Europe River Cruises

The Great Rivers of Europe

When you step on to an Avalon river cruise, your breath will be taken away by the magic that separates you from everyday life on dry land. You’ll glide past imposing medieval castles, lush riverbank vineyards, and remarkable ancient wonders on your European river cruise. Every gentle bend of the river reveals another fascinating sight as your luxurious river cruise ship winds its way through scenic landscapes, delivering you right to where many of Europe's most celebrated cities were born.


As Europe’s second-longest river and a vital means of transportation for 2,000 years, the Danube is the only major European river to flow from west to east.


Flowing from the Swiss Alps, the Rhine is perhaps most famous for its legendary Lorelei rock and the imposing medieval castles that line its banks.


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


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


The Seine rises just northwest of Dijon and flows in a northwesterly direction through Paris before emptying into the English Channel at Le Havre. It has been considered the river of Paris.


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

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China River Cruises

The longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world at more than 3,915 miles, the Yangtze river flows from the Tibetan Plateau in the west to the East China Sea. A China river cruise will take you through the impressive Three Gorges (Qutang, Wuxia, & Xiling) and view the immense dam, China's largest construction project since the Great Wall. Qutang, the shortest and most dramatic gorge, is an unimaginable place where you can nearly touch the perpendicular mountains rising from the Yangtze river banks.

MAGICAL CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER (WYC)

MAGICAL CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER11 days from Beijing to Shanghai or 12 days incl. travel
Starting at: $2,599.00 (not including airfare)

Discover China’s ancient history and fascinating culture on this delightful China river cruise. Sightseeing with a Local Guide shows you the highlights in Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing, with inside visits that include the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, Yu Yuan Gardens, Dayan Pagoda, the Forbidden City, and the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs. Also attend an acrobatic show, calligraphy class, lacquer and cloisonné workshops, and a noodle-making demonstration. You’ll tour the ancient Hutongs by rickshaw, experience a performance of the Peking Opera and “The Tang Dynasty” dinner show, enjoy an authentic Peking Duck dinner, and see the impressive Three Gorges Dam site on your 4-night river cruise along the majestic Yangtze.

MAGICAL CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER W/HONG KONG EXT (WYCE)

MAGICAL CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER W/HONG KONG EXT14 days from Beijing to Hong Kong or 15 days incl. travel
Starting at: $3,719.00 (not including airfare)

Discover China’s ancient history and fascinating culture on this delightful China river cruise. Sightseeing with a Local Guide shows you the highlights in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, with inside visits that include the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Great Wall, Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, the Terracotta Warriors, Dayan Pagoda, the Bund, the Yu Yuan Gardens, and the Children’s Palace. Attend an acrobatic show or visit the Ghost City Temple, and participate in a calligraphy class, lacquer and cloisonné workshops, and a noodle-making demonstration. You’ll also tour the ancient Hutongs by rickshaw, enjoy a performance of the Peking Opera, “The Tang Dynasty” dinner show, and an authentic Peking Duck dinner, and will tour a silk factory. On your 3-night river cruise along the majestic Yangtze, see the impressive Three Gorges Dam site. Fly to Hong Kong for three overnights that include a cable car ride up Victoria Peak for panoramic views. Drive by Repulse Bay, a popular beach area, then to the Aberdeen fishing village for a sampan ride on the harbor.

CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET WITH YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (WXY)

CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET W/ YANGZE RIVER CRUISE15 days incl. travel, or 14 days from Beijing to Shanghai
Starting at: $4,029.00 (not including airfare)

This exciting river cruise vacation introduces you to the rich history and cultural treasures of China and Tibet. Visit world-famous historical sites in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the legendary Terracotta Warriors, and the Yu Yuan Gardens. High in the Himalayas, explore Lhasa, Tibet’s mystical capital, and marvel at the Three Gorges Dam site on your delightful Yangtze River cruise.

THE HEART OF CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER (WCY)

THE HEART OF CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER16 days from Beijing to Hong Kong or 17 days incl. travel
Starting at: $4,119.00 (not including airfare)

Experience China in depth on this mesmerizing river cruise vacation. Visit world-famous historical sites in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the legendary Terracotta Warriors, and the Yu Yuan Gardens. Marvel at the Three Gorges Dam site on your magical 3-night Yangtze River cruise, and enjoy a relaxing day cruise on the Li River in Guilin. The one-of-a-kind port city of Hong Kong rounds out your fascinating journey through China.

CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET W/ YANGTZE & HONG KONG PRE EXT (WXYQ)

CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET W/ YANGTZE & HONG KONG PRE EXT18 days from Hong Kong to Beijing or 19 days incl. travel
Starting at: $4,849.00 (not including airfare)

This exciting river cruise vacation introduces you to the rich history and cultural treasures of China and Tibet. Begin your journey with three overnights in vibrant Hong Kong, including a cable car ride up Victoria Peak for panoramic views, a drive to Repulse Bay, and time in the Aberdeen fishing village for a sampan ride on the harbor. On to mainland China, where you’ll marvel at the Three Gorges Dam site on your delightful 4-night Yangtze River cruise, and experience world-famous sites in Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing, including the Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children’s Palace, Dayan Pagoda, Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs. High in the Himalayas, explore Lhasa, Tibet’s mystical capital, with visits to the Summer Palace, a local home and monastery, Potala Palace, and Jokhang Temple—a remarkable vacation!

THE HEART OF CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER W/BANGKOK EXT (WCYE)

THE HEART OF CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER W/BANGKOK EXT19 days from Beijing to Bangkok or 20 days incl. travel
Starting at: $4,719.00 (not including airfare)

See the best of China and Thailand on this mesmerizing vacation. Visit world-famous historical sites in Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin, and Hong Kong, including the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, Terracotta Warriors, Yu Yuan Gardens, Reed Flute Cave, and Stanley Market. Attend special cloisonné and lacquer workshops, a noodle-making demonstration, a calligraphy class, and tour a silk factory and a tea farm. Enjoy a Peking Duck welcome dinner, as well as “The Tang Dynasty” dinner show and Peking Opera performances. Marvel at the Three Gorges Dam site on your magical 3-night Yangtze River cruise, and at the fascinating scenery on a Li River day cruise in Guilin. On to the one-of-a-kind port city of Hong Kong, with a cable car ride up Victoria Peak and a sampan ride on the harbor. Then, fly to Bangkok for three overnights and sightseeing that features the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Keo, and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET WITH YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE AND MONGOLIA EXT (WXYE)

CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET W/ YANGTZE RIVER & MONGOLIA EXT20 days from Shanghai to Beijing or 21 days incl. travel
Starting at: $6,299.00 (not including airfare)

This exciting vacation introduces you to the rich history and cultural treasures of China, Tibet, and Mongolia. Marvel at the Three Gorges Dam site on a delightful 4-night Yangtze River cruise, and experience world-famous sites in Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing, including the Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children’s Palace, Dayan Pagoda, Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs. High in the Himalayas, explore Lhasa, Tibet’s mystical capital, with visits to the Summer Palace, a local home and monastery, Potala Palace, and Jokhang Temple. Fly to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where a city tour shows off the sites, you’ll enjoy a Mongolian folklore performance, and inside visits introduce you to the Bogd Khan Winter Palace and Gandan Monastery. Fly to the Gobi Desert and visit Eagle Valley National Park, the largest sand dunes in the region, and a camel breeders camp to learn about the nomadic lifestyle.

CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET W/ YANGTZE W/HONG KONG & MONGOL (WXYY)

CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET W/ YANGTZE W/HONG KONG & MONGOL23 days from Hong Kong to Beijing or 24 days incl. travel
Starting at: $7,069.00 (not including airfare)

This exciting vacation introduces you to the rich history and cultural treasures of China, Tibet, and Mongolia. Begin your journey with three overnights in vibrant Hong Kong, including a cable car ride up Victoria Peak for panoramic views, a drive to Repulse Bay, and time in the Aberdeen fishing village for a sampan ride on the harbor. On to mainland China, where you’ll marvel at the Three Gorges Dam site on your delightful 4-night Yangtze River cruise, and experience world-famous sites in Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing, including the Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children’s Palace, Dayan Pagoda, Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs. High in the Himalayas, explore Lhasa, Tibet’s mystical capital, with visits to the Summer Palace, a local home and monastery, Potala Palace, and Jokhang Temple. Fly to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where a city tour shows off the sites, you’ll enjoy a Mongolian folklore performance, and inside visits introduce you to the Bogd Khan Winter Palace and Gandan Monastery. Fly to the Gobi Desert and visit Eagle Valley National Park, the largest sand dunes in the region, and a camel breeders camp to learn about the nomadic lifestyle—truly the trip of a lifetime!

