Immerse yourself in the many wonders of an incredible Europe river cruise on the stunning and innovative Suite Ships of Avalon Waterways, so spectacular that they are in a class by themselves. These new additions to one of the region’s most modern river cruise fleet feature a lovely contemporary décor with designer lighting creating a comfortable ambiance throughout, as well as some of the largest staterooms and suites that will be your fantastic home away from home. With all this and much more, you will know why discerning travelers are choosing them to cruise the storied rivers of Europe.

Stunning and innovative, the Avalon Panorama was the first of the new Suite Ship class, making her debut in 2011, closely followed last year by the Avalon Vista and Avalon Visionary. Crowd-pleasers, the spectacular Avalon Artistry II and Avalon Expression will also set sail along Europe’s history-lined rivers this year, and in 2014, Avalon Impression, Avalon Illumination and Avalon Poetry II, (sister ships to Artistry II and Expression), will also grace these famous waterways. With each ship accommodating just 128 to 166 guests, you can be assured of impeccable attentive service.

Panorama Suites

Boasting two complete decks of stunning Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows that are transformed into an incredible Open-Air Balcony, creating a huge seating area, perfect for cocktail parties or to simply gaze at the Old World from a new ship! Unparalleled, an amazing 200-square-feet, they are more than an incredible 30 percent larger than the industry standard. Feel majestic in the equally stunning Royal Suites, encompassing 300-square-feet, offering you plenty of room to relax and enjoy the amazing 360-degree views of Europe.

Entice all five senses in your stunning home away from home, featuring delightful flowers, premium L’Occitane products and marble bathrooms. Innovative design even includes the placement of the bed, so it faces the window affording incredible views, as you luxuriate in your amazing Comfort Collection Bed with a fabulous memory foam topper.

Satisfy your mind, body and soul on an Avalon river cruise, where you will be inspired from morning to night. Delicious meals crafted from the finest and freshest local ingredients with regionally influenced recipes and local wines, make every meal yet another a wonderful part of the travel experience. Enrich your holiday with wonderful land excursions escorted by Certified Local Guides as you cruise to diverse places along legendary rivers.

Throughout your cruise, experience the luxury of Avalon Choice® -- from deciding what and where you eat, to selecting your room configuration, onboard enrichments and much more. Enjoy the fresh breezes your Panoramic Windows, as enchanting scenery glides by. Boasting an amazing view at every turn, the unique Suite Ships were created to deliver every quaint village, riverbank vineyard, magnificent cathedral, historic church and medieval castle right to you. Step off the ship into historic places, where you will be introduced to the varied local flavors and can spend the entire day drinking it all in. With the freedom to roam, you won’t be a tourist, but rather a traveler and an explorer.

Providing the perfect way to see Europe up close on a variety of exciting itineraries, including festive Christmastime Market River cruises, for the ultimate holiday celebration. Majestically glide along the legendary Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle Rivers to such incredible history-rich destinations as Amsterdam, Basel, Budapest, Cologne, Melk, Amsterdam, Vienna, Linz, Passau, Frankfurt, Prague, Strasbourg, Zurich and Durnstein, a famous wine-growing area.

Elegance and spaciousness can be found throughout the public areas of these delightful ships, where there is never a crowd. Designed for your comfort and pleasure, there are lots of lovely cozy and intimate spots to relax and take in Europe’s special beauty, including the chic Sky Bistro, plus the Observation and Panorama Lounges.

Relaxing evenings may include having a drink with friends at a convivial bar or lounge, listening to delightful piano music after dinner and fun movie nights. Enriching your river cruise vacation, special adventures are featured with chefs, various artisans, entertainers and experts in different fields. On many occasions, local performers will come onboard for an enjoyable and insightful experience.

