European River Cruises 2014 by Bookletia

March - December 2014 Edition 2

Legendary river cruises. Inspired design.

European River Cruises Includes flights and door-to-door home pick-up service

Avalon Creativity on the Seine

Seine

Rhine

Moselle

Main

Rh么ne

Sa么ne

Danube

Dutch Waterways

river cruises and inspired design...

A decade of legendary

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Welcome to Avalon Waterways - a unique experience in European river cruising. We believe that inspiration and aspiration are synonymous with our cruises, where we leave nothing to chance. As soon as you step on board you'll know you have joined something special. Space and light welcome you on our deluxe ships which are meticulously designed and offer inviting views at every bend, with numerous opportunities to sit back and relax in total comfort.

Attention to detail We take pride in the detail, not only in the craftsmanship of our ships - from hand-applied finishes and designer lighting - but also to our exceptional dining options with our regionally influenced cuisine with complimentary regional wines, including a special dinner on every cruise prepared by a local chef.

Freedom to choose We believe you choose to travel to experience different cultures, which is precisely why we include land excursions in all the key ports, taking you to the heart of your destinations. We also know it's all about choice, so we offer our excursions at different paces, where you can be guided or go your own way.

Cruise in style Exceptional comfort comes as standard, but it is not just any standard. Our Suite Ships are a world apart and our staterooms are the largest on Europe's rivers. Avalon ships mean luxury and space, panoramic windows, innovative design and technology and most importantly an adventure like no other.

More included Our superior level of customer service sets us apart and our included door-todoor home pick-up service is just one of the extra touches that will make your holiday so enjoyable. For complete peace of mind, we also include all gratuities for the on-board crew and Cruise Director, so you can sit back and relax from the moment you book.

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Explore the beauty of

Europe's majestic rivers...

HOLLAND Volendam Hoorn Amsterdam Edam Keukenhof Utrecht Rotterdam Arnhem Kinderdijk Keukenhof Schoonhoven Middleburg Veere Bruges Ghent

Rhine

Antwerp

GERMANY

Cologne

Brussels

Maastricht Boppard Rüdesheim BELGIUM Koblenz Frankfurt Wertheim Cochem LUXEMBOURG Bamberg Prague Rouen Bernkastel Würzburg Zell Mainz Main Remich Main Seine Les Andelys Moselle Trier Mannheim Miltenberg Danube Nuremberg CZECH REPUBLIC Conflans Giverny Vernon Canal Saar Heidelberg Auvers-sur-Oise Kitzingch Speyer Regensburg Paris Saint Germain-en-Laye Rhine Neckar SLOVAKIA Strasbourg Danube Dürnstein Passau Krems Grein Linz Bratislava Vienna Munich Melk Breisach FRANCE Salzburg Basel Zürich Budapest Inn Saône

Normandy Beaches Le Havre

Chalon-sur-Saône Mâcon

Tournus

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

Rhône

Lyon

Rhône

SWITZERLAND

Pecs Mohács

Vienne Tournon

CROATIA

Viviers

Kalocsa

Danube

Osijek Vukovar

Sava

Novi Sad Belgrade

Avignon Arles Port St Louis

SERBIA Côte d’Azur

The Rhine

The Main

Flowing from the Swiss Alps to Holland’s North Sea, the Rhine is one of the most important rivers in Europe, perhaps most famous for its legendary Lorelei Rock and the imposing medieval castles that line its banks.

Winding across Central Germany, the River Main is formed by the joining of the Red Main and the White Main, meeting the River Rhine at the town of Mainz.

The Moselle

The Rhône

Flowing through France, Luxembourg, and Germany, the Moselle is known for the excellent wines produced along its banks as well as for its picturesque medieval castles.

An important inland trade and transportation route since Greek times, the Rhône flows south to the Mediterranean, winding through the orchards and vineyards of the fertile Rhône Valley.

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The Danube As Europe’s second longest river the Danube spans central and eastern Europe, starting in Germany's Black Forest and passing through or along the borders of 10 countries.

The Seine The Seine rises just northwest of Dijon and flows through Paris before emptying into the English Channel at Le Havre. It is one of Europe’s great historic rivers and since the early Middle Ages has been considered the river of Paris.

Contents What's included with Avalon ............................................................. 6 Home pick-up service & flexible travel options ................................ 8 Our new Suite Ships......................................................................... 10 Our Staterooms and Suites.............................................................. 12 Panoramic views .............................................................................. 14 The most attentive service .............................................................. 16 Choice on board ............................................................................... 18 Dining choice .................................................................................... 20 Themed cruises ................................................................................ 22

RHINE, MOSELLE, MAIN & DANUBE

Danube Delta

ROMANIA St Gheorghe Bucharest

Cernavoda Constanta

Iron Gates

Vidin

Black Sea Canal

Oltenita

Danube Belogradchik

Rousse Svistov Veliko Târnovo

BULGARIA

Varna

Arbabassi

Black Sea

Avalon Waterways is a trading name of Cosmos Coach Tours Limited, which is licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority with ATOL Number 1082. All flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate.

Romantic Rhine..................................................................... 24 Paris, Moselle & the Rhine..................................................... 28 The Upper Rhine to the City of Music................................... 32 Central European Experience ............................................... 34 The Rhine & Moselle.............................................................. 38 European Splendour............................................................. 42 Magnificent Europe ............................................................... 46 Highlights of Germany .......................................................... 50 DANUBE A Taste of the Danube ........................................................... 52 Austrian Highlights & Bavaria............................................... 56 Capitals of Central Europe.................................................... 58 The Legendary Danube......................................................... 62 Balkan Discovery................................................................... 66 The Blue Danube Discovery.................................................. 70 Blue Danube to the Black Sea .............................................. 74 Grand Danube Cruise ............................................................ 78 FRANCE, HOLLAND & FESTIVE CRUISES Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches................................. 82 Burgundy & Provence ........................................................... 86 Grand France ......................................................................... 90 Tulip Time.............................................................................. 94 Tulips of Northern Holland ................................................... 96 Festive Cruises ...................................................................... 98 AVALON'S WORLDWIDE CRUISES......................... 100 Deck plans - Avalon Visionary, Artistry II, Poetry II ....................... 102 Deck plans - Avalon Panorama, Vista, Expression, Illumination, Impression ............................................................... 104 Deck plans - Avalon Luminary, Felicity, Affinity ............................ 106 Deck plans - Avalon Creativity, Scenery ........................................ 108 Booking Conditions........................................................................ 110 Holiday Information....................................................................... 112 FAQs, How to Book & Insurance .................................................... 114

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A cruise that includes

the most exceptional

places...

Included home pick-up Service

Start and ﬁnish your holiday in style with our included door-to-door home pick-up service in a private, executive car, to and from your chosen departure airport or station. † See pages 8-9 for full details of this service. † Service included if you live within 75 miles of chosen

international departure airport or station. Service available at a supplement if you live further than 75 miles away.

Included dining and drinks with dinner

Sumptuous full board dining including gourmet waiter-service cuisine with regional wines and beer with dinner, complimentary soft drinks with lunch, splendid afternoon tea with cakes and all day beverage station with premium coﬀees and teas. See pages 20-21 for details of our dining options.

Included choice of excursions

Sightseeing and orientation tours with expert local guides who bring each destination to life with a wealth of knowledge and fascinating commentary. Individual audio systems are provided on all guided shore excursions. See pages 18-19 for more details of our excursion options. In addition to our many included excursions, we also have a choice of optional excursions at an extra cost.

Included gratuities

The price of your Avalon cruise includes all gratuities for your Cruise Director and Crew, so there's no need to worry, it's taken care of.

English speaking on board

Our crew only speak English on board for all presentations, announcements and activities, so no translation is necessary.

Avalon Panorama at Dürnstein

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and just about everything else... Newest ﬂeet and ﬁnest

Suite Ships

Our ships average just three years in age and we are constantly adding brand new ships to our fleet. Our stunning Suite Ships are a new class of ship with remarkably large living space and stylish interiors, offering true luxury cruising. See pages 10-11 for full details of our fleet.

Elegant and contemporary design

All our ships are designed with meticulous care, from hand-crafted wood and leadingedge technological soundprooﬁng, to open ﬂoorplans, comfortable seating and panoramic views - we dedicate ourselves to the details to give you the best river cruise experience possible. See pages 14-15 for more information.

Spacious accommodation

Our beautifully appointed staterooms and suites oﬀer exquisite comfort with plush hotel-style beds and superb private amenities. Most of our staterooms feature wall-to-wall panoramic windows that open for a full balcony experience. Our exclusive Panorama Suites even oﬀer a full size eating area and are 30% larger than the industry standard. See pages 12-13 for details.

Satisfaction rate

Throughout your cruise our friendly crew will pamper you with impeccable service whilst our Guest Services are at your disposal to help make your time with us exceptional. Our commitment to your onboard experience as well as the high quality of our ships and the choices we oﬀer, has earned us a 98% satisfaction rating.

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Travel with ease with our private

door-to-door home pick-up service...

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Starting your Avalon cruise holiday is so simple, all you need to do once you've packed your case, is open the door to your driver. For your convenience and comfort all our cruises include a door-to-door home pick-up service† for you and your travelling companions. All our executive cars are chauffeur driven and are fully equipped for your comfort. You don't have to lift a finger as your luggage will be loaded and unloaded for you when you are collected from home, and taken to and from your international departure airport or Eurostar station. Everything will be fully explained when you book including how to change your pick-up point and how to contact your driver. † This service is included automatically if you live within 75 miles of your chosen international departure airport or Eurostar station, but don't worry if you live more than 75 miles away, you can still enjoy the same service for a supplement of £1.70 per car per extra mile to cover the additional miles. This is only available for UK mainland.

Now choose how to join

your cruise... Regional airports

Now you know where you are going to be picked up from home, all you need to do is check if your local airport offers your international flight directly or whether you can get a regional connecting flight to it. We offer a range of direct flights from many UK airports including Heathrow, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, as well as connecting flights from the likes of Humberside, Durham Teesside and Norwich.

Upgrades

Don't forget to ask us about any flight upgrade options we may have, as we are always talking to our flight partners about the best deals.

Eurostar

As an alternative to flying, on the following selection of cruises you can travel to the continent by rail on our Eurostar option. Paris, Moselle & the Rhine - page 28 Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches - page 82 Burgundy & Provence - page 86 Grand France - page 90 Tulip Time - page 94 Tulips of Northern Holland - page 96

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Avalon's new Suite Ships

Illumination, Impression & Poetry II

Royal Suite

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Newest ships and finest

craftsmanship... Here at Avalon Waterways, we pride ourselves on having the youngest fleet of ships on Europe’s rivers - averaging just three years in age, compared to the industry average of seven years. As we regularly add brand new ships to the fleet, we are able to offer our guests the very latest ship design and innovative technology, including enhanced soundproofing and the highest standard of features and services.

Avalon's newest Suite Ships To deliver a cruise unlike any other, we are constantly evolving the Avalon experience, adding intriguing features and continually adding new ships every year. For 2014, we are adding three additional Suite Ships (SM) to our ﬂeet. Joining the Artistry II, Expression, Panorama, Visionary and Vista, are the stunning Avalon Illumination, Avalon Impression and Avalon Poetry II which will grace the legendary waters of the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. A Panorama Suite on Avalon’s Suite Ships comes fully appointed to give you the very best of river cruising. You will discover the remarkably large living space - a full 30% larger than the recognised industry standard. A full-size seating area is spacious enough to host a private cocktail party with new friends, whilst you will be mesmerised by the amazing views from your wall-to-wall panoramic window, enjoying how the unique open-air balcony does not detract from your indoor space in any way. Even the placement of the bed is innovative, so that the last thing you will see at night and the first thing you will see the next morning, will be the magnificent passing riverscape.

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The largest

staterooms on Europe's rivers and beautifully appointed... "All Suites and all staterooms except Indigo deck, feature ďŹ&#x201A;oor-to-ceiling sliding windows."

Avalon Suite

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Making space & comfort a priority From the moment we came on the river cruising scene in 2004, we have offered the most spacious onboard accommodation in Europe. Our innovative Suite Ships (SM) feature our one-of-a-kind Panorama Suites – a full 30% larger than the industry standard. Unlike other river cruise companies that use up valuable room space on tiny, unusable 'balconies', Avalon delivers a full balcony experience that is perfect in any weather conditions and in any season, without comprising your room space. In our Panorama Suites our floor-to-ceiling sliding windows open up to give you a 7 foot opening. Slide the doors wide open and enjoy the feeling of sitting comfortably 'outside' as you float by stunning views of castle ruins, vineyards and ancient cities. We even furnished your space with a love seat and chairs, as well as a table where you can enjoy a meal or perhaps entertain your friends.

A room with a view Even the placement of the bed is innovative, facing the window to allow you to watch the splendid passing riverscapes as you lie in comfort on your Comfort Collection Bed (SM). And unlike other fleets that only have a few premium suites on each ship, 80% of our Suite Ship staterooms are Panorama Suites.

Deluxe staterooms & suites All our Deluxe Staterooms and Suites on every Avalon ship are well-appointed and offer a spacious welcome after a hard days sightseeing. From our luxurious Comfort Collection Beds (SM) with premium mattress covers, Egyptian supercombed cotton linens, European-style duvets, to the large bathroom with premium L’Occitaine® bath products, ample storage space to unpack, fully stocked minibars, complimentary bottled water and flat screen televisions with a film channel for your enjoyment – we will think you’ll find them hard to leave.

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Panoramic views and spacious

designs...

"Wherever you are on board, large sweeping windows greet you at every turn."

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Take time and relax With so many amenities on board, whether you are making the most of happy hour by enjoying a glass of wine or a vodka & tonic in the lounge, or having a quiet moment in the Club Lounge having a cappuccino, you will find there is plenty of space to stretch out and relax on an Avalon ship. Keep in touch with your friends and family with complimentary Wi-Fi access and free use of the computers at the internet corner. You might want to take advantage of the onboard hairdresser whether having your hair styled or having a manicure.

Spectacular views With Avalon, you never miss out because we have designed our ships with a panoramic view at every turn. From an elegant dining room and bistros to the spacious Sky Deck and state-of-the-art fitness centres or sipping a cocktail in the Sky Deck Jacuzzi, Avalon ships are designed to deliver every riverbank vineyard, medieval castle and quaint village right to you. Even in the privacy of your Deluxe Stateroom or Suite, you will enjoy a floating room with a view.

Built with your comfort in mind Stretch out and relax as there is plenty of space to do so on your Avalon ship. Thoughtfully designed to provide the most space of any river cruise ship, whether you find yourself in the Sky Bistro, Panorama Lounge, Observation Lounge, Club Lounge or wherever, you will find plenty of seating and cozy spots to relax and take it all in. And as you move effortlessly through the open floorplans, you will enjoy more room to immerse yourself in the wonders of your adventure.

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The most attentive service from start

to finish...

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Our knowledgable specialists From the moment you begin your Avalon adventure when you speak to our knowledgeable and friendly Specialists, you'll know you are in good hands. They will guide you through our wide range of itineraries and all the options available for your holiday with us. All our Specialists have sailed on an Avalon Waterways cruise and are fully trained, so they can answer any queries you may have. We've tried to make the times they are available convenient for you whether you work or not, as follows: 9am to 6pm on weekdays, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

At your service because we care From the moment you step on board your Avalon river cruise ship, the English speaking crew from waiters to captains, extends a warm welcome, delivering a personal service throughout your journey. You won't find any other language than English used for communication on our ships so you don't have to worry about translations. The Cruise Director is readily available to help you make the most of each day, providing informative commentary as you pass through interesting landscapes, and Guest Services is at your disposal to help make your time on board and on shore perfect

Expert local guides Avalonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s river cruise itineraries have been carefully designed so that you experience the famous highlights of each destination. A great range of included sightseeing excursions as well as optional excursions on each cruise, brings places to life with the help of knowledgeable Certified Local Guides providing fascinating commentary. We also provide you with individual personal headsets to ensure you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss a single word. We even give you a handy destination guidebook so you can really get the most out of your tour. See the next two pages for more details of our range of excursions.

"Our professional Cruise Directors have a great wealth of knowledge and many years of experience."

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Inspiring itineraries, your choice of pace,

enriching experiences...

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for unrivalled choice

& discovery... Everyone travels for different reasons, but mostly you want to discover new things, see new places and return home richer for the experience. At Avalon we know how to open up a world of discovery and cultures from learning new languages or trying new food to understanding the history of Budapest's parliament buildings. Our daily shore excursions led by English-speaking experts will give you an in-depth insight into the fascinating stories that have shaped the great nations of Europe.

Avalon Choice At Avalon we have designed our river cruises of offer you choices, so that you can personalise many of your cruise elements daily. Avalon ChoiceÂŽ gives you the freedom to customise your voyage, decide what and where you eat on board and choose the pace of your included short excursions (where available).

See the sights at your pace We don't think that sightseeing should ever be a 'one size fits all' as everyone likes to see different sights in different ways. So we have developed three sightseeing options, each offering a different pace so you can choose the one that suits you the best: Traditional Sightseeing Led by a Certified Local Guide, you will explore a wide range of sights getting the most out of your day and seeing as much as you can. Leisurely Sightseeing A Certified Local Guide shows you the destinationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highlights in a relaxed and leisurely way without trying to cover everything that might be possible, leaving some stones unturned for another visit perhaps. Essential Sightseeing This is an orientation overview that shows you the 'must-see' sights and leaves you with plenty of time to explore on your own.

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Exceptional cuisine,

spoilt for choice... "Chef inspired regional and classic dishes are prepared using the freshest local ingredients."

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Making a meal of it Avalon makes mealtimes a wonderful part of the journey, with the type of variety and choice you will truly savour, from mouthwatering à la carte to healthy snacks. With Avalon Choice® it is not just about what you eat, it's as much about where you eat it and with Avalon, choice abounds: all meals can be taken in the elegant dining room surrounded by panorama windows, for lunch try it grilled and al fresco at the Sky Bistro, or on all Suite Ships, take a light dinner in the charming Panorama Bistro, which also features regional specialities and wines.

Making it special All our cruises begin with the Captain’s reception with complimentary sparkling wine and canapés, then there's the sumptuous five-course welcome dinner which whets your appetite for things to come. You'll also have plenty of time for afternoon tea, on board wine tastings and each dinner includes a local speciality dish as well as complimentary regional wines as well as fresh breads from the local bakeries, so you will really get a feel for the local flavours in every sense.

Regional cuisine To complete your culinary experience, on every cruise we even bring a local chef on board to prepare a special dinner, with signature dishes made from the freshest local ingredients and paired with the perfect complimentary regional wines. You'll have the opportunity to chat with the chef as they mingle amoungst the diners offering hints and tips - all of which is included as a given in your Avalon cruise.

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Indulge your passions with a theme

cruise...

"Enhance your personal knowledge and experience with our special interest cruises."

WINE APPRECIATION

CULINARY

ART & IMPRESSIONIST

Expand your wine appreciation skills on our Wine Cruises with advice from a distinguished expert before visiting a wine village for wine tasting to test your new-found knowledge.

Foodies will love this new themed cruise in northern France. An expert chef will dazzle you with regional specialities and cooking tips. There will be cider and wine tastings, visits to a distillery and cheese producing farm. Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches: 28 October. Page 82. Grand France: 20 October. Page 90.

Appreciate art as never before. In Paris, a local expert guides you through Musée d’Orsay to see its incredible collection of masterpieces. Explore the Château d’Auvers for a voyage to the heart of the paintings by Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Monet. Marvel at Rouen’s lovely cathedral to discover what made this a favourite subject for Monet. Also visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts André Malraux in Le Havre, admire works by artists at Montmartre’s Place du Terte, and attend special onboard art lectures from a local art expert. Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches: 12 August. Page 82. Grand France: 12 August. Page 90.

Paris, Moselle & the Rhine: 18 July. Page 28. The Legendary Danube: 2 November. Page 62. The Blue Danube Discovery: 27 October. Page 70. Burgundy & Provence: 26 October. Page 86. Grand France: 21 October. Page 90.

BEER TASTING - NEW There's no greater homage to Austria and Germany than discovering their regional beers. Enjoy onboard tastings, visit historic breweries and learn about brewing techniques with our onboard lectures. Austrian Highlights & Bavaria: 13 October. Page 56.

JAZZ & MUSIC Jazz enthusiasts will love the exciting atmosphere of Vienne’s Jazz Festival, an annual event on the world jazz scene. Or classical musical lovers can explore Mozart’s hometown of Salzburg, enjoy a delightful Strauss concert in beautiful Vienna and an organ recital in Melk. Magnificent Europe - Music Cruise: 15 October. Page 46. Burgundy & Provence - Jazz Cruise: 30 June. Page 86. Grand France - Jazz Cruise: 30 June. Page 90.

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JEWISH HERITAGE Discover sites important to European Jewish history such as Regensburg's Document Museum, the Terezin Ghetto, Prague's Jewish Museum & Cemetary and other significant monuments. The Legendary Danube: 19 October. Page 66.

FESTIVE TIME

GOLF - NEW

PRESIDENT'S

There's no more evocative way to experience the festive season than by a cruise that takes you to the heart of Europe's Christmastime markets. Delight in the sights, smells and tastes of the local traditions and customs typical of Germany, Austria and Alsace. All the while enjoying the fun atmosphere on board your Avalon ship, decked out splendidly for the season. Romantic Rhine: 14 December. Page 24. Magnificent Europe: 21 December. Page 46. For more details of Festive Cruises see page 98.

If leaving the golf course at home is too much to bear, then our new golf cruise is just the tonic to get you all teed up again. A local golf enthusiast will arrange tee times on select nearby courses, so you can maintain your swing whilst sampling fairways and greens that you may not otherwise have experienced. There will be alternative programmes for the non-golfers. Austrian Highlights & Bavaria: 7 July. Page 56.

An opportunity to join the President of Avalon Waterways on the Rhone and Seine rivers , as he joins you exclusively on your cruise. Highlights include special excursions and the President's Gala Dinner . Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches: 1 April. Page 82. Grand France: 24 March. Page 90.

EUROPEAN HISTORY & POLITICS

It's been nearly a hundred years since the start of World War I, and these cruises focus on the 'Great War' which claimed more than 9 million lives. Visit some of the most famous and shocking theatres of war and learn more about the facts during the onboard lectures Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches: 22 July. Page 82. Grand France: 14 July. Page 90.

WELLNESS - NEW For the perfect feel good factor and guiltfree cruising, join our total body wellness experience - start your mornings with onboard exercise programmes including stretching and yoga, then enjoy specially crafted daily dining options which are delicious yet healthy. The Blue Danube Discovery: 14 July. Page 70.

For those with more than a passing interest, this cruise will be accompanied by a diplomacy expert who has worked at the UN, on the NATO/Warsaw Pact and on EU security and economic issues, with special lectures to give unique insight into all things European. Magnificent Europe: 23 July. Page 46.

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WWI HISTORY

Romantic Rhine 8 days

Avalon Visionary on the Rhine

Amsterdam

Cologne

Romantic Rhine 8 days from £1859

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Day 1: Zürich - Basel. Fly to Zürich where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship in Basel for seven nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

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Day 2: Strasbourg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. A Local Guide will show you the noteworthy sights, including the Gothic Cathedral, the lovely Petite France district, Place Kléber and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Brewery. This afternoon, optional excursions to the Alsace wine region or the Black Forest are available.

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Day 3: Speyer. Excursion to Heidelberg. Included today: Guided visit of Heidelberg Castle; see the Great Vat. This morning, dock in Speyer. From here, an excursion takes you to Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town. Visit the imposing castle ruins, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and see the Great Vat - the world's largest wine barrel. Day 4: Mainz - Rüdesheim. Included today: Visit Gutenberg Museum in Mainz; visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim. Situated on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany's largest and most important wine market. The Old Town has many interesting shops, tearooms and restaurants, and a fountain on the Schillerplatz is decorated with scenes of the famous carnival held there every year. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and you'll visit the Gutenberg Museum. The pretty little town of Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town - here enjoy a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum as well as free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Day 5: Rhine Gorge - Koblenz. Included today: Cruise through the Rhine Gorge; guided walk in Koblenz or visit Sayn Manor House. Cruise downstream from Rüdesheim to the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river where quaint, fairytale castles stand sentry on the steep, terraced banks. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom before reaching the Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet. In the 2,000 year old city of Koblenz, join the walking tour or visit nearby Sayn Manor House. Day 6: Cologne. Included today: Choice of guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included guided city walk or a 'Jewish Cologne' tour. The Old Town offers up a great choice of cafés, shops and taverns so be sure to try a Kölsch, the favourite local beer and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original 'eau de cologne'. Day 7: Amsterdam. Included today: Canal cruise. Holland's delightful 700-year-old capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. Day 8: Amsterdam. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your Avalon cruise includes:

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Felicity, Avalon Affinity, Avalon Visionary, Avalon Artistry II, Avalon Vista

WZA - Zürich to Amsterdam (Prices are per person) Dept. 05, 06 Apr 13 Apr 19 Apr 27 Apr 03 May 11, 17, 25, 30, 31 May 08, 13, 14, 22, 27, 28 Jun 06, 11, 12, 20, 25, 26 Jul 03, 08, 09, 17, 23 Aug 31 Aug 06, 14 Sep 20 Sep 28 Sep 04 Oct 12 Oct

Category E £1935 £2055 £2195 £2250 £2315 £2365 £2375 £2290 £2285 £2339 £2405 £2359 £2279 £2250 £2180

Dept. 18 Oct 26, 27 Oct *14 Dec * Festive Themed Cruise

Category E £2155 £2075 £1859

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Felicity, Affinity — £345 £375 £469 £815

Visionary, Artistry II, Vista £95 £500 £535 £625 £1065

Prices are based on 2 people sharing, flying from London Heathrow with British Airways. Regional flights from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Teesside, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich are available, please call for prices. For sole occupancy prices, pre- or post- hotel nights prices or prices without flights, please contact our Avalon Specialists on 0808 115 2927. Prices are subject to availability and may also be subject to change. However, the correct price will always be confirmed at the time of booking - see paragraph 2 of the Booking Conditions for further information.

Festive Time Cruise The 14th December departure is offered as an exclusive Festive Time Cruise and includes special holiday features at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

• Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 7 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Avalon Visionary Panorama Suite

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Romantic Rhine 8 days from £1855

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Day 2: Amsterdam. Included today: Canal cruise. Holland's delightful 700-year-old capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. Later, set sail for Cologne.

Day 6: Strasbourg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights include the Gothic Cathedral, the lovely Petite France district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available. After dinner tonight, enjoy an onboard woodcarving demonstration. Day 7: Breisach. Included today: Excursion to the Black Forest. Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border, Breisach is the gateway to Germany's Black Forest region, an area of unrivalled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. The region is best known for its cuckoo clocks, Black Forest ham and Black Forest Gateaux. Perhaps visit the workshop of a local wood carver and clock maker, or visit the open-air Museum of Vogtbauernhof to see how life was lived in this area centuries ago. Day 8: Basel - Zürich. Disembark and transfer to Zürich airport for your flight to the UK.

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Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Felicity, Avalon Affinity, Avalon Visionary

WAZ - Amsterdam to Zürich (Prices are per person) Dept. 29, 30 Mar 06 Apr 12 Apr 20 Apr 26 Apr 04, 10 May 18, 23, 24 May 01, 06, 07, 15, 20, 21 Jun 29 Jun 04, 05, 13, 18, 19, 27 Jul 01, 02, 10, 15, 16, 24 Aug 30 Aug 07, 13 Sep 21 Sep

Category E £1855 £1935 £2055 £2195 £2250 £2339 £2365 £2375 £2349 £2290 £2285 £2315 £2405 £2359

Dept. 27 Sep 05, 07 Oct 11 Oct 19 Oct

Category E £2305 £2250 £2169 £2155

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Felicity, Affinity — £345 £375 £469 £815

Visionary £95 £500 £535 £625 £1065

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Your Avalon cruise includes:

• All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

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Day 3: Cologne. Included today: Choice of guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included guided city walk or a 'Jewish Cologne' tour. The Old Town offers up a great choice of cafés, shops and taverns so be sure to try a Kölsch, the favourite local beer and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original 'eau de cologne'.

Day 5: Excursions to Mainz & Heidelberg. Included today: Mainz guided walk and Gutenberg Museum visit; Heidelberg Castle visit. On the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany's largest and most important wine town. Join your Local Guide for a Guided Walk through the Old Town to see the Carnival Fountain on the Schillerplatz and visit the Gutenberg Museum, a tribute to the father of modern printing, Gutenberg, who was born here. Later, head to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany. With a Local Guide, visit the imposing castle ruins, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and see the Great Vat - the world's largest wine barrel.

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Day 1: Amsterdam. Fly to Amsterdam where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for seven nights and meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Day 4: Koblenz - Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim. Included today: Koblenz guided walk; cruise the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Overlooking the Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, 2,000 year old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre of the Middle Rhine region. After a walking tour with a local guide, cruise the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river where quaint, fairytale castles stand sentry on the steep, terraced banks. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Reaching Rüdesheim, enjoy a visit to the fascinating Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and free time to explore the Drosselgasse.

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Avalon Felicity on the Rhine

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

Strasbourg

Heidelberg

R端desheim

Paris, Moselle & the Rhine 10 days

Cochem

The Moselle Valley

Paris

Paris, Moselle & the Rhine 10 days from ÂŁ2505

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Day 1 (Fri): Paris. Travel to Paris where you will be met and transferred to Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe hotel for two nights.

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Day 2 (Sat): Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included city sightseeing tour of Paris, see the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its contrasting modern glass pyramid and striking Renaissance architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age. The city is well known for its vibrant nightlife including some of the world's most famous cabarets.

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Day 5 (Tue): Bernkastel. Included today: Guided sightseeing. In the middle of the Moselle region, the charming wine village of Bernkastel offers up wellpreserved, half-timbered houses and quaint narrow streets. Today's guided walk takes in the marketplace, Renaissance Town Hall, and the 'pointed house'. Wine growers in this area look after Germany's largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated vintage being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local wine cellar and taste several of this region's varietals. Day 6 (Wed): Cochem. Included today: Guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle. This morning, arrive in Cochem and explore this charming town of half-timbered houses and winding streets on your included guided walk. Visit Reichsburg Castle, set atop a vinecovered hill, for splendid views of the town nestled below and the river valley. Cochem is at the heart of the Moselle wine trade and most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. Day 7 (Thu): RĂźdesheim - Rhine Gorge. Included today: Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; cruise through the Rhine Gorge. RĂźdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town - enjoy a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Later, cruise downstream from RĂźdesheim to the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river where quaint, fairytale castles stand sentry on the steep, terraced banks. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Day 8 (Fri): Cologne. Included today: Choice of guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included guided city walk or a 'Jewish Cologne' tour. The Old Town offers up a great

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choice of cafĂŠs, shops and taverns so be sure to try a KĂślsch, the favourite local beer and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original 'eau de cologne'. Day 9 (Sat): Volendam - Amsterdam. Included today: Volendam windmill visit; Amsterdam canal cruise. After breakfast this morning, arrive in Volendam, a picturesque fishing town with a unique open harbour, distinctive small houses and a small, timbered church dating back to 1658. Visit a local windmill before cruising to Amsterdam. Holland's delightful 700-year-old capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. Day 10 (Sun): Amsterdam. Disembark and transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Poetry II

WRA - Paris to Amsterdam (Prices are per person) Dept. 06 Jun *18 Jul 29 Aug 10 Oct *Wine Themed Cruise

Stateroom upgrade supplements Category E ÂŁ2605 ÂŁ2545 ÂŁ2649 ÂŁ2505

(Prices are per person) Category Deck D Indigo B Sapphire A Sapphire P Royal Suite Royal

Poetry II ÂŁ95 ÂŁ499 ÂŁ535 ÂŁ625 ÂŁ1065

Prices are based on 2 people sharing, flying from London Heathrow with British Airways. Regional flights from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle and Eurostar from St Pancras or Ebbsfleet are available, please call for prices. For sole occupancy prices, pre- or post- hotel nights prices or prices without flights, please contact our Avalon Specialists on 0808 115 2927. Prices are subject to availability and may also be subject to change. However, the correct price will always be confirmed at the time of booking - see paragraph 2 of the Booking Conditions for further information.

