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This was part of an entire “Adventure Center” onboard, where you could also rent hiking poles, binoculars, and even FitBits to use throughout the cruise. This is something unique to Avalon as far as I know, and I loved these extra ways for people to stay active on their vacation. So when I was invited to try out a new style of river cruise this summer with Avalon Waterways, I didn’t have to be asked twice.
Day 5: Koblenz, Germany
It's the sort of outing that you never used to see on the schedule on river cruises. Traditions come to life as you shift from observer to participant in a variety of creative and engaging endeavors. We also learned about some cool initiatives where Avalon is working with local communities to develop new tours that they can offer passengers. This not only offers passengers more opportunities for cultural exchange, but also opens up new jobs in these communities.
Review: Avalon Alegria on Portugal’s Douro River
Reachable by chairlift, it offers panoramic views of Cochem and its surroundings. You can delve into Cochem’s intriguing history by exploring the Bundesbank Bunker, an underground facility once used by the German Federal Bank. And don’t miss the Senfmuehle, the historic Mustard Mill, where you can indulge in the flavors of traditional mustard and learn about its production.
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Luxury river line, Tauck, also carries between six and 10 regular bicycles (not e-bikes) aboard its European river vessels. Tauck’s directors will provide recommended cycling routes for those bikers desiring to tour independently. If you're looking for a river cruise with active options that aren't so active that you'll have trouble keeping up, Avalon Waterways could be the perfect cruise for you.
For example, Avalon Waterways offers kayaking and canoeing on certain itineraries, while EmeraldACTIVE shore excursions include urban and rural hikes and canoeing. During Tauck’s “Rhine and Moselle” cruise between Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland, four different biking options await. Guests will spend the morning in Boppard, Germany, and after lunch, they have two choices. Or, they can head out for a three-hour, e-bike cycling excursion along the same stretch of river.
We love the door anchor that accompanies the bands as well as the lifetime guarantee. No matter what time of year you embark on a Nile cruise, there’s a lot to see along the way—physical stamina helps. Besides walking tours, optional excursions include sunrise hot-air balloon adventures over the Valley of the Kings, camel rides, and short voyages aboard small local boats such as skiffs and traditional wooden feluccas. These active river cruises in the Pacific Northwest, Africa, Europe, and South America will appeal to younger and adventurous passengers. While it’s not large -- typical on river cruise ships, which usually have less than 200 people -- it has a treadmill, an elliptical, a yoga mat and some dumbbells.
Day 7: Frankfurt, Germany
For example, Viking’s cruisers booking the “Canoe the Rhone River” shore excursion will enjoy a 2.5-hour downstream paddle. While admiring Avignon’s sites, they’ll learn about the Rhone River ecosystem. During a port call at Rudesheim, Germany, AmaWaterways’ guests can choose a guided vineyard hike.
The entire kayaking portion of the outing, which Avalon is still testing as an option for its Douro sailings, lasted just an hour. This style strikes me as a way the majority of people would prefer to travel, and it’s a style that Avalon Waterways does very well. For early risers and/or people who weren’t hungry enough for a full meal, there were also lighter-fare meals served in the Panorama Lounge. I made use of this one day when I needed to grab a quick bite in between excursions. The Trabants were hot and uncomfortable to ride in, but so darn fun. We went to a retro cafe for wine spritzes first, visited one of Budapest’s famous ruin bars, and ended with a stop at Memento Park, where many of Budapest’s Soviet statues and monuments have been banished to.
Backroads Announces New Greece & Croatia Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour in the Mediterranean from Athens to ... - PR Newswire
Backroads Announces New Greece & Croatia Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour in the Mediterranean from Athens to ....
Posted: Wed, 13 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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While aboard, Backroads participants and their companions enjoy unique signature twin-balconies in most staterooms, as well as connecting and triple occupancy staterooms that are ideal for the growing multi-generational travel group markets. Additional amenities include a daily “Sip & Sail” complimentary cocktail hour, heated sun deck pools with swim-up bar, hair and massage salons, fitness centers and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ships. It’s also easy for travelers to maintain their “walking regimen” or achieve a certain number of fitness steps daily. Just head for the top-deck walking track on many river lines including Viking. Alternatively, guests traveling on Viking’s “Holland & Belgium” itinerary can opt for “Antwerp by Bicycle” shore excursion. That includes popping into the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, home to much impressive art including works by Rubens.
In order to ensure that this happens, Avalon mixes stops in popular cities (like Budapest and Vienna on this itinerary) with visits to towns and villages that people have likely never heard of. Thankfully, Avalon Waterways takes sustainability pretty seriously, too. Not only are they taking steps to make their ships and cruises as low-waste and eco-friendly as possible, but they extend their sustainability practices to local economies, too.
Yes, these luxury travelers typically “get” that pampering river cruises are an incredible way to float through the continent with close-up views of fairytale-like towns, storied cities, vineyards and gorgeous landscapes. The shore excursions on your itinerary aren't the only ways for cruisers to be active during their sailing. Morning exercise classes, such as stretching and yoga, are offered once a day and are led by the onboard fitness instructor. The cruise line also packs more than two dozen bikes and helmets onboard its river ships for guests' free use, and it will arrange for a guide, if requested, at no extra charge.
All ships sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers (excluding Scenic Gem and Scenic Azure) have salt therapy lounges. Scenic is the only line to offer these therapy rooms which are lined with mineral-rich salt bricks to help passengers relax and unwind. Biking, hiking, canoeing and jogging tours play into the line's Active & Discovery itineraries.
