If you love flowers and gardens, you simply must take a river cruise at tulip time in the Netherlands at least once. Stunning fields of colorful flowers, as far as the eye can see; the famous Keukenhof Gardens, Holland in the spring never disappoints.

And on an Avalon Waterways Tulip Time river cruise, you’ll enjoy modern ships featuring spacious Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall panoramic windows, creating an open-air balcony.

On top of that, you’ll have a chance to explore historical yet always modern Amsterdam. You’ll also cruise through Rotterdam harbor and then choose to visit Gouda, famous for its Gouda cheese, syrup waffles and elaborate city hall. Many of your fellow guests will choose to visit the Keukenhof this afternoon. Picture over 70 acres of parkland with lakes, sculpture gardens, greenhouses and a windmill. Every year, 7 million flower bulbs are planted.

Next is Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city and one of the world’s most ancient seaports. Here you’ll find fabulous architecture, chic shops (Antwerp is known for modern fashion and diamonds) and of course Belgian chocolates, beers and other culinary delights. Antwerp is followed by Ghent, a city full of medieval charm and power.  Your local guide will point out a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success. Heard of The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, created by the Van Eyck brothers around 1432? You’ll get to see it in St. Baaf’s Cathedral.

Returning to the Netherlands, you’ll learn about the way this country that is largely below sea level protects itself from the sea at the Delta Works. Middelburg acquaints you with the Dutch East India Company and its rich history. Visit the fortifications of Willemstad before returning to Amsterdam. A canal boat ride along the elegant canals (grachten) will show off Amsterdam’s “Golden Age”.

Our April 20, 2018 departure date offers Q preferred pricing from as low as $2,099* per person, including prepaid gratuities.  More options are available: just call us for details.

Avalon Waterways Tulip Time River Cruise

Avalon Waterways Tulip Time River Cruise on the Rhine,
April 20-27, 2018, on Avalon Illumination

• Cruise from Amsterdam, the Netherlands on this 7 night/8 days river cruise.
• Your cruise includes river view accommodations; fresh, locally inspired meals with wine and beer at lunch and dinner; daily excursions with local guides; internet access and more.
• Fares from $2,099* plus $168 in taxes per person, based on double occupancy in a Category E room. Gratuities included. Call now for the best availability

For more details, download a flyer (pdf) about this Avalon Tulip Time Cruise 2018.  Additional dates available, just call us for details.

What you should know

Book by November 28, 2017 to benefit from the above fares and included gratuities. All fares and room types are subject to availability. Port charges and taxes, airfare, transfers, travel insurance and other expenses of a personal nature are additional. Prepaid gratuities are for shipboard personnel and based on Avalon’s recommended amount of EUR 15 per person per day.

To reserve your space, or for more details, please contact ÐÓ°É´«Ã½.

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A river cruise in Europe is a great way to get up close and personal to some of the most beautiful sites of Europe.  But an Avalon Waterways Active Discovery river cruise gets you even closer: kayak or hike in stunning scenery; walk through a vineyard (yes, tasting is allowed); try a cooking class with a local chef; get away from the ordinary.  With an Avalon Waterways Active Discovery river cruise, you’re not observing life in Europe: you’re part of it.

Just imagine kayaking with elegant swans as your companions, learning how to make a perfect local dish, or hiking to a gorgeous vantage point, high above the river that takes you past majestic cities and quaint villages.

Your active excursions are included in your cruise fare, as are your meals, wine and beer at dinner, and of course your riverview accommodation.  Not feeling so active one day? No problem, simply join a less strenuous tour!

And on select Avalon Waterways river cruises in 2018 the European river cruise specialists at ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Chicago will even include your gratuities – a value of over $120 per person per week.

Want to learn more? Take a look at this short .

Here are two itineraries and dates with Q preferred pricing.  More options are available: just call us for details.