â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Wine Theme Cruise The 18th July departure is offered as an exclusive Wine Theme Cruise and includes special lectures and tastings at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru i se s.co.uk

Paris, Moselle & the Rhine 10 days from ÂŁ2545

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Day 1 (Sun): Amsterdam. Travel to Amsterdam where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for seven nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

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Day 2 (Mon): Amsterdam - Volendam. Included today: Amsterdam canal cruise; Volendam windmill visit. This morning, there is no better way to see the city than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. After lunch, cruise to Volendam, a picturesque fishing town with a unique open harbour, distinctive small houses and a small, timbered church dating back to 1658, to visit a local windmill.

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Day 3 (Tue): Cologne. Included today: Choice of guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included guided city walk or a 'Jewish Cologne' tour. The Old Town offers up a great choice of cafĂŠs, shops and taverns so be sure to try a KĂślsch, the favourite local beer and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original 'eau de cologne'. Day 4 (Wed): RĂźdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Koblenz. Included today: Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; cruise through the Rhine Gorge. Whilst in pretty RĂźdesheim, a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum is included, as well as free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Afterwards, sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. This evening, arrive in Koblenz and dock overnight. Day 5 (Thu): Cochem. Included today: Guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle. This morning, arrive in Cochem and explore this charming town of half-timbered houses and winding streets on your included guided walk. Visit Reichsburg Castle, set atop a vinecovered hill, for splendid views of the town nestled below and the river valley. Cochem is at the heart of the Moselle wine trade and most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. Day 6 (Fri): Bernkastel. Included today: Guided sightseeing. In the middle of the Moselle region, the charming wine village of Bernkastel offers up wellpreserved, half-timbered houses and quaint narrow streets. Today's guided walk takes in the marketplace, Renaissance Town Hall, and the 'pointed house'. Wine growers in this area look after Germany's largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated vintage being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local wine cellar and taste several of this region's varietals. Day 7 (Sat): Trier - Remich. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Roman Trier tour; see the Porta Nigra. The Moselle Valley, famous for its beautifully ethereal scenery is home to Trier, the oldest city in Germany and some claim, even older than Rome. The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town centre. Today, join an included guided city tour or the more history-focused 'Roman Trier' tour before free time to explore this magnificent town. Trier also offers pleasant market squares, Germany's oldest Christian church, a Roman amphitheatre and a whole host of picturesque architectural styles. This afternoon, cruise to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Your Avalon cruise includes:

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Day 8 (Sun): Remich - Paris. Included today: High-speed TGV train journey. This morning, board the high-speed TGV train for a swift, comfortable journey to Paris and transfer to Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe hotel for two nights. Day 9 (Mon): Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included city sightseeing tour of Paris, see the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its contrasting modern glass pyramid and striking Renaissance architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age. The city is well known for its vibrant nightlife including some of the world's most famous cabarets. DAY 10 (Tue): Paris. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Poetry II

WAR - Amsterdam to Paris (Prices are per person) Dept. 04 May 15 Jun 27 Jul 07 Sep

Stateroom upgrade supplements Category E ÂŁ2589 ÂŁ2605 ÂŁ2545 ÂŁ2659

(Prices are per person) Category Deck D Indigo B Sapphire A Sapphire P Royal Suite Royal

â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow or Eurostar. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 7 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 2 nights in hotel, breakfast included â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes 30

Poetry II ÂŁ95 ÂŁ499 ÂŁ535 ÂŁ625 ÂŁ1065

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

Bernkastel

Paris

Trier

The Upper Rhine to the City of Music 12 days

Avalon Affinity on the Rhine

Melk

Vienna

The Upper Rhine to the City of Music 12 days from ÂŁ3025

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ZĂźrich to Vienna

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Day 1: ZĂźrich - Basel. Fly to ZĂźrich where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship in Basel for 11 nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

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Day 6: Bamberg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as you cruise gently up the Main River. This afternoon, arrive in medieval Bamberg, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guided walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall which straddles the River Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. Day 7: Nuremberg. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on an included guided tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. This afternoon, learn more about the fascinating Main-Danube Canal at our included on board lecture. Day 8: Regensburg. Included today: Guided walk; beer tasting. Cruise through picturesque AltmĂźhltal to Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided walk this afternoon include the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to the Roman fort built in 179AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town and one of Bavaria's cultural centres. It is here that you will find Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century

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Day 3: Speyer. Included today: Choice of excursion to Speyer or Heidelberg. After breakfast this morning, why not join the included city sightseeing tour of Speyer? An ancient imperial city, Speyer is home to an impressive Romanesque cathedral. Your tour includes a visit to the Technology Museum, home to a vast collection of aircraft, classic cars, locomotives and fire engines, a Boeing 747 and an original space shuttle. Alternatively head to the university city of Heidelberg where a Local Guide will introduce you to the imposing castle ruins, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and the Great Vat - the world's largest wine barrel.

Day 5: WĂźrzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, WĂźrzburg is known as the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and makes an immediate impression with views of its beautiful Marienberg Fortress and 15th century Old Main Bridge. Today's guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop's Residenz, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure, perhaps join the optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg.

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Day 2: Strasbourg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region, is influenced by the culture of both countries. It is also the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. A local guide will show you the highlights, such as the Gothic Cathedral, the lovely Petite France District, Place KlĂŠber and Place Gutenberg, with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Brewery. An optional excursion into the Alsace region is available.

Day 4: Wertheim. Included today: Guided walk. Enjoy a morning at leisure on board as you cruise the picturesque Main River, reaching Wertheim in the early afternoon. Wertheim is set at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers and today's guided walk introduces the medieval town centre. Enjoy an included tasting of local specialities before time at leisure to admire locally produced blown-glass ornaments or head up to the castle overlooking the town.

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Historische WurstkĂźche (Old Sausage Kitchen). Before dinner, sample some of Germany's famous beers. Day 9: Passau - Linz. Included today: Guided walk in Passau. Ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk including St Stephen's Cathedral, home to one of the world's largest church organs with more than 17,000 pipes. This afternoon, cruise to Linz. Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to either Salzburg, to take in the popular 'Sound of Music' sights, or Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO town in the Czech Republic. Day 10: Melk - DĂźrnstein. Included today: Guided visit of Melk's Benedictine Abbey; see the Stiftskirche in DĂźrnstein. Today is dedicated to the beautiful and romantic Wachau Valley, where many excellent Austrian wines are grown and produced. This morning, visit Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. Later, lounge on the Sky Deck with a glass of white wine as you cruise to DĂźrnstein, whose blue and white Baroque Stiftskirche stands right on the river bank. Explore on your own or choose from a range of optional excursions. Day 11: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. See the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. Shop in the KĂ¤rntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or ApfelstrĂźdel in a local cafĂŠ. An optional concert is available during your stay. Day 12: Vienna. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Artistry II, Avalon Affinity

Your Avalon cruise includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 11 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

WZV - ZĂźrich to Vienna (Prices are per person) Dept. 25 Apr 08 May 26 Jun; 14 Aug 02 Oct

Stateroom upgrade supplements Category E ÂŁ3025 ÂŁ3139 ÂŁ3095 ÂŁ3049

(Prices are Category D B A P Suite

per person) Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Affinity â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ÂŁ539 ÂŁ589 ÂŁ735 ÂŁ1275

Artistry II ÂŁ149 ÂŁ785 ÂŁ835 ÂŁ980 ÂŁ1669

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Central European Experience 12 days

The Moselle Valley

Bamberg

Prague

Central European Experience 12 days from ÂŁ2829 Paris to Prague

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Day 1 (Fri): Paris. Fly to Paris where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe hotel for two nights.

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Day 3 (Sun): Paris - Remich. Included today: High-speed TGV train journey. This morning, board the high-speed TGV train for a swift, comfortable journey to Metz. From here, drive to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where your cruise ship is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 4 (Mon): Trier. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Roman Trier tour; see the Porta Nigra. The Moselle Valley, famous for its beautifully ethereal scenery is home to Trier, the oldest city in Germany and some claim, even older than Rome. The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town centre. Today, join an included guided city tour or the more history-focused 'Roman Trier' tour before free time to explore this magnificent town. Trier also offers pleasant market squares, Germany's oldest Christian church, a Roman amphitheatre and a whole host of picturesque architectural styles. After lunch, cruise the wide, peaceful curves of the picturesque Moselle Valley, an important wine growing region. Day 5 (Tue): Cochem - Koblenz. Included today: Guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle in Cochem. This morning, arrive in Cochem and explore this charming town of half-timbered houses and winding streets on your included guided walk. Visit Reichsburg Castle, set atop a vinecovered hill, for splendid views of the town nestled below and the river valley. Cochem is at the heart of the Moselle wine trade and most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. This afternoon, sail to Koblenz. Overlooking the Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, 2,000 year old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre of the Middle Rhine region. Day 6 (Wed): Koblenz - Rhine Gorge - RĂźdesheim. Included today: Cruise the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. This morning, cruise the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river where quaint, fairytale castles stand sentry on the steep, terraced banks. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Reaching RĂźdesheim, enjoy a visit to the fascinating Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Day 7 (Thu): Miltenberg. Included today: Guided walk. Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village, tucked away behind medieval defensive walls and towered gates. This afternoon's guided walk introduces the town's delightful Marktplatz, Haus zum Riesen (the Giant's House) - one of the oldest inns in Germany, and the splendid Gothic Merchant Hall.

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Day 8 (Fri): WĂźrzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop's Residenz. Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, WĂźrzburg is known as the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and makes an immediate impression with views of its beautiful Marienberg Fortress and 15th century Old Main Bridge. Today's guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop's Residenz, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. Day 9 (Sat): Bamberg. Included today: Guided walk, see the Old Town Hall. Medieval Bamberg is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall, which straddles the River Regnitz and its serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. Day 10 (Sun): Nuremberg - Prague. After breakfast, disembark and drive, via the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest, to Prague, the 'Golden City' for two nights at the InterContinental Hotel, Prague. Day 11 (Mon): Prague. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Prague is a 1,200 year old city preserved in time. Straddling the Vltava River, its domes, cupolas, spires and pinnacles highlight the skyline. See its best-known treasures on a guided walking tour, including the Old Town's astronomical clock, Hradcany Castle grounds, St Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books, mingle with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll alongside the Vltava River. Your Cruise Director can suggest things to do. Day 12 (Tue): Prague. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Poetry II

WRN - Paris to Prague (Prices are per person) Dept. 09 May 20 Jun 01 Aug 12 Sep

Stateroom upgrade supplements Category E ÂŁ2885 ÂŁ2895 ÂŁ2829 ÂŁ2920

(Prices are per person) Category Deck D Indigo B Sapphire A Sapphire P Royal Suite Royal

Poetry II ÂŁ95 ÂŁ500 ÂŁ535 ÂŁ625 ÂŁ1065

â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Prices are based on 2 people sharing, flying from London Heathrow with British Airways. Regional flights from Aberdeen, Birmingham and Manchester are available, please call for prices. For sole occupancy prices, pre- or post- hotel nights prices or prices without flights, please contact our Avalon Specialists on 0808 115 2927. Prices are subject to availability and may also be subject to change. However, the correct price will always be confirmed at the time of booking - see paragraph 2 of the Booking Conditions for further information.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Central European Experience 12 days from ÂŁ2795 Prague to Paris Day 1 (Fri): Prague. Fly to Prague where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights.

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Day 2 (Sat): Prague. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Prague is a 1,200 year old city preserved in time. See its best-known treasures on a guided walking tour, including the Old Town's astronomical clock, Hradcany Castle grounds, St Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books, mingle with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll alongside the Vltava River. Your Cruise Director can suggest things to do.

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Day 4 (Mon): Bamberg. Included today: Guided walk, see the Old Town Hall. Medieval Bamberg is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall, which straddles the River Regnitz and its serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. Day 5 (Tue): WĂźrzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop's Residenz. Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, WĂźrzburg is known as the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and makes an immediate impression with views of its beautiful Marienberg Fortress and 15th century Old Main Bridge. Today's guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop's Residenz, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted.

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Day 6 (Wed): Miltenberg. Included today: Guided walk. Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village, tucked away behind medieval defensive walls and towered gates. This afternoon's guided walk introduces the town's delightful Marktplatz, Haus zum Riesen (the Giant's House) - one of the oldest inns in Germany, and the splendid Gothic Merchant Hall.

centre. Today, join an included guided city tour or the more history-focused 'Roman Trier' tour before free time to explore this magnificent town. Trier also offers pleasant market squares, Germany's oldest Christian church, a Roman amphitheatre and a whole host of picturesque architectural styles. This afternoon, cruise to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Day 7 (Thu): RĂźdesheim - Rhine Gorge - Koblenz. Included today: Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; cruise through the Rhine Gorge. Whilst in pretty RĂźdesheim, a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum is included, as well as free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Afterwards, sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. This evening, arrive in Koblenz and dock overnight.

Day 10 (Sun): Remich - Paris. Included today: High-speed TGV train journey. This morning, board the high-speed TGV train for a swift, comfortable journey to Paris and transfer to Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe hotel for two nights.

Day 8 (Fri): Cochem. Included today: Guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle. This morning, arrive in Cochem and explore this charming town of half-timbered houses and winding streets on your included guided walk. Visit Reichsburg Castle, set atop a vinecovered hill, for splendid views of the town nestled below and the river valley. Cochem is at the heart of the Moselle wine trade and most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. Day 9 (Sat): Bernkastel - Trier. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Bernkastel; choice of guided sightseeing or Roman Trier tour in Trier. In the middle of the Moselle region, famous for its beautifully ethereal scenery, the charming wine village of Bernkastel offers up well-preserved, half-timbered houses and quaint narrow streets. Today's guided walk takes in the marketplace, Renaissance Town Hall, and the 'pointed house'. After lunch, drive to Trier, the oldest city in Germany and some claim, even older than Rome. The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town

Day 11 (Mon): Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included city sightseeing tour of Paris, see the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its contrasting modern glass pyramid and striking Renaissance architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age. The city is well known for its vibrant nightlife including some of the world's most famous cabarets.. Day 12 (Tue): Paris. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Poetry II

WNR - Prague to Paris (Prices are per person) Dept. 30 May 11 Jul 22 Aug 03 Oct

Stateroom upgrade supplements Category E ÂŁ2885 ÂŁ2835 ÂŁ2859 ÂŁ2795

(Prices are per person) Category Deck D Indigo B Sapphire A Sapphire P Royal Suite Royal

Poetry II ÂŁ95 ÂŁ500 ÂŁ535 ÂŁ625 ÂŁ1065

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

W端rzburg

Trier

The Rhine River

The Rhine & Moselle 13 days

Dutch windmill

Avalon Affinity in Cochem

Heidelberg

The Rhine & Moselle 13 days from ÂŁ3135

Amsterdam to ZĂźrich Day 1: Amsterdam. Travel to Amsterdam where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for 12 nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 2: Amsterdam - Volendam. Edam Excursion. Included today: Amsterdam canal cruise; guided walk in Edam. This morning, there is no better way to see the city than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. At lunchtime, sail north of the city to Ijsselmeer and Volendam, a picturesque fishing town with a unique open harbour and a small, timbered church dating back to 1658. From here, drive to Edam, whose cheese of the same name has become famous worldwide. Enjoy a guided walk through the Old Town centre, where the Kwakelsteeg still has lovely characteristic Waterland houses. Rejoin your ship and this evening, head for Kinderdijk. Day 3: Kinderdijk. Included today: Windmills visit. This morning visit Kinderdijk, a quintessential Dutch town, to admire its picturesque row of windmills. 19 splendid windmills stand on reclaimed polder land between the Rivers Lek (Rhine) and Noord. Today's visit explains the use of the windmills as pumps to drain water from the polders in the 18th century. After free time, rejoin your ship for lunch, and set sail for Cologne. Day 4: Cologne. Included today: Choice of guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included guided city walk or a 'Jewish Cologne' tour. The Old Town offers up a great choice of cafĂŠs, shops and taverns so be sure to try a KĂślsch, the favourite local beer and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original 'eau de cologne'. Day 5: Koblenz. Included today: Guided walk in Koblenz or visit Sayn Manor House. Overlooking the Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, 2,000 year old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre of the Middle Rhine region. Join the included walking tour with a local guide to see castles, fortress walls, squares and monuments or alternatively visit nearby Sayn Manor House, belonging to the Counts of the same name. This afternoon, cruise the wide, peaceful curves of the picturesque Moselle Valley, an area famous for its beautifully ethereal scenery and an important wine growing region. Day 6: Bernkastel. Included today: Guided sightseeing. In the middle of the Moselle region, the charming wine village of Bernkastel offers up wellpreserved, half-timbered houses and quaint narrow streets. Today's guided walk takes in the marketplace, Renaissance Town Hall, and the 'pointed house'. Wine growers in this area look after Germany's largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated vintage being the Bernkasteler Doktor. This afternoon, perhaps join the optional bicycle outing (weather permitting) or visit the Wine Museum. Before dinner, visit a local wine cellar and taste several of this region's varietals. Day 7: Trier. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Roman Trier tour; see the Porta Nigra. At the head of the Moselle Valley, Trier is the oldest city in Germany and some claim, even older than Rome. The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town centre. Today, join an included guided city tour or the more history-focused 'Roman Trier' tour before free time to explore this magnificent town. Trier also offers pleasant market squares, Germany's oldest Christian church, a Roman amphitheatre and a whole host of picturesque architectural styles.

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Day 8: Cochem. Included today: Guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle. This morning, arrive in Cochem and explore this charming town of half-timbered houses and winding streets on your included guided walk. Visit Reichsburg Castle, set atop a vinecovered hill, for splendid views of the town nestled below and the river valley. Cochem is at the heart of the Moselle wine trade and most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. Day 9: Rhine Gorge - RĂźdesheim. Included today: Cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Cruise the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river where quaint, fairytale castles stand sentry on the steep, terraced banks. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Reaching RĂźdesheim, a perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town, visit the fascinating Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum before free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Day 10: Mainz. Included today: Mainz guided walk and Gutenberg Museum visit; Heidelberg Castle visit. On the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany's largest and most important wine town. Join your Local Guide for a Guided Walk through the Old Town to see the Carnival Fountain on the Schillerplatz and visit the Gutenberg Museum, a tribute to the father of modern printing, Gutenberg, who was born here. Later, head to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany. With a Local Guide, visit the imposing castle ruins, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and see the Great Vat - the world's largest wine barrel. Day 11: Strasbourg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights include the Gothic Cathedral, the lovely Petite France district, Place KlĂŠber, and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available. After dinner tonight, enjoy an onboard woodcarving demonstration. Day 12: Breisach. Included today: Excursion to the Black Forest. Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border, Breisach is the gateway to Germany's Black Forest region, an area of unrivalled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. The region is best known for its cuckoo clocks, Black Forest ham and Black Forest Gateaux. Perhaps visit the workshop of a local wood carver and clock maker, or visit the open-air Museum of Vogtbauernhof to see how life was lived in this area centuries ago. Day 13: Basel - ZĂźrich. Disembark and transfer to ZĂźrich airport for your flight to the UK.

â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

The Rhine & Moselle 13 days from ÂŁ3009

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ZĂźrich to Amsterdam Day 1: ZĂźrich - Basel. Fly to ZĂźrich and transfer to Basel and your cruise ship for 12 nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

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Day 6: Bernkastel. Included today: Guided sightseeing. In the middle of the Moselle region, the charming wine village of Bernkastel offers up wellpreserved, half-timbered houses and quaint narrow streets. Today's guided walk takes in the marketplace, Renaissance Town Hall, and the 'pointed house'. Wine growers in this area look after Germany's largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated vintage being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local wine cellar and taste several of this region's varietals.

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Day 3: Strasbourg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights include the Gothic Cathedral, the lovely Petite France district, Place KlĂŠber, and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available.

Day 5: RĂźdesheim - Rhine Gorge. Included today: Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; cruise through the Rhine Gorge. RĂźdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town - enjoy a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Later, cruise downstream from RĂźdesheim to the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river where quaint, fairytale castles stand sentry on the steep, terraced banks. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom.

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Day 2: Breisach. Included today: Excursion to the Black Forest. Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border, Breisach is the gateway to Germany's Black Forest region, an area of unrivalled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. The region is best known for its cuckoo clocks, Black Forest ham and Black Forest Gateaux. Perhaps visit the workshop of a local wood carver and clock maker, or visit the open-air Museum of Vogtbauernhof to see how life was lived in this area centuries ago.

Day 4: Mannheim. Excursions to Heidelberg & Mainz. Included today: Heidelberg Castle visit. During breakfast, arrive in Mannheim. This morning, head to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany. With a Local Guide, visit the imposing castle ruins, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and see the Great Vat - the world's largest wine barrel. Rejoin your ship and cruise to Mainz. On the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany's largest and most important wine town. This afternoon, why not stroll in the Old Town to see the Carnival Fountain on the Schillerplatz? Or perhaps visit the Gutenberg Museum, a tribute to Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, who was born here. Alternatively, spend a full day in Heidelberg, rejoining your ship in Mainz in the late afternoon.

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Day 7: Grevenmacher. Excursion to Trier. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Trier. This morning, your ship docks in Grevenmacher. After breakfast, drive to Trier. At the head of the Moselle Valley, Trier is the oldest city in Germany and some claim, even older than Rome. The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town centre. Today, join an included guided city tour or the more history-focused 'Roman Trier' tour before free time to explore this magnificent town. Trier also offers pleasant market squares, Germany's oldest Christian church, a Roman amphitheatre and a whole host of picturesque architectural styles. Day 8: Cochem. Included today: Guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle. This morning, cruise the wide, peaceful curves of the picturesque Moselle Valley, an area famous for its beautifully ethereal scenery and an important wine growing region. After lunch, arrive in Cochem and explore this charming town of half-timbered houses and winding streets on your included guided walk. Visit Reichsburg Castle, set atop a vinecovered hill, for splendid views of the town nestled below and the river valley. Cochem is at the heart of the Moselle wine trade and most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. Day 9: Koblenz - Remagen. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Koblenz; guided walk in Remagen. Overlooking the Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, 2,000 year old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre of the Middle Rhine region. Join the included walking tour with a local guide to see castles, fortress walls, towers, squares and

RĂźdesheim

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

The Rhine River

monuments. Later, enjoy free time or perhaps visit nearby Ehrenbreitstein Fortress after the walking tour. During lunchtime cruise to Remagen for a guided walk of the place made famous by A Bridge Too Far. Day 10: Cologne. Included today: Choice of guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included guided city walk or a 'Jewish Cologne' tour. The Old Town offers up a great choice of cafés, shops and taverns so be sure to try a Kölsch, the favourite local beer and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original 'eau de cologne'. Day 11: Kinderdijk. Included today: Windmills visit. This morning visit Kinderdijk, a quintessential Dutch town, to admire its picturesque row of windmills. 19 splendid windmills stand on reclaimed polder land between the Rivers Lek and Noord. Today's visit explains the use of the windmills as pumps to drain water from the polders in the 18th century. Day 12: Volendam - Amsterdam. Excursion to Edam. Included today: Guided walk in Edam; Amsterdam canal cruise. North of Amsterdam and set on the Ijsselmeer, Volendam , a picturesque fishing town with a unique open harbour and a small, timbered church dating back to 1658. From here, drive to Edam, whose cheese of the same name has become famous worldwide. Enjoy a guided walk through the Old Town centre, where the Kwakelsteeg still has lovely characteristic Waterland houses. Rejoin your ship for a short cruise to Amsterdam. There is no better way to see the city than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. Day 13: Amsterdam. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Artistry II, Avalon Affinity

WARZ - Amsterdam to Zürich (Prices are per person) Dept. 13 Apr 26 Apr 14 Jun 02 Aug 20 Sep

Category E £3135 £3145 £3245 £3205 £3375

WZRA - Zürich to Amsterdam (Prices are per person) Dept. 02 Jun 21 Jul 22 Aug 08 Sep 14 Oct

Category E £3245 £3209 £3230 £3375 £3009

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Affinity — £625 £680 £855 £1475

Artistry II £170 £909 £965 £1135 £1930

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 12 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Heidelberg

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

European Splendour 13 days

Vienna

Avalon on the Danube

W端rzburg

European Splendour 13 days from ÂŁ3205

Amsterdam to Vienna

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Day 1: Amsterdam. Fly to Amsterdam where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for 12 nights. This afternoon, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Day 2: Amsterdam. Included today: Canal cruise Holland's delightful 700-year-old capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. Later, set sail for Cologne.

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Day 3: Cologne. Included today: Choice of guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included guided city walk or a 'Jewish Cologne' tour. The Old Town offers up a great choice of cafĂŠs, shops and taverns so be sure to try a KĂślsch, the favourite local beer and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original 'eau de cologne'.

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Day 4: Rhine Gorge - RĂźdesheim. Included today: Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; cruise through the Rhine Gorge. Whilst in pretty RĂźdesheim, a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum is included, as well as free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Afterwards, sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom.

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Day 5: Wertheim. Included today: Guided walk. Enjoy a morning at leisure on board as you cruise the picturesque Main River, reaching Wertheim in the early afternoon. Wertheim is set at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers and today's guided walk introduces the medieval town centre. Enjoy an included tasting of local specialities before time at leisure to admire locally produced blown-glass ornaments or head up to the castle overlooking the town.

Day 9: Regensburg. Included today: Guided walk. Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500BC, Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided walk this morning include the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to the Roman fort built in 179AD. Enjoy a tasty snack at Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische WurstkĂźche (Old Sausage Kitchen), before setting sail for Austria at lunchtime.

Day 6: WĂźrzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, WĂźrzburg is known as the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and makes an immediate impression with views of its beautiful Marienberg Fortress and 15th century Old Main Bridge. Today's guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop's Residenz, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure, perhaps join the optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg.

Day 10: Linz - Grein. Included today: Guided walks in Linz and Grein. After breakfast this morning your Local Guide will introduce you to Linz, Austria's thirdlargest city and an important river port. See the 13th century Hauptplatz, Austria's largest medieval square, and the Trinity Column. This afternoon, cruise to the attractive country resort of Grein, nestled at the foot of a bluff in the shadow of its castle. Join a Local Guide for a guided walk to admire the turreted houses on the main square. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Salzburg or to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic.

Day 7: Bamberg. Included today: Guided sightseeing; beer tasting. Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as you cruise on the gentle Main River. This afternoon, arrive in medieval Bamberg, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guided walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall which straddles the River Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. After dinner sample some of Germany's famous beers. Day 8: Nuremberg. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on an included guided tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. This afternoon, learn more about the fascinating Main-Danube Canal at our included on board lecture.

Day 11: DĂźrnstein. Included today: Guided walk, see the Stiftskirche. Cruise through the heart of the picturesque Wachau Valley wine region to DĂźrnstein, known for its magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue faĂ§ade. A Local Guide will take you on a walking tour of the town and tell you the tale of the castle ruins perched overlooking the town, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. This evening, set sail for Vienna. Day 12: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Vienna, known as the 'City of Music', inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna is a showcase of gilded architecture. See the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on a guided tour. Shop on the KĂ¤rntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a local cafĂŠ. Tonight, an optional concert is available. Day 13: Vienna. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your Avalon cruise includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 12 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Amsterdam

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

European Splendour 13 days from ÂŁ3169

Vienna to Amsterdam

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Day 1 (Sun): Vienna. Fly to Vienna where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for 12 nights. This afternoon, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

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Day 2 (Mon): Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Vienna, known as the 'City of Music', inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna is a showcase of gilded architecture. See the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on a guided tour. Shop on the KĂ¤rntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a local cafĂŠ. An optional concert is available during your stay.

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Day 5 (Thu): Regensburg. Included today: Guided walk. Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500BC, Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided walk this morning include the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to the Roman fort built in 179AD. Enjoy a tasty snack at Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische WurstkĂźche (Old Sausage Kitchen). Day 6 (Fri): Nuremberg. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour; beer tasting. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on an included guided tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. This afternoon, learn more about the fascinating Main-Danube Canal at our included on board lecture. After dinner sample some of Germany's famous beers.

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Day 3 (Tue): DĂźrnstein - Grein. Included today: Guided walks in DĂźrnstein and Grein. Cruise through the heart of the picturesque Wachau Valley wine region to DĂźrnstein, known for its magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue faĂ§ade. A Local Guide will take you on a walking tour of the town and tell you the tale of the castle ruins perched overlooking the town, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. This afternoon, cruise to the attractive country resort of Grein, nestled at the foot of a bluff in the shadow of its castle. Join a Local Guide for a guided walk to admire the turreted houses on the main square. Its castle is the oldest residential castle in Austria, and its theatre, built in 1791, is Austriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest theatre. Day 4 (Wed): Linz. Included today: Guided walk. Arriving before lunch, your Local Guide will introduce you to Linz, Austria's third-largest city and an important river port. See the 13th century Hauptplatz, Austria's largest medieval square, and the Trinity Column. Alternatively, join a full-day optional excursion to Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic.

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Day 7 (Sat): Bamberg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as you cruise on the gentle Main River. This afternoon, arrive in medieval Bamberg, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guided walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall which straddles the River Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. Day 8 (Sun): WĂźrzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, WĂźrzburg is known as the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and makes an immediate impression with views of its beautiful Marienberg Fortress and 15th century Old Main Bridge. Today's guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop's Residenz, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure, perhaps join the optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg. Day 9 (Mon): Wertheim. Included today: Guided walk. Enjoy a morning at leisure on board as you cruise the picturesque Main River, reaching Wertheim in the early afternoon. Wertheim is set at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers and today's guided walk introduces the medieval town centre. Enjoy an included tasting of local specialities before time at leisure to admire locally produced blown-glass ornaments or head up to the castle overlooking the town.

RĂźdesheim

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Dürnstein

Day 10 (Tue): Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge. Included today: Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; cruise through the Rhine Gorge. Whilst in pretty Rüdesheim, a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum is included, as well as free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Afterwards, sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Day 11 (Wed): Cologne. Included today: Choice of guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included guided city walk or a 'Jewish Cologne' tour. The Old Town offers up a great choice of cafés, shops and taverns so be sure to try a Kölsch, the favourite local beer and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original 'eau de cologne'. Day 12 (Thu): Amsterdam. Included today: Canal cruise. Holland's delightful 700-year-old capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. Day 13 (Fri): Amsterdam. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Illumination, Avalon Luminary

WAV - Amsterdam to Vienna (Prices are per person) Dept. 02 May 22 May 11 Jul 29 Aug 19 Sep

Category E £3205 £3230 £3219 £3370 £3429

WVA - Vienna to Amsterdam (Prices are per person) Dept. 20 Apr 29 Jun 20 Jul 07 Sep

Category E £3169 £3269 £3219 £3429

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Luminary Illumination — £170 £625 £910 £680 £965 £855 £1135 £1475 £1930

Avalon in Cologne

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru is e s.co.uk

Magnificent Europe 15 days

Avalon Panorama Suite

R端desheim

D端rnstein

Magnificent Europe 15 days from £3345

Budapest to Amsterdam Day 1: Budapest. Fly to Budapest where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for 14 nights. This afternoon, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 2: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing, see Fisherman's Bastion. Cosmopolitan Budapest spans the banks of the Danube and is connected by seven bridges linking ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church is among the impressive sights you'll see on your included tour. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Day 3: Bratislava. Included today: Guided walk, visit St Martin's Cathedral. Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. Your guided walk with a Local Guide explores the charming Old Town with its winding cobbled streets, the old stone Town Hall and the Gothic cathedral of St Martin.