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Nile River Cruises

EGYPTIAN SPLENDOR (WAL)

EGYPTIAN SPLENDOR 9 days from Cairo to Cairo or 10 days incl. travel
Starting at: $2,297.00 (not including airfare)

This captivating Nile river cruise vacation offers an exciting voyage through the Kingdom of the Pharaohs. In Cairo, marvel at King Tutankhamun’s treasures, visit the enigmatic Sphinx, and see the Great Pyramids of Giza. Then, fly to Aswan for a 4-night Nile River cruise to Luxor. Along the way, visit the Aswan Dam, the Temple of Isis, the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, and Luxor Temple. You’ll also ride through Edfu to the Temple of Horus, visiting colorful local bazaars and exploring the stunning monuments of Karnak.

 

GRAND TOUR OF EGYPT (WLA)

GRAND TOUR OF EGYPT 11 days from Cairo to Cairo or 12 days incl. travel
Starting at: $2,806.00 (not including airfare)

Sail through 5-thousand years of history on this incredible Nile river cruise getaway. In Cairo, guided sightseeing introduces you to the highlights of the city as well as to the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids in nearby Giza. Admire the Ramses II statue and the Alabaster Sphinx in Memphis and travel to the Mediterranean seaport of Alexandria. Then, fly to Luxor for a 3-night Nile River cruise showcasing the stunning monuments of Karnak, the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the Temple of Horus. See the Old Dam in Aswan, the Temple of Isis, and enjoy a ride on a traditional felucca.

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Galapagos Islands Cruises

Consisting of 13 large and hundreds of small islands in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of South America, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the world’s most fascinating animal life. From Quito, Ecuador, fly to Baltra Island, then board your luxury ship and cruise from island to island in the Galapagos, encountering giant tortoises, penguins, sea lions, lizards, and a whole host of diverse bird species. As you explore these remarkable volcanic isles firsthand, you’ll discover the wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin. These exciting Galapagos Islands cruise vacations let you sample the natural wonders and historic treasures of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, & Peru.

ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS W/AMAZON EXT (WBGQ)

ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS W/AMAZON EXT13 days from Quito to Guayaquil or 13 days incl. travel
Starting at: $4,609.00 (not including airfare)

This exciting Galápagos vacation lets you sample the natural wonders of Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Quito, have your photo taken at the “Center of the World,” and spend time at leisure in Guayaquil. Also, fly over the Pacific to San Cristobal Island, where you’ll embark on an exciting 4-day cruise among various Galápagos Islands. Then, spend two nights on Santa Cruz Island at the Finch Bay Hotel to learn more about incredible plants and vastly different animals unique only to the Galápagos!

 

DISCOVER THE GALAPAGOS & PERU (WGG)

DISCOVER THE GALAPAGOS & PERU13 days from Lima to Quito or 14 Days incl. travel
Starting at: $5,709.00 (not including airfare)

Natural and historic treasures await on this cruise vacation of Peru and the Galápagos Islands. Enjoy a walking tour of Lima; a guided visit of Cuzco, former capital of the Inca Empire; an excursion to Otavalo and an Indian market; and a guided tour of Quito. Also, visit the ancient Puca Pucara, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, and a highlight of your adventure: mystical Machu Picchu. Finally, fly to Baltra Island for a 4-day Galápagos Islands cruise. During your Galápagos cruise, discover the incredible plants and vastly different animals unique to only the Galápagos Islands!

 

DISCOVER THE GALÁPAGOS & PERU WITH AMAZON EXTENSION (WGGE)

DISCOVER THE GALAPAGOS & PERU W/AMAZON EXT17 days from Lima to Quito or 18 days incl. travel
Starting at: $6,779.00 (not including airfare)

Natural and historic treasures await on this cruise vacation of Peru and the Galápagos Islands. Enjoy a walking tour of Lima; a guided visit of Cuzco, former capital of the Inca Empire; an excursion to Otavalo and an Indian market; and a guided tour of Quito. Also, visit the ancient Puca Pucara, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, and a highlight of your adventure: mystical Machu Picchu. Finally, fly to Baltra Island for a 4-day Galápagos Islands cruise. During your Galápagos cruise, discover the incredible plants and vastly different animals unique to only the Galápagos Islands! Finish your vacation at an Amazon Jungle lodge for a final three nights that include a canopy walk, guided night tour, cruise, and visit of Kapok Tree Tower.

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