Avalon gets busy in 2013

On the heels of announcing two new Suite Ships in Europe and Avalon Choice, Avalon Waterways is also unveiling plans to add five new itineraries plus a new themed cruise to its roster of cruise options. “We’re not only expanding choices as far as dining and excursion options go,”says Stéphanie Bishop of Avalon’s Canadian office. “We now have more itineraries throughout Europe, including a new Culinary Cruise in northern France — which I know will be a huge success with Canadians.”The company is also adding a cruise along China’s Yangtze River, aboard two new ships. Avalon is expanding its popular wine, music, art and history-themed cruises to include the new culinary themed itinerary, available on two sailings in 2013: Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches (departure 1029; priced from $2,471 cruise only) and Grand France (departure 1022; $5,149 cruise only). According to Bishop, this will be perfect for “foodie”travellers. “A local chef will be preparing a menu of regional specialties while sharing cooking tips with our guests.”These cruises will also feature tastings of wine, oil and the famed local cider, as well as a visit to a calvados distillery and a farm which produces the famous Pont l’Evêque and Liarot cheeses. Other new European cruises for Avalon for 2013: the eight-day Tulips of Northern Holland sailing from Amsterdam; Austrian Highlights & Bavaria; Capitals of Central Europe; and Highlights of Germany, a 13-day journey from Munich to Basel. In 2013, Avalon will introduce two new ships in Asia – The Century Legend and Century Paragon – and adding a fourth itinerary (a Small Group Discovery vacation) — a new 15-day Enchanting China & the Yangtze River, priced from $3,629. According to Bishop, on this new itinerary, travellers will experience China in-depth, visiting world-famous sights in Beijing, Xi’an, Lijiang, Shanghai and Hong Kong. (http://www.agentlingo.ca)