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Day 4: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will see during your tour. Shop on the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a local café. Tonight, an optional concert is available. Day 5: Durnstein - Melk. Included today: Guided walk in Dürnstein, see the Stiftskirche; guided visit of Melk's Benedictine Abbey; wine tasting. Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lies right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Continue through the Wachau Valley to Melk, whose magnificent Benedictine Abbey dominates the town and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. This evening sample some of the famous wines of the region. Day 6: Linz - Passau. Included today: Guided walk in Passau. Reaching Linz, perhaps join an optional full-day excursion to either Salzburg, to take in the popular 'Sound of Music' sights, or Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO town in the Czech Republic. This afternoon, cruise to Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube and a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk. St Stephen's Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian Baroque architecture, houses one of the world's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. Day 7: Regensburg. Included today: Guided walk. Regensburg is one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria — gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria's cultural centres. It is here you will find Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). Day 8: Nuremberg. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour; beer tasting. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on an included guided sightseeing tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. This afternoon, learn more about the fascinating Main-Danube Canal at our included on board lecture. After dinner, sample some of Germany's famous beers.

Day 9: Bamberg. Included today: Guided walk, see the Old Town Hall. Medieval Bamberg is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall, which straddles the River Regnitz and its serpentine streets with charming houses and>)(F 4HNUPMPJLU[ ,\YVWL YL] 18th century mansions. Day 10: Würzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop's Residenz. Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, Würzburg is known as the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and makes an immediate impression with views of its beautiful Marienberg Fortress and 15th century Old Main Bridge. Today's guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop's Residenz, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. Day 11: Miltenberg. Included today: Guided walk. Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village, tucked away behind medieval defensive walls and towered gates. This afternoon’s guided walk introduces the town’s delightful Marktplatz, Haus zum Riesen (the Giant’s House) - one of the oldest inns in Germany, and the splendid Gothic Merchant Hall. Day 12: Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge. Included today: Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; cruise through the Rhine Gorge. Whilst in pretty Rüdesheim, a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum is included, as well as free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Afterwards, sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Day 13: Cologne. Included today: Choice of guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany's largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included guided city walk or a 'Jewish Cologne' tour. The Old Town offers up a great choice of cafés, shops and taverns so be sure to try a Kölsch, the favourite local beer and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original 'eau de cologne'. Day 14: Amsterdam. Included today: Canal cruise. Holland's delightful 700-year-old capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. Day 15: Amsterdam. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

• All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

History & Politics Theme Cruise The 23rd July departure is offered as an exclusive European History & Politics Cruise and includes special lectures at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Magnificent Europe 15 days from £3120

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Amsterdam to Budapest

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Day 2: Amsterdam. Included today: Canal cruise. Holland's capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700 year old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés and restaurants, and lively marketplace has a distinct ambience. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. After your included canal cruise, your ship sets sail for Cologne.

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Day 4: Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim. Included today: Cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Sail the dramatic Rhine Gorge and pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. In Rüdesheim, visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and enjoy free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Day 5: Miltenberg. Included today: Guided walk. Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village, tucked away behind medieval defensive walls and towered gates. This afternoon's guided walk introduces the town's delightful Marktplatz, Haus zum Riesen (the Giant's House) - one of the oldest inns in Germany, and the splendid Gothic Merchant Hall. Day 6: Würzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop's Residenz. Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, Würzburg is known as the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and makes an immediate impression with views of its beautiful Marienberg Fortress and 15th century Old Main Bridge. Today's guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop's Residenz, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. Day 7: Bamberg. Included today: Guided walk, see the Old Town Hall; beer tasting. Medieval Bamberg is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour takes in its breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall, which straddles the River Regnitz, and its serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. Before dinner, sample some of Germany's famous beers. Day 8: Nuremberg. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour; beer tasting. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on an included guided tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. This afternoon, learn more about the fascinating Main-Danube Canal at our included on board lecture.

The Rhine River 48

Day 9: Regensburg. Included today: Guided walk. Regensburg is one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria — gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of >)(F 4HNUPMPJLU[ ,\YVWL YL] Bavaria's cultural centres. It is here you will find Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). Day 10: Passau - Linz. Included today: Guided walk in Passau. Ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk. St Stephen's Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian Baroque architecture, houses one of the world's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. This afternoon, cruise to Linz. Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to either Salzburg, to take in the popular 'Sound of Music' sights, or Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO town in the Czech Republic. Day 11: Melk - Durnstein. Included today: Guided visit of Melk's Benedictine Abbey; Guided walk in Dürnstein, see the Stiftskirche. A day of charming towns and lovely scenery awaits you today. This morning's guided visit explores Melk's magnificent 11th century Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest monasteries. Next, head to the heart of the Wachau wine region and to Dürnstein, known for its baroque blue Stiftskirche. Above the town are the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. This evening, set sail for Vienna.

Budapest

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

Avalon Vista on the Rhine

Day 12: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Vienna, known as the 'City of Music', inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna is a showcase of gilded architecture. See the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on a guided tour. Shop on the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a local café. Tonight, an optional concert is available. Day 13: Bratislava. Included today: Guided walk, visit St Martin's Cathedral. Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. Your guided walk with a Local Guide explores the charming Old Town with its winding cobbled streets, the old stone Town Hall and the Gothic cathedral of St Martin. Day 14: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing, see Fisherman's Bastion. Cosmopolitan Budapest spans the banks of the Danube and is connected by seven bridges linking ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church is among the impressive sights you'll see on your included tour. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. Day 15: Budapest. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 14 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Impression, Avalon Expression, Avalon Panorama, Avalon Vista, Avalon Illumination, Avalon Affinity

WAB - Amsterdam to Budapest (Prices are per person) Dept. 23 Apr 07, 14, 28 May 04, 18, 25 Jun 09, 16 Jul 01, 06, 13, 20 Aug 03 Sep 10 Sep 17 Sep 24 Sep *15 Oct **21 Dec * Music Themed Cruise ** Festive Themed Cruise

Category E £3619 £3789 £3799 £3739 £3735 £3985 £4015 £3965 £3985 £3449 £3120

WBA - Budapest to Amsterdam (Prices are per person) Dept. Category E 30 Apr £3649 09, 14, 21 May £3789 04, 11 Jun £3799 25 Jun £3775 02, *23, 30 Jul £3740 06, 15 Aug £3735 03 Sep £3845 10 Sep £4015 23 Sep £3939 01 Oct £3835 08 Oct £3649 10 Oct £3620 22 Oct £3345 * European History & Politics Themed Cruise

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Affinity — £685 £749 £935 £1625

All other ships £189 £999 £1065 £1249 £2125

Prices are based on 2 people sharing, flying from London Heathrow with British Airways. Regional flights from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich are available, please call for prices. For sole occupancy prices, pre- or post- hotel nights prices or prices without flights, please contact our Avalon Specialists on 0808 115 2927. Prices are subject to availability and may also be subject to change. However, the correct price will always be confirmed at the time of booking - see paragraph 2 of the Booking Conditions for further information.

Music Theme Cruise

Festive Time Cruise

The 15th October departure is offered as an exclusive Music Cruise and includes special concerts and performances at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

The 21st December departure is offered as an exclusive Festive Time Cruise and includes special holiday features at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Highlights of Germany 13 days

Neuschwanstein Castle

Munich

Highlights of Germany 13 days from £3055

1 Overnight stays

GERMANY

Munich to Zürich

Mannheim Rhine Speyer Strasbourg

Basel

Day 6 (Mon): Nuremberg. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour; beer tasting. This morning, learn more about the fascinating Main-Danube Canal at our included on board lecture as you cruise towards Nuremberg. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on an included guided sightseeing tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. After dinner sample some of Germany's famous beers. Day 7 (Tue): Bamberg - Kitzingen. Included today: Guided walk in Bamberg; guided sightseeing Kitzingen. Medieval Bamberg is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guided walking tour takes in its Romanesque cathedral, the Old Town Hall which straddles the River Regnitz, and serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. After a local lunch, continue to Kitzingen, the centre of the wine trade in the Franconia region, where a Local Guide will show you highlights including the Town Hall and pretty market square. Day 8 (Wed): Würzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, Würzburg is known as the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and makes an immediate impression with views of its beautiful Marienberg Fortress and 15th century Old Main Bridge. Today's guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop's Residenz. This afternoon, perhaps join the optional excursion to Rothenburg.

Kitzingen Miltenberg

Heidelberg

FRANCE

Munich 3 Neuschwanstein Zürich

Nuremberg Regensburg Passau Danube

Oberammergau

SWITZERLAND

Day 3 (Fri): Munich. Included today: Excursion to Neuschwanstein & Oberammergau. This morning, drive into the garden-like landscapes of the Bavarian Alps and visit King Ludwig's fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, perched high above the village of Hohenschwangau. Continue to the town of Oberammergau, famous for its once-a-decade production of the Passion Play. After free time to admire the traditional Bavarian houses, many beautifully painted with trompe l'oeil, end your day with a visit to the smallest of King Ludwig's three castles - Linderhof Palace, inspired by Paris' Palace of Versailles.

Day 5 (Sun): Regensburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided walk this morning include the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria gates to the Roman fort built in 179AD. Enjoy a tasty included snack at Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen).

Bamberg

Main

Rüdesheim

Day 2 (Thu): Munich. Included today: Guided sightseeing, see the Marienplatz. Munich is the capital of Bavaria and this morning, a Local Guide will show you the highlights including Nymphenburg Palace, Marienplatz, the Old and New Town Halls, and the striking Gothic Frauenkirche. Later, enjoy free time to explore. Watch the famous Glockenspiel, visit St Peter's church or explore the Viktualienmarkt, a large and popular fresh produce market with a traditional maypole. Or, why not visit one of the many Biergartens or breweries to sample one of the Bavarian beer specialities?

Day 4 (Sat): Munich - Passau. Included today: Guided sightseeing. After a morning at leisure in Munich, drive to Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, and a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. Explore the highlights on a guided walk. Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to either Salzburg, to take in the popular 'Sound of Music' sights. This evening, in Passau, transfer to your cruise ship and meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Würzburg

Boppard

Day 1 (Wed): Munich. Fly to Munich where you will be met and transferred to the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost Hotel for three nights.

AUSTRIA

WPZ_2013 Highlights of Germany

Day 9 (Thu): Miltenberg. Included today: Guided walk. Miltenberg is a picturesque Bavarian village, tucked away behind medieval defensive walls and towered gates. This afternoon's guided walk introduces the town's delightful Marktplatz, Haus zum Riesen (the Giant's House) - one of the oldest inns in Germany, and the splendid Gothic Merchant Hall. Day 10 (Fri): Boppard - Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim. Included today: Guided walk in Boppard; cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. After breakfast, a guided walk will acquaint you with Boppard. After lunch, cruise the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river where quaint, fairytale castles stand sentry on the steep, terraced banks. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Reaching Rüdesheim, a perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town, visit the fascinating Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum before free time to explore the Drosselgasse. Day 11 (Sat): Mannheim. Excursions to Heidelberg & Speyer. Included today: Heidelberg Castle visit; Speyer guided walk. During breakfast, arrive in Mannheim. This morning, head to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany. With a Local Guide, visit the imposing castle ruins, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and see the Great Vat - the world's largest wine barrel. Rejoin your ship and cruise to Speyer, an ancient imperial city, home to an impressive Romanesque cathedral. Your tour includes a visit to the Technology Museum. Alternatively, spend a full day in Heidelberg, rejoining your ship in Speyer. Day 12 (Sun): Strasbourg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Set on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both and is the capital of the Alsace region. Highlights include the Gothic Cathedral, the lovely Petite France district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg, with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available. Day 13 (Mon): Basel - Zürich. Disembark and transfer to Zürich for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Artistry II

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 9 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 3 nights in hotel, breakfast included • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

WPZ - Munich to Zürich (Prices are per person) Dept. 21 May 09 Jul 27 Aug 15 Oct

Stateroom upgrade supplements Category E £3150 £3105 £3150 £3055

(Prices are per person) Category Deck D Indigo B Sapphire A Sapphire P Royal Suite Royal

Artistry II £120 £645 £685 £805 £1365

Prices are based on 2 people sharing, flying from London Heathrow with British Airways. Regional flights from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Teesside, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich are available, please call for prices. For sole occupancy prices, pre- or post- hotel nights prices or prices without flights, please contact our Avalon Specialists on 0808 115 2927. Prices are subject to availability and may also be subject to change. However, the correct price will always be confirmed at the time of booking - see paragraph 2 of the Booking Conditions for further information.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

A Taste of the Danube 8 days

Budapest

Vienna

Melk

A Taste of the Danube 8 days from £1755

Vienna to Budapest

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Day 2: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. A showcase of gilded architecture, see the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys' Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city sightseeing tour with a local guide. In your free time, perhaps visit one of the many magnificent museums or browse through the Naschmarkt, Vienna’s main outdoor produce market for over 80 years. An optional concert is available during your stay.

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Day 3: Vienna. This morning is at leisure to perhaps stroll on the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrüdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. This afternoon, transfer to your cruise ship for three nights and meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 4: Melk - Dürnstein. Included today: Guided visit of Melk's Benedictine Abbey; see the Stiftskirche in Dürnstein. Today is dedicated to the beautiful and romantic Wachau Valley, where many excellent Austrian wines are grown and produced. This morning, visit Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, that dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. The splendour of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foot-high cupola is inspiring and the view from the abbey terrace across the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. Later, lounge on the Sky Deck with a glass of white wine as you cruise to Dürnstein, whose blue and white Baroque Stiftskirche stands right on the river bank. Above the town are the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Explore on your own or choose from a range of optional excursions. Day 5: Bratislava. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the dynamic capital of Slovakia. Sightseeing with a Local Guide will introduce you to the charming Old Town and its Town Hall, one of the oldest stone buildings in the city. Also visit the Gothic St Martin's Cathedral, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. Day 6: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica, Hungary's largest church?

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Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Affinity

WVB - Vienna to Budapest (Prices are per person) Dept. 04 May 18 Sep

Stateroom upgrade supplements Category E £1755 £1765

(Prices are per person) Category Deck B Sapphire A Sapphire P Royal Suite Royal

Affinity £175 £195 £240 £419

Day 7: Budapest. A free day to enjoy Hungary's exciting capital. Visit one of the many museums, take a walk to see some of the remaining statues from the communist era, shop at the Great Market Hall to purchase paprika and embroidery, or stroll along Vací Utca main shopping street. Day 8: Budapest. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 3 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 4 nights in hotel, breakfast included • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Avalon Vista in Dürnstein

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

A Taste of the Danube 8 days from £1709

Budapest to Vienna

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Day 1: Budapest. Fly to Budapest where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Hotel, Budapest for two nights. The rest of the day is yours to start exploring this beautiful city.

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Day 2: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica, Hungary's largest church?

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Day 3: Budapest. This morning is free for you to enjoy Hungary's exciting capital. Visit one of the many museums, take a walk to see some of the remaining statues from the communist era, shop at the Great Market Hall to purchase paprika and embroidery, or stroll along Vací Utca main shopping street. Later, transfer to your cruise ship for three nights and meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 4: Bratislava. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Relax on board this morning and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. As you cruise upriver, Hungary is on your left and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58 mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. At the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains is Bratislava, the dynamic capital of Slovakia. Your sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces the charming Old Town and its Town Hall, one of the oldest stone buildings in the city. Also visit the Gothic St Martin's Cathedral, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. Day 5: Dürnstein - Melk. Included today: Guided sightseeing. This morning your first stop is Dürnstein, set right in the heart of the romantic Wachau Valley wine region and known for its pretty baroque blue Stiftskirche. Above the town are the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Explore this picturesque town on your own or choose from a number of optional excursions. Later, lounge on the Sky Deck with a glass of white wine as you cruise to Melk. Enjoy a guided tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, that dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. The splendour of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foothigh cupola is inspiring and the view from the abbey terrace across the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. Day 6: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Disembark and transfer to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. Also known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. See the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys' Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neoRenaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. Stroll on the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrüdel in a classic Viennese coffee house.

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Your price includes: Ship: Avalon Vista, Avalon Affinity

WBV - Budapest to Vienna (Prices are per person) Dept. 15 Sep 10 Nov

Stateroom upgrade supplements Category E £1765 £1709

(Prices are Category D B A P Suite

per person) Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Prices are subject to availability and may also be subject to change. However, the correct price will always be confirmed at the time of booking - see paragraph 2 of the Booking Conditions for further information.

Day 8: Vienna. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 3 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 4 nights in hotel, breakfast included • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music

Vista £59 £259 £269 £305 £465

Day 7: Vienna. A full day at leisure in this fascinating city. Perhaps visit one of the magnificent museums, stately Schönbrunn Palace, or opt for an optional outing to the Vienna Woods.

• All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Affinity — £175 £195 £240 £419

Avalon Vista in Bratislava

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

Avalon Vista Royal Suite

D端rnstein

Austrian Highlights & Bavaria 9 days

Vienna

Linderhof Castle

Munich

Austrian Highlights & Bavaria 9 days from £2169

Vienna to Munich

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Day 1 (Mon): Vienna. Fly to Vienna where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for five nights. Meet your crew at a welcome reception.

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Day 2 (Tue): Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. A showcase of gilded architecture, see the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys' Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city sightseeing tour with a local guide. Later, perhaps stroll on the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrüdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. An optional concert is available during your stay. Day 3 (Wed): Dürnstein - Melk. Included today: Guided walk in Dürnstein; choice of guided visit to Melk's Benedictine Abbey or Schallaburg Castle; wine tasting. This morning your first stop is Dürnstein, set right in the heart of the romantic Wachau Valley wine region and known for its pretty baroque blue Stiftskirche. Above the town are the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Explore this picturesque town on your own or join an optional excursion. During lunch, cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley to Melk. Enjoy a guided tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, that dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The splendour of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foot-high cupola is inspiring and the view from the abbey terrace across the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. Alternatively, visit Schallaburg Castle, built as a defensive stronghold 900 years ago, but was later redesigned as a lavish princely home. This evening you'll have the chance to sample some of the region's famous wines. Day 4 (Thu): Grein - Linz. Included today: Guided walk in Grein. This morning, arrive in the attractive country resort of Grein, nestled at the foot of a bluff and overlooked by its castle. Take a guided walk through the town and visit the unique historical theatre, the oldest in Austria. A behind-the-scenes look to learn about the curiosities of this Rococo-style theatre will tell you much about life as it was, and is now, in this small town. Alternatively, a choice of optional excursions is on offer. This afternoon, cruise to Linz, Austria's third-largest city and an important river port. Culture is an important part of life in Linz; the composer Anton Bruckner lived here and Mozart's Linzer Symphony was composed in the city. Enjoy free time to explore independently. Day 5 (Fri): Linz - Passau. Included today: Guided walk in Passau. Today, relax on board as you cruise towards Passau. Ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk including St Stephen's Cathedral, home to one of the world's largest church organs with more than 17,000 pipes. Day 6 (Sat): Passau - Munich. Disembark this morning and drive to Munich, capital of Bavaria, where you will be transferred to the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost for three nights. The afternoon is free to explore at leisure or perhaps join the optional excursion to Salzburg. Day 7 (Sun): Munich. Included today: Guided sightseeing, see the Marienplatz. This morning, a Local Guide will show you the highlights including Nymphenburg Palace, Marienplatz, the Old and New Town Halls, and the striking Gothic Frauenkirche. Later, enjoy free time to explore. Watch the famous Glockenspiel, visit St Peter's church or explore the Viktualienmarkt, a large and popular fresh produce market with a traditional

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 5 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 3 nights in hotel, breakfast included • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

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maypole. Or, why not visit one of the many Biergartens or breweries to sample one of the Bavarian beer specialities? Day 8 (Mon): Munich. Included today: Excursion to Neuschwanstein and Oberammergau. This morning, drive into the garden-like landscapes of the Bavarian Alps and visit King Ludwig's fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, perched high above the village of Hohenschwangau. Continue to the town of Oberammergau, famous for its once-a-decade production of the Passion Play. After free time to admire the traditional Bavarian houses, many beautifully painted with trompe l'oeil, end your day with a visit to the smallest of King Ludwig's three castles - Linderhof Palace, inspired by Paris' Palace of Versailles. Day 9 (Tue): Munich. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Artistry II

WVP - Vienna to Munich (Prices are per person) Dept. 19 May *07 Jul 25 Aug **13 Oct * Golf Themed Cruise ** Beer Tasting Cruise

Stateroom upgrade supplements Category E £2205 £2215 £2209 £2169

(Prices are per person) Category Deck D Indigo B Sapphire A Sapphire P Royal Suite Royal

Artistry II £69 £359 £379 £445 £759

Golf Cruise The 7th July departure is offered as an exclusive Golf Cruise and includes golf outings with tee times arranged on selected courses at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Beer Tasting Theme Cruise The 13th October departure is offered as an exclusive Beer Tasting Theme Cruise and includes onboard tastings, a brewery visit and special lectures at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Capitals of Central Europe 10 or 12 days

Budapest

Avalon in Melk

Prague

Capitals of Central Europe 12 days from ÂŁ2435

Budapest to Prague

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Day 1: Budapest. Fly to Budapest where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights.

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Day 3: Budapest. This morning is free for you to enjoy Hungary's exciting capital. Visit one of the many museums, take a walk to see some of the remaining statues from the communist era, shop at the Great Market Hall to purchase paprika and embroidery, or stroll along VacĂ Utca main shopping street. Later, transfer to your cruise ship for seven nights and meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 4: Bratislava. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Relax on board this morning and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. As you cruise upriver, Hungary is on your left and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58 mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. At the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains is Bratislava, the dynamic capital of Slovakia. Sightseeing with a Local Guide will introduce you to the charming Old Town and its Town Hall, one of the oldest stone buildings in the city. Also visit the Gothic St Martin's Cathedral, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. Day 5: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. See the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys' Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. Stroll on the KĂ¤rntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or ApfelstrĂźdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. An optional concert is available during your stay. Day 6: Vienna. This morning, the choice is yours with 'Vienna Ă la carte'. Perhaps visit one of a number of museums, such as the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) or the Schatzkammer (Treasury). The afternoon is at leisure. Day 7: Krems - Melk. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Krems and Melk. This morning, arrive in Krems at the eastern end of the Wachau Valley and explore the town with a Local Guide. In the late morning, reboard your ship and sail into the picturesque Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing DĂźrnstein and its pretty blue Baroque Stiftskirche before arriving in Melk. Enjoy a guided tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, that dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. The splendour of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foot-high cupola is inspiring and the view from the abbey terrace across the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. This evening you'll be able to sample some of the region's famous wines.

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Day 8: Grein - Linz. Included today: Guided walk in Grein. This morning, arrive in the attractive country resort of Grein, nestled at the foot of a bluff and overlooked by its castle. Take a guided walk through the town and visit the unique historical theatre, the oldest in Austria. A behind-the-scenes look to learn about the curiosities of this Rococo-style theatre will tell you much about life as it was, and is now, in this small town. This afternoon, cruise to Linz, Austria's third-largest city and an important river port. Culture is an important part of life in Linz; the composer Anton Bruckner lived here and Mozart's Linzer Symphony was composed in the city. Alternatively, join a full day optional excursion to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, rejoining your ship in Linz. Day 9: Linz - Passau. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Passau. Today, relax on board as you cruise towards Passau. Ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk including St Stephen's Cathedral, home to one of the world's largest church organs with more than 17,000 pipes. Day 10: Passau - Prague. Disembark after breakfast and drive to Prague, the 'Golden City' for two nights at the InterContinental Hotel, Prague. Day 11: Prague. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Prague is a 1,200 year old city preserved in time. Straddling the Vltava River, its domes, cupolas, spires and pinnacles create a fairytale-like skyline. See its best-known treasures on a guided walking tour, including the Old Town's astronomical clock, Hradcany Castle grounds, St Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books, mingle with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll beside the Vltava River. Day 12: Prague. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your Avalon cruise includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 7 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation, 4 nights in hotel, breakfast included â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Krems

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Capitals of Central Europe 10 days from ÂŁ2265

Prague to Budapest

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Day 1: Prague. Fly to Prague where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental for two nights.

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Day 2: Prague. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Prague is a 1,200 year old city preserved in time. See its best-known treasures on a guided walking tour, including the Old Town's astronomical clock, Hradcany Castle grounds, St Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books, mingle with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll alongside the Vltava River.

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Day 3: Prague - Passau. After lunch, drive to Passau, where your cruise ship is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 4: Passau - Linz. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Passau. Ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highights on a guided walk including St Stephen's Cathedral, home to one of the world's largest church organs with more than 17,000 pipes. This afternoon, set sail for Linz. Day 5: Linz - Grein. Included today: Guided walk in Grein. Linz is Austria's third-largest city and an important river port. Culture is an important part of life here; the composer Anton Bruckner lived here and Mozart's Linzer Symphony was composed in the city. Enjoy free time to explore independently. This afternoon, cruise to the attractive country resort of Grein, nestled at the foot of a bluff and overlooked by its castle. Take a guided walk through the town and visit the unique historical threatre, the oldest in Austria. A behind-the-scenes look to learn about the curiosities of this Rococostyle theatre will tell you much about life as it was, and is now, in this small town. Day 6: Melk - Krems. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Melk; guided sightseeing or Wachau Wine experience in Krems. This morning, visit Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. The splendour of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foothigh cupola is inspriring and the view from the abbey terrace across the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. Later, reboard your ship and cruise through the beautiful and romantic Wachau Valley, where many excellent Austrian wines are grown and produced. Pass DĂźrnstein and its pretty blue Baroque Stiftskirche before arriving in Krems. Explore the town with a Local Guide or alternatively, join the Wachau Wine Experience to learn firsthand how wine is so much more than just a drink. Day 7: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. See the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys' Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. Stroll on the KĂ¤rntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or ApfelstrĂźdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. An optional concert is available during your stay.

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Day 8: Bratislava. Included today: Guided sightseeing. At the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains is Bratislava, the dynamic capital of Slovakia. Sightseeing with a Local Guide will introduce you to the charming Old Town and its Town Hall, one of the oldest stone buildings in the city. Also visit the Gothic St Martin's Cathedral, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. Day 9: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica, Hungary's largest church? Day 10: Budapest. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Illumination, Avalon Impression, Avalon Panorama

WPB - Prague to Budapest (Prices are per person) Dept. 07 Apr 21 Apr 11 Jun 29 Sep

Your Avalon cruise includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 7 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation, 2 nights in hotel, breakfast included â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes 60

WBP - Budapest to Prague Category E ÂŁ2265 ÂŁ2385 ÂŁ2579 ÂŁ2589

(Prices are per person) Dept. 31 Mar 14 Apr 04 Jun 22 Sep

Category E ÂŁ2435 ÂŁ2605 ÂŁ2825 ÂŁ2855

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

All ships ÂŁ95 ÂŁ499 ÂŁ535 ÂŁ625 ÂŁ1065

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

Avalon Royal Suite

Avalon in Bratislava

Vienna

The Legendary Danube 11 days

Budapest

Vienna

Melk

The Legendary Danube 11 days from ÂŁ2265

Prague to Budapest

Day 1: Prague. Fly to Prague where you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Prague or InterContinental hotel for three nights.

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Day 3: Prague. A free day for you to explore the city at leisure. Perhaps visit the Communist Museum; sample the local plum dumplings and Pilsner; stroll along the banks of the Vltava River; discover the Jewish Quarter; or wander around Prague's medieval Old Town, dating from the 10th century. Your Cruise Director will have lots of suggestions for things to do. Day 4: Prague - Nuremberg. After lunch, drive to Nuremberg, where your cruise ship is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 5: Nuremberg. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour; beer tasting. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on an included guided sightseeing tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. This afternoon, learn more about the fascinating Main-Danube Canal at our included on board lecture. After dinner, sample some of Germany's famous beers. Day 6: Regensburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Regensburg dates back to the time of the Celts around 500BC and is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Established during the Holy Roman Empire and the only German city not bombed during WWII, Regensburg has at least 1,300 listed buildings of 'historic interest'. Architectural highlights on your guided walk this afternoon include the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to the Roman fort built in 179AD. Enjoy an included snack at Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische WurstkĂźche (Old Sausage Kitchen). Day 7: Passau - Linz. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Passau. Ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk including St Stephen's Cathedral, home to one of the world's largest church organs with more than 17,000 pipes. This afternoon, cruise to Linz. Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to either Salzburg, to take in the popular 'Sound of Music' sights, or Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO town in the Czech Republic. Day 8: Melk - Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. This morning, visit Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. The splendour of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and

>5)F ;OL 3LNLUKHY` +HU\IL 210-foot-high cupola is inspiring and the view from the abbey terrace across the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. Later, reboard your ship and cruise through the beautiful and romantic Wachau Valley, where many excellent Austrian wines are grown and produced. Pass DĂźrnstein and its pretty blue Baroque Stiftskirche and continue cruising to Vienna. An optional concert is available tonight.

Day 9: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. See the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys' Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. Stroll on the KĂ¤rntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or ApfelstrĂźdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. This afternoon, set sail for Budapest. Day 10: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica, shop at the Great Market Hall to purchase paprika and embroidery, or stroll along VacĂ Utca main shopping street. Day 11: Budapest. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. Note: Owing to planned lock maintenance on the Main-Danube Canal, this itinerary will be modified on 25th March departure and embarkation will be in Passau. Please call or see our website for details.

Your Avalon cruise includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 7 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 3 nights in hotels, breakfast included â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

DĂźrnstein

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

The Legendary Danube 11 days from £2265

Wine Theme Cruise The 2nd November departure is offered as an exclusive Wine Appreciation Theme Cruise and includes special lectures and tastings at no additional cost. Learn what to look for in a good wine or expand your varietal horizons. Visit wine villages and attend tastings where a distinguished wine authority will explain how various grape varieties are cultivated, and teach you what to look for in the good wines of the regions you cruise through. See pages 22-23 for details.

Jewish Heritage Theme Cruise The 19th October departure is offered as an exclusive Jewish Heritage Theme Cruise and includes visits to sites important to Jewish history at no additional cost. Visit the world's second largest synagogue in Budapest, the WWII Terezin ghetto, Prague's Jewish Museum & Cemetery, Regensburg's Document Museum and synagogue, the ruins beneath Neupferrplatz and more. See pages 22-23 for details. Note: Kosher foods are not available

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Vista, Avalon Expression, Avalon Panorama, Avalon Impression, Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Luminary, Avalon Illumination

WNB - Prague to Budapest (Prices are per person) Dept. †25 Mar 20 Apr 04, 11, 15, 25 May 01, 03 Jun 15, 22, 24, 26 Jun 06, 13 Jul 20, 27 Jul; 03, 07 Aug 12 Aug 17 Aug 24 Aug 31 Aug 07 Sep 18 Sep 21 Sep 30 Sep 05 Oct

Category E £2265 £2495 £2725 £2735 £2709 £2675 £2669 £2695 £2725 £2749 £2829 £2865 £2819 £2795 £2660 £2635

Dept. Category E 12 Oct £2579 *19 Oct £2545 **02 Nov £2275 † Embark Passau * Jewish Heritage Themed Cruise ** Wine Themed Cruise

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Luminary — £345 £375 £469 £815

All other ships £95 £499 £535 £625 £1065

Passau

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

Vienna

Regensburg

Balkan Discovery 10 days

Budapest

Belgrade

Pecs

Balkan Discovery 10 days from ÂŁ2415

Budapest to Bucharest Day 1 (Wed): Budapest. Fly to Budapest where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. Day 2 (Thu): Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica, Hungary's largest church?

