I haven’t been on Avalon since 2017. It was April of that year when Avalon Visionary took us from Amsterdam to Paris on the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The cruise was billed as Active & Discovery, a new concept back then, designed for travelers who wanted more than just sightseeing. Avalon aspired to offer a mix of active experiences (like hiking, biking, and kayaking), discovery activities (like cooking classes, painting workshops, or wine tastings), and classic guided tours. One enduring memory from that trip was a painting I did of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers – surprising, given that I am no artist. But Avalon pried the artist out of me, and that Van Gogh rendering now hangs in my living room.
Seven years later, I found myself on Avalon once again – this time to help inaugurate the company’s new cruises in Bordeaux. I was part of a large group: journalists, travel advisors, Avalon execs – and my daughter. Though this was not an Active & Discovery cruise per se, it was interesting to see how the concept of immersive experiences has evolved on Avalon.
Here are a few things I rediscovered about Avalon eight years later:
I still appreciate the beds facing the windows. In 2017, I dubbed Avalon’s Panorama Suites Europe in HD, and indeed it felt that way. Facing the beds toward the windows is a small gesture, but it stirs such big emotions. You feel immersed in Europe as you ply the river. Towns and landscapes appear on the screen (that 17-foot-wide, floor-to-ceiling window). One afternoon, after we had finished lunch, we returned to our staterooms to find the beds facing the wall. Avalon wanted to make a point to the journalists and travel advisors on board. On top of our beds was a card, which you’ll find below.
Thankfully, our beds were repositioned later to face the windows. Back to Europe in HD – or would that be Europe in 4K nowadays?
As I wrote last week, the dining options and quality are still impressive. See We Were Impressed With The Dining Options & Quality Of Cuisine On Avalon
Bikes on board. Some of my best bike rides have been while on river cruises, and my time on Avalon Artistry II was no exception. Avalon has refreshed its fleet with all-new Koga bikes – a premium Dutch brand known for building high-quality, hand-assembled bicycles. What impressed me most was that at 6’4”, I could easily adjust the bike to fit my height. Each Avalon ship now carries 15 new bikes and 4 new e-bikes.
Great Excursions, Fantastic Guides. It’s hard to pick favorites, but I really enjoyed our bike guides, Bruno and Joanna. Joanna led us safely to Saint-Émilion, a picturesque medieval village in the heart of Bordeaux’s wine country, known for its cobblestone streets, Romanesque churches, and world-renowned red wines. Perched on a limestone plateau, the town is surrounded by rolling vineyards that have been cultivated since Roman times. With its rich history, underground monolithic church, and charming atmosphere, Saint-Émilion is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-visit for wine lovers and history buffs alike.
Bruno helped us weave through the busy city of Bordeaux, famous for its world-class wines, elegant 18th-century architecture, and lively riverside vibe along the Garonne. It’s both historic and modern – home to grand boulevards, cutting-edge wine museums like Cité du Vin, and a dynamic food and arts scene. Surrounded by some of the best vineyards in the world, Bordeaux is the heart of French wine culture and a perfect blend of sophistication and charm.
Bruno was knowledgeable, humorous, and engaging. He was in essence: “So Bordeaux.”
Bordeaux is a new destination for Avalon, and the company is off to a strong start. Its ship and shore programs are top-notch. I enjoyed the elevated onboard experience, the friendly crew, and those comfy beds facing the splendid views of the beautiful French landscape.
