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Friday, February 05, 2010
Overview
Pure luxury and unrivalled Swiss hospitality await you on the 
Royal Lotus, built in 2005. This new, modern river vessel offers spacious accommodations and a range of public areas from where you can absorb the ever-changing panorama between Luxor and Aswan. The luxuriously furnished cabins, each with an area of approx. 22 square meters, mirror the colors of the landscape of Upper Egypt and their panoramic windows offer unhindered views of the spectacular ever-changing scenery. The Royal Lotus restaurant serves mouth-watering meals, while the elegantly decorated Crescent Lounge and Bar are the perfect place to relax with a drink after a day of sightseeing. A dip into the refreshing plunge pool may be just what you desire, and the loungers are perfect for sun worshippers. There is also a fully equipped fitness room, bridge tables for card enthusiasts in the Observation Bar, and a dance floor in the Crescent Bar and Lounge. The Royal Lotus accommodates 124 passengers.
Ship Amenities
- All staterooms feature large closets, individual climate control, telephone, color satellite TV, radio, minibar, safe, hair dryer and modern bathrooms with shower
- All staterooms are outside and have large picture windows
- One sitting at mealtimes
- Relax in the Crescent Lounge or Observation Bar
- Enjoy the fully equipped exercise room
- Refresh yourself in the plunge pool or relax in heated Jacuzzi
- Enjoy personal service from our English speaking staff
- Internet access available
Deck Plans
Cabins
62 cabins
Standard Cabin
237 sq. ft.
Learn more about Avalon Waterways river cruises
Friday, February 05, 2010
Overview
The Avalon Scenery® is the one of the latest additions to the
Avalon fleet with a design that differentiates her from our other vessels and reflects the uniqueness of the area. Carrying a maximum of just 138 passengers, she is one of the smallest of the Avalon Waterways ships making for an even more intimate river cruising experience. But don’t let its size fool you; the staterooms are generously spacious and well appointed, with floor-to-ceiling windows on two decks. In addition, there is an elevator, and the whirlpool on the Sky Deck allows for a relaxing dip after a day of sightseeing. Avalon understands that great accommodations and amenities are an integral part of the perfect vacation. That’s why we care about the little things that make a big difference in enhancing your journey.
Club Lounge
Fascinating landscapes serve as the ultimate backdrop as you relax in your river cruise ship’s Club Lounge. Coffee service is always available, so grab a cup and exchange vacation stories with fellow travelers, play a board game with newfound friends, or settle in with a good book from the ship’s library.
Sky Deck
When it comes to meeting new friends, witnessing the splendid scenery, or just taking a moment to relax, the Sky Deck is the ideal place. Modern deck furniture enhances your experience as you soak up the sun or drink in the moonlight, and as you photographically capture your destination’s most scenic beauty and quintessential character.
Main Bar & Lounge
With an airy, open layout and contemporary design, this attractive space features rich hardwoods, plush fabrics, and floor-to-ceiling windows lining the walls—a relaxed, comfortable area that’s perfect for viewing remarkable scenery, taking in the evening entertainment, and enjoying an after-dinner drink, glass of local wine, or coffee with newfound friends.
Dining Room
On an Avalon Waterways river cruise, expert chefs select the finest ingredients to create delectable dishes that are both inspired and memorable. Each day you’ll embark on an epicurean adventure in your ship’s elegant dining room. Enjoy open seating, bountiful breakfast and lunch buffets, multicourse dinners paired with complimentary regional wines, and the five-star service you’d expect from a fine resort.
Lobby & Reception
On an Avalon Waterways river cruise, our number one priority is you. That’s why throughout your journey a friendly, English-speaking crew stands ready to answer your questions, meet your needs, and help you create the vacation of a lifetime. It’s also why we designed a main lobby and reception area bathed in natural light, where you’ll be warmly greeted and will feel immediately at home. You can even stay connected to the folks back home at the onboard Internet Center.
Fitness Center
On our river cruise, you can benefit from both a mind and body experience. The Fitness Center is well equipped so you can stick to your fitness program while on vacation. Take advantage of state-of-the-art cardio equipment while enjoying the view of the unforgettable passing landscapes.
Ship Amenities
- Headsets for all guided shore excursions in Europe
- Services of a professional Cruise Director
- Sightseeing with Local Guides
- Revolutionary engineering
- Non-smoking interior
- Internet access & Wi-Fi hotspots
- Elegant polished metal & glass throughout
- Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
- Panoramic picture windows for landscape viewing
- Hair Salon
- Fitness Center
- Spacious Sky Decks with shade system for sunning
- 6-person whirlpool
- Lounge & Bar
- Complimentary coffee & tea available throughout the day
- Fine dining
- Buffet breakfast items are conveniently color coded to indicate foods that are low calorie, low fat/low calorie, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy
- Complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks will be included on all onboard dinners
- Open seating throughout the dining room for all meals
- Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
- Comfortable, hotel-style beds
- Comfortable beds that can be configured as two twins or one queen
- European-style duvets
- Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
- Private bathroom with shower
- Large closets
- Minibar, hairdryer & safe
- Individual climate control
- Royal Deck passengers can order Continental breakfast to their staterooms
- All staterooms are outside and those on Royal and Sapphire Decks have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and French balconies
Deck Plans
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On the Avalon Scenery®, you’ll see the world’s most beautiful landscapes—even from the privacy of your luxury stateroom. That’s because all staterooms enjoy an outside location and are designed to enhance your river cruise vacation experience. Staterooms feature a minimum of 172 square feet of space and are the largest on the European rivers today. Featuring the most spacious square footage on the European waterways today, your luxury stateroom is designed with your comfort in mind. As floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors reveal the ever-changing passing landscapes*, you’ll appreciate the private bathroom with shower, flatscreen TV, hotel-style bed with Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, large closet, minibar, and individual climate control. Learn more about Avalon Waterways river cruises |
Royal Deck 
Royal Deck 
Sapphire Deck Forward 
Sapphire Deck Aft 
Indigo Deck Forward 
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
What a Stress Free, Hassle Free way to travel to Europe?