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Day 5 (Sun): Belgrade. Included today: Guided sightseeing. This morning, there's a fascinating on board lecture to introduce the Balkan region. Reaching the Serbian capital Belgrade, set at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, a local expert will show you its main sights including St Sava, the world's largest Orthodox Church, and 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 largest and most beautiful in Belgrade. There's free time to enjoy the city centre's lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafĂŠs. Day 6 (Mon): Iron Gates Gorge. Included today: Visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site; cruise the Iron Gates Gorge. After breakfast, dock at Donji Milanovac and drive to the impressive Lepenski Vir Exhibition Centre, a rich archaeological site that also offers unique, striking views of the Danube Gorge. After lunch back on board, cruise amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in 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, which forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Day 7 (Tue): Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik. Included today: Guided sightseeing to Vidin's fortress; excursion to Belogradchik rock formations. In northwestern Bulgaria, Vidin is an important Danube port. 'Baba Vidin', the town's medieval fortress, protected the city during the Middle Ages and after centuries of gradual deterioration, has been faithfully restored to its former stature. As the only entirely preserved medieval fortress in the country, Baba Vidin is now a fortress museum and

the town's primary landmark. In the afternoon, drive to nearby Belogradchik to view the unusual natural rock formations and the fortress that makes use of this unique wonder on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains. Day 8 (Wed): Svistov - Veliko TĂ˘rnovo - Arbanassi - Rousse. Included today: Veliko TĂ˘rnovo guided sightseeing and Ethnographical Museum and Patriarch's Church in Arbanassi, or Rousse guided sightseeing. Drive from Svistov to the ancient Bulgarian former capital Veliko TĂ˘rnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home to the Royal Fortress, palaces and Patriarch's Church. The historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its Ethnographical Museum and the outstanding collection of frescoes in the Church of the Nativity. Rejoin your ship in Rousse. Alternatively, stay on board today and join a guided tour of Rousse in the afternoon. Day 9 (Thu): Oltenita - Bucharest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Disembark and drive to Bucharest, Romania's lively capital. Its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have earned it the name 'Paris of the East'. During the included tour this afternoon, enjoy a photo stop at the colossal, 6,000 room Palace of Parliament, and visit the Royal Palace, which now houses the National Art Museum and includes over 100,000 works of Romanian and European art from the 15th to the 20th centuries. There's free time to explore at leisure, perhaps stroll down Calea Victoriei, Bucharest's most historic and alluring street. Initially built in 1692, today it is lined with shops, museums, churches, restaurants, cafĂŠs, and fine houses. Transfer to the AthenĂŠe Palace Hilton for one night. Day 10 (Fri): Bucharest. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK

Extend your stay in Bucharest

â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport)

Days 1 to 9. As per Budapest to Bucharest itinerary.

â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement.

Day 10 Bucharest. Excursion to Transylvania. Head out of the city to your first stop, Bran Castle, of Dracula fame, built in 1377 and once home to Vlad the Impaler. Later, drive amidst the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit the monastery of the same name, built in memory of Mihail Cantacuzino's visit to Mount Sinai. This afternoon, head back to Bucharest.

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Your Avalon cruise includes:

â&#x20AC;˘ 6 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 3 nights in hotels, breakfast included

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Day 3 (Fri): Budapest. This morning is free for you to enjoy Hungary's exciting capital. Visit one of the many museums, take a walk to see some of the remaining statues from the communist era, shop at the Great Market Hall to purchase paprika and embroidery, or stroll along VacĂ Utca main shopping street. Later, transfer to your cruise ship for six nights and meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 4 (Sat): MohĂĄcs. Excursion to PĂŠcs. Included today: Guided sightseeing in PĂŠcs, visit underground tombs; organ concert. Cruise to MohĂĄcs this morning and after lunch, join the included excursion to PĂŠcs. Established by the Romans in the 2nd century, this was a flourishing and important town for Christianity by the 4th century. With a Local Guide, visit the early Christian Underground Tombs, many of which have splendidly decorated murals with Christian themes that are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, enjoy an organ concert.

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Day 11 Bucharest. A day to explore Bucharest at leisure. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things for to do. Day 12 Bucharest. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru i se s.co.uk

Balkan Discovery 10 days from ÂŁ2475

Bucharest to Budapest Day 1: Bucharest. Fly to Bucharest where you will be met and transferred to the AthenĂŠe Palace Hilton hotel for one night. Day 2: Bucharest - Oltenita. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included tour of Romania's lively capital this morning, enjoy a photo stop at the colossal, 6,000 room Palace of Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon, and a visit to the Royal Palace, which now houses the National Art Museum. Later, drive to Oltenita, where your cruise ship is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

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Day 5: Iron Gates Gorge. Included today: Cruise the Iron Gates Gorge; visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site. The Trajan Tablet - marking the Roman conquest of Dacia, and the Serbian fortresses of Golubac and Smederevo are impressive sights on the left bank of the Danube. The most spectacular scenery is surely 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, that forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania. This afternoon, dock at Donji Milanovac and drive to the impressive Lepenski Vir Exhibition Centre, a rich archaeological site that also offers unique, striking views of the Danube Gorge. Day 6: Belgrade. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Reaching the Serbian capital Belgrade, set at the confluence of the Danube and Sava

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Day 3: Rousse. Excursion to Veliko TĂ˘rnovo & Arbanassi. Included today: Rousse guided sightseeing; Veliko TĂ˘rnovo guided sightseeing and Ethnographical Museum and Patriarch's Church in Arbanassi. Explore Rousse on an included tour of the city with a Local Guide this morning and relax on board in the afternoon as you cruise to Svistov. Alternatively, join the included excursion to the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko TĂ˘rnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home to the Royal Fortress, palaces and Patriarch's Church. Next head to Arbanassi. Founded in the 15th century, historic Arbanassi is best known for its Bulgarian Revival architecture and 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 before rejoining your ship in Svistov. Day 4: Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik. Included today: Guided sightseeing to Vidin's fortress; excursion to Belogradchik rock formations. In northwestern Bulgaria, Vidin is an important Danube port. 'Baba Vidin', the town's medieval fortress, protected the city during the Middle Ages and after centuries of gradual deterioration, has been faithfully restored to its former stature. As the only entirely preserved medieval fortress in the country, Baba Vidin is now a fortress museum and the town's primary landmark. In the afternoon, drive to nearby Belogradchik to view the unusual natural rock formations and the fortress that makes use of this unique wonder on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains.

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Rivers, a local expert will show you its main sights including St Sava, the world's largest Orthodox Church, and 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 largest and most beautiful in Belgrade. There's free time to enjoy the city centre's lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafĂŠs. This afternoon, a fascinating on board lecture introduces the Balkan region. Day 7: MohĂĄcs. Excursion to PĂŠcs. Included today: Guided sightseeing in PĂŠcs; organ concert. Cruise to MohĂĄcs this morning and join the included excursion to PĂŠcs, Hungary's fifth-largest city. Established by the Romans in the 2nd century, this was a flourishing and important town for Christianity by the 4th century. PĂŠcs is also rich in terms of Turkish architecture and offers Turkish mosques, attractive churches, and an enjoyable atmosphere with plenty of restaurants and cafĂŠs. Later, enjoy an organ concert before returning to your ship for lunch and heading to Budapest. Day 8: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Disembark and transfer to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the

Avalon Visionary Royal Suite

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon crui se s.co.uk

Veliko Târnovo

famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica, Hungary's largest church? Day 9: Budapest. Today is free for you to enjoy Hungary's exciting capital. Visit one of the many museums, take a walk to see some of the remaining statues from the communist era, shop at the Great Market Hall to purchase paprika and embroidery, or stroll along Vací Utca main shopping street. Day 10: Budapest. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Luminary, Avalon Illumination

WBO - Budapest to Bucharest (Prices are per person) Dept. 02 Apr 11 Jun 02 Jul 20 Aug

Category E £2415 £2739 £2680 £2675

WOB - Bucharest to Budapest (Prices are per person) Dept. 23 May 01 Aug 19 Sep 10 Oct

Category E £2729 £2675 £2765 £2475

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Luminary Illumination — £80 £295 £429 £320 £455 £405 £535 £695 £909

• Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Extend your stay in Bucharest Day 1 Bucharest. Fly to Bucharest where you will be met and transferred to the Athénée Palace Hilton hotel for two nights. Day 2 Bucharest. Excursion to Transylvania. Head out of the city to your first stop, Bran Castle, of Dracula fame, built in 1377 and once home to Vlad the Impaler. Later, drive amidst the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit the monastery of the same name, built in memory of Mihail Cantacuzino's visit to Mount Sinai. This afternoon, head back to Bucharest. Day 3 Bucharest. Join up with day 1 of the Bucharest to Budapest itinerary. A free day to explore the city at leisure. Your Cruise Director can suggest things to do.

Iron Gates Gorge

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru is e s.co.uk

The Blue Danube Discovery 13 days

Wachau Valley

Vienna

Budapest

The Blue Danube Discovery 13 days from ÂŁ2585

Budapest to Prague Day 1: Budapest. Fly to Budapest where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. Day 2: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica for fantastic city views, or stroll along VacĂ Utca main shopping street?

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Day 3: Budapest. This morning is free for you to enjoy Hungary's exciting capital. Visit one of the many museums, take a walk to see some of the remaining statues from the communist era, shop at the Great Market Hall to purchase paprika and embroidery, or stroll in the Royal Palace grounds. Later, transfer to your cruise ship for seven nights and meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 4: Budapest - Vienna. Relax on board this morning and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. As you cruise upriver, Hungary is on your left and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58 mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. This evening, arrive in Vienna, Austria's capital. Known as the 'City of Music', it inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Day 5: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer. See the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys' Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. Stroll on the KĂ¤rntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or ApfelstrĂźdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. An optional concert is available during your stay. Day 6: DĂźrnstein - Melk. Included today: Guided walk in DĂźrnstein; guided sightseeing in Melk; wine tasting. This morning your first stop is DĂźrnstein, set right in the heart of the romantic Wachau Valley wine region and known for its pretty baroque blue Stiftskirche. Explore this picturesque town with a Local Guide and learn about the castle ruins overlooking the town, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Later, cruise to Melk for a guided tour of the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. The splendour of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foothigh cupola is inspiring and the view from the abbey terrace across the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking. This evening, sample some of the Wachau Valley's famous wines. Day 7: Linz - Passau. Included today: Guided walk in Passau. Reaching Linz, perhaps join an optional full-day excursion to either Salzburg, to take in the popular 'Sound of Music' sights, or Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO town in the Czech Republic. This afternoon, cruise to Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube and a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk. St Stephen's Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian Baroque architecture, houses one of the world's largest church organs with more than 17,000 pipes.

Your Avalon cruise includes:

Day 8: Regensburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing; beer tasting. Regensburg dates back to the time of the Celts around 500 BC and is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Established during the Holy Roman Empire and the only German city not bombed during WWII, Regensburg has at least 1,300 listed buildings of 'historic interest'. Architectural highlights on your guided walk this afternoon include the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to the Roman fort built in 179AD. Enjoy an >)5F ;OL )S\L +HU\IL +PZJV]LY` included snack at Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische WurstkĂźche (Old Sausage Kitchen). After dinner, sample some of Germany's famous beers. Day 9: Nuremberg. Included today: Guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour. This morning, learn more about the fascinating Main-Danube Canal at our included on board lecture as you cruise towards Nuremberg. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on an included guided sightseeing tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. Day 10: Nuremberg - Prague. After breakfast, disembark and drive, via the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest, to Prague, the 'Golden City' for three nights at the InterContinental Hotel, Prague. Day 11: Prague. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Prague is a 1,200 year old city preserved in time. See its best-known treasures on a guided walking tour, including the Old Town's astronomical clock, Hradcany Castle grounds, St Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books, mingle with the locals in Wenceslaus Square, an important meeting point and the site of famous demonstrations against the communist regime, or watch performers on Charles Bridge. Day 12: Prague. A free day for you to explore the city at leisure. Perhaps visit the Communist Museum; sample the local plum dumplings and Pilsner; stroll along the banks of the Vltava River; discover the Jewish Quarter; or wander around Prague's medieval Old Town, dating from the 10th century. Your Cruise Director will have lots of suggestions for things to do. Day 13: Prague. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 7 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 5 nights in hotels, breakfast included â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

The Blue Danube Discovery 13 days from £2585

Wine Theme Cruise The 27th October departure is offered as an exclusive Wine Appreciation Theme Cruise and includes special lectures and tastings at no additional cost. Learn what to look for in a good wine or expand your varietal horizons. Visit wine villages and attend tastings where a distinguished wine authority will explain how various grape varieties are cultivated, and teach you what to look for in the good wines of the regions you cruise through. See pages 22-23 for details.

Wellness Cruise The 14th July departure is offered as an exclusive Wellness Cruise at no additional cost. Start your mornings with onboard exercise programmes featuring stretching and yoga, attend helpful lectures on healthy lifestyles, and enjoy healthy, delicious dining options, crafted daily on board. See pages 22-23 for details.

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Impression, Avalon Expression, Avalon Panorama, Avalon Vista, Avalon Luminary, Avalon Illumination, Avalon Poetry II

WBN - Budapest to Prague (Prices are per person) Dept. 14 Apr 28 Apr 05, 19, 23, 26, 28 May 09 Jun 16, 18 Jun 30 Jun, 04, 07, *14, 21, 28 Jul 06 Aug 11 Aug 15, 18 Aug 25 Aug 01 Sep 15 Sep 24 Sep 26 Sep 29 Sep

Category E £2609 £2869 £2955 £2969 £2939 £2909 £2909 £2929 £2955 £2980 £3075 £3099 £2999 £2949 £2895

Dept. 06 Oct 13 Oct 15 Oct **27 Oct *Wellness Themed Cruise **Wine Themed Cruise

Category E £2905 £2815 £2805 £2585

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Luminary — £345 £375 £469 £815

All other ships £95 £499 £535 £625 £1065

Budapest 72

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

Prague

Passau

Nuremberg

Blue Danube to the Black Sea 14 days

Pecs

Budapest

Iron Gate Gorge

Blue Danube to the Black Sea 14 days from £3415

Vienna to Bucharest Day 1: Vienna. Fly to Vienna where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. Day 2: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. A showcase of gilded architecture, see the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys' Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city sightseeing tour with a local guide. An optional concert is available during your stay. Day 3: Vienna - Bratislava. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Drive to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, set at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Sightseeing with a Local Guide will introduce you to the charming Old Town and its Town Hall, one of the oldest stone buildings in the city. Also visit the Gothic St Martin's Cathedral, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. After your city tour, embark your ship and meet the crew at a welcome reception. Day 4: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica for fantastic city views, or stroll along Vací Utca main shopping street? Day 5: Mohács. Excursion to Pecs. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Pecs; wine tasting in Villány wine region. Admire the riverscapes as you cruise towards Mohács, on the border with Croatia. After lunch, join the included excursion to Pécs, Hungary's fifth-largest city. Established by the Romans in the 2nd century, Pécs is also rich in terms of Turkish architecture and offers Turkish mosques, churches, and plenty of restaurants and cafés. Next, visit the Villány district, where some of Hungary's best red wines are produced. During the wine tasting, learn about which varietals are grown, and why the climate and soil conditions here are ideal for the production of excellent wines. Day 6: Osijek & Vukovar. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Today, learn about the complex history of Croatia and the events that led to the Croatian War of Independence. Accompanied by local experts, explore Osijek and Vukovar, Croatia's largest river port. Located at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka Rivers, Vukovar was the scene of an 87 day siege in 1991, known as The Battle of Vukovar. This and other dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and future of this region. Day 7: Belgrade. Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress. Reaching the Serbian capital Belgrade, set at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, a local expert will show you its main sights including St Sava, the world's largest Orthodox Church, and the city's principal landmark: Kalemegdan Fortress, which showcases the history of Belgrade. There's free time to enjoy the city centre's lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. Day 8: Iron Gates Gorge. Included today: Visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site; cruise the Iron Gates Gorge. After breakfast, dock at Donji Milanovac and drive to the impressive Lepenski Vir Exhibition Centre, a rich archaeological site that also offers unique, striking views of the Danube

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 10 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 3 nights in hotels, breakfast included • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

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Gorge. After lunch back on board, cruise amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in 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, which forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Day 9: Svistov - Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi - Rousse. Included today: Veliko Târnovo guided sightseeing and Ethnographical Museum and Patriarch's Church in Arbanassi, or Rousse guided sightseeing. Drive to the ancient Bulgarian former capital Veliko Târnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home to the Royal Fortress, palaces and Patriarch's Church. The historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its Ethnographical Museum and the outstanding collection of frescoes in the Church of the Nativity. Rejoin your ship in Rousse. Alternatively, stay on board today and join a guided your of Rousse in the afternoon. Day 10: Tulcea. Today, relax on board and enjoy a tranquil morning cruising. Before lunch, learn about the fascinating Danube Delta at an on board lecture. This afternoon dock in Tulcea, the 'gateway' to the Delta. There is free time to explore the town at leisure, perhaps visiting the Delta Museum. After dinner back on board, set sail for St Gheorghe, where the Danube River flows into the Black Sea. Day 11: St Gheorghe, Danube Delta. Included today: Danube Delta excursion. Arrive in St Gheorghe early this morning. After breakfast, join an excursion by small boat into the Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site hosting over 300 species of birds and 45 species of freshwater fish. The Danube stretches 2,845km from its source in the Black Forest to its delta at the Black Sea. Km markings can be seen on the banks along the length of the river and today you can celebrate the end of the Danube's journey at 'Km 0'. Day 12: Cernavoda. Excursion to Constanta. Included today: Choice of full- or half- day excursion to Constanta; guided sightseeing and visit to Natural History & Archaeological Museum. Cernavoda lies at the western end of the 40-mile-long Black Sea Canal, a prestigious communist achievement. From here, choose either the full day or half day afternoon excursion to Constanta on the Black Sea Coast, the most important commercial centre in Romania. A Local Guide introduces highlights including the Natural History & Archaeological museum. Later visit a winery at Murfatlar. Alternatively, relax on board in the morning stay and visit Constanta in the afternoon only. Sail overnight to Oltenita. Day 13: Oltenita - Bucharest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Disembark and travel to Bucharest, Romania's lively capital. Its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have earned it the name 'Paris of the East'. During the included tour this afternoon, enjoy a photo stop at the colossal, 6,000 room Palace of Parliament, and visit the Royal Palace, which now houses the National Art Museum and includes over 100,000 works of Romanian and European art from the 15th to the 20th centuries. There's free time to explore at leisure, perhaps stroll down Calea Victoriei, Bucharest's most historic and alluring street. Initially built in 1692, today it is lined with shops, museums, churches, restaurants, cafés, and fine houses. Transfer to the Athenée Palace Hilton for one night. Day 14: Bucharest. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Blue Danube to the Black Sea 14 days from £3405

Bucharest to Vienna

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Day 2: Bucharest - Fetesti. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included tour of Romania's lively capital this morning, enjoy a photo stop at the colossal, 6,000 room Palace of Parliament and a visit to the Royal Palace, which now houses the National Art Museum and includes over 100,000 works of Romanian and European art from the 15th to the 20th centuries. Later, drive to Fetesti, where your cruise ship is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Day 5: Rousse. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi. Included today: Veliko Târnovo guided sightseeing and Ethnographical Museum and Patriarch's Church in Arbanassi, or Rousse guided sightseeing. Drive to the ancient Bulgarian former capital Veliko Târnovo. Set on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home to the Royal Fortress, palaces and Patriarch's Church. The historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its Ethnographical Museum and the outstanding collection of frescoes in the Church of the Nativity. Rejoin your ship in Svistov. Alternatively, explore Rousse on an included tour of the city with a Local Guide after breakfast and relax on board in the afternoon as you cruise to Svistov. Day 6: Iron Gates Gorge - Cetate. Included today: Cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; wine tasting in Cetate. Today, enjoy a leisurely day of sailing. At first, the river separates Romania on the right bank from Bulgaria on the left and is relatively wide. Later, it carves a path through the lower Carpathian Mountains to the north and the Balkan Mountains to the south, creating a series of four steep gorges known as the Iron Gates Gorge. Until the Iron Gates hydroelectric dam was completed in 1972, the river presented great hazards to the shipping trade. Before lunch, stop at Cetate for a tasting of excellent local wines. Day 7: Iron Gates Gorge. Excursion to Lepenski Vir Included today: Cruise the Iron Gates Gorge; visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site. More spectacular scenery as you cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge, a narrow and formerly very dangerous passage dividing Europe's Alps in the northwest from the

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Day 3: St Gheorghe - Tulcea. Included today: Danube Delta excursion; see 'Km 0'. Arrive in St Gheorghe early this morning. After breakfast, join an excursion by small boat into the Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best preserved of Europe's deltas, hosting over 300 species of birds and 45 species of freshwater fish. The Danube stretches 2,845km from its source in the Black Forest to its delta at the Black Sea. Km markings can be seen on the banks along the length of the river and today you can celebrate the end of the Danube's journey at 'Km 0'. After lunch, learn about the fascinating Danube Delta at an on board lecture. In the early evening, there's free time to enjoy Tulcea, perhaps visiting the Delta Museum. Day 4: Harsova. Excursion to Constanta. Included today: Full- or half- day excursion to Constanta; guided sightseeing; visit to Natural History & Archaeological Museum. Arrive in Harsova after breakfast. From here, choose either the full day or half day afternoon excursion to Constanta on the Black Sea Coast, the most important commercial centre in Romania. A Local Guide introduces highlights including the Natural History & Archaeological museum. Later visit a winery at Murfatlar. Alternatively, relax on board in the morning stay and visit Constanta in the afternoon only.

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Carpathians in the southeast, that forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania. This afternoon, dock at Donji Milanovac and drive to the Lepenski Vir Exhibition Centre, a rich archaeological site that also offers unique, striking views of the Danube Gorge. Day 8: Belgrade. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Reaching the Serbian capital Belgrade, set at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, a local expert will show you its main sights including St Sava, the world's largest Orthodox Church, and 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 largest and most beautiful in Belgrade. There's free time to enjoy the city centre's lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. This afternoon, a fascinating on board lecture introduces the Balkan region. Day 9: Osijek & Vukovar. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Today, learn about the complex history of Croatia and the events that led to the Croatian War of Independence. Accompanied by local experts, explore Osijek and Vukovar, Croatia's largest river port. Located at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka Rivers, Vukovar was the scene of an 87 day siege in 1991, known as The Battle of Vukovar. This and other dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and future of this region. Day 10: Mohács. Included today: Wine tasting at the Villány Wine District. Arrive in Mohács this morning, and after breakfast, an included excursion takes in the Villány district, where some of Hungary's best red wines are produced. During the wine tasting, learn about which varietals are grown, and why the climate and soil conditions here are ideal for the production of excellent wines. This afternoon, relax on board as you cruise to Budapest.

Danube Delta

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

Iron Gates Gorge

Day 11: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica for fantastic city views, or stroll along Vací Utca main shopping street? Day 12: Bratislava - Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Bratislava. This morning, disembark in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Today's sightseeing with a Local Guide will introduce you to the charming Old Town and its Town Hall, one of the oldest stone buildings in the city. Also visit the Gothic St Martin's Cathedral, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. After your city tour, drive to Vienna. An optional concert is available tonight. Day 13: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. A showcase of gilded architecture, see the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys' Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city sightseeing tour with a local guide. In your free time, perhaps stroll on the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrüdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. Day 14: Vienna. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Luminary, Avalon Illumination

WVO - Vienna to Bucharest (Prices are per person) Dept. 12 May 21 Jul 08 Sep 29 Sep

WOV - Bucharest to Vienna Category E £3449 £3465 £3515 £3415

(Prices are per person) Dept. 09 Apr 18 Jun 09 Jul 27 Aug

Category E £3405 £3465 £3465 £3459

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Luminary Illumination — £135 £490 £715 £535 £759 £669 £895 £1159 £1515

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 10 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 3 nights in hotels, breakfast included • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Bucharest

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Grand Danube Cruise 18 days

Veliko T창rnovo

Bucharest

Budapest

Grand Danube Cruise 18 days from £3385

Prague to Bucharest Day 1 (Tue): Prague. Fly to Prague where you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Prague or InterContinental hotel for three nights. Day 2 (Wed): Prague. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Your included tour takes in the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, Hradcany Castle grounds, St Vitus Cathedral and the stately Charles Bridge. Day 3 (Thu): Prague. A day at leisure.

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Day 8 (Tue): Melk - Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Visit Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. Later, cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley and pass Dürnstein and its pretty blue Baroque Stiftskirche befor reaching Vienna. An optional concert is available tonight. Day 9 (Wed): Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Known as the 'City of Music', Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. See the Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, the Vienna Opera House, and St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. This afternoon, set sail for Budapest. Day 10 (Thu): Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at leisure. Day 11 (Fri): Budapest. A day at leisure or perhaps join the optional Puszta excursion to the Great Hungarian Plain to see a Magyar equestrian show and enjoy a country lunch. Day 12 (Sat): Mohács. Excursion to Pécs. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Pécs, visit underground tombs; organ concert. Cruise to Mohács and after lunch, head to Pécs. Visit the early Christian Underground Tombs, many of which have splendidly decorated murals. Later, enjoy an organ concert. Day 13 (Sun): Belgrade. Included today: Guided sightseeing. A fascinating on board lecture introduces the Balkan region. Reaching the Serbian capital

Belgrade, set at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, a local expert will show you Kalemegdan Fortress and St Sava, the world’s largest Orthodox Church. Day 14 (Mon): Iron Gates Gorge. Included today: Visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site; cruise the Iron Gates Gorge. Dock at Donji Milanovac and drive to the impressive Lepenski Vir Exhibition Centre, a rich archaeological site that also offers unique, striking views of the Danube Gorge. After lunch back on board, cruise amongst the most spectacular scenery of the Iron Gates Gorge. Day 15 (Tue): Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik. Included today: Guided sightseeing to Vidin's fortress; excursion to Belogradchik rock formations. Vidin is an important Danube port and 'Baba Vidin', the town's medieval fortress, has been faithfully restored to its former stature. This afternoon, visit Belogradchik's unusual natural rock formations and fortress on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains. Day 16 (Wed): Svistov – Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi – Rousse. Included today: Veliko Târnovo guided sightseeing and Ethnographical Museum and Patriarch's Church in Arbanassi, or Rousse guided sightseeing. Drive to the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo. The city was a natural fortress and its oldest part, Tsarevets Hill, is home to the Royal Fortress and Patriarch’s Church. Continue to Arbanassi to visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity before meeting your ship in Rousse. Alternatively, join a guided afternoon tour of Rousse. Day 17 (Thu): Oltenita - Bucharest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Disembark and travel to Bucharest, Romania’s lively capital. During the included tour this afternoon, enjoy a photo stop at the colossal, 6,000 room Palace of Parliament, and visit the Royal Palace, which now houses the National Art Museum. Day 18 (Fri) Bucharest. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. Note: Owing to planned lock maintenance on the Main-Danube Canal, this itinerary will be modified on 25th March departure and embarkation will be in Passau. Please call or see our website for details.

• Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport)

Days 1 to 17. As per Prague to Bucharest itinerary.

• Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement.

Day 18 Bucharest. Excursion to Transylvania. Head out of the city to your first stop, Bran Castle, of Dracula fame, built in 1377 and once home to Vlad the Impaler. Later, drive amidst the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit the monastery of the same name, built in memory of Mihail Cantacuzino's visit to Mount Sinai. This afternoon, head back to Bucharest.

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Extend your stay in Bucharest

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• 13 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 4 nights in hotels, breakfast included

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Day 5 (Sat): Nuremberg. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour; beer tasting. Marvel at Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on a guided city tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. Enjoy a fascinating on board lecture. After dinner, sample some of Germany's famous beers.

Day 7 (Mon): Passau - Linz. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Passau. Set at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk including St Stephen's Cathedral. This afternoon, cruise to Linz. Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to either Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov.

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Day 6 (Sun): Regensburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your tour include the charming Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria Roman gates. Also enjoy an included snack at Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen).

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Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Grand Danube Cruise 18 days from ÂŁ3755

Bucharest to Prague

Day 1: Bucharest. Fly to Bucharest where you will be met and transferred to the AthenĂŠe Palace Hilton hotel for one night. Day 2: Bucharest - Oltenita. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included tour of Romania's lively capital this morning, enjoy a photo stop at the colossal, 6,000 room Palace of Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon, and a visit to the Royal Palace, which now houses the National Art Museum. Later, drive to Oltenita, where your cruise ship is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Day 7: MohĂĄcs. Excursion to PĂŠcs. Included today: Guided sightseeing in PĂŠcs; organ concert. Cruise to MohĂĄcs this morning and join the included excursion to PĂŠcs, Hungary's fifth-largest city. Established by the Romans in the 2nd century, this was a flourishing and important town for Christianity by the 4th century. PĂŠcs is also rich in terms of Turkish architecture and offers Turkish mosques, attractive churches, and an enjoyable atmosphere with plenty of restaurants and cafĂŠs. Later, enjoy an organ concert before returning to your ship for lunch and heading to Budapest. Day 8: Budapest. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Disembark and transfer to the InterContinental Hotel for two nights. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's liveliest cities. Today's guided city tour

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Day 6: Belgrade. Included today: Guided sightseeing. A fascinating on board lecture introduces the Balkan region. Reaching the Serbian capital Belgrade, set at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, a local expert will show you Kalemegdan Fortress and St Sava, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest Orthodox Church.

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Day 3: Rousse. Excursion to Veliko TĂ˘rnovo & Arbanassi. Included today: Rousse guided sightseeing; Veliko TĂ˘rnovo guided sightseeing and Ethnographical Museum and Patriarch's Church in Arbanassi. Drive to the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko TĂ˘rnovo. The city was a natural fortress and its oldest part, Tsarevets Hill, is home to the Royal Fortress and Patriarchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church. Continue to Arbanassi to visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity before meeting your ship in Rousse. Alternatively, join a guided morning tour of Rousse and relax on board as you cruise to Svistov during the afternoon.