Elegant Dining

Enjoy a wide range of delicious options of handcrafted dishes for breakfast, lunch and mouthwatering four-course à la carte dinners in the elegant dining room. Savor a variety of fabulous appetizers, salads, entrées, cheeses and desserts, as well as vegetarian dishes. Dine al fresco for lunch at the delightful Sky Bistro or enjoy a lighter fare and regional specialties and wines in the Panorama Bistro, an alternative to the main restaurant. More scrumptious treats await at Night Fare, offered late in the evening. Partake in the delightful experience of Afternoon Tea and enjoy a drink at Social Hour in the Main Lounge.

Immerse yourself in your destination with Culture through Cuisine, where you can experience local fare as you are introduced to flavors or the destination. Thanks to some of Europe’s fabulous chefs, who come onboard to create amazing meals with ingredients, you can enjoy local specialty dishes along with complimentary regional wines. Fresh baked goods are also offered from area bakeries and you can attend a variety of exclusive culinary events, from a five-course Welcome Dinner to special chef “tastings,” giving you an extra insight into the culture of your destinations.

Savor a wide variety of delicious dishes onboard and on land, including this region’s world famous cuisine, a dream come true for culinary cruisers. Delectable regional fare is prepared at a variety of dining options, from the casual Panorama Bistro, to the open-air Sky Bistro, and enjoy fabulous lunch buffets with various pasta dishes and carving stations.

Complimentary regional wines, beers and soft drinks, as well as coffee or tea after dinner are served and room service is available serving a continental breakfast and beverages.

Delightful Amenities

Fabulous onboard amenities include everything from complimentary Wi-Fi to an expanded fitness center. Keep in touch with family and friends at the Internet corner and the spacious Sky Deck, with lounge chairs, a shade system, a relaxing whirlpool and the pleasant open-air bistro. There is even an elevator for your convenience.

Indulge in a variety of treatments at the Hair Salon, including manicures and keep up you’re your daily workouts at the fitness center. Enjoy a wide variety of onboard lectures, nightly entertainment and a fascinating behind-the-scenes ship tour.

Don’t wait to reserve your incredible Avalon Waterways river cruise and enjoy casual elegance at its best in one of the world’s most beautiful regions. See the glory of this magnificent part of the world on a Suite Ship and have a vacation like no other as you live the “Suite” life on a luxury Europe river cruise.

To learn more about your exciting Avalon Waterways Suite Ship cruise, visit LuxuryTravelTeam.com or contact one of our cruise experts at 1-800-872-6120

Attention all foodies! Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is offering an exciting Culinary Arts theme cruise called "The Flavours of Europe" on the intimate Silversea Explorer as she sails on a "British Isles & Coastal" cruise sailing April 29 to May 13, 2013. Showcasing their highly acclaimed skills, renowned chefs will demonstrate their magic, providing an incredible experience for gourmands as well as for those wanting to expand their culinary knowledge and, best of all, taste out-of-this-world cuisine.

Two highly acclaimed chefs, David Bilsland and Rudi Scholdis, will be hosting the voyage. Bringing his years of expertise and passion for travel, is Silversea's Director of Expedition Cruising, Conrad Combrink, who will share his knowledge and further enrich gastronomes' visit to this part of the world, home to so many culinary treasures.

Offered as part of Silversea's exciting Culinary Arts Voyages series, The Flavours of Europe will feature these guest chefs, who will share their expertise and showcase their art through specially designed menus and cooking demonstrations. Experience this unique theme cruise and take your culinary experience to another level.

Featuring delicious cuisine, The Flavours of Europe voyage also offers the rare opportunity to meet the talented guest chefs and also dine on their amazing creations. Highlighting this exciting cruise, will be a spectacular grand five-course gourmet dinner, focusing on the various regional specialties. Indulge in amazing local flavors, delicious culinary offerings and savor local wines for the gourmand evening of a lifetime.

Providing another special opportunity, especially for foodies, is the chance to join chefs on a provisioning excursion to local food markets while at various ports. Get tips and learn some of their secrets and best of all, savor wonderful tastes you will never forgot. Additionally, enjoy food and wine pairings, creative regional dishes and much more on this incredible voyage.

