No two travelers are alike — so Avalon would never expect you to enjoy the same cruise experiences as everyone else. Whether you like to paddle a kayak or paint a canvas, each day on an Avalon river cruise is an adventure of the mind, heart, or heart rate if you prefer.
What’s your idea of the perfect day on your river cruise? Borrowing a bicycle from ship for a picnic on shore? Gliding through the Rhine Gorge in a kayak? Or imitating the brush strokes of Van Gogh in a little French village? Whichever way you wish to spend your day, you’ll find the Classic, Active, and Discovery excursions and activities that speak to you. So, go ahead, pick up a paintbrush, a paddle, or the perfect vintage. The possibilities are as wide open as the view.
Raise a glass at an Austrian wine tasting or raise your heart rate on a jogging tour of Cologne. From classic sightseeing in Paris to a classical concert in Vienna to a culinary walk in Lyon or a bicycle tour of the Dutch countryside — the possibilities are wide open on an Avalon river cruise. All at your pace, your preference, your way. We know there is more than one way to explore new destinations. Avalon includes an exceptional variety of excursions and activities so you can experience your cruise your way.
Get up close and personal with the iconic places you’ve dreamed of seeing. With expert Local Guides, you’ll get preferred access to the famous sites, insider information on local legends and lore, and the true heritage behind the history.
Pull up a chair to hear a Vienna waltz, roll up your sleeves to paint like Van Gogh, or grab an apron to whip up a local recipe. Discover the world’s simple pleasures and grand artistry, from famous galleries to farmhouse kitchens.
Each Avalon optional excursion or activity is hand-selected and tested by our team of travel experts. If an excursion doesn’t meet our high standards, we won’t offer it to you! Each optional excursion selection operates during free time, so you’ll never miss an included tour or have to choose between an included and optional activity.
Backed by almost a century of sharing the world with travelers, we’ve made a few friends along the way. Our global partnerships allow us incredible opportunities to offer our guests exciting optional excursions at unbeatable rates to personalize your cruise. You can browse, select, and purchase your optional shore excursions before your cruise.
Personalize your Avalon river cruise even more with an exciting selection of Guided Optional Excursions and free time suggestions. Select your optional excursions at the time of booking at MyAvalon, and download our AvalonGO mobile app for local guidance during your free time hours.
What is an Expert Local Guide? It goes without saying, but we think a true local guide knows the region from experience — not a guidebook. Your local guides on an Avalon Waterways vacation have a passion for sharing the legends and stories behind the sites. They love to share their corner of the world with you, so you walk away with a true feeling and understanding for newly discovered destinations.
We put street directions, restaurant recommendations, entertainment venues, and local information at your fingertips with the AvalonGO mobile app. Take free time to lose yourself in the local atmosphere — without ever getting lost.