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takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or why not visit St Stephen's Basilica, Hungary's largest church? Day 9: Budapest - Vienna. Relax on board this morning and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. As you cruise upriver, Hungary is on your left and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58 mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. This evening, arrive in Vienna, Austria's capital. Known as the 'City of Music', it inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Day 10: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer. See the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, the Vienna Opera House and St Stephen's Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. An optional concert is available during your stay. Day 11: DĂźrnstein - Melk. Included today: Guided walk in DĂźrnstein; guided sightseeing in Melk; wine tasting. This morning your first stop is DĂźrnstein, set right in the heart of the Wachau Valley wine region and known for its pretty baroque blue Stiftskirche. Explore this picturesque town with a Local Guide and learn about the castle ruins overlooking the town, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Later, cruise to Melk for a guided tour of the Benedictine

DĂźrnstein

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Belgrade

Abbey, which dominates the town from its commanding hilltop site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. This evening, sample some of the Wachau Valley's famous wines. Day 12: Linz - Passau. Included today: Guided walk in Passau. Reaching Linz, perhaps join an optional full-day excursion to either Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov. This afternoon, cruise to Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube and a city of graceful arcades and beautiful patrician houses. Explore the highlights on a guided walk including St Stephen's Cathedral. Day 13: Regensburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing; beer tasting. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your tour include the charming Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria Roman gates. Also enjoy an included snack at Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12th century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). After dinner, sample some of Germany's famous beers. Day 14: Nuremberg. Included today: Guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour. Marvel at Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses on a guided city tour or perhaps join the more specialised 'Nuremberg Trials' tour. Enjoy a fascinating on board lecture. Day 15: Nuremberg - Prague. After breakfast, disembark and drive, via the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest, to Prague for three nights at the InterContinental Hotel or Hilton Prague. Day 16: Prague. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Your included tour takes in the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, Hradcany Castle grounds, St Vitus Cathedral and the stately Charles Bridge. Day 17: Prague. A day at leisure. Day 18: Prague. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Luminary, Avalon Illumination

WNO - Prague to Bucharest (Prices are per person) Dept. †25 Mar 03 Jun 24 Jun 12 Aug † Embark Passau

Category E £3385 £4125 £4045 £4035

WON - Bucharest to Prague (Prices are per person) Dept. 23 May 01 Aug 19 Sep 10 Oct

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Luminary Illumination — £175 £639 £929 £695 £985 £869 £1159 £1509 £1975

Your Avalon cruise includes:

Extend your stay in Bucharest

• Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport)

Day 1 Bucharest. Fly to Bucharest where you will be met and transferred to the Athénée Palace Hilton hotel for two nights.

• Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. • 13 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 4 nights in hotels, breakfast included • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Category E £4115 £4009 £4235 £3755

Day 2 Bucharest. Excursion to Transylvania. Head out of the city to your first stop, Bran Castle, of Dracula fame, built in 1377 and once home to Vlad the Impaler. Later, drive amidst the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit the monastery of the same name, built in memory of Mihail Cantacuzino's visit to Mount Sinai. This afternoon, head back to Bucharest. Day 3 Bucharest. Join up with day 1 of the Bucharest to Prague itinerary. A free day to explore the city at leisure. Your Cruise Director can suggest things to do.

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Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches 8 days

Paris

Rouen

Giverny

Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches 8 days from ÂŁ1899 Paris to Paris Day 1 (Tue): Paris. Travel to Paris where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for seven nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 2 (Wed): Vernon. Included today: Choice of excursion to Giverny or Bizy Castle; pastry demonstration. This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet's house and stunning gardens at Giverny or a visit to Bizy Castle. Claude Monet lived at Giverny for almost 43 years. See his collection of Japanese prints, his charming house, and his biggest sources of inspiration including the lily pond and Japanese Bridge. Alternatively, visit Bizy Castle, built in 1740 and nicknamed 'Normandy's Versailles'. It is known for its famous stable, magnificent courtyard and water garden. Later, there's time to discover delightful Vernon at leisure or alternatively, join a pastry demonstration on board. Late this afternoon, set sail for Rouen. Day 3 (Thu): Rouen. Included today: Guided walk. This morning, arrive in Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy. An important commercial city, Rouen is perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned and was later burned at the stake here. Join the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses and the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock dating back to the 16th century. The splendid Gothic cathedral was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet's paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore at leisure, or perhaps join the optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur. Later, learn more about the area at an included lecture on board before a Normandy dinner featuring regional specialities. Day 4 (Fri): Rouen. Included today: Choice of excursion to Normandy Landing Beaches or A Taste of Normandy tour; see the Bayeux Tapestry. Today, choose between an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches, visiting some of the most poignant sights of World War II such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument and the American Cemetery, or a 'Taste of Normandy' tour for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important produce include dairy, apples and grain. Camembert cheese is a speciality, as is Calvadosa, a strong apple brandy that you'll have the chance to taste at a local distillery. For a touch of history, visit the famous Bayeux Tapestry before setting sail for Les Andelys. Day 5 (Sat): Les Andelys - Conflans. Included today: Choose a guided walk with a visit to the Grand Andelys Church or visit ChĂ˘teau Gaillard. This morning, cruise into Les Andelys, situated on a bend of the Seine and one of the most beautiful places in France. Today, you can choose to join a guided walk, including a visit to the Grand Andelys Church, or head to the imposing ChĂ˘teau Gaillard. Built by Richard the Lionheart in 1196, fearing an attack from France's king, the chĂ˘teau fortress was constructed in just one year and is truly a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture. This evening, depart for Conflans.

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Day 6 (Sun): Conflans - Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Auvers-sur-Oise or ChĂ˘teau de Malmaison. After breakfast, why not join either our guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or visit Napoleon and Josephine's ChĂ˘teau de Malmaison just outside Paris? Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it 'the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation'. This evening, cruise to Paris. Day 7 (Mon): Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included city sightseeing tour of Paris, see the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its contrasting modern glass pyramid and striking Renaissance architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age. In your free time, perhaps stroll the ChampsElysĂŠes, visit the world-famous Louvre or head to Montmartre to enjoy its gleaming white SacrĂŠ Coeur Basilica and bevy of artists on the Place du Tertre. The city is well known for its vibrant nightlife including some of the world's most famous cabarets. Day 8 (Tue): Paris. Disembark and transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK.

Normandy Landing Beach

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Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches 8 days from £1899

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow or Eurostar. Regional flights at a supplement. • 7 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

President's Cruise Join the President of Avalon Waterways on our 1st April departure. Enjoy exclusive highlights, special excursions and a President's Gala Dinner at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

World War I History Cruise The 22nd July departure is offered as an exclusive World War I History Cruise at no additional cost and focuses on 'the Great War'. Visits to some of Europe's most famous war sites are included and you can learn little known facts at fascinating on board lectures. See pages 22-23 for details.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Creativity

WPP - Paris to Paris (Prices are per person) Dept. 25 Mar *01, 08 Apr 15 Apr 22 Apr 29 Apr 06 May 13, 20, 27 May 03, 10, 17 Jun 24 Jun 01, 08, 15, **22, 29 Jul 05, ***12, 19 Aug 26 Aug 02, 09, 16 Sep 23 Sep 30 Sep 07 Oct

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category Deck B Sapphire A Sapphire P Royal Suite Royal

Creativity £345 £375 £469 £815

Art & Impressionist Cruise The 12th August departure is offered as an exclusive Art & Impressionist cruise at no additional cost. Experience scenic northern France and explore Paris' Musee d'Orsay, Château d'Auvers in Auvers-sur-Oise, and Rouen's cathedral. Also visit Montmartre's Place du Tertre, the Musée des Beaux-Arts André Malraux in Le Havre, and attend on board art lectures by a local art expert. See pages 22-23 for details.

The 28th October departure is offered as an exclusive Culinary Cruise at no additional cost. Enter a food-lover's paradise in northern France. An expert chef will inspire you with regional specialities and food preparation tips. There'll be cider and wine tastings, visits to a distillery and a cheese farm and you'll also get easy-to-make recipes. See pages 22-23 for details.

Dept. Category E 14 Oct £2149 21 Oct £2085 ****28 Oct £1955 * President's Cruise ** WWI History Themed Cruise *** Art & Impressionist Themed Cruise **** Culinary Themed Cruise

Culinary Cruise

Les Andelys

Category E £1899 £1989 £2085 £2205 £2285 £2345 £2399 £2409 £2275 £2245 £2239 £2345 £2449 £2409 £2285 £2205

Avalon Creativity Suite

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Avalon Creativity on the Seine

Paris

Avalon Lounge

Burgundy & Provence 11 days

Paris

Burgundy vineyard

Beaune

Burgundy & Provence 11 days from ÂŁ2430

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CĂ´te d'Azur to Paris Day 1 (Mon): CĂ´te d'Azur. Travel to Nice where you will be met and transferred to the CĂ´te d'Azur for one night at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo.

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Day 3 (Wed): Arles - Camargue Region. Included today: Arles guided sightseeing. On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of Provence and was once known as the 'Little Rome of Gaul'. Your guided tour takes in the church of St Trophime and visits the Roman Amphitheatre. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the beauty of Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. This evening, set sail from Arles toward Port St Louis on the mouth of the RhĂ´ne for a unique opportunity to experience the tranquil vistas of Camargue National Park.

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Day 4 (Thu): Camargue Region - Avignon. Included today: Avignon guided sightseeing. Arrive in Avignon this morning during breakfast. The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region and one of the most picturesque regions of Provence. Dominated by the grandiose Palace of the Popes, the city is often referred to as the 'City of Popes' and was the centre of the Catholic Church in the 14th century. During the guided tour, you can choose to join an included visit to Palace of the Popes or you may opt for further city sightseeing and either time at leisure or one of the optional excursions to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of ChĂ˘teauneuf-du-Pape.

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Day 5 (Fri): Cruising - Viviers. Included today: Viviers guided walk. A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you cruise. After lunch, join your Local Guide for a walk in the charming town of Viviers, which was developed around its Romanesque cathedral. The old town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman and medieval influences.

visit to a wine cellar. A short cruise takes you to Tournus. Be sure to visit the abbey of St Philibert, which dates back to the 10th century and is a superb example of Romanesque architecture, and view its recently uncovered zodiac floor mosaic. Before dinner, arrive in >3*F )\YN\UK` 7YV]LUJL YL] Chalon-sur-SaĂ´ne.

Day 6 (Sat): Tournon & Tain l'Hermitage - Vienne. Included today: Guided walks in Tournon and Vienne; on board chocolate tasting. The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the RhĂ´ne River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France's oldest medieval cities. Enjoy a walking tour before setting sail for Vienne. As you cruise, chocolate lovers can enjoy an included on board chocolate tasting before reaching Vienne, another charming little town surrounded by steep hills. Explore the town centre on a guided walk to see the Roman Theatre and the Augustus and Livia Temple, built around 20 BC and converted into a church in the Middle Ages.

Day 9 (Tue): Chalon-sur-SaĂ´ne - Beaune - Dijon - Paris. Included today: Visit HĂ´tel Dieu or sample Burgundy wines. After breakfast, disembark your cruise ship and drive to Beaune, the unofficial capital of the CĂ´te d'Or area and Burgundy's wine capital. Although life here centres around wine, Beaune offers much more with its ramparts, medieval houses, cobblestone streets, and historical monuments. Today, choose between an included excursion to HĂ´tel Dieu charity hospital, the area's most famous historical site which now houses Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement, or an included tasting of Burgundy wines. After lunch, continue to Dijon and board the TGV to Paris and the Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel for two nights.

Day 7 (Sun): Lyon. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Lyon is France's second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43BC, the city's prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial and industrial activities. Today Lyon offers up a wealth of Roman ruins, excellent museums and Renaissance architecture. With a Local Guide, survey the city from FourviĂ¨re Hill and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways and Place des Terreaux, a popular area with a famous fountain. Be sure to sample Beaujolais, the wine of the region. Before dinner tonight, attend an onboard lecture and learn more about French culture.

Day 10 (Wed): Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included city sightseeing tour of Paris, see the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its contrasting modern glass pyramid and striking Renaissance architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age. In your free time, perhaps stroll the ChampsElysĂŠes or head to Montmartre to enjoy its gleaming white SacrĂŠ Coeur Basilica and bevy of artists on the Place du Tertre. The city is well known for its vibrant nightlife including some of the world's most famous cabarets. Day 11 (Thu): Paris. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK.

Day 8 (Mon): MĂ˘con - Tournus - Chalon-sur-SaĂ´ne. Wake up this morning in MĂ˘con on the SaĂ´ne River, a city that plays an important role in the wine trade. From here, there's a choice of optional excursions available including a

Jazz Music Theme Cruise The 30th June departure is offered as an exclusive Jazz Music Theme Cruise and includes a visit to the annual Jazz Festival in Vienne at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Your Avalon cruise includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow or Eurostar. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 7 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 3 nights in hotels, breakfast included â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Lyon

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Burgundy & Provence 11 days from ÂŁ2509

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Paris to CĂ´te d'Azur Day 1 (Sun): Paris. Travel to Paris where you will be met and transferred to Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel for two nights.

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Day 5 (Thu): Beaujolais region - Lyon. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Lyon is France's second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43BC, the city's prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial and industrial activities. Today Lyon offers up a wealth of Roman ruins, excellent museums and Renaissance architecture. With a local guide, survey the city from FourviĂ¨re Hill and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways and Place des Terreaux, a popular area with a famous fountain. Be sure to sample Beaujolais, the wine of the region. Before dinner tonight, attend an onboard lecture and learn more about French culture. Day 6 (Fri): Lyon. Enjoy a free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Perhaps wander through one of Lyon's parks, discover some of the murals or take an optional biking tour. Be sure to taste the

Burgundy

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gastronomic delights and sample Beaujolais, the wine of the region; wine connoisseurs know that the grapes must be hand picked. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. >*(F )\YN\UK` 7YV]LUJL Day 7 (Sat): Tournon & Tain l'Hermitage - Viviers. Included today: Guided walks in Tournon and Vienne; on board chocolate tasting. The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the RhĂ´ne River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France's oldest medieval cities. Enjoy a walking tour before setting sail for Viviers. As you cruise, chocolate lovers can enjoy an included on board chocolate tasting. Reaching Viviers, an included guided walk introduces you to this charming town, developed around its Romanesque Cathedral. The Old Town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.

Day 8 (Sun): Avignon. Included today: Avignon guided sightseeing. The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region and one of the most picturesque regions of Provence. Dominated by the grandiose Palace of the Popes, the city is often referred to as the 'City of Popes' and was the centre of the Catholic Church in the 14th century. During the guided tour, you can choose to join an included visit to the Palace of the Popes or you may opt for further city sightseeing and either time at leisure or one of the optional excursions to Pont du Gard or to the wine cellars of ChĂ˘teauneuf-du-Pape.

Lyon

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Avalon Scenery on the Rhône

Day 9 (Mon): Camargue - Arles. Included today: Arles guided sightseeing. Reaching Port St Louis at the mouth of the Rhône this morning, if you are an early riser, you can watch the sun rise over the beautiful Camargue. In Arles, located on the northern tip of the Camargue and once known as the 'Little Rome of Gaul', a Local Guide will show you highlights of the city including the Roman Amphitheatre. Alternatively, you may take the included sightseeing tour in the afternoon. This afternoon, there is free time to relax, or join an optional excursion. Day 10 (Tue): Arles - Côte d'Azur. After breakfast, disembark your cruise ship and drive along the Côte d'Azur to the Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo. Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d'Azur stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border. Day 11 (Wed): Côte d'Azur. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK.

Your holiday prices: Ship: Avalon Scenery

WCA - Paris to Côte d'Azur (Prices are per person) Dept. 30 Mar 13 Apr 27 Apr 11, 25 May 08 Jun 22 Jun 06, 20 Jul 03, 17 Aug 31 Aug 14 Sep 28 Sep 12 Oct *26 Oct * Wine Themed Cruise

WAC - Côte d'Azur to Paris Category E £2509 £2675 £2825 £2965 £2985 £2955 £2859 £2855 £2999 £3005 £2905 £2755 £2525

Wine Theme Cruise The 26th October departure is offered as an exclusive Wine Appreciation Theme Cruise and includes special lectures and tastings at no additional cost. Learn what to look for in a good wine or expand your varietal horizons. Visit wine villages and attend tastings where a distinguished wine authority will explain how various grape varieties are cultivated, and teach you what to look for in the good wines of the regions you sail through. See pages 22-23 for details.

(Prices are per person) Dept. 24 Mar 07 Apr 21 Apr 05 May 19 May 02, 16 Jun *30 Jun 14, 28 Jul 11 Aug 25 Aug 08 Sep 22 Sep 06 Oct 20 Oct * Jazz Themed Cruise

Category E £2430 £2549 £2749 £2909 £2965 £2985 £2865 £2859 £2855 £2945 £3009 £2975 £2799 £2629

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category Deck B Sapphire A Sapphire P Royal Suite Royal

Scenery £345 £375 £469 £815

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Grand France 16 days

Paris

Tournus

M창con

Grand France 16 days from ÂŁ3535

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Paris to CĂ´te d'Azur Day 1 (Tue): Paris. Travel to Paris where you will be met and transferred to Avalon Creativity for seven nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 2 (Wed): Vernon. Included today: Choice of excursion to Giverny or Bizy Castle; pastry demonstration. Choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet's house and gardens at Giverny or a visit to Bizy Castle. See Monet's collection of Japanese prints, his charming house, and his biggest sources of inspiration including the lily pond and Japanese Bridge. Alternatively, visit Bizy Castle, known for its famous stable, magnificent courtyard and water garden. Later, explore Vernon at leisure or alternatively or join a pastry demonstration on board.

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Day 5 (Sat): Les Andelys - Conflans. Included today: Choose a guided walk with a visit to the Grand Andelys Church or visit ChĂ˘teau Gaillard. This morning, cruise into Les Andelys, situated on a bend of the Seine and one of the most beautiful places in France. Today, join a guided sightseeing tour or head to the imposing ChĂ˘teau Gaillard, a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture. Day 6 (Sun): Conflans - Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Auvers-sur-Oise or ChĂ˘teau de Malmaison. After breakfast, join either our guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or visit Napoleon and Josephine's ChĂ˘teau de Malmaison just outside Paris. This evening, cruise to Paris. Day 7 (Mon): Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included city sightseeing tour of Paris, see the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its contrasting modern glass pyramid and striking Renaissance architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age. Later, there's free time to explore at leisure. Day 8 (Tue): Paris - Dijon - Beaune - Chalon-sur-SaĂ´ne - Tournus. Included today: Visit HĂ´tel Dieu or sample Burgundy wines. After breakfast disembark Avalon Creativity and board the TGV train to Dijon. From there, drive to Beaune. Although life here centres around wine, Beaune offers much more. Today, choose between an included excursion to HĂ´tel Dieu charity hospital or an included tasting of Burgundy wines. Later, head south to Chalon-sur-SaĂ´ne to board Avalon Scenery. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception and set sail for Tournus. Day 9 (Wed): Tournus - MĂ˘con. Included today: Guided sightseeing. After breakfast, a Local Guide introduces the highlights of Tournus, a delightful town tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy. Be sure to visit the 10th century Abbey of St Philibert, which is a superb example of Romanesque architecture. After lunch cruise

Your Avalon cruise includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow or Eurostar. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 14 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 1 night in hotel, breakfast included â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

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to MĂ˘con. A choice of optional excursions is available, including a visit to a wine cellar. Day 10 (Thu): Beaujolais region - Lyon. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Lyon is France's second-largest city and offers up a wealth of Roman ruins, excellent museums and Renaissance architecture. With a Local Guide, survey the city from FourviĂ¨re Hill, explore the Old Town and see the famous fountain on Place des Terreaux. Be sure to sample Beaujolais, the wine of the region. Before dinner tonight, attend an onboard lecture to learn more about French culture. Day 11 (Fri): Lyon. Enjoy a free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. Day 12 (Sat): Tournon & Tain l'Hermitage - Viviers. Included today: Guided walks in Tournon and Viviers; on board chocolate tasting. The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the RhĂ´ne River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Enjoy a walking tour of Tournon, one of France's oldest medieval cities before setting sail for Viviers. As you cruise, enjoy an included on board chocolate tasting. Reaching Viviers, an included guided walk introduces you to this charming town, developed around its Romanesque Cathedral. Day 13 (Sun): Avignon. Included today: Avignon guided sightseeing. The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region and one of the most picturesque regions of Provence. During the guided tour, you can choose to join an included visit to the Palace of the Popes or you may opt for further city sightseeing and either time at leisure or one of the optional excursions to Pont du Gard or to the wine cellars of ChĂ˘teauneuf-du-Pape. Day 14 (Mon): Camargue Region - Arles. Included today: Arles guided sightseeing. Reaching Port St Louis at the mouth of the RhĂ´ne this morning, you can watch the sun rise over the Camargue. In Arles, a Local Guide will show you city highlights including the Roman Amphitheatre. This afternoon is free for you to relax or join an optional excursion. Day 15 (Tue): Arles - CĂ´te d'Azur. After breakfast, disembark Avalon Scenery and drive along the CĂ´te d'Azur to the Fairmont Monte Carlo, for one night. Day 16 (Wed): CĂ´te d'Azur. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK.

Art & Impressionist Cruise The 12th August departure is offered as an exclusive Art & Impressionist cruise and includes special visits and galleries, and on board lectures at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Wine Theme Cruise The 21st October departure is offered as an exclusive Wine Theme Cruise and includes special lectures and tastings at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Grand France 16 days from ÂŁ3545

CĂ´te d'Azur to Paris Day 1 (Mon): CĂ´te d'Azur. Travel to the CĂ´te d'Azur where you will be met and transferred to the Fairmont Monte Carlo for one night. Day 2 (Tue): CĂ´te d'Azur - Arles. This morning, enjoy free time or join an optional excursion to Nice before driving to Arles in the Provence region where you'll board your cruise ship, Avalon Scenery. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 3 (Wed): Arles - Camargue Region. Included today: Arles guided sightseeing. On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of Provence. Your guided tour takes in the church of St Trophime and visits the Roman Amphitheatre. This evening, set sail from Arles toward Port St Louis on the mouth of the RhĂńe for a unique opportunity to experience the tranquil vistas of Camargue National Park. Day 4 (Thu): Camargue Region - Avignon. Included today: Avignon guided sightseeing. Arrive in Avignon this morning during breakfast. The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region and one of the most picturesque regions of Provence. During the guided tour, you can choose to join an included visit to the Palace of the Popes or you may opt for further city sightseeing and either time at leisure or one of the optional excursions to Pont du Gard or to the wine cellars of ChĂ˘teauneuf-du-Pape Day 5 (Fri): Cruising - Viviers. Included today: Viviers guided walk. A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you cruise. After lunch, join your guide for a walk in the charming town of Viviers, which was developed around its Romanesque cathedral. The old town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman and medieval influences. Day 6 (Sat): Tournon & Tain l'Hermitage - Vienne. Included today: Guided walks in Tournon and Vienne; on board chocolate tasting. The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the RhĂńe River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Enjoy a walking tour of Tournon, one of France's oldest medieval cities before setting sail for Vienne. As you cruise, enjoy an included on board chocolate tasting. Reaching Vienne, explore the town centre on a guided walk to see the Roman Theatre and the Augustus and Livia Temple. Day 7 (Sun): Lyon. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Lyon is France's second-largest city and offers up a wealth of Roman ruins, excellent museums and Renaissance architecture. With a Local Guide, survey the city from FourviĂ¨re Hill, explore the Old Town and see the famous fountain on Place des Terreaux. Be sure to sample Beaujolais, the wine of the region. Before dinner tonight, attend an onboard lecture to learn more about French culture. Day 8 (Mon): MĂ˘con - Tournus - Chalon-sur-SaĂńe. Wake up this morning in MĂ˘con. A choice of optional excursions is available, including a visit to a wine cellar. A short cruise takes you to Tournus, a delightful town in the southeast corner of Burgundy. Be sure to visit the 10th century Abbey of St Philibert, which is a superb example of Romanesque architecture. Before dinner, arrive in Chalon-sur-SaĂńe.

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Day 9 (Tue): Chalon-sur-SaĂ´ne - Beaune - Dijon - Paris. Included today: Visit HĂ´tel Dieu or sample Burgundy wines. After breakfast, disembark Avalon Scenery and drive to Beaune. Although life here centres around wine, Beaune offers much more. Today, choose between an included excursion to HĂ´tel Dieu charity hospital or an included tasting of Burgundy wines. After lunch, head to Dijon and board the TGV to Paris and board Avalon Creativity. This evening, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 10 (Wed): Vernon. Included today: Choice of excursion to Giverny or Bizy Castle; pastry demonstration. Choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet's house and gardens at Giverny or a visit to Bizy Castle. See Monet's collection of Japanese prints, his charming house, and his biggest sources of inspiration including the lily pond and Japanese Bridge. Alternatively, visit Bizy Castle, known for its famous stable, magnificent courtyard and water garden. Later, explore Vernon at leisure or alternatively or join a pastry demonstration on board. Day 11 (Thu): Rouen. Included today: Guided walk. This morning, arrive in Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy and perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned and was later burned at the stake here. Join the guided walk through the medieval quarter to see the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock dating back to the 16th century. Later, enjoy an included lecture on board before a Normandy dinner featuring regional specialities. Day 12 (Fri): Rouen. Included today: Choice of excursion to Normandy Landing Beaches or A Taste of Normandy tour; see the Bayeux Tapestry. Today, choose between an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches or a 'Taste of Normandy' tour for a more in-depth look at this picturesque region and a chance to sample Camembert cheese and Calvadosa apple brandy. For a touch of history, visit the famous Bayeux Tapestry before setting sail for Les Andelys. Day 13 (Sat): Les Andelys - Conflans. Included today: Choose a guided walk with a visit to the Grand Andelys Church or visit ChĂ˘teau Gaillard. This morning, cruise into Les Andelys, situated on a bend of the Seine and one of the most beautiful places in France. Today, join a guided sightseeing tour or head to the imposing ChĂ˘teau Gaillard, a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture. Day 14 (Sun): Conflans - Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Auvers-sur-Oise or ChĂ˘teau de Malmaison. After breakfast, join either our guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or visit Napoleon and Josephine's ChĂ˘teau de Malmaison just outside Paris. This evening, cruise to Paris. Day 15 (Mon): Paris. Included today: Guided sightseeing. During your included city sightseeing tour of Paris, see the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its contrasting modern glass pyramid and striking Renaissance architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age. Later, there's free time to explore at leisure..

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Day 16 (Tue): Paris. Disembark Avalon Creativity and transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK.

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cruise s.co.uk

Beaune

Your Avalon cruise includes: • Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) • Flights from London Heathrow or Eurostar. Regional flights at a supplement. • 14 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation; 1 night in hotel, breakfast included • All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day • Included excursions and guided sightseeing • Experienced Cruise Director • Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew • Welcome Reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner • On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music • All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

President's Cruise Join the President of Avalon Waterways on our 24th March departure. Enjoy exclusive highlights, special excursions and a President's Gala Dinner at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

World War I History Cruise The 14th July departure is offered as an exclusive World War I History Cruise and includes visits to famous war sites and fascinating on board lectures at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Creativity and Avalon Scenery

WPA - Paris to Côte d'Azur

WAP - Côte d'Azur to Paris

(Prices are per person) Dept. Category E 25 Mar £3535 08 Apr £3785 22 Apr £4139 06 May £4385 20 May £4439 03 Jun £4459 17 Jun £4435 01, 15, 29 Jul £4175 *12 Aug £4169 26 Aug £4419 09 Sep £4525 23 Sep £4425 07 Oct £4069 **21 Oct £3735 * Art & Impressionist Themed Cruise (Seine section only) ** Wine Themed Cruise (Rhone/Saone section only)

(Prices are per person) Dept. Category E *24 Mar £3545 07 Apr £3759 21 Apr £4145 05 May £4385 19 May £4439 02 Jun £4459 16 Jun £4325 **30 Jun, ***14, 28 Jul; 11 Aug £4180 25 Aug £4459 08 Sep £4525 22 Sep £4369 06 Oct £4075 ****20 Oct £3705 * President's Cruise ** Jazz Themed Cruise (Rhone/Saone section only) *** WWI History Themed Cruise **** Culinary Themed Cruise (Seine section only)

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category B A P Suite

Deck Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Scenery/ Creativity £685 £749 £935 £1625

Prices are based on 2 people sharing, flying from London Heathrow with British Airways. Regional flights from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle and Eurostar from St Pancras or Ebbsfleet are available, please call for prices. For sole occupancy prices, pre- or post- hotel nights prices or prices without flights, please contact our Avalon Specialists on 0808 115 2927. Prices are subject to availability and may also be subject to change. However, the correct price will always be confirmed at the time of booking - see paragraph 2 of the Booking Conditions for further information.

Culinary Cruise The 20th October departure is offered as an exclusive Culinary Cruise and includes regional specialities, special visits and easy-to-make recipes at no additional cost. See pages 22-23 for details.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Tulip Time 8 days

Kinderdijk

Keukenhof Gardens

Ghent

Tulip Time 8 days from £1795

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Day 1: Amsterdam. Travel to Amsterdam where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for seven nights. This afternoon, meet your crew at a welcome reception and set sail for Schoonhoven, nicknamed 'Zilverstad' and renowned for its silver.

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Day 2: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk. Included today: Choice of full day or half day to Keukenhof Gardens; visit windmill in Kinderdijk. Today's highlight is a visit to the world-renowned Keukenhof Gardens near Lisse, which encompasses over 70 acres of parkland dotted with lakes, glorious sculpted gardens, greenhouses and a windmill. Millions of flower bulbs are grown here annually and are presented in bright and spectacularly colourful displays throughout the year. Rejoin your ship for lunch and sail to Kinderdijk, a quintessential Dutch town, to admire its picturesque row of windmills. 19 splendid windmills stand on reclaimed polder land between the Rivers Lek (Rhine) and Noord. Today's visit explains the use of the windmills as pumps to drain water from the polders in the 18th century. Day 3: Veere - Delta Works - Middelburg. Included today: Guided visit of the Delta Works; guided walk in Middelburg. This morning, visit one of Europe's most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works, near Veere. After the flood of 1953, in which more than 1,800 people drowned in one night, the Delta Plan was developed to prevent another disaster of that magnitude. The final defence in the battle against the water is the storm flood barrier, almost six miles long and considered a technical masterpiece. Before lunch back on board, enjoy free time in the charming town of Veere, once an important wool-trading centre. This afternoon visit Middelburg with a Local Expert. Originally built as a stronghold to protect the population of Zeeland from the water and enemies, Middelburg became a prosperous merchant city that spent great wealth on the construction of important buildings such as its impressive Town Hall. Before dinner set sail for Ghent. Day 4: Ghent. Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit St Baaf's Cathedral. The 'diamond' of Flanders, Ghent has beautifully preserved its medieval charm whilst also keeping up with the times. A Local Guide will show you the city centre, a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success and take you into St Baaf's Cathedral. From here, an optional excursion to Bruges, with its criss-crossed canals and charming old patrician houses, is available. Day 5: Antwerp. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Antwerp is Belgium's second largest city and was once one of the world's most important seaports. Included sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to its superb architecture, the Grote Markt with its beautiful city hall, and the Church of Our Lady, home to artworks by Rubens. An optional excursion to nearby Brussels, Belgium's capital and home of the European Union, is available. Day 6: Maastricht. Included today: Guided walk. Cruise amidst picturesque vistas as you sail toward Maastricht this morning. Located at the borders of Belgium and Germany, Maastricht is a bustling cosmopolitan capital and a province of Limburg. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour through this vibrant university town, where a Local Expert will show you the sights - the lovely cathedrals, old houses and buildings, and an impressively cobblestoned town centre. Later, enjoy free time to explore at leisure before cruising to Amsterdam. Day 7: Amsterdam. Included today: Canal cruise; cheese tasting. Holland's capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700 year old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés and restaurants, and lively marketplace has a distinct ambience. There is no better way to see the city

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than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. This afternoon enjoy free time or a choice of optional excursions. Before dinner, enjoy a tasting of Dutch cheese. DAY 8: Amsterdam. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK. Note: 9 and 16 April Avalon Expression departures will feature the Amsterdam Canal cruise on Day 2 instead of Day 7, advancing the remainder of the itinerary by one day. 16 April Avalon Impression departure will operate with a change of itinerary order, please call or see our website for details.

Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Artistry II, Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Impression, Avalon Expression

WAA - Amsterdam to Amsterdam (Prices are per person) Dept. 23 Mar 26 Mar 02, 05, 06 Apr 09, *09 Apr 13 Apr *16, *16 Apr 19, 23 Apr 27 Apr 30 Apr

Category E £1795 £1875 £1979 £2015 £2040 £2055 £2105 £2149 £2159

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person) Category Deck All ships D Indigo £95 B Sapphire £499 A Sapphire £535 P Royal £625 Suite Royal £1065 * Itinerary order changed – see Note above

Prices are based on 2 people sharing, flying from London Heathrow with British Airways. Regional flights from London Gatwick, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Teesside, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich, and Eurostar from St Pancras or Ebbsfleet are available, please call for prices. For sole occupancy prices, pre- or post- hotel nights prices or prices without flights, please contact our Avalon Specialists on 0808 115 2927. Prices are subject to availability and may also be subject to change. However, the correct price will always be confirmed at the time of booking - see paragraph 2 of the Booking Conditions for further information.

Avalon Royal Suite

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Tulips of Northern Holland 8 days

Tulip fields

Cheese Market

Amsterdam

Tulips of Northern Holland 8 days from ÂŁ1920

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Day 2: Volendam. Excursion to Edam - Enkhuizen. Included today: Guided walk in Edam; choice of guided visit to Zuiderzee Museum or Dutch Experience outing in Enkhuizen. This morning, wake up in Volendam, a picturesque fishing town with an unique open harbour and a small, timbered church dating back to 1658. Well known for its old fishing boats, distinctive small houses, drawbridges, and canals, Volendam offers a romantic and friendly atmosphere. Today's excursion takes you to Edam, whose cheese of the same name has become famous worldwide and where cheese markets are still held in the summer months. The old town centre, especially the Kwakelsteeg, still has lovely characteristic Waterland houses. During lunch, cruise on the Markermeer to Enkuizen, set on the most easterly point of North Holland. Enkhuizen owes its prosperity to the Zuider Zee during the 'Golden Age' and this afternoon you choose a visit to the Zuiderzee Museum, dedicated to the culture and history of this area. The museum focuses on the past and present of the Ijsselmeer and features living history, heritage and crafts combining works from the past with works from the present. Alternatively, you may wish to join a 'Dutch Experience' to meet some of the locals.

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Day 3: Enkhuizen - Friesland. Included today: Choice of guided walk in Alkmaar or 'Tulip Fields' excursion; Friesland excursion, visit the Planetarium. After breakfast, you have a choice of included excursions: perhaps join a trip along the tulip fields or visit the town of Alkmaar. Tulip fields abound in this northern part of the country. Learn more about these flowers and how they were introduced into Holland from the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) in the 17th century. Alternatively, why not visit the town of Alkmaar? A Local Guide will take you on a walking tour of the most beautiful parts of the city. Rejoin your ship and cruise across the Ijsselmeer. Dock in Lemmer and join the excursion to explore the province of Friesland, a picturesque agricultural region with a rich history. Famed for its black and white Friesian cattle and black Friesian horses, this historic area was also recorded in local legends such as the tale of 'The Lady of Stavoren'. Visit the 18th century Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium, which has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rejoin your ship in Sneek, where you dock overnight. Day 4: Sneek - Lelystad - Kampen. Included today: Cheese & genever tasting; visit the Batavia shipyard and the Batavia in Lelystad. Today, enjoy a peaceful morning of cruising through this delightful area of Friesland. Before lunch, enjoy a local cheese and genever (gin) tasting on board. Reaching Lelystad, join the guided visit of the Batavia Shipyard, where ships that were important to the Netherland's maritime industry during the 'Golden Age' have been faithfully reconstructed. Later, board the Batavia itself, a reconstruction of a 1628 Amsterdam-built Dutch East India Company ship, wrecked on its maiden voyage on June 4, 1629 off the coast of Western Australia. Later this afternoon, sail to Kampen, where you dock overnight. Day 5: Gelderse Ijssel - Arnhem. Included today: Choice of visit to either Airborne Museum Hartenstein or KrĂśller-MĂźller Museum. This morning, relax on board as you cruise a branch of the Rhine known as the Gelderse Ijssel, which flows from just east of Arnhem into the Ijsselmeer. This afternoon, choose from a selection of activities in Arnhem, famous for the Battle of Arnhem - one of the major tragedies of WWII. Perhaps perhaps visit the Airborne Museum Hartenstein , dedicated to

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Your holiday prices: Ships: Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Artistry II

Your Avalon cruise includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow or Eurostar. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ 7 nights deluxe stateroom accommodation â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

WHA - Amsterdam to Amsterdam (Prices are per person) Dept. 30 Mar 12 Apr 20 Apr

Stateroom upgrade supplements (Prices are per person)

Category E ÂŁ1920 ÂŁ2055 ÂŁ2105

Category D B A P Suite

Deck Indigo Sapphire Sapphire Royal Royal

Poetry II/ Artistry II ÂŁ95 ÂŁ499 ÂŁ535 ÂŁ625 ÂŁ1065

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Festive Cruises 5, 8, 9 or 12 days

Our exciting festive season itineraries on the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers take in plenty of yuletide cheer, from the large Christkindlmarkts (Christmas markets) in Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Prague and Vienna to the more intimate festivities of Regensburg, Breisach, and Wertheim.

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Departure: 10 December

Frankfurt to ZĂźrich Day 1: Frankfurt. Fly to Frankfurt where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 2: Speyer. Included today: Choice of full- or half-day excursion to Heidelberg; guided visit of the castle; see the Great Vat. Day 3: Strasbourg. Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral; onboard woodcarving demonstration. Dy 4: Breisach. Included today: Excursion to the Black Forest. Day 5: Basel - ZĂźrich. Disembark in Basel and transfer to ZĂźrich. Return to the UK.

Christmas in the Heart of Germany 8 days from ÂŁ1445

Christmastime on?4(:F -LZ[P]L .LULYPJ the Danube 9 days from ÂŁ1705

Departure: 29 November, 03 December

Vienna to Prague Day 1: Vienna. Fly to Vienna where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for six nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Departure: 03 December

Day 2: Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing.

Prague to Frankfurt Day 1: Prague. Fly to Prague where you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Prague Hotel for two nights. Day 2: Prague. Included today: guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradcany Castle grounds. Day 3: Prague - Nuremberg. Drive to Nuremberg, where your cruise ship is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. Day 4: Nuremberg. Included today: choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour. Day 5: Bamberg. Included today: Guided walk, see the Old Town Hall; beer tasting; onboard lecture. Day 6: WĂźrzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Residenz. Day 7: Wertheim - Miltenberg. Included today: Onboard baking demonstration; guided walk in Miltenberg. Day 8: Frankfurt. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Your Avalon cruise includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Door-to-door home pick-up service by private, executive car (within 75 miles of airport) â&#x20AC;˘ Flights from London Heathrow. Regional flights at a supplement. â&#x20AC;˘ Deluxe stateroom accommodation â&#x20AC;˘ All meals on board, wines with dinner, and tea and coffee throughout the day â&#x20AC;˘ Included excursions and guided sightseeing â&#x20AC;˘ Experienced Cruise Director â&#x20AC;˘ Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew â&#x20AC;˘ Welcome Reception, Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reception and Farewell Dinner â&#x20AC;˘ On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music â&#x20AC;˘ All transfers, port charges and airport taxes

Day 3: DĂźrnstein - Melk. Included today: Guided walk, see the Stiftskirche in DĂźrnstein; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; wine tasting. Day 4: Linz - Passau. Included today: Guided walk in Passau Day 5: Regensburg. Included today: Guided walk; enjoy a snack at the Historische WurstkĂźche; beer tasting. Day 6: Nuremberg. Included today: Onboard lecture; choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour. Day 7: Nuremberg - Prague. After breakfast, disembark your cruise ship and drive across the Czech border to Prague, the 'Golden City' and the Hilton Hotel for two nights. Day 8: Prague. Included today: Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradcany Castle grounds. Day 9: Prague. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. This cruise is also available from Prague to Vienna (07 December departure). Please call or see our website for details.

Christmastime in Germany & Austria 12 days from ÂŁ2385 Departure: 29 November

Vienna to Frankfurt Days 1-6: Vienna - Nuremberg. As per days 1-6 Christmastime on the Danube (Vienna to Prague itinerary) above. Day 7: Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Munich. Day 8: Nuremberg. A day to leisure Days 9-12: Bamberg - Frankfurt. As per days 5-8 Christmas in the Heart of Germany (Prague to Frankfurt itinerary) above left.

For full itinerary details, please see our website

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

Worldwide River & Small Ship Cruises Amazon - Galápagos - Mississippi - Mekong - Yangtze A world of luxury river cruising awaits with our inspired range of worldwide tour and cruise holidays.

Experience some of the world's most exotic and legendary destinations, getting up close and personal to outstanding sights, both manmade, like mighty Machu Picchu, and natural, like the giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands.

From the Inca Empire to the Amazon

Lima to Lima - 12 days from £5495

Included visits: Lima including San Francisco Monastery and Larco Herrera Museum, welcome dinner at Casa Garcia Alvarado - Sacred Valley including Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Awana Kancha, Pisac and a Peruvian Paso Horse Show - Ollantaytambo - Vistadome train through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes - tours, overnight and sunrise at Machu Picchu - Cusco including Santo Domingo Monastery and Cathedral - 3 night Amazon River cruise including small boat cruise to Yacapana 'iguana' Isles, piranha fishing, pink dolphin spotting, nocturnal panga cruises, naturalist-guided jungle walks, Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, skiff cruise to see the sunrise over the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañon Rivers, native village visit, and Manatee Rescue Centre visit.

Ecuador & the Galápagos

Quito to Quito - 11 days from £4545

Included visits: Quito including the Legislative Palace, San Francisco Monastery, La Compania Church, Workshop & Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin, and Equatorial Monument - Santa Cruz Island Finch Bay Eco Hotel - visit a Giant Tortoise Reserve, Puerto Ayora & Charles Darwin Research Station - cruise aboard Isabela II to Santa Fé, South Plaza, North Seymour, Santa Cruz, Bartolomé, Santiago and Baltra Islands for naturalist-guided walks, snorkelling, kayaking and expedition lectures - a chance to see sea lions, land iguanas, Galápagos hawks, finches, mockingbirds, blue-footed boobies; Las Bachas Beach nesting area of Pacific green sea turtle, iconic Pinnacle Rock and optional glass bottom boat trips to search for Galápagos penguins, sea turtles and rays.

Discover the Galápagos & Peru

Lima to Quito - 16 days from £5915

Included visits: Lima including Plaza de Armas, cathedral, San Francisco Monastery and Larco Herrera Museum - Sacred Valley including Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara, Awana Kancha, Pisac - Ollantaytambo - train through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes - visits, overnight and sunrise at Machu Picchu - Cusco including Legislative Palace, San Francisco Monastery, La Compania Church, Workshop & Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin, Equatorial Monument and Otavalo - Galápagos Islands cruising to Santa Cruz, Floreana, Española and San Cristobal Islands for naturalist-guided walks, snorkelling, kayaking and expedition lectures - Giant Tortoise Reserve - Charles Darwin Research Station - a chance to see sea lions, land iguanas, Galápagos hawks, mockingbirds, finches, bluefooted boobies, Galápagos penguins, sea turtles and rays.

For full itineraries, extensions and prices, please call or see our website 100

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru i se s.co.uk

Mississippi - Music City to the Big Easy

Nashville to New Orleans - 13 days from £4665

Included visits: Nashville including Music Row recording studios, historic downtown, State Capitol, Parthenon, Fort Nashborough, Ryman Theatre, Country Music Hall of Fame, performance by John Carter Cash - Memphis including Sun Studios, Beale Street and Graceland - Mississippi River cruise via Vicksburg, Natchez, St Francisville, Baton Rouge and Houmas House plantation - New Orleans including French Quarter, Jackson Square and Pirate's Alley.

Mississippi in the Fall

Chicago to St Paul - 12 days from £4485 Included visits: Chicago including Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park and John Hancock Observatory - Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum in Pontiac - Lincoln Library & Museum in Springfield - St Louis including Laclede's Landing, Soulard Historic District, Union Station, Forest Park and Gateway Arch - Mississippi River cruise via Hannibal, Dubuque, La Crosse, Red Wing and St Paul.

Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Bangkok - 16 days from £4029 Included visits: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market and Cu Chi Tunnels - Mekong River Cruise, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Sam Mountain - Phnom Penh's Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng and Killing Fields - silk weaving display - Wat Hanchey water blessing - Angkor Ban village Kompong Luong silversmith - Kampong Tralach ox cart ride - Tonle Sap - Siem Reap, Angkor Wat Temple Complex, Apsara dance show. On alternative dates, this itinerary operates from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City.

Magical China & the Yangtze River

Beijing to Shanghai - 12 days from £3469

Included visits: Beijing including Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, Cloisonné workshop, Ming Tombs and Sacred Way, Rickshaw tour of Hutongs, Peking Opera show - Great Wall of China - Xian including Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, lacquer workshop and Tang Dynasty show Chongqing zoo to see pandas - Yangtze River Cruise - Three Gorges & Dam Site - Shanghai including Yu Yuan Gardens, the Bund, a silk factory, Shanghai Museum and an acrobatics show.

Enchanting China & the Yangtze River

Beijing to Shanghai - 16 days from £4500

Included visits: Beijing, Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, Donghuamen Night Market, Rickshaw tour of Hutongs, Ming Tombs - Great Wall of China - Xian Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Dynasty show - Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base - Lijiang Old Town, Impression Show, Naxi Dongba Museum, Black Dragon Pool - Yangtze River Cruise Three Gorges & Dam Site, Shibaozhai - Shanghai, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Bund, a silk factory, Shanghai Museum and an acrobatics show.

For full itineraries, extensions and prices, please call or see our website Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

101

Avalon Poetry II 速 , Avalon Artistry II 速 & Avalon Visionary 速

16 16 16 16

5 5

6 15

3 10

Sky Deck 4 4 4

326 324 322 320 318 316 314 312 310

308

306

304 302 13

5 Royal Deck 6 306 304 302 326 324 322 320 318 316 314 312 310 308 15 327 325 323 321 319 317 315 313 311 309 307 305 303 301 13 6 15

306 304 302 13 326 324 322 320 5318 316 314 312 310 308 327 325 323 321 319 317 315 313 311 309 307 305 303 301

210 206 204 324 224 308208 304 202 310 309 316 216 314 214 322 222 320 220 318 218 302 13 312 212 326 226 313 301 325 311 305 303 323 321 319 315 307 306 317 15 327 226 206 324 224 308208 304 202 310 210 316 216 314 214 322 222 320 220 318 218 302 312 212 326 225 221 223 215 217 219 209 213 205 204 203 207 306 15 327 313 211 325 323 311 309 305 303 301 13 321 319 315 307 317

226 224 222 220 218 216 214 212 Sapphire 210 208 206Deck 204 202 221 319 223 321 215 213 217 315 219 317 209 307 205 303 203 301 207 305 313 211 327 225 325 323 311 309 112 110 104204 102202 226 224 210 206 208 221 220 225 223 222 215 214 217 216 219 218 211 209 108 213 212 205 203 207106

14 12 4

112 109 110 107 108 105 104 101 102 106 103 111

112 110 108 106 104 102 111 109 107 105 103 101

111 109 107 105 103 101

Indigo Deck

Deck plan 1 Sky Lounge 2 Navigation Bridge 3 Sky Bistro 4 Sky Deck Whirlpool 5 Premium lounge chairs and shade awnings 6 Deck Game area 7 Observation Lounge 8 Panorama Bistro 9 Panorama Lounge 10 Upscale bar serving premium spirits 11 Internet centre

102

12 Reception/Guest services 13 Lift 14 Atrium 15 Hairdressing salon 16 Club Lounge with a well-stocked library and complimentary beverage station with self service hot and iced teas, hot chocolate, premium coffees and iced water 17 Kitchen/Galley 18 Spacious, open-seating dining room 19 Fitness centre

3 11 10

103

14 12 11 14

1 1

11 10

18 10 14 12 11 18 11 14 18

112 110 108 104 10220219 106 226 224 210 206 204 208 111 109 103 101 221 220 225 223 222 215 214 217 216 219 218 211 209 107 213 212 205 203 207105 112 110 108 106 104 102 111 109 103203 101 225 223 221 219 217 215 213 211 209 107 205 207105

1 1

17 8

Avalon Poetry II

Royal Suite Royal Deck

Built: 2013

Avalon Visionary Built: 2012

Categories

Avalon Artistry II

Technical data Built: 2014

Cat. P Cat. A Cat. B Cat. D Cat. E

Royal Deck Sapphire Deck Forward Sapphire Deck Aft Indigo Deck Aft Indigo Deck Forward

Length: 361 ft Crew members: 35 Deluxe Staterooms: 12 Panorama Suites: 50 Royal Suites: 2

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Avalon Poetry II ® , Avalon Artistry II ® & Avalon Visionary ® Royal Suites - 300 sq ft

Amenities • Comfort Collection BedsSM, featuring premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens and European-style duvets • Choice of soft or firm pillows • Extra blankets • Choice of bed configuration – two twin beds, one queen-size bed or one king-size bed (Royal Suites only) • Nightly turn-down service • Bedside tables with reading lamps • Large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer and premium L’Occitane bath amenities • Spacious 3-door wardrobes with shelves for ample storage • Easy under-bed luggage storage • Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels

Panorama Suites Category B, A & P - 200 sq ft

• Alarm clock • Writing desk/vanity with mirror and comfortable chair • Complimentary Wi-Fi access • Direct-dial telephone • Bathrobes and slippers • Well-stocked minibar • Complimentary bottled water • In-room safe • Individual climate control • Continental breakfast and beverage room service available

Panorama & Royal Suite Amenities Deluxe Staterooms Category D & E - 172 sq ft

In addition to the standard amenities described above, Panorama Suites and Royal Suites also feature: • Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window measuring 11ft — 50% wider than the industry standard • Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air BalconySM • Open-Air BalconySM with spacious seating area • Complimentary use of Apple iPad (Royal Suite only) Apple, Inc. does not endorse or sponsor this service. iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc.

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

103

Avalon Impression SM, Avalon Illumination SM Avalon Expression SM, Avalon Vista SM & Avalon Panorama SM 5

AVALON PANORAMA

Sky Deck

310

308

615 332 330 328 326 324 322 320 318 5316 314 312

Royal Deck 308 306 304

310

302

15 332 314315 306 305 304 303 302 301 13 316317 312313310 318319 333 330 331328 311 308 309 307 329326 327324 325322 323320321 232 230 228 226 224 222 220 5 218 216 214 212 210 208 206 204 202 6 333 331 329 327 325 323 321 319 317 315 313 311 309 307 305 303 301

13 15 332 233 310 211 308 330 231 328 229 326 227 324 322 225 320 223 318 205 302 219 314 217 312 209 306 207 304 203 201 221 316 215 213 16

AVALON PANORAMA

Sapphire Deck

118 116 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 233 231 229 227 225 223 221 219 217 215 213 211 209 207 205 203 201 232 230 228 226 224 222 220 218 216 210110 208 212 112 118 214 116 114 108206 106204 104 202 102 117 115 113 111 109 107 105 103 19

2 2

10 11 3

18 11 12 11 12

18 10

18 11

AVALON PANORAMA

1 1

AVALON PANORAMA

10 2

12 3 4 14 12

232 230 228 226 224 222 220 218 216 214 212 210 208 206 204 202 14 333 331 329 327 325 323 321 319 317 315 313 311 309 307 305 303 301 13 15 332 330 328 326 324 322 320 318 316 314 312 310 308 306 304 302 232 230 228 226 224 222 220 218 216 214 212 210 208 206 204 202 233 231 229 227 225 223 221 219 217118215 209108 207 116213 114 211 112 110 106205 104 203 102 201 333 331 329 327 325 323 321 319 317 315 313 311 309 307 305 303 301 233 231 229 227 225 223 221 219 217 215 213 211 209 207 205 203 201 232 230 228 226 224 222 220 218 216 210109 208 212 111 117 214 115 113 107206 105204 103 202 19

3 3 10

4 4 12

306 304 302

333 331 329 327 325 323 321 319 317 315 313 311 309 307 305 303 301

5 6 332 330 328 326 324 322 320 318 316 314 312 15 5 6

AVALON PANORAMA

2 3

2 2

8 17

7 8 7

177 9

17 8

233 231 229 227 225 223 221 219 217 215 209109 207 211 111 117 213 115 113 107205 105203 103 201 19 118 116 114 112 110 108 106 104 102

Indigo Deck

117 115 113 111 109 107 105 103 19 118 116 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 117 115 113 111 109 107 105 103

Please note that Avalon Impression, Avalon Illumination and Avalon Expression will have slight modifications to the Royal, Sapphire and Indigo decks - for full deck plan, please see our website

Technical data

104

Avalon Impression Built: 2014

Categories Avalon Vista Built: 2012

Avalon Illumination Avalon Panorama Built: 2014

Built: 2011

Avalon Expression

Length: 443 ft Crew members: 47 Deluxe Staterooms: 17 Panorama Suites: 64 Royal Suites: 2

Built: 2013

Length: 443 ft Crew members: 47 Deluxe Staterooms: 16 Panorama Suites: 65 Royal Suites: 2

Royal Suite Royal Deck

Cat. P Cat. A Cat. B Cat. D Cat. E

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru i se s.co.uk

Royal Deck Sapphire Deck Forward Sapphire Deck Aft Indigo Deck Aft Indigo Deck Forward

Avalon Impression SM, Avalon Illumination SM Avalon Expression SM, Avalon Vista SM & Avalon Panorama SM Royal Suites - 300 sq ft

Panorama Suites Category B, A & P - 200 sq ft

Panorama & Royal Suite Amenities Deluxe Staterooms Category D & E - 172 sq ft

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

105

Avalon Luminary 速, Avalon Felicity 速 16 速 & Avalon Affinity 16

A VA LON MAI N V AA LY O N V AA LY O N MAI N

L L L

M INA Y

4 4 SM

4 4

F LI I T Y &SkyF DeckLIA FI TFYI N I1T Y &F LIA FI TFYI33N I1 T Y22 & A FFINITY 3

Royal Deck 13 13 13

Sapphire Deck

10 9 8 10 9 8 10 9 8

7 7 7 15 15 15

Indigo Deck 16

5 14 14 14

16 4

Deck plan 1 Navigation Bridge 2 Sky Deck Whirlpool 3 Sky Bistro 4 Premium lounge chairs and shade awnings 5 Observation Lounge 6 Panorama Lounge 7 Upscale bar serving premium spirits 8 Internet centre 9 Reception/Guest services 10 Atrium

106

Technical data 3

11 Lift 12 Hairdressing salon 13 Club Lounge with a well-stocked library and complimentary beverage station with self service hot and iced teas, hot chocolate, premium coffees and iced water 14 Kitchen/Galley 15 Spacious, open-seating dining room 16 Fitness centre

4 4

Avalon Luminary

Built: 2011

Avalon Felicity Built: 2010

Avalon Affinity Built: 2009

Categories 2 Avalon Suite Cat. P 2 Cat. A Cat. B 2 Cat. E

Royal Deck Royal Deck Sapphire Deck Forward Sapphire Deck Aft Indigo Deck

Length: 361 ft Crew members: 39 Staterooms: 65 Avalon Suites: 4

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru i se s.co.uk

Avalon Luminary ®, Avalon Felicity ® & Avalon Affinity® Avalon Suites - 258 sq ft

Amenities • Comfort Collection BedsSM, featuring premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens and European-style duvets • Choice of soft or firm pillows • Extra blankets • Choice of bed configuration – two twin beds, one queen-size bed • Nightly turn-down service • Bedside tables with reading lamps • Large floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass door with French balconies in most stateroom • Large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer and premium L’Occitane bath amenities • Spacious 3-door wardrobes with shelves for ample storage • Easy under-bed luggage storage • Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels

Staterooms Category B, A & P - 172 sq ft

Staterooms Category E - 172 sq ft

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

107

Avalon Creativity 速 & Avalon Scenery 速 16 16

4 4

3 3

Sky Deck

13 13

4 4

13 13

1 1 7

9 10 8

11 11

7 7

10 9 8 9 8 10 10 8

Royal Deck (Avalon Scenery)10 9 8 11

10 8

9 10 8

Sapphire Deck 11

15 9 10 8

2 2 6

6 6

5 5

Royal Deck (Avalon Creativity)9

12 13 12 13 13

3 3

Indigo Deck 16 4 4

Deck plan

1 Navigation Bridge 2 Sky Deck Whirlpool 3 Sky Bistro 4 Premium lounge chairs and shade awnings 5 Observation Lounge 6 Panorama Lounge 7 Upscale bar serving premium spirits 8 Internet centre 9 Reception/Guest services 10 Atrium

108

4 4

16 16

3 3

Technical data

Avalon Creativity

Built: 2009 Length: 361 ft Crew members: 39 Staterooms: 68 Avalon Suites: 2

3 3

Avalon Scenery

Built: 2008 Length: 361 ft Crew members: 39 Staterooms: 67 Avalon Suites: 2

Categories Avalon Suite 2 Cat. P Cat. A Cat. 2 B Cat. E

Royal Deck Royal Deck Sapphire Deck Forward Sapphire Deck Aft Indigo Deck

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru i se s.co.uk

Avalon Creativity ® & Avalon Scenery ® Avalon Suites - 258 sq ft

Amenities • Comfort Collection BedsSM, featuring premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens and European-style duvets • Choice of soft or firm pillows • Extra blankets • Choice of bed configuration – two twin beds, one queen-size bed • Nightly turn-down service • Bedside tables with reading lamps • Large floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass door with French balconies in most stateroom • Large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer and premium L’Occitane bath amenities • Spacious 3-door wardrobes with shelves for ample storage • Easy under-bed luggage storage • Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels

Staterooms Category B, A & P - 172 sq ft

Staterooms Category E - 172 sq ft

Cal l us free o n 0808 115 2927 or visit us at www.avalon cru ise s.co.uk

109

Avalon Waterways Booking Conditions The Avalon Waterways Booking Conditions spell out our obligations to you and your commitments to us when you book a holiday with us and together with the information contained in the Holiday Information, forms the basis of our contract with you. You should therefore read and ensure you understand them (raising any queries you may have with us) before asking us to confirm your booking. Where in these Booking Conditions we refer to "we", "us" and "our", this means Avalon Waterways, which is a trading name of Cosmos Coach Tours Ltd. References to "you" and "your" means all persons (or any of them) named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later stage). Except where otherwise expressly stated, these Booking Conditions only apply to holiday arrangements which you book with us in the UK and which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. All references in these Booking Conditions to "holiday", "booking", "contract", "package", "cruise", "tour" or "arrangements" means such holiday arrangements.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

1. YOUR RESERVATION Once you have booked and paid your deposit or full payment as applicable, we will reserve your holiday on the basis of these Booking Conditions. Your booking will be taken as confirmed in respect of all persons named on your booking and a binding contract between us will come into existence when we send our Confirmation/ Invoice to you or your Travel Agent. Prior to doing so, we or the Travel Agent may send you an acknowledgement of your booking and you will also be provided with an ATOL certificate (where applicable) - see clause 18 "Financial Security" for more details. Any such acknowledgement or ATOL certificate simply confirms that we are dealing with your booking request and is not a confirmation of it. By asking us to confirm your booking, you are liable to be regarded as having had the opportunity to have read and understood our Booking Conditions, and to have actually done so before a contract between us came into existence. If you are booking a late/special offer holiday, any extra information and conditions that apply to the late/special offer holiday will also be part of your contract. If in doubt, you should check with your Travel Agent or us. Please note that we reserve the right to refuse a booking at our discretion without giving any reason for such refusal. In such circumstances, any deposit or other payment received by us will be returned to you and any ATOL certificate provided shall be cancelled. Please check your Confirmation/Invoice together with all other documents we or the Travel Agent send you as soon as you receive them. Contact us or your Travel Agent immediately if any information which appears on the Confirmation/Invoice or elsewhere appears to be incorrect or incomplete, as it may not be possible to make changes later. This includes, for example, checking that each name is exactly as stated in the relevant passport. You will be responsible for any costs and expenses involved in doing so except where we made the mistake. We regret we cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies due to any mistake on our behalf if we are not notified of these within ten days of our sending the Confirmation/Invoice out (five days for flight details). We will, however, do our best to rectify any inaccuracies notified outside these time limits where there are good reasons why you did not contact us within the time limit. We can only accept a booking if the lead name is a minimum of 18 years on or before the date of departure - if under 18 at the time of booking, the written consent of a parent or guardian is required before the booking can be made. We reserve the absolute right to cancel your booking at any time before the balance due date and provide a full refund of any monies paid for any reason. 2. OUR PRICE POLICY Prices shown in this brochure are believed correct at the time of publication (December 2013). Prices found in our brochure may differ from those displayed on this website, and certain offers advertised on our website may not be available in the brochure. We reserve the right to change prices from time to time. Accordingly, it is possible that when you book your holiday the actual price may have gone up or down from the advertised price. If the price of your holiday has changed, the correct price will be confirmed before you book. We reserve the right to correct errors at any time prior to the price being confirmed at the time of booking. Once you have made your booking and paid a deposit (or made full payment if booking within 90 days of departure) and the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed by your Confirmation/Invoice, we will only increase or decrease it in the circumstances set out below. Price increases or decreases after booking will be passed on by way of a surcharge or refund. A surcharge or refund (as applicable) will be payable, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, where our transportation costs (e.g. aviation insurance and security levy, fuel, scheduled airfares and any other airline surcharges which are part of the contract between airlines (and their agents) and the tour operator) and/or any dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports increase or decrease or where our costs increase or decrease as a result of any changes in the exchange rates which have been used to calculate the cost of your holiday. Even in the above cases, we will absorb increased costs up to a total amount equivalent to 2% of the cost of your confirmed holiday (excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges). Only if the increased costs exceed this 2% will we levy a surcharge. Where a surcharge is payable, there will be an administration charge of £1 per person. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the cost of your holiday (excluding insurance premiums, any amendment charges and administration charges), you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid to us (except for any amendment charges) or alternatively purchase another holiday from us as referred to in clause 3 -"If we change your holiday arrangements". Although insurance (where purchased through us) does not form part of your contract with us or of any "package", we will consider an appropriate refund of any insurance premiums you have paid to us, if you can show you are unable to use/reuse or transfer your policy, in the event of cancellation or purchase of an alternative holiday. A refund will only be payable if the decrease in our above costs exceeds 2% as set out above. Where a refund is due, we will pay you the full amount of the decrease of our costs. Where a surcharge is payable, you have 14 days from the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice to tell us if you want to cancel or purchase another holiday where you are entitled to do so in accordance with this clause. If you do not tell us that you wish to do so within this period of time, we are entitled to assume that you will pay the surcharge. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the holiday or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice, whichever is the later. We promise not to surcharge within 30 days of departure. 3. IF WE CHANGE YOUR HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS Although it is unlikely, we may occasionally have to change your holiday arrangements as they are made well in advance, and we reserve the right to do so. For instance, your flight details may change or your accommodation may become unavailable. However, we promise that we will not make any significant changes (as described below) to your confirmed holiday arrangements less than 14 days before departure unless we are forced to do so as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care (examples of which are contained in clause 7c). A significant change is a change made before departure, which we could reasonably expect to have a significant effect on your confirmed holiday. The following changes are examples of significant changes: * A change of your departure airport (except between any of Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted). * A reduction in the number of nights of your holiday. * A change of resort area or your accommodation to a lower accommodation category for the full duration of your stay. * A change of your date of departure (please note that a flight which was scheduled to depart between 22.00 hours and 04.59 hours but which is changed to depart after midnight (or moved forward to depart before midnight) is not treated as a change of date). * A change from a day flight to a night flight if the time of your UK departure has changed by more than 4 hours. A night flight is one planned to depart from the UK between 22:00 hours and 04:59 hours. We will work on the basis of the flight times shown on your original Confirmation/Invoice in deciding whether there has been a significant change to your arrangements as set out above. If we have to make any significant changes we will tell you or your Travel Agent as soon as reasonably possible. If there is time to do so before departure you can then choose to: * accept the changed arrangements or take any reasonable alternative holiday we offer you (if this is less expensive than your original holiday, we will refund the

