Page 43 - Explore Spring Summer 2019

In recent years Avalon has Along this stretch of the Rhine we sighted throughout the cruise
at least 20 castles in the space of three
removed the balconies in hours. We were fortunate to have clear and piecing together
its ships’ staterooms and blue skies and we lounged on the top the extensive political,
deck enjoying the breathtaking sights of
replaced them with floor-to- traditional villages and historic architecture. religious and royal
ceiling sliding doors to bring Our knowledgeable Avalon Cruise Director, connections between the
Monika, provided a detailed explanation of
the outside in. what we were viewing as we rode along this countries we visited.
section of the scenic Rhine.
Once the cruise was underway, one of our While in Austria we took the opportunity for
favourite experiences was cruising the Moving into the Main River, our first stop an excursion to stunning Cesky Krumlov in
Middle Rhine Valley, known to many as the was the Bavarian village of Miltenberg and the Czech Republic, another UNESCO World
Romantic Rhine. This is a beautiful section its historic Old Town. After the guided Heritage site and well worth the visit. We
of the Rhine River with quaint German walking tour we ventured off to Miltenberg stopped at Melk to visit the 11th-century
villages and well-preserved castles on Castle for the beautiful view over the area. Benedictine abbey whose interior decoration
the hillsides in between stretches of The following day we visited the Bishops is magnificent. Back on board we had a
Residence at Wurzburg. It’s an elaborate
vineyards. UNESCO declared the Upper commentary as we travelled along the scenic
Middle Rhine a World Heritage Site palace with a beautiful interior. The UNESCO Wachau Valley and we visited the beautiful
World Heritage-listed town of Bamberg was
in 2002. It has two thousand years of small town of Durnstein for a bike ride along
history as a main transport route and an next with its magnificent Romanesque and the river before setting sail for Vienna.
Gothic Cathedral and Bishops Palace.
outstanding cultural history.
We enjoyed learning about European history In Vienna we enjoyed some free time to walk
At the beautiful town of Rudesheim at the throughout the cruise and piecing together around this beautiful city, have a horse-
start of the Middle Rhine Valley (and the drawn carriage ride and enjoy delicious
heart of the Rheingau wine-growing region), the extensive political, religious and royal pancakes for lunch. In the evening, we
connections between the countries we
we rode the gondola to visit the enormous attended a symphony concert in the former
Niederwald monument that towers over visited. On the Main Danube Canal we visited Hapsburg family residence. Our cruise
Roth and Nuremberg. Roth is famous for its
this section of the valley. This is a 35-foot- Christmas market and Nuremberg is worth ended in Budapest where we had time to
tall symbolic figure of Germania which was a visit for its historical relevance during visit the highlights of this magnificent and
completed in 1883. There are numerous WWII. Entering the Danube, we stopped at interesting city.
photo opportunities given the wide views Regensburg for traditional bratwurst and
from the gondola and from the foot of the sauerkraut and explored the pretty town. We thoroughly enjoyed every day of this
monument, plenty of traditional German Avalon cruise and have already booked our
Christmas decorations to buy in the town We enjoyed learning next escorted tour to cruise with Avalon
and of course many opportunities to taste along the grand rivers of France in 2020.
the local wines. about European history We can’t wait!

Mary and Jason Buckley, Managing Directors of helloworld Travel Milford, Browns Bay, Henderson and Ponsonby
experienced the 14-night Magnificent Europe Avalon River Cruise on the Avalon Suite Ship, Avalon Impression.

HELLOWORLD TRAVEL : EXPLORE : SPRING/SUMMER EDITION 41