship tour
- Complimentary maps
and use of Nordic walking sticks
- Expanded "on-demand"
in-room entertainment
- Panorama Bistro
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access
- Well-stocked library
|
Avalon Waterways
BLUE DANUBE TO THE BLACK SEA
14 days from Vienna to Bucharest
You may also want to view the WESTBOUND
VERSION of this cruise/tour.
|
|
From $4839USD
(Less applicable
Globus Discounts)
Prices
are
per person based on double occupancy and are cruise only. We also offer
competitive group-based airfares from your home city airport that fit
with this particular touring program.
We provide an additional agency point-of-sale discount for
all Globus,
Cosmos
and Avalon
Waterways
tour programs. Offer subject
to availability and change without notice.
Order
Your
AVALON BROCHURE HERE! |
|
|
TALK
TO AN EXPERIENCED
 |
As a full-service travel provider, we
can
help
you in finding your
perfect tour at the best price available, today. We've been
representing the GLOBUS Family of
Brands for
over 35 years as a Premier Agency
Partner - a designation only awarded to the top tier agencies
that are authorized to represent the full Globus Family of Brands. We
can take you all the way from your own hometown to
some of the most beautiful touring experiences in Europe and then back
again - all with the expertise of a seasoned GLOBUS professional
representative.
When it is important to get it right, you can trust the services of our
own professional GLOBUS Certified travel specialists. Please feel free
to call us or email us or we would be happy to provide your information
via email
on the tour form, below.
Requesting Availability
We
will check your requested tour program and accommodations for the
date range that you may specify in the boxes below and reply back to
you
as soon as possible. Of course the more information that you can
provide
us, the closer we will be in matching your needs and preferences. We
will
not
knowingly sell or pass along your information that you provide to any
third
party for any reason (see Liabilities
and Privacy Policy). And we use
SSL Technology to safeguard your information on our tour request forms
that we have posted throughout our website.
We
are available to answer
your inquiries in person Monday - Friday (except holidays) from 8:30am
until 5:30pm CST (1-877-510-4653 |
817-788-5210). We are available from
time to time
on
the weekends via email to answer your questions. Our typical response
time
for your email request ranges from 3 hours to as many as 72 depending
upon
the availability of onsite resources and those of the tour companies
and
resorts/lodging establishments, as well as any variations you may
request
from our listed programs. For those inquirers requesting a trip within
two weeks, we will give you a priority due to your need to establish an
immediate plan. At any rate, we will respond to your requests as
quickly
as possible and as soon as we have all components of your package
confirmable.
All tour program rates are based upon double occupancy unless otherwise
specified.
Thank
you for
your interest in this quality tour by The GLOBUS Family
of Brands!
Randy C.
Gardner
President
Gardner Travel
Service,
Inc.
We
look forward to serving
your travel needs and wants!
|
| REQUEST
RATES, AVAILABILITY AND
OTHER INFORMATION HERE |
To request our LOW
UNPUBLISHED RATE and
availability for this tour please view
our
scheduled departures listed HERE. Then, email
us on the form BELOW and
we
will provide our private rate back to you by email
response or phone call
as you prefer it.
PLEASE NOTE:
We have access to the
U.S./Canada reservations only for this tour.
If
you reside outside of the U.S./Canada please contact the closest Globus
Family of Brands travel agent in your country of origin.
|
|
Exceptional
Vacations
Celebrating
over 80 Years of Travel!
|
|
BOOK IT ONLINE or CHECK AVAILABILITY
|
HOW TO READ OUR LIVE
AVAILABILITY
DISPLAY:
You
may reserve this tour by using our Globus/Cosmos secure server (right)
by
clicking on any of the "Book Now!"
departures.
Book Now!
- Tour is available to reserve.
Not
Available - Tour is currently sold out.
Please
Call - There may be 1-4 seats available but tour is selling out.
Please have the names of passengers as listed in each
passport available to complete the brief booking process. This online
reservations engine will not calculate our additional GLOBUS/COSMOS
Preferred
LOWER rate. Although this portal will not show or add our
discounts,
they will be added when we receive your booking and an adjusted quote
will be provided by our experienced GLOBUS Family of Brands agent.
OR
You may provide your
information ABOVE via EMAIL REQUEST and we will return a quote to you
including our
lowest available discount for this tour.