110

difference but if it is more expensive we will ask you to pay the difference). If you decide not to take the alternative we specifically offer you, you may purchase any other available holiday from us at the applicable price and we will refund, or you will be required to pay the difference in price with your original holiday (please note that these Booking Conditions will apply to any alternative holiday); or * cancel your holiday. If you wish to cancel your holiday or accept the reasonable alternative we offer you as a result of a significant change, you must tell us within the time mentioned when we notify you about the significant change or, if no time limit is mentioned, within 7 days of our notifying you. If you do not do so, we are entitled to assume that you wish to accept the changed arrangements. If you choose to accept the new arrangements or purchase another holiday from us, we will, where applicable, reduce the price of your holiday by the compensation shown in the table below. If you choose to cancel your holiday we will refund any money you have paid to us, as well as paying you compensation on the scale below (please note, we will only make one such reduction or payment per person). Compensation Per Person No. of days notification before departure

More than 90 days

29-90 days

16-28 days

8-15 days

7 days or less

Minimum Nil £20 £30 £40 £50 Compensation per person

A change of overseas airport, return UK airport or return flight time of less than 12 hours will not be significant changes. Similarly, if after making your booking we are advised that an aircraft will stop en route, we will advise you as soon as possible but such a change shall not constitute a significant change. Where your airport is changed, we promise to transport you from your overseas accommodation to your alternative overseas airport and vice versa or from your UK airport of arrival to your UK departure airport. No compensation will be paid and no liability beyond offering the above mentioned choices can be accepted where we are forced to make a significant change as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care (examples of which are contained in clause 7(c)). Please note, no compensation is payable for minor changes. A minor change is any change, which we could not reasonably expect to have a significant effect on your confirmed holiday. Minor changes do not entitle you to cancel or change to another holiday without paying our normal charges. 4. IF WE CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY We may occasionally have to cancel your holiday arrangements, which we reserve the right to do. However, we promise we will not cancel your holiday after the balance of payment is due unless you have failed to comply with any requirement of these Booking Conditions entitling us to cancel (such as paying on time) or where we are forced to do so as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care (examples of which are contained in clause 7c). If we have to cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. Except where you have failed to comply with any requirement of these Booking Conditions entitling us to cancel, or where we are forced to do so due to unforeseeable circumstances, we will offer you the choice of: * taking the reasonable alternative holiday we offer you (if this is less expensive than your original holiday, we will refund the difference but if it is significantly more expensive we will ask you to pay the difference). If you decide not to take the alternative we specifically offer you, you may purchase any other available holiday from us at the applicable price and we will refund, or you will be required to pay, the difference in price with your original holiday; or * receiving a prompt refund of all monies paid to us. If you wish to purchase an alternative holiday, you must tell us within the time mentioned when we notify you of the cancellation or, if no time limit is mentioned, within seven days of us telling you or we are entitled to assume that you require a refund. If you choose to accept the alternative holiday we offer you or purchase another holiday from us, we will reduce the price of your holiday by the compensation shown in clause 3 above unless we are forced to cancel your holiday due to unusual or unforeseeable circumstances, in which case no compensation will be payable. If you choose to cancel your holiday we will refund any money you have paid to us, as well as paying you compensation on the scale shown in clause 3 above unless we are forced to cancel your holiday due to unusual or unforeseeable circumstances, in which case no compensation will be payable (please note, we will only make one such reduction or payment per person). Where the holiday is cancelled due to unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control and the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care, we will try to offer you a reasonable alternative holiday, or a refund, where a reasonable alternative is not available. No compensation will be payable in those circumstances. Minimum Numbers: We regret we can only operate each of the holidays shown on our website or in our brochures if a sufficient number of people book them. If there is insufficient demand, we have the right to cancel the holiday in question. If we have to do so, we promise we will tell you no later than the date the balance of your holiday price is due. In this situation, you will then have the choice of the options shown in this clause. If possible, we will endeavour to offer you the same holiday departing on a different date. Where we cancel for lack of numbers in accordance with this paragraph, no compensation or other amounts (for example, the cost of any connected travel arrangements you have made independently) will be payable. 5. YOUR FLIGHT/TRAIN JOURNEY You will be informed of the airline(s)/train companies operating your package holiday flight(s)/train journeys at the time of booking. A list of all aircraft and airlines we anticipate using is shown in our Holiday Information section. Timings planned are also given for your guidance but your actual flight/train timings will be those shown on your airline/train itinerary (or tickets), which you should check carefully as soon as you receive them. We may substitute alternative airlines/train companies and/or aircraft/trains and/or airports/stations of destination if necessary, in which case, subject to the note below on the community list of banned carriers, you cannot transfer to another holiday or cancel without incurring normal cancellation charges (see clause 14 under 'If You Cancel Your Booking'). Any such change will be a minor one not entitling you to compensation, though we shall notify you of the identity of any substitute airline/train company as soon as possible and in call cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. Where we substitute the airline or aircraft we had originally intended to use in connection with your holiday, it may as a result not be possible to provide any in flight catering which had been advertised. Any such change will be a minor change not entitling you to any compensatory payment. Please note that if you purchase an Instant Purchase flight from us, this cannot be changed or refunded. If you require a more flexible option, you should select another flight. Note: EC Regulation No 2111/2005 requires the establishment of a Community list of carriers which are subject to an operating ban throughout the EU and publication of that list to passengers (See http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_ en.htm). In the event that the assigned airline or any substitute airline is or becomes listed on the Community list you may be entitled to reimbursement or re-routing if your flight is cancelled because it is subject to an operating ban. Further information can also be found on the CAA's website at http://www.caa.co.uk. Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. However, reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in the clauses above (clauses 3 and 4). If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Civil Aviation Authority on 020 7240 6061 or at passengercomplaints@caa.co.uk. 6. DELAYS Flights: When a delay occurs, the airline may arrange for you to receive refreshments or meals in a reasonable relation to the waiting time. Unfortunately, it is not always possible for the airline to make welfare arrangements as being able to do so depends on factors such as the capacity of the airport concerned to cater for the

number of passengers affected by delays, the anticipated length of any delay (it is often the case that a delayed aircraft will be ready to depart on very short notice so passengers need to be at the airport and the provision of catering may also risk extending the delay) and the timing of any delay. If your outward flight is delayed, please call your cruise director; the relevant details and number to call will be included in your travel documentation. If your flight home to the UK is delayed, we will work with the airlines to provide assistance as appropriate to the length of the delay. Your rights to a refund and/or compensation are set out in clauses 3, 4 and 5 above. Cruises: Under EU law (Regulation No 1177/2010) relating to the rights of passengers travelling by sea and inland waterways, where the cruise carrier reasonably expects the departure of your cruise to be delayed for more than 90 minutes beyond its scheduled departure time, passengers departing from port terminals may be offered free of charge snacks, meals or refreshments as are appropriate given the waiting time, provided they are available and can reasonably be supplied. If the delay in departure necessitates a stay of one or more nights or a stay additional to that intended by the passenger, where and when physically possible (subject to the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992) passengers departing from port terminals may be offered free of charge adequate accommodation on board or ashore, and transport to and from the port terminal and place of accommodation. The maximum amount payable for accommodation ashore and transport to and from the port terminal shall be equivalent to 80 Euros per person per night for a maximum of 3 nights. No obligation shall arise to provide such accommodation ashore where the delay is caused by weather conditions endangering the safe operation of the ship. 7. OUR ASSURANCE ON STANDARDS AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITY (a) We promise to make sure that all parts of the holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided by our suppliers with reasonable skill and care. This means that subject to these booking conditions we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury, or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of any failure by ourselves or our employees, agents, suppliers or sub-contractors (as applicable) to use reasonable skill and care in accordance with local standards in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note it is your responsibility to show that the required reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents, suppliers and sub-contractors do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents, suppliers and sub-contractors). (b) We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from any of the following: - the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected/you or another member of your party; or - the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable; or - unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised; or - an event which we or the supplier of services, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall. (c) Except where otherwise expressly stated in these Booking Conditions we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our contract is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any injury, illness, death, loss (for example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever as a result of 'force majeure'. In these Booking Conditions, 'force majeure' means any event, which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events (actual or threatened) may include war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, epidemics, insolvency of airlines, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control. (d) Except where otherwise expressly stated in these Booking Conditions, where any successful claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, rail, inland waterway or road carrier or any stay at an accommodation, the maximum amount of compensation paid to you will be limited. The maximum we will pay you for that claim or that part of a claim if we are found liable to you on any basis is the maximum which would be payable under the applicable International Convention or Regulation which applies to the travel arrangements in question (for example, but not limited to: the Warsaw Convention unamended or as amended for international travel by air, the Montreal Convention for international travel by air and/or for carriers with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability No. 2027/97 as amended by EC Regulation No. 889/2002 for national and international travel by air, the Athens Convention for international travel by sea and/or EU Regulation 392/2009 on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea for international and national travel by sea, the Strasbourg Convention for inland waterways, the Berne Convention for travel by rail, and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation) in that situation. Please note: Where a carrier or accommodation supplier would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable International Convention or Regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we are similarly not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. You must give credit for all payments due or received from any carrier or accommodation supplier, which relate to the claim in question. Copies of the applicable International Conventions and Regulations are available from us on request. (e) As set out in these Booking Conditions, we limit the maximum we may have to pay you for any claims you may make against us. Where we are found liable for loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions (including money) the maximum amount we will pay you is the maximum amount payable for the claim in question under the insurance policy we offer as set out under the heading 'Summary of Principal Cover' unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under this clause or clause 7(d) above. These limits apply whether or not you take out our recommended insurance policy. When dealing with any such claim, we will use the definitions contained in this policy. A copy of the policy wording can be provided on request. For all other claims which do not involve death or personal injury, if we are found liable to you on any basis, the maximum amount we will have to pay you is twice the price (excluding insurance premiums and amendment charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total for their holiday unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under clause 7(d). This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you have not received any benefit at all from your holiday. (f) You must notify us of any complaint or claim in accordance with clause 17 "If You Have a Complaint". For all claims, any person(s) to whom we make any payment (and their parent or guardian if that person is under 18) must also assign to us or our insurers any rights they may have to pursue any third party in connection with the claim. You must provide us and our insurers with all assistance we or our insurers may reasonably require. (g) We cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, costs, expenses or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) any indirect or consequential loss, or loss relating to any employment and/or business transaction. Please also note, we cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities which your accommodation supplier or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised in our brochure or on our website and we have not agreed to arrange them. This also includes any excursion or activity you book or purchase in resort - please also see clause 7(i) "Excursions and Activities". In addition, regardless of any wording used by us on our website, in any of our brochures or elsewhere, we only promise to use reasonable skill and care as set out in clause 7(a) and we do not have any greater or different liability to you. (h) If you have had the misfortune to suffer illness, personal injury or death through

misadventure during your holiday arising out of an activity which does not form part of your contracted holiday arrangements with us we will, in our reasonable discretion, offer to help where possible and appropriate in our reasonable discretion, by for example: 1) providing our general assistance; and/or 2) paying your initial legal costs where you take legal action against the third party responsible for the injury, illness or death as a result (as long as we have agreed to pay them before you incur those costs and you have asked for our help within 28 days of the accident). All assistance (financial or otherwise) is subject to a maximum total cost to us of £1,000 per booking. We will not provide help with legal costs if you have a Legal Expenses Section in your Holiday Insurance Policy or any other insurance policy on which you are entitled to rely. Also, if you successfully claim for these costs against a third party, we will require you to reimburse us for any costs we have paid for or to you up to the maximum amount of the costs you actually receive or are entitled to receive. Requests for our assistance under this section should be sent direct to the Customer Services Manager, Avalon Waterways, Wren Court, 17 London Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 1DE. (i) Excursions and activities. We may provide you with information (on our website, in our brochure and/or when you are on holiday) about activities and excursions which are available in the area you are visiting but which you cannot book with us in the UK, and which are therefore not purchased as a component part of your package holiday (as defined under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992). We have no involvement in any such activities or excursions which are neither run, supervised nor controlled in any way by us. They are provided by local operators or other third parties who are entirely independent of us. They do not form any part of your contract with us even where we suggest particular operators/other third parties and/or assist you in booking such activities or excursions in any way. Where we or any of our local representatives make or take any booking for or from you in respect of any activity or excursion, we do so solely as booking agent for the organiser or operator of the activity or excursion. This is the case regardless of whether the activity or excursion is advertised or mentioned in our brochure, on our website, in resort, or elsewhere. Your contract for any such activity or excursion will be with the organiser or operator of that activity or excursion, and subject to their terms and conditions, and to local law and jurisdiction. Except as set out below, we cannot accept any liability on any basis in relation to such activities or excursions and the acceptance of liability contained in clause 7(a) of our Booking Conditions or our Booking Conditions generally will not apply to them. We have no liability for any such activity or excursion or for any act(s) or omission(s) of the organiser or operator or for any of its/their employees or agents or any other person(s) connected with the activity or excursion. We do not, however, exclude liability for the negligence of ourselves or our employees resulting in your death or personal injury. If we are found liable in any respect for any such activity or excursion (for example in our capacity as booking agent), that liability is limited to the cost of the particular activity or excursion concerned. In the event of any such liability arising on any basis, we are also entitled to rely on clauses 7(b), (c), (d), (e) (in relation to luggage and personal possessions) and (g). Any claim must also be notified in accordance with clause 17. We cannot guarantee accuracy at all times of information given in relation to such activities or excursions or about the resort/ area you are visiting generally, or that any particular excursion or activity which does not form part of our contract will take place as these services are not under our control. If we become aware of any material alterations to resort/area information and/or such excursions and activities which can reasonably be expected to affect your decision to book a holiday with us, we will try to pass on this information at the time of booking. Please note: We only act as booking agent where our local representatives have been formally authorised by us to sell or book the activity or excursion in question. Our local representatives are instructed not to sell or book any activity, excursion or other service which they have not been formally authorised to sell or book. We do not act as booking agent and have no other connection with or responsibility or liability for any activity or excursion where this is not the case. Any advice or assistance on or with any activity or excursion provided by any local representative does not mean or imply that the activity or excursion is sold by the local representative or ourselves or that any such advice or assistance is given on our behalf. (j) If we become aware of any material alterations to the resort/area information which can reasonably be expected to affect your decision to book a holiday with us, we will pass on this information at the time of booking. 8. OUR COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE Please also see clause 17 "If you have a complaint" below which sets out the steps you must take in the event of your having reason to complain or make a claim. Disputes arising out of, or in connection with this contract which cannot be amicably settled may be referred to arbitration if you so wish under a special scheme arranged by ABTA. The scheme provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on you in respect of costs. Full details will be provided on request or can be obtained from the ABTA website (www.abta. com). This scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a limit of £25,000 per booking. In addition, it does not generally apply to claims which are solely in respect of physical injury or illness or their consequences. The scheme can however deal with compensation claims which include an element of minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,500 on the amount the arbitrator can award per person in respect of this element. The request for must be received by ABTA within 18 months of the date of return from the holiday. Outside this time limit arbitration under the scheme may still be available if we agree, although the ABTA Code does not require such agreement. Special Note: We both agree that any dispute, claim or other matter of any description (and whether involving personal injury or not) which arises out of or in connection with your contract or holiday must be dealt with under the ABTA Arbitration Scheme or brought in the Courts of England and Wales only (unless you are a resident of Scotland or Northern Ireland in which case any proceedings must be brought in either the Courts of your own country or those of England and Wales). We both also agree that English law (and no other) will apply to your contract (unless proceedings are brought in Scotland or Northern Ireland, in which case Scottish or Northern Irish law, as applicable, will apply instead). If this provision is not acceptable to you, you must tell us before booking your holiday. 9. CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE When you travel, the Conditions of Carriage of the company providing your transport will apply to your journey. These Conditions will limit and, in some areas, exclude the carrier's liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions (see clause 7(d)). Copies of these Conditions can be provided by your Travel Agent or ourselves (if you book direct) or the carrier itself on request. With respect to our Europe bookings, our included Home Pick-Up service is offered on the basis of one car per booking of up to 6 passengers, operating to/from your departure airport/Eurostar station, from one home address. For larger groups, vehicles appropriate to the party size will be provided 10. BROCHURE, WEBSITE AND OTHER INFORMATION All information contained on our website, in our brochures, or which is otherwise produced or published by us is based on information available at the time of publication. We reserve the right to change any website or other information before your booking is confirmed and the amended information will then form part of your contract with us. If any part of these Booking Conditions is found to be unfair or unreasonable, the remaining terms will still be valid. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this brochure, our prices and other information at the time of publication, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. We reserve the right to correct errors prior to confirming your booking. You must ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking.

YOUR COMMITMENT TO US

11. DEPOSITS & SPECIAL REQUESTS You must pay a deposit of £300 per person (Europe bookings) / £500 per person (Long-haul bookings) at the time of booking (inclusive of a £2.50 ATOL contribution) plus all appropriate insurance premiums if applicable. If booking within 90 days of your departure, you must pay the full cost of your holiday when you book. No deposit is payable for infants under two years of age at the time of return travel. For insurance requirements - see clause 15. If you have a special request, we will do our best to help, but we cannot guarantee it except as set out below. Please advise your Travel Agent or us of your request at the time of booking and make sure that we are given as much detail as possible. If your special request is vital to your holiday, it must be specifically agreed with us in writing before or at the time you book your holiday.

General confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of a special request on your Confirmation/Invoice or on the acknowledgement of your booking or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. If any additional cost is applicable, it will either be invoiced to you prior to your departure or should be paid for locally. Please note, for any payment made by credit card there will be a processing charge of 2% of the holiday cost. 12. PAYING FOR THE BALANCE OF YOUR HOLIDAY Our Confirmation/Invoice will show the total price you must pay for your holiday. If any additional charge for any additional services becomes payable which is not included in our promise not to surcharge (see clause 2), for example costs relating to special requests made by you, a revised Confirmation/Invoice will be sent to you showing that charge. We must receive the full cost of your holiday (less any deposit(s) which you have already paid) no later than 90* days before departure or within 7 days of the Confirmation/Invoice date, whichever is later. If you decide to select the option to pay in full at the time of the booking, you may do so, but this will not change any of the conditions which form part of this contract. . If for any reason the full cost of your holiday is not received by us or your Travel Agent on time, we or your Travel Agent will write and tell you that the payment is overdue. If it is still not received by us or your Travel Agent within 7 days of the written reminder being sent out, we will be entitled to treat your booking as cancelled by you and keep your deposit. If we do not cancel straight away because you have promised to make payment, you must pay the cancellation charges shown in clause 14 in the event of subsequent cancellation, depending on the date we reasonably treat your booking as cancelled. Where we are selling a flight-inclusive package holiday, all money you pay to a Travel Agent (or an Accredited Body member) for that holiday will be held by the Travel Agent (or Accredited Body member) on behalf and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust at all times, but subject to the Travel Agent's (or Accredited Body member) obligation to pay the money to us for so long as we do not fail. In the event of our failure, any money held at the time by the Agent (or Accredited Body member), or subsequently accepted from you by the Agent (or Accredited Body member), is and continues to be held by that Agent (or Accredited Body member) on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust without any obligation to pay that money to us. Where we are selling a package holiday that does not include a flight, all money you pay to a Travel Agent for your holiday with us will be held by the Agent on our behalf until it is paid to us. Please note this does not apply to any money paid to the Travel Agent for any services not provided by us (for example Travel Agent's administration fee or service charge or car parking. Please note, for any payment made by credit card there will be a processing charge of 2% of the holiday cost. *The 'balance due date' is subject to change and may vary, but it will be confirmed to you at the time of booking. 13. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR BOOKING Should you wish to change your holiday booking we will do our utmost to make this change but it may not always be possible. We will charge an amendment fee of a minimum of £35 per person for any such change we can and do make and you will also be charged for any and all further costs we incur in making this change. Such changes may include name changes and date changes. In addition, you must also pay any charges imposed our suppliers (including but not limited to transport and/ or accommodation) for any changes whatsoever, where applicable. Changing from one cruise to a different cruise will not be treated as a change but as a cancellation (see clause 14 below) and a new booking will have to be made. Where the price of your holiday depends on the number of people booked into the accommodation and someone in your party cancels, the price will be recalculated on the basis of the new number of people going. We will then send you a new Confirmation/Invoice. Any increase in what you have to pay as a result of this change will not be covered by your travel insurance policy as it is not a cancellation charge. Also, you may not change from any holiday featured in any other brochure or, on any Avalon Waterways website to one of our Late Availability, or any other Special Offer holidays. 14. IF YOU CANCEL YOUR BOOKING If you wish to cancel all or part of your booking, the person who made the booking must write to us at Avalon Waterways, Ground Floor, Dale House, Tiviot Dale, Stockport SK1 1TB or email admin@avaloncruises.co.uk. If some or all of your party cancel their holiday or we are entitled to treat your booking as cancelled in accordance with these Booking Conditions, we will levy a cancellation charge on the scale shown in the table below. These charges are based on the estimated cost of cancelling your holiday and the expenses and losses we are likely to suffer if we cannot resell the holiday. Please note that any voluntary charitable donations made are passed on to the charity automatically at the time of booking and are non refundable. No. of days before your departure we receive your written cancellation or we cancel as mentioned above

Amount you must pay

More than 90 days

Deposit

29-90 days

50% of holiday cost* or the deposit if more

23-28 days

70% of holiday cost* or the deposit if more

16-22 days

80% of holiday cost* or the deposit if more

8-15 days

90% of holiday cost* or the deposit if more

Within 7 days of departure or after 100% of holiday cost*

*"Holiday cost" does not include insurance premiums and any handling/amendment fee or other costs paid if you changed your booking. These premiums and/or charges are not refundable in the event of your cancellation. Please also see clause 13 above. If you are travelling on a scheduled service flight and/or low cost carrier flight the cancellation fee will solely depend on the amount we are able to obtain back from the air carrier for your ticket (if any) and therefore the cancellation fees as set out in the table above may be higher. If the reason for your cancellation falls within your insurance cover, you should be able to claim a refund of your cancellation charges from the insurance company less any applicable excess. If you or anyone going on holiday with you is unable to go for any reason or decides that he/she does not want to take the holiday, you may transfer the booking to someone else deemed acceptable by us providing you meet the following requirements: (a) You must write to us with full details of who cannot or does not want to go on holiday and who you would like to go instead. We must receive this information at least 14 days before the start of the holiday. (b) If the change can be made, you will have to pay an amendment fee of £35 per named on the booking together with any extra costs we incur or are asked to pay in order to make the change (see point (d) below). (c) Everyone who goes on holiday in place of anyone who was originally due to travel must agree to these Booking Conditions and any other requirements which apply to the holiday before the change can be finalised. If the full cost of the holiday should already have been paid when the change is requested but has not been, this must also be paid before the change can be finalised. (d) Please note, scheduled airlines often do not allow any name changes within a certain time of the start of the holiday and generally not at all after flight tickets have been issued. If you want or need to make a name change when an airline will not allow it, you will have to cancel the original flight (which means you will lose all the money you have paid for that flight) and pay the full cost of another flight (which may not be the original flight or at the same cost as the original flight as the airline is entitled to offer the cancelled flight to anyone on a waiting list for it). This is the airline's decision and we have no control over it. 15. YOUR HOLIDAY INSURANCE Adequate and appropriate travel insurance is essential for your protection. Each member of your party must have either the holiday insurance policy we offer which is arranged by Rock Insurance Services Ltd or another policy giving at least equal cover. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is adequate and appropriate for the particular needs of you and your party but it should at a minimum cover the cost of cancellation of your travel arrangements by you, and assistance (including medical costs and repatriation) in the event of accident or illness overseas, as well as compensating you for permanent injury, death, delays or loss of baggage and personal possessions. We do not check alternative insurance policies. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.

16. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES (a) You must ensure that you and your party have valid acceptable passports, provide any Advance Passenger Information (API) or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) data and secured any appropriate visas required for your holiday (including your journey to and from your holiday destination) - see information on API/ESTA and Passports & Visas in the Holiday Information section for more details. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you or any member of your party are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry or submit correct documentation or data. Many of the airlines that provide the flight element of the arrangements we sell impose fines and costs on us if any passengers who have booked with us do not have the necessary travel or other documents for the countries they are visiting or passing through, even where this occurs through no fault of ours. In this situation we have no choice but to pass on to you all fines, costs, surcharges, other financial penalty and other sums of any description, which are imposed on or incurred by us. You will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly in full. (b) You should check what vaccinations and other health precautions are required or are advisable for your chosen destination and journey with your doctor in good time before departure (also see information on Holiday Healthcare and Safety in the Holiday Information section for more details). (c) Airline regulations state that women 28 weeks or more into pregnancy at the time of return travel must have written confirmation from a doctor that they are fit to travel when checking in for their outward flight. Normally, permission to travel is refused after 32 weeks. We can only accept your booking upon the clear understanding that we cannot be liable if any airline refuses to accept you or any member of your party as a passenger for this reason. (d) You must be responsible for the behaviour of yourself and your party. We can refuse to accept you as a customer or refuse to continue dealing with you by terminating your holiday arrangements if your behaviour is or is likely to be, in our reasonable opinion, or in the reasonable opinion of any airline pilot, accommodation supplier or other person in authority, disruptive, upsetting or dangerous to yourself or anyone else or if you have caused or are likely to cause damage to property. We will not pay any refund, compensation or other sum whatsoever or any costs or expenses incurred by you if we have to terminate the holiday arrangements due to your unacceptable behaviour. In this situation we will then have no further responsibility for you (including any return travel arrangements). If your unacceptable behaviour means you are not allowed to board your outward flight we will treat your booking as cancelled from that moment and you will have to pay full cancellation charges (as shown in the table in clause 14) You must also indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (including legal costs) made against us by any third party as a result of your behaviour. (e) Prior to booking, you must tell us if you or any member of your party is unwell, infirm, disabled or has reduced mobility, including full details of any requirements relating to this. Where we consider it strictly necessary, we may require that a disabled person or person with reduced mobility be accompanied by another person, as a fare paying passenger, who is capable of providing the assistance required. In relation to your cruise, this will be based on the cruise carrier assessing the need of the passenger, taking into consideration the design of the ship or port infrastructure and equipment and whether embarkation, disembarkation or carriage may be undertaken in a safe or operationally feasible manner. This may vary from vessel to vessel. Prior to booking, you must provide details of any medical equipment you intend to bring on board so that we/the cruise carrier can determine whether such equipment can be carried safely. You must also ensure that you can operate the equipment; that the equipment would be safe to use on board (please check with the manufacturer/supplier); and that it is in good working order (arranging for enough equipment/supplies to last the journey). It will also be your responsibility to arrange delivery to the docks of all medical equipment. If in our/the cruise carrier's reasonable opinion, your chosen holiday is not suitable for your condition or disability or you are not travelling with someone who can provide all assistance you may reasonably require, we have the right to refuse to accept the booking, taking into consideration the design of the ship or port infrastructure and equipment and whether embarkation, disembarkation or carriage may be undertaken in a safe or operationally feasible manner. If you do not give us full details of your medical problem or disability at the time of booking, we can also cancel the booking when we find out the full details if in our reasonable opinion the holiday is not suitable or you are not travelling with someone who can provide all assistance reasonably required. If we cancel in this situation, cancellation charges as set out in clause 14 must be paid by the person concerned, and we will have no liability for any other costs or expenses you incur as a result. 17. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT Please also see clause 8 "Our Complaints Procedure". This sets out how any unresolved claim or disputed matter (or other matter between us) may be dealt with if you or we wish to pursue it. Please in particular see the Special note to clause 8. We do our best to give you an enjoyable, trouble-free holiday, but occasionally even the best laid plans can go wrong. If you have a problem or complaint about your holiday you must tell our supplier or local representative or Cruise Director as soon as possible so that it can be sorted out on the spot. If your complaint cannot be resolved there and then, you must complete a Complaint Form on board, on tour or in the resort. You will be given a copy of this to keep. You must also tell the supplier you are complaining about. If you remain dissatisfied you must then write to us at Customer Service Department, Avalon Waterways, Wren Court, 17 London Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1DE with full details, giving your holiday reference number and day time and evening telephone numbers within the following time of your return from holiday;(1) 28 days if your complaint or claim does not involve death, personal injury or illness*; or (2) 3 months if your complaint or claim involves death, personal injury or illness. As it is difficult and sometimes impossible to properly investigate a complaint if we are not told about it reasonably quickly, any compensation you may have been able to claim could be reduced or even lost altogether if you do not follow the complaints procedure set out in this clause. In the event of a problem or complaint involving the negligence of any of our suppliers, sub-contractors or agents (as opposed to any negligence on our part or on the part of any of our employees acting within the course of their employment) we cannot accept any liability if you do not report the complaint in resort in accordance with the procedure set out above and/or you fail to report the complaint to us in writing giving full details as set out above within 28 days or 3 months (as applicable - see above) of your return from holiday. * If your complaint relates to an alleged infringement of EU Regulation 1177/2010 (concerning the rights of passengers travelling by sea and inland waterways), complaints must be made to the cruise carrier or to us in writing within 2 months from the date on which the service was performed. Within one month, we or the cruise carrier (as applicable) shall respond to you, confirming that your complaint has been substantiated or rejected or is still being considered. However, the time taken to provide the final reply shall be no longer than 2 months from the receipt of the complaint. If you are still not satisfied, you may refer the matter to the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) (www.the-psa.co.uk) to investigate the complaint. 18. FINANCIAL SECURITY We provide full financial protection for our package holidays. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us, you will receive a confirmation invoice and an ATOL certificate from us (or from our authorised Travel Agent if you didn't book direct with us) confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser's Licence number (1082). The ATOL certificate lists the flight, accommodation, car hire and/or other services that are financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad, and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org. uk. We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). Avalon Waterways Europe 2014, Edition 2

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Avalon Waterways Holiday Information Avalon Waterways is a Trading Name of Cosmos Coach Tours Ltd ABTA No.V3031 (CCT) and CCT is a Member of ABTA COSMOS COACH TOURS LTD with membership number V3031, and licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 1082). For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ. Tel: 020 3117 0500 or www.abta.com. All flights and flightinclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our Booking Conditions for further information, or go to the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate. Definitions The words "we", "you" and "your", where used below, have the same meaning as defined in the Booking Conditions.

