Avalon Waterways offers high-speed rail connections

Luxury river cruise company, Avalon Waterways has introduced rail travel options to connect with its wide choice of European river cruise packages for 2015 offering customers even more flexibility and choice. 

Customers who prefer not to fly or would like to travel in a more relaxed way can now tailor-make their holiday by choosing train travel or a combination of flight and rail with city stopovers.  An extensive network of rail options is now available to Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Zurich and Vienna.

Working with e rail operator Voyages-sncf UK, Avalon Waterways is offering high-speed rail options with Eurostar, TGV Lyria and Alleo.  Although Avalon currently works with Eurostar, the rail services from Paris to Basel and Zurich with TGV Lyria as well as from Paris to Frankfurt and Munich with Alleo are completely new to the cruise programme.  Both rail companies offer spacious and comfortable single and double decker trains with Christian Lacroix designed interiors, panoramic windows and a generous passenger baggage allowance.

The 13 day ‘Upper Rhine to the City of Music’ cruise has the flexible option of train travel on the outward journey from London St Pancras via Paris to Zurich with onward coach transfer to join the ship at Basel. The return includes the option of train travel from Vienna via Zurich and one hotel night in Zurich before enjoying the train journey via Paris to the UK.  Prices from £2,943 per person.*

The 13 day ‘European Splendour’ cruise has the similar flexible option of train travel on the outward journey from London St Pancras via Paris to Zurich then overnight in a Zurich hotel before joining a train to Vienna.  The return includes the option of train travel from Amsterdam via Brussels to London St Pancras.

Priced from £2,852 per person.

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Russell Watson Hits High Note With P&O

Classical singing star Russell Watson is to perform on two short break cruises with P&O Cruises in 2013. The world famous tenor will appear on new three and four-night sailings from Southampton in May and June.  The first departure is a three-night cruise to Belgium and Guernsey departing on Aurora on May 18, with prices starting at £299 per person.

The second sailing will see Watson perform on superliner Azura on a four-night cruise departing on July 5, calling at the same destinations. Prices are from £399pp. In addition to the performance, passengers on Azura can book pre or post-performance dinner in celebrity chef Atul Kochhar’s Sindhu restaurant, or Marco Pierre White’s Cafe Bordeaux on Aurora. 

The first port of call at Zeebrugge gives passengers the day to explore the city of Bruges, with the possibility of travelling further afield to visit Brussels, Ghent or Ypres. The second call in St Peter Port provides a gateway to the island of Guernsey. 

Watson has been in the spotlight since 1999 when his performance of World Cup anthem “Nessun Dorma” at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium received a standing ovation. The Russell Watson cruise itineraries, on sale from November 1, are: 

• A three-night cruise on board Aurora (R305), departing May 18. Itinerary: Southampton, Zeebrugge, St Peter Port, Southampton. Prices from £299 per person.
• A four-night cruise on board Azura (A316N), departing June 5 Itinerary: Southampton, Zeebrugge, St Peter Port, Southampton. Prices from £399 per person. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading cruise-agent specialists.

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See The World Horticultural Expo With Uniworld

Uniworld have announced the first details of their Gems of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands Cruise that includes the magnificent Floriade exhibition. 

Floriade, the World Horticultural Expo, is held every 10 years in Venlo, Holland, and runs from April 5 to October 7, with visitors having the opportunity to enjoy the world’s most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees, fruit and vegetables, with many exciting, innovative and educational attractions and activities.

As part of the cruise, Uniworld's itinerary also visits Cologne, where guests can enjoy a guided tour of the Old Town area with its Romanesque churches, Renaissance City Hall, Medieval houses and UNESCO-designated Cathedral (one of the tallest Gothic buildings in the world). Afterwards, there is a visit to a typical tavern and exclusive tasting of Kölsch, the popular local brew served in test tube-like glasses. 

The voyage then stops off at the quaint village of Königswinter, which lies at the foot of the Siebengebirge. Guests will experience an exclusive visit to Castle Drachenfels, which boasts a stunning panoramic view of the Rhine Valley. 

Brussels highlights include a local expert city tour, exclusive chocolate demonstration and tasting at Planet Chocolate Factory while, in Antwerp, it's possible to enjoy a local tour, followed by an afternoon at leisure to allow guests explore the city’s fine shopping and museum collections. Next, there is a walking tour of Maastrict followed by a full day at Venlo for Floriade.

For booking details, be sure to check with the river-cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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