LITTLETON, Colorado – April 3, 2009 – In 2010, Avalon Waterways is expanding its themed vacations, thanks to increased demand for “passion travel,” offering travelers the chance to experience destinations with an emphasis on wine, music or holiday traditions while mingling with others who share their interests.  In addition, the award-winning small ship cruise company is usurping Globus’ religious travel expertise, giving cruisers opportunities to witness the legendary Oberammergau Passion Play byway of vacation extensions combinable with several river cruise itineraries. 

MUSIC CRUISES
In 2010, Avalon Waterways is taking cruisers to a symphony of destinations through its Magnificent Europe music cruise and NEW Burgundy & Provence jazz cruise. 

On the special Magnificent Europe departure (October 17, 2010), local experts will provide an enlightening overview of European music with shore excursions to a Strauss concert in Vienna, an organ recital in Melk and a visit to the Opera House in Bayreuth, home of Richard Wagner Music Festival.  They’ll explore the city of Mozart’s birth in Salzburg and see the stunning countryside where the “hills are alive with the sound of music.”  Priced from $3,849 land/cruise only.

Avalon’s special Jazz-focused Burgundy & Provence itinerary (July 5, 2010) is equally enjoyable and entertaining, allowing travelers the chance to experience a different style of music on a shorter itinerary.  On this vacation, cruisers will visit the Jazz Festival in Vienne, an annual event on the European and World Jazz scenes and the only one of its kind in France. Priced from $3,219 land/cruise only.

WINE CRUISES
Travelers will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of wine, learning the differences between Hungarian Tokai and Austrian Grüner Veltliner or French Sauvignon Blanc and German Riesling Spätoese on four Avalon Waterways’ wine cruises in 2010.   Themed wine cruises are: Burgundy & Provence (August 22 and October 31, 2010, priced from $2,919 land/cruise only), Windmills, Vineyards & Paris (August 1, 2010, priced from $3,889 land/cruise only) and The Legendary Danube (October 28, 2010, priced from $2,499 land/cruise only).

HOLIDAY CRUISES
Travelers can also experience the festive season of the holidays on three Christmas cruises, including:
NEW Christmastime in Germany & Austria, Christmastime on the Danube and Christmas in the Heart of Germany.  Priced from $1,709 land/cruise only.

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY CRUISE EXTENSIONS
Finally, in 2010, Avalon Waterways is offering cruisers with a passion for the Oberammergau Passion Play the chance to see the spectacular event through three- and four-night cruise extensions that are combinable with more than 10 river cruise vacations, from May through September.  Priced from $1,955.


To celebrate its 2010 offerings, and to encourage travelers to book the cruise of their dreams, Avalon Waterways is offering early booking incentives: Receive $150 off per person 2010 any Egypt, China, Galapagos or Taste of the Danube cruise/land-only vacation OR $300 off per person when booking air on the same itineraries.  For most Europe cruise vacations, the deal increases.  Receive $250 off per person select Europe river cruise/land-only vacations or $500 off per person when booking air on the same itineraries.*   Visit www.avalonwaterways.com for details.

*Book a select 2010 Europe Globus or Avalon River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $500 off per person offer.  Select Europe Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $250 off per person offer.  Book a 2010 Globus or Avalon A Taste of the Danube, Egypt, China or Galapagos River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $300 off per person offer.  A Taste of the Danube, Egypt, China or Galapagos cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $150 off per person offer.  must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between March 25 and June 30, 2009 for travel through December 31, 2010.  Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer other than Journeys Club member benefit.  Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings.  Offer reliant on space availability.  Full cancellation penalties will apply.  Additional restrictions may apply. 



ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS
Avalon Waterways is an award-winning small ship cruise company.  In addition to countless trade accolades, Avalon Waterways has garnered some of the industry's most prestigious honors:  Among them, Avalon Waterways was featured in Condé Nast Traveler's 2009 Gold List, voted a Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Line in the publication's 2008 Reader's Choice Awards and listed as a Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Line in Travel+Leisure's World's Best Awards in 2007.  The fastest growing cruise company in the industry, Avalon Waterways is making waves in river and small ship cruising by offering travelers the newest, most luxurious ships in Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos, The company's ships feature state-of-the-art design and technology and house the largest staterooms, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic sliding glass doors.  Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, a travel industry leader with 80 years of international travel expertise

Consumers can book an Avalon Waterways vacation or request 2009 brochures by visiting a preferred travel agent or by calling the following toll free number: 1.877.380.1535.  For more information, please visit www.avalonwaterways.com. Travel agents can request Avalon Waterways brochures by calling toll free 1.800.221.0090 or visiting www.globusfamilypartner.com.