Avalon Waterways

River Cruising - what a wonderful way to see Europe! 

Picture yourself relaxing in a deck chair as your floating hotel slowly passes scenic landscapes. Stroll from the  ship directly into the center of medieval towns and quaint villages. Leisurely, guided walking tours are included, with plenty of time to explore  on your own. Take a moment to just sit at a cafe to enjoy a Heineken, or sample a local specialty such as a Belgian waffle or "frites" (french fries) with mayonnaise.

River cruises carry less than 200 passengers, so there are no long lines anywhere. No traffic-jammed highways.  No need to pack and unpack.  And, since all meals, wine at dinner, and numerous shore excursions are included, you don't need to  worry about expenses adding up or currency exchange rates.

In early April, I enjoyed a "Tulip Time Cruise" thru The Netherlands and Belgium, on Avalon Waterways, part of the Globus Family of Brands.  We began in the capital city of Amsterdam, hom

e to over 150 canals, and 700,000 bikes (of which about 25,000 end up in the canals each year!) A Hop-On/Hop-Off canal cruise was the perfect way to navigate the city, passing beautiful old homes and houseboats that lined the canals. For museum lovers, famous Dutch masters can be seen in the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh.  And, the Anne Frank House is a definite must.  The Netherlands is  a fascinating country, with over 27% of the land below sea level, reclaimed from the sea.  We saw numerous picturesque windmills, and listened as the miller explained how important they are still today. Another day, we toured 1 of the world's most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works, with a storm flood barrier almost 6 miles long, and which took 30 years to complete.

Our port stops included the beautiful seaport city of Antwerp and the medieval town of Ghent, both in Belgium.  A optional excursion that I highly recommend is the lovely town of Bruges, which is truly 1 of the most charming places I've  ever had the pleasure of touring. Anyone interested in World War II history will en

joy the guided tour of the Liberty Museum.  But, the highlight of the cruise was spending the day at the fabulous Keukenhof Gardens, open only 9 weeks each year, and displaying over 7 million daffodils and tulips in every color imaginable!

River Cruises are offered not just on the Rhine River, but on various rivers throughout France, Germany, Portugal, Romania, and other areas of Europe.  They are also available in China, Egypt, and the Galapagos Islands.  Ask us about themed cruises, such as Wine Cruises, Jazz Cruises, or the festive Christmas Market cruises!  No matter your destination, you'll experience the very best that each location has to offer.

Joy Hammer, CTC
419 874-2457
joyh@centraltravel.com