Few things are more breathtaking than a river cruise down the legendary waterways of Europe, and Avalon Waterways has designed a 13-day voyage from Amsterdam to Vienna that sails the magnificent Rhine, Main and Danube rivers; a feat that wasn’t possible until the completion of the Main-Danube canal in the early 1990′s. Now, a remarkable series of locks transports your river cruise ship from the Main river to the Danube, effectively uniting the continent’s waterway system and allowing voyages from Amsterdam that traverse as far as the Black Sea.

Vienna boasts some of the most impressive cultural sights in Europe. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

Departing March 24, June 6, and August 11, 2012, these 13-day European Splendor itineraries offer some of the best ports for both experienced and first-time river cruisers, and the nearly two-week duration ensures that your time here is enjoyable and well-spent. If you want, you can add extra nights pre-cruise in Amsterdam or post-cruise in Vienna.

The full itinerary:

In addition to the thirteen spectacular days spent exploring some of the most picturesque and historic European cities, you can also revel in your home away from home, the stunning Avalon Imagery. A sister-ship to the Avalon Tapestry, both ships are easily distinguished by their immense double-deck walls of floor-to-ceiling glass that adorn the forward end of the ship, and by their aft-mounted navigation bridge and engine equipment that allows guests a quieter, smoother cruise down the waterways of Europe.

Avalon Tapestry sailing along the Moselle in Germany. Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways.

Staterooms onboard the Avalon Imagery range from comfortable Deluxe Oceanview staterooms at 172 square feet to the top-of-the-line 258-square foot Avalon Suite. For cruisers wanting the best of both worlds, a French Balcony stateroom is the perfect choice; after all, there’s nothing like waking up and cracking open the door of your very own balcony to take in the sights and scents of the Old World.

More information on this and other Avalon Waterways voyages can be found on our dedicated Avalon Waterways page right here on River Cruise Advisor!

For those who may not have an entire week or two to devote to cruising the rivers of Europe, Avalon Waterways has introduced a shorter river cruise experience, a “taste” if you will.

The new A Taste of the Danube river cruises are abbreviated jaunts along the Danube. One is a four-day cruise from Vienna to Budapest, and the other is a five-day cruise back the other way, from Budapest to Vienna.

The cruises include stops in Vienna, Austria’s “city of music;” Melk in Austria, known for its impressive Benedictine Abbey; Bratislava, Slovakia at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains; and Budapest, the colorful capital of Hungary. “Our Taste of the Danube vacation is phenomenally priced and well-balanced, offering travelers the perfect introduction to river cruising,” says Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon.

The condensed Danube cruises will run twice monthly from April to September next year. They are priced between $949 and $1,429 per person, not including roundtrip airfare.

The Taste cruises will take place on board the Avalon Tapestry, a 160-passenger river cruise ship, built in 2006. Staterooms are 172 square feet, and the two junior suites are 258 square feet each. There are French balconies on all staterooms but those on the lower deck, flatscreen TVs, full bathrooms and showers and hotel-style beds with European duvets and Egyptian cotton linens. Avalon ships feature contemporary interior design, with a dining room, lounge and sun deck on all Avalon ships. There is also a fitness center and hair salon on board the Tapestry.