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!

Exactly one month ago today, I embarked AmaWaterways’ stunning AmaLyra in the historic German port of Nuremberg.  Now that the Holiday season has passed and I’ve had more time to reflect, I find myself thinking more and more about my river cruise experience and the things that impressed me most about it.

There’s a lot.

Don’t worry – I won’t keep you glued to your computer for hours as I rattle off all the spectacular things about river cruising and AmaWaterways in particular.  Instead, I present to you Five Things that Impressed Me about my AmaWaterways Voyage:

1. Little Surprises

Little surprises, like these fresh berries, awaited guests every evening in their staterooms and suites. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

2. Onboard Scenic Cruising Commentary

During scenic cruising down the Danube, relevant commentary was broadcast in the ship's public areas. They even mentioned we'd be passing the AmaLegro, which allowed me to get this shot! Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

3. Culinary Variety

There was truly something for every taste aboard the AmaLyra. At breakfast, there were so many types of Marmelade alone that I couldn't fit them all in a single frame! Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

4. Elegant Design

The elegant yet relaxed design aboard the AmaLyra creates an atmosphere that is as soothing as it is European. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

5. On-the-fly Touring

Tours and excursions ashore were all able to be modified on the fly for the benefit of guests; here, we ducked into Stadt Nurnberg to escape a sudden downpour of rain, and ended up learning even more about the history of this famous German city. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

More information about AmaWaterways can be found by reading our Line and Fleet profiles here on River Cruise Advisor.  Did you miss live coverage of our voyage down the Danube from Nuremberg to Budapest?  Not to worry – read all eight days of coverage by clicking here!

In case you missed our first announcement, we’re excited to announce that next Saturday, December 10th, marks the beginning of eight days of live coverage here on River Cruise Advisor as we sail aboard AmaWaterways beautiful AmaLyra to some of the most fascinating Christmas Markets in Europe.

Salzburg, Austria is renowned for its Christmas Market, boasting plenty of local handmade crafts. Photo courtesy of christkindlmarkt.co.at,Salzburg

We’ll join the AmaLyra in historic Nuremberg, Germany on Sunday, December 11 and sail along the magnificent Danube River to Budapest, Hungary.  Along the way, we’ll make time to report on the splendours of a Europe under snow, as well as the amazing Christmas Markets and attractions in cities like Vienna, Melk, and perhaps even Salzburg, Austria.

The full itinerary, both onboard and here on River Cruise Advisor and our sister-site, From the Deck Chair:

Stay tuned – the fun begins in just under two weeks!

More information on AmaWaterways and the stunning AmaLyra can be found on our detailed AmaWaterways company and fleet overviews.  Check back here on Saturday, December 10 as we begin our live coverage en-route to Europe!