About Your Accommodation

Your Stateroom Our prices are based on 2 adults sharing a stateroom with facilities as described on the deck plan pages. Your Hotel The hotels that we have selected for you are listed separately on each individual cruise page, where applicable. The vast majority of the hotels are 4 or 5 star standard. Our prices are based on 2 adults sharing a standard twin/double room with private facilities. It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels to those shown on the cruise page. Such alternative hotels will be of at least an equivalent standard to those indicated and final details will be provided with your tickets or on occasion, by your Cruise Director/ local representative. Single Rooms/Staterooms and Sole Occupancy Those of you who are single travellers may feel that the cost of your holiday is higher than it should be. The reason for charging a supplement is that the accommodation price is based on a price per room while our holidays are sold per person, including flights and other elements. Therefore the per person price for a lone traveller can include the entire double room cost. There are no specific single staterooms, only our deluxe staterooms for sole occupancy. We do not make additional and excessive profits from these sales; the prices charged merely reflect the real cost to us. Single Share Option On our European ships, with our single share option, you miss out on paying the single supplements by sharing with another single traveller of the same sex. This is available in selected categories. Group Bookings Save money by forming a group, you could receive a discount if you are travelling with a group size of 8 or more people. Or if you are interested in chartering a departure, just call your Avalon Specialist for more details. Holiday Duration The number of days mentioned includes both day of departure and day of return landing in the UK. In most cases staterooms must be vacated no later than 9am on the last day of your holiday to ensure that rooms are ready for incoming passengers. Where possible, a room will be made available for storing luggage. Ship, Resort and Hotel Facilities It is possible that some of the details in the brochure may have changed since the brochure was printed. Errors may also occur. If you have already booked, we will do our best to tell you of any significant changes before your departure. Brochures are produced up to twelve months in advance and there may be occasions when an advertised facility or entertainment is not available or fully operational. Essential maintenance or cleaning, lack of support or demand may also effect the actual availability of particular activities or facilities; so can such things as local licensing laws, local authority or governmental restrictions. An additional charge may be made for hotel facilities, such as minibars and safety deposit boxes.

About Your holiday flight/train journey

Your flight/train details Timings if shown are based on the 24-hour clock system, are for guidance only and are subject to confirmation and alteration. Please refer to clause 5 of our Booking Conditions. Ask your reservations advisor for details of latest timings and ensure that you check your tickets as soon as you receive them. Flights may not necessarily be non-stop or the most direct routing, and may involve a wait at the connection airport; an en-route change of aircraft may sometimes be necessary. Eurostar itineraries are based on departures from London St

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Pancras (Ebbsfleet on request) to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels or Lille. Onward travel where appropriate will be on TGV or Thalys services. Full joining details will be supplied with your tickets and travel information. Full Name on Tickets Due to increased security measures airlines and train companies now require first and last names on the tickets. This must be the same name that appears on your passport, which must be the same name given when making your booking with us. It is your responsibility to ensure this information is correct on your Confirmation/Invoice and other documentation. Any changes or corrections will lead to an administration charge of £30 per ticket plus any charge made by the airline. Baggage Allowance and Porterage Your baggage allowance is generally 44lbs (20 kilos) per person (15 kilos for some low cost carriers) or as stated on your airline ticket. You may not combine your luggage with another member of your party into a single piece and go over this limit. Baggage in excess of the allowance cannot be carried by the airline, or will be subject to an excess charge. Note that some low cost airlines enforce a strict limit on hold and hand luggage, so please ensure you check directly with them prior to your departure. Due to limited space on river cruise ships, only one piece of baggage per person, with maximum dimensions 30"x21"x11" (plus reasonable hand luggage) is permitted. Porterage of one suitcase per person is included in the holiday price.

About Your cruising holiday

Cruise Itineraries Please bear in mind that cruising and land itineraries may have to be changed, sometimes at short notice, for operational reasons or other reasons outside of our control for example, weather or water levels, mechanical breakdowns, police activity etc. In addition, river and other local authorities often need to carry out repair or maintenance work on the river and canal banks, stretches of river or canal bridges, locks or docks or other areas which may impede river cruise travel. This is frequently undertaken with little or no advance notice to river cruise operators, and can cause Avalon Waterways to make changes to the published itinerary or to operate part of the itinerary by coach with little or no advance notice. These events are beyond our control and Avalon Waterways will not be responsible for any loss, expense or inconvenience caused by reasons of such changes. If any problems of this nature occur it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by coach or to alter the programme. Certain parts of your holiday may be operated in conjunction with our sister companies from within the group of companies which Avalon Waterways belongs or with other operators and joint representation will occasionally be provided. Embarkation times/Disembarkation times We have strict embarkation/disembarkation timing windows needed for the turnaround of the vessel. We endeavour to organise the most appropriate flights or train journeys with consideration for these timings. Depending on timings, it may not be feasible to arrive in time for the dinner and 'Welcome Reception' on the first evening of the holiday. If you have chosen to book make your own way to the ship, please note that we cannot be held liable for any failure to meet the ship in time for the confirmed time of embarkation. Optional Excursions and Transfers In addition to any inclusions already featured in your cruise itinerary, you may be offered a programme of optional excursions. A complete list with full details and current prices will either be included with your final documentation prior to departure or provided upon arrival. We act as a booking agent in respect of such optional excursions. Please see clause 6(i) of the Booking Conditions for further information. Prices may be subject to change and the right is reserved to substitute a similar alternative excursion should it become necessary. Local excursions and transfers are not always operated using a touring coach. Local transfers and excursions are sometimes provided by local operators. Christmas Markets Please note that Christmas markets generally close around the third week of December. Local Holidays During local or national holidays or special events, on Sundays and religious occasions, certain facilities such as museums, churches, restaurants, sightseeing tours, and shopping may be limited or not available. If any facilities included on an excursion provided as part of the cruise itinerary are closed, aternatives will be offered whenever possible. Extra Nights Customers have the option to choose to add pre or post nights or both, staying in 4 or 5 star hotels in the cities and destination where the cruise starts and ends. Prices quoted are per person, in

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a twin room with breakfast. Transfers to/from the airport station can be arranged but at extra cost. Extra hotel nights are only available immediately prior to or after your holiday and are not available on some cruise-only holidays. If your holiday includes a hotel stay, every effort will be made to reserve the extra nights at the same hotel. However if space is not available, alternative accommodation will be reserved at a hotel of equivalent standard. Cruise Only Customers can choose our convenient ‘cruise only’ option. This will allow you to make your own way to the ship and join just the cruise portion of the holiday, removing overnight hotel stays at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary. Flights, transfers and our private home pick-up service are not included.

the cost of Your holiday

Holiday Prices All holiday prices shown are based on the lowest stateroom category and the lowest cost flight. Where applicable, supplements are payable for upgraded staterooms and/or alternative flights. Please see clause 2 of the Booking Conditions for details of our Price Policy. Our holidays are priced using the current flight prices at time of booking and are based on the lowest fare available and as a result, prices will alter when flight prices change. For holidays booked 11 months or more before departure, we provide guide flight timings; full flight details will be provided with your final documentation which you will recieve approximately 4 weeks prior to departure. Once your airfare is confirmed and deposits have been paid, your air-inclusive price is guaranteed. This protects you from any airfare increases. Any subsequent changes or revisions to flights at your request may result in airline change fees. Children We do not accept bookings for children under 8. There are no special arrangements or activities on board for children, we cannot accept bookings from unaccompanied children under 18 years of age and any travellers under this age must share the adult’s accommodation. Your Price Includes • The services of our representative at your destination airport. Representation overseas may at times be carried out by a local driver/representative. • Return international flights/Eurostar/Rail journey from the UK as specified on each itinerary. (NB. Eurostar and some scheduled flights services do not include in-flight meals, refreshments on board will normally be available at an extra cost). • Airport taxes, security charges and port taxes. • Private door-to-door home pick up service (see page 8 for full details). • All tips and gratuities for the crew and Cruise Director • Fuel supplements known at time of booking. • ATOL Protection contribution. • UK Government Air Passenger duty. • Transfers between overseas airports or stations, ports and accommodation unless otherwise stated in the brochure or on our website. • Cruise/tour content as specified in each itinerary. • Accommodation and meals confirmed to you on your final Confirmation/Invoiceccount. • All state/regional/local taxes, VAT and service charges unless otherwise stated in the cruise description. • All applicable ferry fares, bridge, tunnel and highway tolls. • Sightseeing and excursions specified as included in the cruise description. • The services of a Cruise Director, Local Guide or representative during the cruising/touring elements of your holiday; the services of our local representatives or agents during city stay. What's Extra • Food and drinks unless shown as included in your itinerary. • Meals on selected flight and train services. • Optional excursions. • Gratuities to drivers and local guides. • Holiday Insurance. • Any consumer levy that may be imposed by the UK Licensing Authority or approved body. • Costs of visas or vaccinations where necessary. • Additional charges for cruise/hotel such as laundry, safety deposit boxes, minibar and sports facilities, unless otherwise stated. • Any flight supplements. • Any room/stateroom supplements as described in the price panel. • For any payments made by credit card there will be a charge of 2% of the total cost of the holiday. Exchange Rates The holiday prices detailed in this brochure have been calculated using the following exchange rates: Euro 1.16. Journeys Club Journeys Club is a loyalty scheme for any customer who has

travelled with Avalon Waterways before. The on board benefits of Journeys Club can only be redeemed from your second Avalon Waterways cruise onwards. You must have a valid email address to sign up to Journeys Club. Once you have signed up via our website, you will receive your confirmation Welcome pack and will continue to receive emails which keep you informed of any Journeys Club benefits. Please see www.avaloncruises.co.uk/ jsignup for more information. Gifts on Board Customers have the option to purchase gifts onboard for themselves or a travelling companion or friends on the cruise. A variety of gifts are available including wine, flowers, chocolates and Champagne. Celebration Packages A new range of celebration packages are now available to purchase. A variety of options are available whether you want a small celebration for just two people or a lavish cocktail party on the sky deck with family and friends. Packages include birthday and anniversary cakes, passengers staterooms being decorated, personalised invitations to dinner and many more special touches. Wedding vow renewal packages are also available with the option to hold intimate vow renewal ceremonies onboard. Wedding cake, a wedding book, photographs and many other extras can be purchased with this package.

some practical information

Passports Please check at a Post Office or on the contact details below, about fees and services for passport applications, renewals and amendments, before booking your holiday. As travel regulations are constantly changing, we are unable to provide up-to-date information concerning such requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with all necessary Visa, Passport or other travel regulations. Validity: A valid passport is essential when you travel abroad. Although your passport has been issued for 10 years (5 years for children), some overseas countries have a requirement for a passport to remain valid for a minimum period after the date of entry to that country (typically 6 months). If your passport is in its final year of validity, you are advised to check the requirements of the country (ies) of destination before you make final travel plans. Apply early: If you need to apply for a passport or to renew an expired passport you should do so well in advance of travel. Currently you should allow approximately 8 weeks. Names: The name on the passport must match the name on the ticket, otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid. Any name spelling changes will incur an amendment fee per person changed. Holders of British Subject Passports and Non-British Citizens We can only advise on immigration requirements if your passport was issued in the UK and endorsed "British Citizen". Holders of a British Subject passport and non-British citizens should check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of all the countries you will be visiting or passing through. Further information from the Identity and Passport Service can be obtained as follows: Advice line: 0300 222 0000 7am-11pm daily (calls charged at your network provider's standard national rate); website: www.direct.gov.uk. Advance Passenger Information (API) Advance Passenger Information (API) means your Passport details, and in some instances your contact information, which has to be provided to the authorities before you travel. The UK Government (through the UK Home Office 'E-Borders' scheme) require Air, Rail & Cruise Operators ('carriers') to collect API from ALL passengers travelling internationally into and out of the UK. You can read more information on the UK E-Borders scheme, on the following link: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ advance-passenger-information The Data required currently is: * Passport Number * Country or State which issued passport * Expiry date of passport * Given (first and middle) names - as they appear in the passport * Last or Surname - as appears in the passport * Gender * Date of birth * Nationality Some Governments may also require 'carriers' to provide access to booking data, which may contain other passenger information. We will only provide each country's Customs & Immigration authorities with the relevant API or booking data required by law. This is governed by Data Protection laws applicable in the UK and the requesting State. Inaccurate or incomplete data could delay your journey, either at check-in or with the immigration authorities. We cannot accept responsibility for incorrect or incomplete data provided, and if you are unable to travel for any reason relating to the provision (or omission) of API data, no refunds will be available. How can I provide my API data? Please go to the following secure web portal https://www. avaloncruises.co.uk/apis and key in the lead passenger’s surname

and also the booking reference to enter the required information. You must enter all the required details for all passengers on the booking. You can re-enter the data if you've made a mistake, but you will not be allowed to change the names supplied at time of booking so please ensure they match those on passenger's passports. What if I need to change a passenger's name? You must contact our Call Centre first, as any name-change will be subject to normal Booking Conditions and may attract a charge. It is absolutely imperative that the names on the booking match those on the Passports of those travelling, and that this in turn matches API Data. When do I need to have provided my API by? Ideally you should provide the API data as soon as possible after the booking has been made as we can accept data from the moment that you receive details of the API Portal. The absolute latest that we can accept your API data by is 4 days prior to travel. Visas At the time of publishing, British passport holders visiting any of the ports of call on one of our holidays are not required to obtain any visas in advance. However, should this situation alter, you will be advised at the earliest possible opportunity.

travel advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Unit may have issued information about your holiday destination. You are advised to check the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/ knowbeforeyougo. Alternatively, you can contact them on 0845 850 2829 or the ABTA Information Department on 0901 201 5050 (calls charged at 50p/minute). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also provides passport, visa and health information necessary for air travellers at: http://www. iatatravelcentre.com/

holiday healthcare & safety

Vaccinations Requirements can change without notice and some inoculations or precautions, although not compulsory, may be advisable. Local conditions are subject to change and we suggest that your consult your GP, one of the specialist vaccination centres, or visit the Department of Health website (www.dh.gov.uk/travellers) for more information. Any information we provide is given in good faith. Visit: www.nhs.uk/livewell/travelhealth. No special immunisations are required for those countries not listed. This list is correct at the time of publication. Holiday Healthcare in Europe - EHIC If you are a UK resident you are entitled to free, or reduced cost, state provided healthcare when visiting a European Union (EU) country. However to be covered you will need to take a new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you, which you can get, free of charge. To apply visit the NHS Choices website: www. nhs.uk/healthcareabroad or by calling 0300 330 1350. Safety and Local Standards The safety standards and regulations, which apply overseas are those of the country concerned. Often, regrettably, they cannot reach to the same levels as the UK. Because of this the general standard of safety, hygiene, fire precautions, etc. can be lower than those which we have come to expect in the UK, and the authorities in the countries concerned may not have adequate power or resources to monitor and enforce standards. We suggest you familiarise yourself with fire escapes and always check the depth and exits of swimming pools before swimming. We suggest you keep a note of any significant medical condition you may have and details of any medication you are taking. Pack a small first aid kit to carry with you. Medical Services Medical care and medication overseas can be expensive. For this reason you must insure yourself against the possibility of injury and sickness requiring treatment on holiday. Smoking Smoking is not permitted on transportation that is exclusively provided by Avalon. On European river cruise ships smoking is allowed only on the ships’ outside decks where ash trays are available. Conduct For the benefit of everyone on your holiday, Avalon reserves the right to reject any customer and to remove any customer from the holiday whose conduct is deemed incompatible with the interests of the other customers, holidaymakers or passengers. Avalon will not refund or cover any cost or expenses incurred for termination of holiday arrangements due to unacceptable conduct. Passengers who need special assistance on tours/cruises Passengers must report any disability to Avalon before any reservation is made so that Avalon may advise whether they and/or their suppliers for any particular holiday are able to accommodate the passengers. Avalon may rely on the information provided to them by the passengers regarding the details of any disability in order to make a decision as to whether the passengers

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can be accommodated. Avalon will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled passengers, in accordance with the applicable laws. Not all sightseeing stops/sites accommodate wheelchairs and some locations and sightseeing activities require extensive standing, sitting or walking. Avalon is not responsible for any missed activities due to a participant’s inability to participate within a group. Although some of our ships have lifts, many of our ships do not. Passengers requiring ship lifts should enquire before making a reservation. Additionally most stateroom doors and bathrooms are not wide enough to allow access by standard wheelchairs, and bathrooms and other doorways may be fitted with coamings. For safety reasons passengers cannot be carried on ramps in ports when the ship is at anchor. In certain circumstances, we may ask that a disabled person or person with reduced mobility be accompanied by another person capable of providing any assistance required. Please see clause 16(e) of our Booking Conditions for further information.

licensing, Your privacy & contacting us Data Protection & Your Privacy For the purpose of the Data Protection Act 1998, we are a data controller. We will need to use the details you give us to properly process your booking or enquiry. If you are travelling with us we will also need to keep your details in case we or our suppliers (such as airl ines, accommodation providers and transport companies) and agents need to contact you in respect of your travel arrangements eg. in an emergency or to inform you of possible changes to your itinerary. The details we may need to store and use include the names and contact details of party members, credit/debit or other payment and passport details and, where applicable, details concerning any disability, medical condition or dietary requirements (which might disclose your religious beliefs) which might affect the chosen holiday arrangements. It may be necessary to transfer your details to a country or countries outside the EEA depending on where your holiday is to take place and/or where our suppliers or agents are based. The data protection and privacy rules and legislation in those countries may be less stringent than the UK. We or our suppliers or agents may be required to pass your details on to certain governments or government appointed bodies or agencies in the interests of security or because we are obliged to by law. When you make a booking with us you agree to us storing, using and passing on the information referred to for the reasons stated above. We will of course inform you if there is any further information we require from you during the booking process. When you make a booking, request a brochure or sign up for our email or SMS updates we will securely store your contact details in order to contact you with details of products and services we think you might be interested in. We may pass your or your party contact details to our UK sister companies so that they may contact you with details of the products and services that they offer but we undertake not to pass them to any other third parties for marketing purposes. Our sister companies include: Avro Ltd, Monarch Airlines Ltd, Cosmos Holidays Ltd. and Archers Tours Ltd. You may receive communications from us and our sister companies by mail, telephone, e-mail or SMS (text message). You may not want us or our sister companies to contact you for marketing purposes, in which case you will be given the opportunity to opt out at the point you provide us with your personal details. If you're not making a booking and if you don't require us to send you information then naturally you do not have to provide us with any personal information at all. Whenever we contact you by e-mail or SMS we will give you the option of opting out of any future e-mail or SMS communications. Also, if at any time you decide you would rather not receive news, information and offers about our holidays by phone or post please let us know in writing to: Data Protection, Marketing Department, Avalon Waterways, Wren Court, 17 London Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1DE. You are generally entitled to ask us about details of yours that we are holding, why we're holding or processing them and to whom we have disclosed or may disclose them to. To do this, please send a letter to the address listed above. We promise to respond to your request within 40 days of receiving the request in writing along with any applicable fee. There are circumstances where we shall be within our rights to refuse such a request. If you believe that any of your personal information that is held or being processed by us is incorrect then please write to us immediately as we cannot be responsible for any problems that may arise due to inaccurate information that you have provided us with. If you would like further information then you may find the following websites useful: http://www.hmso.gov. uk or http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk. How to contact us Our Head Office address (for all enquiries) is: Avalon Waterways, Wren Court, 17 London Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1DE Website: www.avaloncruises.co.uk Our registered business address is: Prospect House, Prospect Way, London Luton Airport, Luton, LU2 9NU.

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Frequently asked questions

We understand that there may be a few extra details you'd like to know a little more about so we've put together a list of frequently asked questions and their answers to help you really make the most of all the great benefits Avalon Waterways cruises can offer.

Q What is the dress code?

The dress code is casual and we recommend bringing a pair of comfortable walking shows for sightseeing trips. The Welcome and Farewell Dinners give you a chance to dress up but are not formal.

Q What is the language onboard?

The language on board is English. All staff, crew and tour guides speak English. All announcements and commentary will solely be in English.

What currency is onboard?

The onboard currency is Euros and for your convenience, all purchases and accounts on board can be settled by cash or most major credit cards at the end of your cruise. Most European countries use the Euro – apart from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Switzerland and Serbia. However, most establishments do accept Euro. Major credit cards are welcome nearly everywhere except for some smaller towns, it’s advisable to bring some local currency. Cash machines can be found on shore at some stops but we advise checking with your bank that your card and PIN will work abroad.

Q Are tips included?

For your convenience, all European holidays include gratuities for the crew and Cruise Director. For local guides it is customary to tip €1 per tour.

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Q Is there a lift on the ship?

All Avalon European ships have a lift but lifts do not access the Sky Decks.

Q What is the voltage on board?

Voltage is 220v. Electricity sockets on board take European style two-pin plugs. British three-pin plug appliances will need an adaptor.

are the seating arrangements for Q What Q Are medical services available? meal times? The dining room is spacious enough to accommodate all guests at a single sitting. Seating is open, so you can choose to sit wherever you wish and tables can seat 4 to 8 guests each. Tables cannot be reserved.

Q What kind of entertainment is there?

Every cruise includes two or three evenings of on board entertainment, at least one show performed by the crew and nightly piano music. Depending on the cruise destination, there may be regional wine tastings, local musicians performing folklore shows or classical recitals and guest speakers who are welcomed aboard to talk about local cities and attractions. There is also a selection of board games and a small library available on board.

Q Is there internet access on board?

All Avalon ships in Europe have complimentary 3G WI-FI available for in-room use, as well as public computers with Internet connections in the Internet Centre. To access the ship's Wi-Fi network you will be given a PIN number at the reception to use on your laptop to access the Internet. Please note that this service may become inaccessible during certain parts of the cruise.

There is no resident doctor on board but medical services can be quickly called in from shore if needed.

there tea and coffee making Q Are facilities in the staterooms? There are no tea or coffee making facilities in any staterooms staterooms but there is complimentary self-service cappuccino, espresso, latte and premium Lavazza coffee, fruit and traditional teas.

Q Can I add hotel nights to my holiday?

If you'd like to add extra hotel nights, we will try to make arrangements for you at our contracted rates. Rates are per person, per night, and include a room with private facilities, breakfast, service charges and taxes. Extra hotel nights are only available immediately prior to or after your holiday. If your holiday includes hotel stays, every effort will be made to reserve extra nights at the same hotels. If a room is not available, alternative accommodation will be reserved at a hotel of equivalent standard. When this is the case, the transfer to and from the hotel is complimentary. During busy periods, availability may be limited or unavailable in certain cities.

Cal l us free o n 0808 11 5 2927 or visit us at www.avalon crui se s.co.uk

How to Book How to book your holiday 1. Your deposit

We accept payment by Debit cards, Mastercard or Visa.

you can send us your deposit by post, enclosing either a cheque or postal order, or provide us with your credit/debit card details. Avalon Waterways must receive this within 3 working days of making your reservation. Once you have paid your deposit we will send you a Confirmation Invoice confirming your holiday details. It is very important that you check this invoice carefully; if any detail is not correct, or you have any queries, please call us immediately.

2. Payment of your balance

The required deposit of £300 (Europe) £500 (long haul) per person and insurance premium if you are taking Avalon Waterways insurance, will be taken. If you wish to pay by credit/debit card just have your card ready when you call us, so that your booking may be confirmed and your holiday details forwarded immediately. Note that any payment by credit card will incur a charge of 2% of your holiday cost. Alternatively, once you have called to reserve your holiday,

The balance of payment is due 90 days before departure. Payment can be made by credit/debit card, but if you wish to pay the balance by cheque or postal order, please allow sufficient time for any postal delay. Receipts are only issued upon request. • For payments made by credit card there will be a processing charge of 2% of the total cost of the holiday. • Reminders for balance payments will not be sent.

3. Late bookings

If you are booking within 90 days of departure, full payment must be made by credit or debit card at the time of booking.

4. Your travel documents

Your tickets, full departure details and itinerary will normally arrive 7-10 days before departure. Please check your tickets carefully as flight or eurostar times may have changed from those shown on your confirmation invoice.

5. Remember

Please ensure that your booking reference number is quoted on all correspondence. If you are NOT taking Avalon Waterways Insurance you must provide us with your independent insurance details at this stage. Please ensure that your insurance policy covers all the countries and areas that you will be visiting.

Insurance This policy is for residents of the UK and the Isle of Man only and for travel from the UK only. Travel insurance is as essential as your passport or your visa. You have to have the right cover for your trip. It is compulsory for all our customers to have adequate holiday insurance; if you do not, you may be refused boarding. If you are not taking Archers Insurance you must provide us with your independent insurance details. In order to ensure that you have the cover you need, we have arranged a specifically designed policy through Rock Insurance Services Limited underwritten by SOLID Försäkringar. The medical and claims assistance is provided by Global Response on their behalf. The policy document gives you full details of what is and what is not covered and what to do if you need to make a claim. It is very important that you read the whole policy before you travel to make sure the cover is suitable for you. Please make sure that you take it on holiday with you in case of an emergency. A copy of the policy wording will be forwarded to you with your Confirmation Invoice. Take out this cover and travel with the peace of mind that, should the worst happen, assistance is just a phone call away. PREMIUMS (Europe) Up to 64* 65 and over Up to 7 nights £25 £42 8-16 nights £30 £55 17-23 nights £36 £60 24-30 nights £41 £70 Annual Policy £50 £90 * Age on day of booking your insurance Above premiums based on Premier Cover Policy and are inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax. The applicable premium per person must be included with the deposit payment for your travel arangements. Long haul premiums are available - please call for details.

Summary of Principal Cover - Premier Policy (Per Insured) Medical Emergency & Repatriation: Up to £10 million Cancellation & Curtailment::

Up to £5,000

Abandonment due to Delay:

Up to £5,000

Missed Departure:

Up to £1,200

Personal Possessions:

Up to £1,500

the advice of a Medical Practitioner (or would be travelling against the advice of a Medical Practitioner had You sought his/her advice); 3. The insurance will NOT cover You when You are travelling with the intention of obtaining medical treatment or consultation abroad. 4. The insurance will NOT cover You if You have any undiagnosed symptoms that require attention or investigation in the future (that is symptoms for which You are awaiting investigations/consultations, or awaiting results of investigations, where the underlying cause has not been established). No claim arising directly or indirectly from a Pre-existing Medical Condition affecting You will be covered unless: • You have declared that condition to Us; and * You have declared any changes in Your health or prescribed medication; and • We have accepted that condition for insurance in writing. Each Insured Person who has a Pre-existing Medical Condition must make a Medical Health Declaration before each Period of Insurance and, if there are any changes in Your health or prescribed medication, prior to commencement of the Period of Insurance or departing on any Trip. Failure to declare any Pre-existing Medical Condition that is relevant to the insurance may invalidate the policy. We may require You to obtain a medical report from Your General Practitioner or Consultant in order to assess whether cover applies. Any costs incurred in obtaining this medical report shall be borne by You. Based on Our assessment of the medical information supplied to Us, We will decide whether or not the person is suitable for insurance, if certain exclusions or restrictions should be imposed, or if cover can be offered subject to the payment of an additional premium. If We offer cover, and, if the cover is subject to the payment of an additional premium, cover will not commence until full payment has been received by Us and written confirmation has been provided by Us. To declare a Preexisting Medical Condition or a change in Your state of health or prescribed medication, You should contact the Medical Screening Helpline during office hours on: 0843 658 0306. You should also refer to the General Exclusions.

There is no cover under the policy for claims arising from any activity not listed under the definition of special sports and activities on page 3. POLICY EXCESSES Under most sections of the policy, claims will be subject to an excess per person. This means that you will be responsible for the first part of the claim. The amount you have to pay is the excess. YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL If your cover does not meet your requirements, please notify us within 14 days of receiving your policy and return all your documents for a refund of your premium. If during this 14 day period you have travelled, made a claim or intend to make a claim, we are entitled to recover all costs we have incurred for your use of those services. Please note that your cancellation rights are no longer valid after this initial 14 day period and there is no provision for refund. OUR RIGHT TO CANCEL We can cancel this policy by sending you seven days' notice in writing, as long as you have not travelled, made a claim or intend to make one. We will not refund your premium unless you cancel the policy within 14 days of receiving it (see YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL, above). RESIDENCY

24 HOUR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

• A terminal diagnosis has been received prior to the commencement of the Period of Insurance; or

If you suffer an injury or illness which may lead to a claim under your insurance, you must always seek the advice of a registered medical practitioner before cancelling or curtailing your trip, or before incurring any expenses. If you are already on holiday you must also seek the advice of the Assistance Company. Demands and Needs Statement

Up to £500

Personal Accident:

Up to £25,000

Legal Protection:

Up to £20,000 per policy

Mugging Benefit:

Up to £500

Catastrophe Cover:

Up to £1,000

or if during the 90 days immediately prior to the commencement of the Period of Insurance they had:

Withdrawal of Services:

Up to £500

• Required surgery, inpatient treatment or hospital consultations; or

1. To be covered, You must be healthy, fit to travel and to undertake Your planned Trip; 2. The insurance will NOT cover You when You are travelling against

SPECIAL SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

This policy will NOT cover any claims under Section 6 (Cancellation, Curtailment or Trip Interruption) arising directly or indirectly from any Pre-existing Medical Condition, known to You prior to the commencement of the Period of Insurance affecting any Close Relative or travelling companion who is not insured under this policy or person with whom You intend to stay whilst on Your Trip if:

Up to £2 million per policy

Important Health Requirements

Single Trip - no maximum age limit applied.

IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS - CANCELLATION, CURTAILMENT & TRIP INTERRUPTION COVER

Personal Liability:

You must comply with the following conditions in order to have full protection under this policy. If You do not comply We may, at Our option, cancel the policy, refuse to deal with Your claim or reduce the amount of any claim payment. This insurance operates on the following basis:

AGE LIMITS

This policy is only available if you are permanently resident in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man and registered with a medical practitioner in one of these areas, being the one in which you permanently reside.

Money:

Please refer to policy wording for sub-limits and full terms and conditions.

conditions that affect you, your travelling companions or anyone else upon whom your travel plans may depend. Please read the section IMPORTANT CONDITIONS RELATING TO HEALTH on page 6 of the policy wording.

• If they were on a waiting-list for, or had knowledge of the need of surgery, inpatient treatment or investigation at any hospital or clinic at the commencement of the Period of Insurance;

• Required any form of treatment or prescribed medication. You should also refer to the General Exclusions. IMPORTANT NOTICE: PLEASE READ YOUR INSURANCE POLICY CAREFULLY: We would like to draw Your attention to important features of Your policy including: POLICY DOCUMENT You should read this document carefully. It gives you full details of what is and is not covered and the conditions of the cover. HEALTH CONDITIONS Your policy contains certain exclusions relating to pre-existing medical

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This travel insurance policy will suit the Demands and Needs of an individual, or group (where applicable) who have no excluded pre-existing medical conditions, are travelling to countries included within the policy terms and who wish to insure themselves against the financial impact of specified unforeseen circumstances / events relating to or occurring during the trip. Full details of these circumstances / events, levels of cover and terms and conditions can be found in the policy booklet. IMPORTANT - You may already possess alternative insurance(s) for some or all of the features and benefits provided by this product; it is your responsibility to investigate this. We will not provide you with advice about the suitability of this product for your individual needs; we will however be happy to provide you with factual information to aid you in making your own informed buying decision. Avalon Waterways is authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This can be confirmed by contacting the FCA on 0845 606 1234 or by visiting the FCA's website at: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register.

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Legendary river cruises. Inspired design.

For more information visit us at

www.avaloncruises.co.uk To book call us FREE on

0808 115 2927

or see your local Travel Agent From overseas call +44 161 475 9716 Email: avalonsales@avaloncruises.co.uk • Mon-Fri: 0900-1800 • Sat: 0900-1700 • Sun & Bank Holidays: 1000-1600 • Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day Opening hours may vary during certain times of the year. Calls may be monitored to help us maintain and improve service.

We are a member of ABTA and our flight-inclusive packages are fully bonded with the CAA’s ATOL scheme, which means your holiday is completely protected.

ABTA No.V3031 COSMOS COACH TOURS LTD

Avalon Waterways, Wren Court, 17 London Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1DE Registered in England No. 1175122 Brochure published December 2013 Prices and offers valid from 19 December 2013 Avalon Waterways is a trading name of Cosmos Coach Tours Ltd.

Save a tree! Either pass this brochure on to a friend,

or, if it’s out of date and you really don’t need it any more remove the cover (it’s varnished) and place in your nearest paper recycling facility