Avalon Waterways is offering up to £1700 per couple off its range of special interest departures so guests can combine an interest or hobby with discovering new exciting destinations along Europe's rivers.   The savings apply to bookings made before 19 December 2016 for departures throughout 2017.

With on-board tastings, activities and lectures at no extra cost, Avalon customers can choose from art, wine appreciation, beer tasting, jazz and classical music, culinary, impressionist art, World War II history and festive themed cruises.  Enjoy sampling a tasty choice of craft beers in Budapest, savour wines from Austria's Wachau Valley or enjoy top class jazz music at the Vienne Jazz Festival in southern France.

Selected rivers cruises with special themed departures include:

Beer tasting cruises – 9 day 'Charms of Holland & Belgium' (from £1299pp) and 13 day 'Blue Danube Discovery' (from £2317pp) - The famous beers of Europe are the best in the world, and Avalon's cruises are an enjoyable way to learn about the history of the breweries of the region. On board tastings, lectures by a beer expert and dinner paired with selected beers are also included. Choose from the 9 day 'Charms of Holland & Belgium' or the 13 day 'Blue Danube Discovery' which features a visit to the famous Ottakringer brewery.

Culinary cruise – 8 day 'Paris to Normandy' (from £1700pp)

Foodies will love this 'Paris to Normandy' themed culinary cruise through Northern France.  An expert chef will dazzle guests with regional specialties, a cookery demonstration of typical French pastries as well as easy-to-follow recipes to take home.  There will be on- board cider and wine tastings, visits to a distillery and a cheese producing farm as well as an a la carte dinner with food/wine pairing.

Arts themed cruise – 8 day 'Paris to Normandy' (from £1798pp)

Highlights of the art themed cruise through Normandy include the famous landmarks, museums and points of interest associated with the well-known French Impressionist artists.   Enjoy a walking tour of Paris to include the famous 'Musee d'Orsay' to see the 19th century art collections, and famous artist area of Montmartre.   Included excursions include Monet's house and gardens at Giverny, Musee des Impressionism and the Cathedral in Rouen to see the famous painter's inspiration.  To give passengers a real insight into the history of the Impressionist movement and its artists, a knowledgeable local expert will hold a fascinating on-board lecture.  The poignant WWII landing beaches (full day excursion) is also included.

Wine Tasting Cruises – 11 day 'Burgundy & Provence' priced from £1985pp

Avalon offers a selection of cruises tailored to wine enthusiasts and those wanting to improve their appreciation and knowledge of wines, as well as discovering the wine regions of Europe.  Choose from the famous wines of Burgundy and the Rhone Valley to the Wachau Valley along the banks of the Danube.  Avalon customers can enjoy on-board wine tastings, tips on wine appreciation and a special dinner paired with regional wines.

Music themed cruises – 11 day 'Burgundy and Provence' (from 2,320pp)

If the combination of hot sunny weather, French gastronomy and jazz music on a luxury river cruise appeals, Avalon's 'Burgundy & Provence' jazz themed departure is the ideal choice.  The special jazz themed cruise coincides with the Vienne Jazz Festival on the Rhone where visitors can enjoy all types of jazz in the town's bars and pubs as well as the opportunity to see famous jazz artists at the city's Roman Amphitheatre. Jazz band performances on-board ship and an on-board expert to provide fascinating insight in to the French jazz scene will make the holiday complete.

To make a booking ring Avalon Waterways on 0800 668 1801 or visit www.avaloncruises.co.uk

Ends

Avalon ships and launch dates:  Avalon Passion and Avalon Imagery II (2016); Avalon Tapestry II and Avalon Tranquility II, Avalon Siem Reap and Avalon Myanmar (2015) Avalon Impression, Avalon Poetry II and Avalon Illumination (2014); Avalon Artistry II & Avalon Expression (2013); Avalon Vista & Visionary (2012); Avalon Panorama (2011); Avalon Felicity (2010); Avalon Luminary (2010);  Avalon Affinity (2009);  Avalon Creativity (2009);  Avalon Scenery (2008).

Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, an international travel company with offices worldwide.   Launched to the UK market in 2009, the luxury river cruise operator has quickly become one of the most recognised and fastest growing river cruise brands with a 98% customer satisfaction rating and boasting the youngest, quietest and most spacious fleet of ships currently on Europe's rivers.   Avalon Waterways features fourteen 'Suite Ships' providing ultimate worldwide river cruises with spacious and modern suites designed to enhance the cruising experience, state-of-the-art facilities, a la carte dining and the highest level of on-board service.

For further press information or images of Avalon cruise ships please contact:

Helen McNaught at the Avalon UK Press Office email: hmcnaught@avaloncruises.co.uk