Avalon Waterways Active Discovery River Cruise Offers

Avalon Waterways Active Discovery River Cruise on the Rhine,
July 15-22, 2018, on Avalon Felicity

• Cruise from Wiesbaden, near Frankfurt, Germany to Amsterdam, the Netherlands on this 7 night/8 days river cruise.
• Choose the dynamic, interactive activities that appeal to you the most. You’ll have the opportunity to walk through the Rhine wine region for a walk and wine tour; bike along the Rhine; visit a former coal mine, an extinct volcano, historic castles, or a chocolate factory; participate in Roman games at a historical Roman settlement in Xanten, Germany; or channel your inner Rembrandt or Van Gogh at a painting class in Amsterdam.
• Fares from $2,399* plus $168 in taxes per person, based on double occupancy in a Category E room. Gratuities included.  Call now for the best availability

For more details, download a .  Additional dates available, just call us for details.

Avalon Waterways Active Discovery River Cruise on the Danube,
June 17-25 2018, on Avalon Luminary

• Cruise from Linz, Austria to Budapest, Hungary on this 8 night/9 day river cruise.
• Visit highlights like Vienna, kayak on the Danube; explore an ice cave; take an archery lesson; help a farmer in his apricot orchard; descend into an underground salt mine; ascend a mountain during a guided climb; visit a brewery or vineyard, jog to the sights of Vienna or meet with local business people.
• Fares from $2,789* plus $168 in taxes per person, based on double occupancy in a Category E room. And as a special offer, we include gratuities.  Call now for the best availability.

For more details, download a . Additional dates available, just call us for details

What you should know

Book by November 28, 2017 to benefit from the above fares and included gratuities. All fares and room types are subject to availability. Port charges and taxes, airfare, transfers, travel insurance and other expenses of a personal nature are additional. Prepaid gratuities are for shipboard personnel and based on Avalon’s recommended amount of EUR 15 per person per day.

To reserve your space, or for more details, please contact ÐÓ°É´«Ã½.

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Avalon Waterways has given the river cruise specialists at Q advance notice of what they call their biggest sale of the year, the Avalon Suite Sales Event.  Our favorite: on select Europe river cruises departing in 2016 and 2017, Avalon includes free economy airfare from Chicago O’Hare, as well as LAX, EWR, JFK, IAD, BWI and BOS. (Avalon will select the airline and itinerary, and restrictions do apply.) Other gateways are available from $200 to $1,075 per person, inclusive of taxes and fees.

Avalon Waterways River Cruise Sale:

Here is a summary of Avalon river cruises special offers during the Avalon Suite Sales Event:

• Europe river cruises 2017: Fly Free plus save $2,000 per couple OR save 10% off the cruise/land or cruise only pricing on select 2017 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruises
• Europe river cruises 2016: Fly Free plus save $1,500 per couple OR save $500 per couple OR waived single supplement on select 2016 Avalon river cruises in Europe
• China river cruises 2017: save 5% off the cruise/land or cruise only pricing on select 2017 Avalon Waterways China river cruise
• Southeast Asia River Cruises 2017: save $2,000 per couple OR waived single supplement on select 2017 Avalon Waterways river cruises on the Mekong or Irrawaddy
• Southeast Asia River Cruises 2016: receive prepaid gratuities on select 2016 Avalon Waterways river cruises on the Mekong or Irrawaddy

View the Avalon promotion details and available dates, and the promotion’s detailed terms and conditions.

This is such a great deal that you’ll understand that restrictions apply and availability is limited, so give us a call today if you’d like to learn more – before this Avalon Waterways river cruise sale is announced to “the public” through the Avalon TV campaign that starts on September 6 on cable news, travel and home decorating channels.

Book your Avalon Waterways River Cruise with ÐÓ°É´«Ã½

Especially for a first time river cruise guests, the choices can be overwhelming.  Which river, which cruise line, which ship is the right one for you? Fortunately, the certified Avalon Waterways River Cruise experts at Q have personally experienced a wide range of river cruise lines in Europe.  We can tell you exactly how Avalon is different from the others out there.

As a preferred partner of Avalon Waterways, we offer the same or lower fares, as well as Virtuoso Voyages benefits such as prepaid gratuities on a number of Avalon river cruises. In addition, we can customize your trip to your desires, with hotel recommendations, travel insurance, air options, and more. Just give us a call – we’ll be happy to help!

River Cruising from a Unique Point of View

Avalon Waterways does a few things differently from other cruise lines – including designing its ships to maximize the view! Want to get a preview of how Avalon offers ? Click on the image below to see the TV spots:

Visit our Virtuoso cruise finder for an .

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