Leave all of the travel details to a tour operator. They provide you with comfortable transportation, several meals, a rich sightseeing program and much more.
Traveling can be stressful, especially if you are traveling to a country where English is not their first language. Something amazing happens when you feel comfortable. Your senses have the luxury to stray from the detail and worry, finding in their place anticipation and wonder. You'll feel comfortable staying in first class hotels located in clean, safe areas.
Save time and money. Spending hours in line to get into major attractions such as the Louvre or Vatican Museums can take all day. Groups have a separate entrance, and get to go in with little or no wait so that you have more time to enjoy the sites, and more free time in the city.
Nothing introduces you to the true flavors of your destination like fine local cuisine. Included three course dinners are carefully planned to avoid the repetition of entrees. From the tapas bars of Spain to the vineyards of Italy and France, the tour operator will include on your trip optional specialty dinners and plenty of free time to venture out on your own. For the evenings when dinners are not included, your tour director will have a number of suggestions for favorite nearby restaurants. After all, one of the best ways to learn about a foreign culture is to eat like the local do!
The tour buses are air conditioned are are equipped with emergency washrooms. The bus normally accommodates 53 seats, but they install fewer seats (44) for extra leg room.
If buses are not for you, tour operators have many other options including city stays, rail packages and river cruises through Europe.
There are hundreds of tour operators you can choose from, however some have been in the business for over 50 years and have proven over time that they offer consumers the best value and service. Check with a travel agent if you need assistance finding a reputable operator.
Here is our network of Europe travel destination sites:
| England Tours | France Tours | Greece Tours| Ireland Tours | Italy Tours | River Cruise | Russia Tours | Scandinavia Tours | Spain Tours
We also have specialty European Tour Operators sites:
Collette Tours | Contiki Tours | Cosmos Tours | General Tours | Globus Tours | Insight Tours | Tauck Tours | Trafalgar Tours
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Trafalgar Tours - 8 different travel styles
Trafalgar offers 8 different styles of touring, as well as river cruises in Europe. All travel is carefully designed to appeal to all types of travelers. There is only one choice to make to ensure a hassle-free, dream vacation…Trafalgar.
City Breaks: These are designed with the independent traveler in mind who prefers to explore Europe’s great cities at their own pace. Packages include transfers and breakfast daily.
Free & Easy: Experience the art of perfectly balanced touring with longer stay in each destination. The slower pace means less packing and unpacking and more leisure time to enjoy the cities on your own.
Europe Discoveries: Travel throughout the length and breadth of Europe’s varied destinations on multi-country vacations.
Regional Tours: Enjoy the traditions, customs and scnery on these tours which concentrate on one country or a specific region of Europe.
Train Tours: Rediscover the magic of train travel through the heart of Europe’s wondeerland on a choice of 5 exciting journeys featuring modern, high-speed trains in combination with state of the art motorcoaches.
Eastern Mediterranean: Explore the cultural and historic treasures of Greece, Egypt, Israel and Turkey with included sightseeing and cruises. Embark on a tour of discovery in this fascinating region.
Cost Saver: Perfectly balanced vacations combining all the benefits of fully escorted touring with the flexibility of traveling independently.
Breakaway: Tours designed for 21 to 38 year olds.
River Cruising: An intimate, stylish and sophisticated experience, gliding down Europe’s waterways on a luxury river cruise is a peaceful and relazing way to see Europe’s great cities.
For a complete selection of Trafalgar Tours visit : http://www.escortedtrafalgartours.com
Sunday, January 10, 2010
When will I receive my tour documents ?
Clients often ask when they will get “more” information about their tour. I always tell them after final payment is made, they will receive their documents delivered to their home by UPS and not to expect anything from the tour operator in the interim. In certain cases, especially the luxury travel tours, preliminary documents are sent, as well as personal registration forms to be filled out.
What Day Does My Tour Start ?
Just thought of another confusing question among clients. Day 1 with the budget and first class tours is “always” the overnight flight to Europe, arriving on Day 2 – this means Day 2 is your first hotel night.
Day 1 with the Deluxe & Luxury Tours is the day you arrive in Europe to start your tour.
Be Flexible – it will save you money!
I would advise clients to try to be a little flexible in their planning a trip. Sometimes by simply shifting a departure date we can find special promotions that offer additional benefits. We can also look at comparable suppliers for a similar itinerary to see if there is additional value added.
Each Operator may have a different policy. Please check the operator site for more details. Operators: Abercrombie and Kent Contiki Tours | Cosmos Tours | General Tours | Globus Tours | Insight Tours | Tauck Tours | Trafalgar Tours
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