How
We Will Handle Your Request and Your Privacy:
Your request will be handled by a responsible and knowledgeable tour
specialist that can not only check availability for this particular
tour but can further advise you as to other general queries that you
may have about traveling conditions, passport/visa requirements,
immunization requirements and other valuable information that you may
need before making your reservation. We are a full service travel
company and we have always catered to the individual traveler and
his/her specific needs. We want to get to know you as a valued friend
in travel. We are always available with our email service but feel free
to call upon us if you have an immediate request at 1-817-788-5210.
 We use SSL
Technology for secure data and information
transfer to protect your privacy.
Humans
do it best!
Your
Privacy is also very important to us. If you elected to be listed with
us in the above Optional Advisory List then, you will be added to our mail list for the
particular area(s) of interest that you have selected to be informed
about. If you do not elect to be on our mail list, simply do not
complete that section and we will not add you to our list. We will not
add you to any other mai llist either. We do not sell or otherwise pass
along any information that you may provide to to us in the process of
completing your inquiry. For further information on your privacy please
see Liabilities
and Privacy Policy.
Our 35TH Year!
representing
the Globus Family of Brands |
GARDNER
TRAVEL
SERVICE
1-877-510-4653
817-788-5210
Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm
Central
Standard Time
FOR
MORE INFORMATION E-MAIL US AT
globusfamily@gardnertravel.com
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Traditional
Service Values with a
Southern Flavor since 1979!
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Cruise
Staterooms & Comfort
The
Roomiest
Staterooms.
We have always
provided river cruisers the most spacious staterooms in Europe. With
our Panorama-style Suite Ships, we're not only offering cruisers our
award-winning Avalon Deluxe Staterooms, we're featuring 200-square foot
Panorama Suites (30 percent larger than the average stateroom) and
300-square foot Royal Suites, offering cruisers even more room to relax
and take in 360-degree views of Europe.
Inspired by design, our ships are crafted to entice all five senses.
Some enhancements, including deluxe woven carpeting, flowers, premium
L'Occitane products and scented sticks in our staterooms are subtle.
Other offerings, such as Avalon-branded premium bedding (Comfort
Collection BedsSM), marble bathrooms as well as a perfect balance of
warm interiors, natural lighting and panoramic views are distinctive
and unexpected. Combined, all elements provide travelers with a unique
feeling of space, freedom and comfort not found with any other river
cruise line.
Avalon Waterways offers cruisers an exclusive, premium-bedding suite
(Comfort Collection Beds) in all of our staterooms, fleet-wide, in
Europe. Comfort Collection Beds provides travelers a choice of pillows
as well as orthopedic mattresses, high-comfort mattress covers,
European-style duvets, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, extra
blankets and bed configuration options.
Peering through the looking glass to determine how we can continue to
improve our cruisers on-board experiences, we have invested in the
finest bathroom appointments available and such luxury touch-points
such as L'Occitane toiletries, quality robes and slippers in each room,
fleet-wide. We've also designed contemporary staterooms with the most
available storage space, and plenty of "comfort touches" like
complimentary bottled water and fully stocked mini-bars.
For some cruisers, comfort comes in the form of connection: staying in
touch with friends, colleagues and family members while away. Because
of this, Avalon has taken great strides to enhance the technology
available to guests on ship. In addition to offering them flat-screen
televisions, providing a plethora of news and entertainment options,
Avalon provides cruisers with FREE Wi-Fi fleet-wide. Furthermore, Royal
Suites guests will have access to in-room iPads.
On any deck, your well-appointed Avalon Deluxe Stateroom is a spacious
refuge of inviting home-awayfrom- home features. Delight in the large
private bathroom featuring full shower with glass shower door; deluxe
beds with premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens,
European-style duvets, and a choice of soft or firm pillows; and ample
closet space. And, of course, don't miss out on the never-ending views
from the large windows or floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors. In
fact, you'll love your Avalon Deluxe Stateroom so much, you may never
want to go home!
