Avalon Waterways has unveiled its third new ship in Europe in two years, the 138-passenger Avalon Scenery, which sails through the heart of France. To celebrate, guests who book an Avalon Waterways vacation in Europe by May 31 will save $100 off per person, or $200 off per couple.
The Scenery has floor-to-ceiling windows on two decks, a “fun pool” on the sky deck, an elevator and club lounge. It showcases the company’s signature 172-square-foot staterooms with standard amenities that include hotel-style beds with duvets, Egyptian cotton linens, flat-screen satellite televisions, mini-bars, safes, modern bathrooms and large wardrobes.
In 2008, the Avalon Scenery will sail 32 departures between April and November on the new 11-day Flavors of Burgundy & Provence itinerary. Travelers start in Paris and drive south past the forest of Fontainebleau into Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Cote d’Or area which produces some of the region’s finest vintages. Continuing south to Chalon-sur-Saone, passengers board the Scenery to call in Tournus and Macon and cruise down the Rhone to Lyon, France’s second largest city and its gastronomic capital. Visiting Tournon and Tain L’Hermitage, the cruise proceeds to Sauvignon and Arles and ends with a stay in Nice and an optional excursion to Monte Carlo. The cruise is priced from $2,059 cruise/land-only.
As part of Globus’ new Food & Wine vacation series, a special Food & Wine cruise is offered Nov. 1 aboard the Scenery. Designed in tandem with Burt Wolf, whose travel and culinary television programs have a large following, this sailing starts with sightseeing, food and wine in Paris and explores the wine-filled countryside along the Rhone and Saone rivers. The Scenery sails from Chalon-sur-Saone, visiting several wineries and ports including Arles, Avignon and Nice.
Also onboard this cruise is a highly educated sommelier who will explain how to differentiate among a truly great wine, an average vintage and an everyday wine, and will describe how various grape varieties are cultivated. In the Chardonnay region guests will learn about the strict traditions of the Beaujolais Nouveau variety, and the cruise will feature special French dinner with carefully paired wines will bring together knowledge and experience. Fares are set from $2,059 cruise/land-only.
Avalon Scenery will also sail a single 11-day Festive France cruise departing Dec. 1 that combines the pleasures of exploring French rivers with holiday shopping in the countryside, the Riviera and Paris. In addition to enjoying holiday traditions along the banks of the Rhone and Saone Rivers, guests can explore the Christmas Village in Nice and Christmas markets in Avignon and Lyon. Wine tastings will be held onboard en route to Tournon and Tournus before the cruise ends in Paris, with opportunities for city shopping and sightseeing. Pricing is from $2,059 cruise/land only.
www.globusjourneys.com/scenery
