Tuesday, October 04, 2011

2011 Last Minute Deals: Limited

Time Europe Offer

Save $1,000 per couple on the select river cruise departures below.*

Applies to cruise-only itineraries as well.

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Cruise Sale - Solo Traveler Deal

Solo Traveler Offer - Single Supplement
Waived on Select River Cruise Departures*

*Book a select 2011 Europe Avalon Waterways River Cruise vacation in order to waive the single supplement fee. Only five promotional staterooms available each departure, Category P only. Offer available onselect dates of select cruises listed above. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied after August 31, 2011 for travel at select times in 2011. Applies to new 2011 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Certain government-imposed taxes and fees of up to $375, including a September 11th Security fee of up to $10, are additional and must be paid by each traveler. Not combinable with any other offer other than Journeys Club member benefit. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Friday, September 09, 2011

Mekong River Cruise Deals

Save $1,000 per stateroom on the air-inclusive price of any 2012 Mekong River cruise.*

Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok
14 Days from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok

Step back in history as you explore Vietnam and Cambodia on this amazing cruise vacation. Enjoy a 7-night cruise along the Mekong River, discover the ancient ruins of Angkor, visit some of Vietnam's and Cambodia's historical treasures, behold spectacular scenery, and learn about different cultures. This is a journey like no other!
Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River River Cruise Details

Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Luang Prabang, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
21 Days from Bangkok to Hanoi

Step back in history as you explore Vietnam and Cambodia on this amazing cruise vacation. Enjoy a 7-night cruise along the Mekong River, discover the ancient ruins of Angkor, visit some of Vietnam's and Cambodia's historical treasures, behold spectacular scenery, and learn about different cultures. This is a journey like no other!
Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Luang Prabang, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay Cruise Details

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Floriade is an international World Horticultural Expo that is held every 10 years in the Netherlands, for a period of 6 months. World expositions are major exhibitions that have taken place all over the world since 1851. These expositions give countries the opportunity to display their technical, economical, cultural, and social developments. After an expo, a legacy building, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, is usually left behind. The Floriade has been held every 10 years since 1960.

The first Floriade Expo was held in 1960 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The Dutch Horticultural Council set itself a goal when it launched the Floriade. It was to be ‘a major cross-sector horticultural exhibition that will attract both national and international attention’. With over 3 million visitors, it was a definite success. The Euromast tower was built just for the Floriade, between 1958 and 1960 by Hugh Masskant.

The next Floriade was held 12 years later in 1972, and took place in Amsterdam. The ’72 expo was the busiest horticulture exhibition in all the world at the time, bringing in 5 million people between March and October. All the sections were held in different locations, and were brought together by a special Floriade train. Two of the biggest highlights of the 1972 expo were the lily display and the Dahliarama. The Floriade was held in Amsterdam again in 1982.

In 1992, the Floriade was held in Zoetermeer, and it attracted 3.3 million people to the grounds. Nearly 30 percent of all tourists that visited the Netherlands during this time came exclusively for the Floriade. The 1992 expo included a tramline that had been laid for the exposition, and there was a unique sculpture display. After the Floriade Expo was finished, the grounds were immediately reused for the Rokkeveen-West residential estate.

In 2002, the Floriade was held in Haarlemmermeer. The theme was ‘feel the art of nature’, and was divided into three separate sections. The sections were the Roof, the Mountain, and the Lake. The Roof was a large, floating piece made of 19,000 solar panels and fashioned the 30,000 square meter indoor display. Another key element was a 30-meter high pyramid called Spotter’s Hill. Floriade 2002 saw around 2.1 million visitors.

The 2012 Floriade Expo will take place in Venlo, Netherlands on an area that covers about 163 acres. There is to be 5 different sections of interest. The sections are: Relax and Heal, Green Engine, Education and Innovation, Environment, and World Show Stage.

The Relax and Heal section will allow visitors to see, smell, feel, hear, and taste how nature affects their mood, health, and wellbeing in the tranquil surroundings. It will have an Oriental setting, tea rituals, a barefoot path, and healing herbs to give each person a special experience. There will be a Restaurant Relax and Heal, with choices of Thai dishes, Japanese snacks, mint tea, and delicious fruit juices.

The Green Engine section houses the Villa Flora, the biggest indoor flower show which was designed just for Floriade 2012. You can take part in a fake flower auctions which allows you to bid on your own flowers, learn to make striking floral arrangements, and even plant your very own Dutch tulip as a souvenir. There is also a Restaurant Green Engine, where you can enjoy robust soups, organic salads, and sandwiches with generous fillings.

In the Education and Innovation section, you can watch a film, American-style, at the special Drive-In Cinema, and in the DALC travel pavilion, you can take a seat in a comfy car on the motorway. At Bee for the World, you can not only learn about the life of a bee, but also experience it for yourself! You will climb to different heights with your nose in flower blooms, land in a dim beehive, and move around while surrounded by the sound of bees buzzing. Make sure to visit the Restaurant Education and Innovation, where you can eat asparagus and strawberries from Netherland gardens.

In the Environment section, you’ll learn about the importance of bringing ‘green’ into the city, indoors and outdoors, and at home and work. You will also watch a special virtual tour of the Floriade. At the Restaurant Environment, you will enjoy barbecued dishes and divine cocktails.

At the World Show Stage section, you will be able to enjoy stunning performances on Theatre Hill, take a stroll down the Floriade Boulevard, and take in the Indonesian cultures. Make sure to visit the exquisite Rose Garden, filled with vivid colors of red, pink, and green roses. At the Restaurant WSS, you will be able to enjoy fresh Italian pastas and pizzas, Oriental delicacies, and Asian stir-fries.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Vacationing on the beautiful rivers of the world, whether it be family, friends, or like minded travelers, there is no better bonding experience than an Avalon Cruise.   Our group of 8 just returned from a wonderful 12 day cruise on the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers.  There were many high points.

The ship has a capacity of 160 people and, while the cruise was sold out, it never seemed  crowded .  The cabins were comfortable and roomy. Our Cruise Director did a wonderful job of organization and we were well informed of the next day’s activities by a newsletter delivered to our cabins each evening after dinner.

The food was fabulous!  Breakfast and lunch were served in a casual buffet style, with dinner (including unlimited wine) served with menu choices to satisfy any palate.   The dining room was comfortable, with large windows affording beautiful views as we cruised during the evening meal enjoying the scenery along the river.

Each evening there was entertainment in the spacious lounge.  The variety was amazing.  Local talent was brought aboard to treat us to insight into the culture of the region.  Additionally, we were treated to wine and beer tastings from regional vintners and brew masters.  On the comic side, we had a Crew Show that had us rolling in the aisles.

As the rivers were the main source of trade and transportation throughout history, each city and town along the way has a heritage going back hundreds if not thousands of years. Each day brought a new adventure with well educated local guides to share their love of their home with us.  Generally there was a guide for each 15-20 people which allowed ample time for questions and further discussion.

We all agreed that we had never had such a perfect vacation.  The days were busy, but enough time was scheduled to allow for leisure time, a nap, a game of Bridge, or just visiting on the Sun Deck watching the beautiful river towns as we passed by.

Can’t wait until next year for another Avalon Cruise!