Avalon
Deluxe
Staterooms Include:
Award-Winning
Deluxe Staterooms by Avalon
Waterways
- Comfort
Collection Beds featuring premium
memory foam mattress
toppers with special construction for increased air flow and ventilation
- Egyptian
super-combed cotton linens, woolen
blankets
& Europeanstyle duvets
- Soft
and firm pillows
- Choice
of bed configuration (two twins or one
queen)
- Floor-to-ceiling
sliding-glass door with French
Balcony (most staterooms & suites)
- Private
bathroom with full shower with glass
door,
hairdryer & premium L'Occitane® bath products
- Spacious
3-door closets with shelves for ample
storage
- Flatscreen
satellite TV with movie channels
- Bathrobes
& slippers
- Well-stocked
minibar with complimentary bottled
water
- In-room
safe
- Individual
climate control
- Extra
blankets
- Nightly
turn-down service
- Bedside
tables with reading lamps
- Easy
under-bed luggage storage
- Alarm
clock
- Writing
desk/vanity with comfortable chair
&
mirror
- Complimentary
Wi-Fi access
- Direct-dial
telephone
- Continental
breakfast & beverage room
service
available
Panorama
Suites & Royal Suites Include (in addition to the above):
- Nearly
11' Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window—50% wider
than industry standard
- Wall-to-Wall
Panoramic Window opens to create a
large Open-Air Balcony
- Open-Air
Balcony with full 6-person seating area
- Complimentary
use of iPad mobile digital devices*
while onboard (Royal Suites only)
*
iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc.
Your River Cruise
Voyage Your Way
On an Avalon Waterways river cruise,
"included" is the name of the game. Spacious outside staterooms with
expansive riverscape views—included. VIP access into the must-see
sites—included. Your choice of enriching shore excursions led by
Certified Local Guides—included. Wi-Fi access—included. Sparkling wines
with breakfast, regional beers and wines at every onboard dinner, and
unlimited lattes and premium coffees—included. And we're proud to offer
Avalon Choice®, an exciting concept in river cruising that gives
you the freedom to personalize so many elements of your cruise.
Our
Cuisine is
Choice - So are the ways to Enjoy it.
Avalon dining has always freed taste
buds from the ordinary. And now — it frees you from restrictions. At
every meal, you'll have the ability to choose from a multitude of
dining experiences. All feature the highest-quality local ingredients,
hand crafted by true culinary artisans. And all are included at no
extra cost.
Discovery By Your
Design - Cruise Excursions.
We've done our due diligence
pre-selecting Certified Local Guides who truly are the best in the
world. But what you see and the pace in which you see it, is completely
up to you. And the best part? Unlike other cruise operators, our
preplanned discoveries are included at no extra charge to you. We even
provide Nordic walking sticks for active guests looking for an extra
spring in their step.
River Cruise
Vacation Excursions
This.
That. And
Everything.
Having the most thoughtfully designed,
newest ships in the industry isn't the only advantage of Avalon. We
tailor experiences too. Our handpicked Cruise Directors and Certified
Local Guides in Europe, Asia, Egypt, U.S. and South America are the
best in the business.
Avalon's inspired, 360-degree, engaging cruise experiences afford
travelers the chance to immerse themselves into a destination and
culture thanks to award-winning land programs and world-class guides.
Our Egyptologists (along the Nile), Naturalists (in the
Galápagos), Cruise Directors (in Europe, Southeast Asia, U.S.
and China) and special guest lecturers also offer them a vast onboard
educational program, giving cruisers the chance to soak in the history
and culture of a region as they drift from village to village or island
to island.
It's not easy to be an expert on everywhere. Thanks to Avalon's
relationship with Globus – an award-winning tour company with more than
85 years of experience and 300 support staff on the ground in 65
countries around the world — our cruisers are privy to the best,
all-inclusive land programs available.
We transform tourists into travelers and storytellers and help them
truly experience each destination with guided sightseeing in every port
(complete with headsets), daily port lectures, VIP access into key
destinations, no waiting in lines and great cultural immersion and
storytelling thanks to highly skilled Cruise and Tour Directors.
Biking
Excursions
Avalon is also encouraging cruisers to
drive their personal enrichment by experiencing ports on two wheels
(from the seat of a bicycle). Adding to our already robust roster of
activities, we have partnered with bicycle tour specialists in
Amsterdam, Lyon, Durnstein, Vienna, and Breisach for optional, guided
excursions.
Stroll
Along Ancient
Roads & Feel the Strange Become Familiar.
Custom
River Cruise Excursions by Avalon
Waterways
At Avalon, we never lose sight of the reason you're
traveling—to see the people, places, and sights on shore. And because
we're part of the Globus family of brands, we're backed by more than 85
years in the travel business…which means you'll experience the world in
a way that no other river cruise operator can deliver!