Spicing it Up with Celebrity Chefs

Creating their culinary magic on The Flavours of Europe voyage, highly acclaimed chefs David Bilsland and Rudi Scholdis will share their special skills and talents, so guests can expect many scrumptious treats.

Boasting an impressive bio that includes that of instructor at Le Cordon Bleu in London, David Bilsland now oversees Silversea's popular "L'Ecole des Chefs" program, an interactive cooking school offered in partnership with Relais & Châteaux, which is synonymous with quality and luxury. Educated in classical French cooking, the highly acclaimed chef began his professional career in some top UK establishments, such as the Waldorf Hotel, Langans Brasserie, Stringfellows and as Sous Chef at the Mayfair Intercontinental.

Belgium-born Rudi Scholdis, director of culinary development for Silversea, also has a long history of working in top London hotels, including the legendary Dorchester and the famous Oriental Restaurant. Additionally, the highly-trained Scholdis has worked alongside some of the world's most legendary chefs, including Alain Ducasse and Charlie Trotter and has also catered for such notables as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Charles, Prince of Wales, as well as former President Bill Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Netanayu.

Favorite Destinations

Savoring exquisite culinary delights is a highlight of this fabulous cruise, exploring some of the most beautiful places in the world is another. Experience first-hand, some of the regional specialties on this exciting "British Isles & Coastal" cruise that will take you to where some of the best cuisine and wines originate. Sail in luxury to France, Spain, Britain and Portugal, for the foodie vacation you have always dreamed about.

Cruise on the casual yet stunning Silver Explorer, as she sails from Lisbon, Portugal to Portsmouth, England, and to such fabulous destinations as Oporto (Leixoes), Portugal; Vigo, Spain; Cies Islands, cruise the Spanish Coast, Santander, Spain; St. Jean de Luz, France; Bordeaux, France, where you spend two nights; Quiberon and Saint-Malo, France; St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands and Honfleur, France.

Rewarding discoveries can be found on land also. While in Oporto, see the Castelo Queijo and the magnificent St. Francis Church with its spectacular gold-encrusted interior. Stroll the winding streets of Ribeira, with its picturesque riverfront and visit a wine cellar to taste the world-famous port.

Highlighting a two-night stay in Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world, is an extraordinary luncheon, more like a gastronomic celebration, at the spectacular Château Kirwan in the beautiful French countryside. Enjoy an amazing lunch, accompanied by several fabulous wines from the estate, which counts wine connoisseur Thomas Jefferson as a one-time visitor.

Savor Portugal's famous port wine, visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, see the 10th – century Abbey of Mont St Michel, taste just-baked French pastries and enjoy a traditional English tea, tour magnificent châteaux and ancient cathedrals, learn about Guernsey's German occupation and see history firsthand at the D-Day landing site on the legendary beaches of Normandy. This is no ordinary cruise.

Explore each destination more intimately as you are guided by experts on small group excursions to a host of fabulous places and then return to the Silver Explorer, your luxury base at sea.

Luxurious Silver Explorer

Discerning travelers will cruise in the utmost of comfort on one of the world's most luxurious expedition ships, the Silver Explorer. Accommodating just 132 guests, the Silver Explorer offers personalized service from an attentive staff and a myriad of upscale Silversea indulgences.

From the moment you step into your suite or stateroom, it will be a luxurious experience, including majestic ocean views and soothing aromatherapy fragrances. All suites and staterooms feature butler service, champagne upon request, refrigerator and bar setup, plus much more.

Dine in the sophisticated elegant Restaurant, where you can expect impeccable service and delicious culinary choices. Savor contemporary international cuisine, with scrumptious signature gourmet dishes created exclusively by Relais & Châteaux, so you know you are getting the best.

Experience this fabulous "The Flavours of Europe" voyage on the luxurious Silver Explorer and awaken your senses.

To learn more about this incredible Silversea voyage visit us here.