Included
Guided
Sightseeing & Excursions
When it comes to showing you the world,
we select the very best guides—professionals who are certified locally
in each destination and selected by the Globus family of brands. These
Certified Local Guides are recognized for their expertise, enthusiasm,
and knowledge of the area. They will lead you on engaging, included
sightseeing tours, delivering genuine, behind-the-scenes destination
experiences. You'll even benefit from the use of personal headsets for
sightseeing, which gives you the freedom to roam through some of
Europe's most famous attractions without missing a moment of
fascinating commentary.
MyAvalonSM
Avalon offers a great selection of
optional excursions to help you further personalize your cruise.
Whether it's a classical music concert in Vienna, a visit to a French
winery, time at the colossal Romanian Parliament building in Bucharest,
or a guided bicycle tour through town, with MyAvalon, selecting and
paying for your optional excursions before your cruise is a cinch! Just
go to AvalonWaterways.com/MyAvalon.
Sightseeing
at Just
the Right Pace
Sightseeing should never be a one-size-fits-all proposition. Travelers
like to see the sights in different ways, so we've developed three
sightseeing pace options to choose from:
Leisurely
Sightseeing
A Certified Local Guide shows you the
destination's highlights in a relaxed and unhurried way.
Traditional
Sightseeing
Led by a Certified Local Guide, you'll
explore a wide range of sights at a moderate pace.
Essential
Sightseeing
This orientation shows you the must-see
sights, with plenty of time to explore on your own.
Explore on
Your Own
Feel like discovering your destination
on your own? Your onboard Guest Services is happy to assist you in
making a dinner reservation on shore, getting tickets to the opera or a
local cultural performance, or hiring a taxi so you can visit a friend
or explore outlying areas. And for a more active experience on shore,
consider the complimentary use of a Nordic walking stick.
We
invite you to come experience a cruise unlike any other.
Some
big-ship cruise deals sound like an incredible bargain...until you are
on board and have to pay extra for everything. On an Avalon Waterways
river cruise, "included" is the name of the game – and has been since
we came on the scene a decade ago.
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Awards
For
thirteen years in a row, Globus has been selected by
Recommend Magazine as the best Tour Operator to Europe, and a top
finalist for North America, Asia, Latin America and Africa. The brand
was also named in Travel Weekly's 2013 Reader's Choice Awards as Best
Tour Operator - Europe and 2013 Reader's Choice Awards as Best Tour
Operator - Europe, Best Tour Operator - International and Best Tour
Operator - Asia and South Pacific.
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If
you like the above tour program
you
may also want to view the following tour programs for
comparison:
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EUROPE
GRAND TOURS
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Europe in
Depth 
31 Days
ENGLAND, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, ITALY, SPAIN
and FRANCE |
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The
Grand
European 
23 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, ITALY, SPAIN AND FRANCE |
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| European
Tapestry
14 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA, ITALY and
FRANCE |
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| Europe's
Highlights
15 Days
ENGLAND, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND, ITALY
and FRANCE |
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| East
Meets West 14 Days
AUSTRIA, SLOVENIA, CROATIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA and MONTENEGRO |
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| European
Charm
13 Days
HOLLAND, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, ITALY, SWITZERLAND and FRANCE |
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| European
Sampler London to London 10 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, and FRANCE |
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| European
Sampler London to Paris
9 Days
ENGLAND, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, GERMANY,
SWITZERLAND, and FRANCE |
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| Bohemian
Dream London to London 9 Days
HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA and CZECH REPUBLIC |
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THE BRITISH ISLES | England,
Scotland, Ireland and Wales
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| ITALY | GREECE | TURKEY
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| FRANCE | GERMANY |
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| SWITZERLAND | AUSTRIA
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| RUSSIA | NORTHERN/EASTERN EUROPE
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| SPAIN | PORTUGAL | MOROCCO |
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Globus River and Small Ship Cruising
- Is River Cruising for You?
View
the short video about touring Europe (right) via the decks of these
beautifully appointed and specialized ships! >>>
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ENJOY THE GAME OF
GOLF?
Check out our SOUTHERN BREEZE
GOLF TOURS - golf packages for some fantastic destinations
throughout the U.S!
Click on the banner
below to visit our golf site.
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TOURS
BY REGION
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Gardner
Travel Service, Inc.
Serving
Dallas/Fort Worth and the World
Our
Hours
Are:
Monday - Friday
from 8:30am to 5:30pm
Central Standard
Time
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