Which River Should You Cruise?

Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River was named “Best Cruise Itinerary for Off-the-Path Explorers” by Yahoo Travel.

From its source high up in the Tibetan Plateau, the powerful Mekong River courses for over 3,000 miles through Asia, providing a lifeline for millions of people. With an Avalon Waterways river cruise you can explore China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, immersing yourself in the local culture. In Vietnam, you can cruise the massive Mekong Delta that covers an area of some 15,000 square miles. This picturesque area is dotted by rice paddies, fish farms, fruit orchards, and more. In Cambodia, explore French-influenced Phnom Penh, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and learn about the sobering Khmer Rouge regime. North of the city you cruise on the Tonle River, which connects the main Mekong with Tonle Sap or “Great Lake.” You’ll enjoy the scenery as the river narrows and passes through villages and woodlands. Your Avalon Waterways cruise will show you the Asia that other travelers rarely get to see.

Since you were matched with the Mekong River, it's time to start planning your river cruise!

Myanmar has been topping the lists of places to visit in 2016! Get off the beaten path on an Irrawaddy River cruise.

As you cruise along, each day is a tapestry of exotic flavors, captivating panoramas, and bustling river activity. Watch villagers make candy from the sap of the toddy palm tree, and wander through a pottery making village to see the process from start to end. Visit a monastery, where you will present alms to the monks and observe their daily lunch ritual, and interact with children at a village school. Other highlights include a visit to a local farmer’s home to learn more about his work and life. You’ll even have a chance to ride an elephant! All this and more awaits on this incredible adventure.

More than 90% of the Burmese population follows the Buddhist religion. Unsurprisingly, the graceful form of the pagoda is a natural part of the landscape, and you’ll visit the most important in the country, including Yangon’s stunning Shwedagon—considered by many to be the oldest pagoda in the world. Explore some of the 2,300 majestic temples that dot the plains of Bagan, including Ananda, one of the most beautiful of all the remaining temples. You will also ascend to the top of a temple for an unforgettable view of sunset! In Mandalay, visit Mahamuni Pagoda as well as Shwenandaw Monastery, the only surviving building from the original royal palace complex. In nearby Amarapura, visit U Bein Bridge for a sampan ride at sunset—an iconic image you won’t soon forget. Beyond the must-see sights, Avalon delivers hands on activities and encounters with local people that allow for a truly immersive and memorable experience. Cruise north of Mandalay on the most scenic part of the river past traditional riverside villages, teak forests, lavish shrines, and a host of bird and animal life. If your are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the rare Irrawaddy dolphin.

Embark on a journey to one of the world’s vastly unexplored regions, the mighty Amazon. Experience the Amazon wilderness where it originates in Peru. The Amazon Basin covers an area larger than Western Europe, but it’s in Peru’s Amazon where biodiversity is at its greatest and the rainforest is untamed. Imagine venturing deep into the Amazon jungle in search of elusive wildlife, taking a swim with pink dolphins, and visiting native communities, all while returning to an air-conditioned suite, hot shower, and an over-sized plush bed.

Find your perfect Amazon river cruise today: bit.ly/1S8iklW

The Danube river is the only major European river that flows west to east.

It rises in Germany's Black Forest and flows through or along the borders of 10 countries including Germany, Austria and Hungary. A Danube river cruise may include spectacular cities like Vienna, Budapest, Munich and Prague. Danube cruise ships wander through scenic old-country villages, stop at fairy-tale-esque castles, medieval fortresses, churches, museums, concert halls and more - to say nothing of the amazing food, wine and beer. River cruises on the Danube are sure to leave you with lifelong memories.

From the legendary canals of Amsterdam to the German Black Forest of fairytales, any one of the Rhine river cruise packages will charm and delight. Our Rhine river cruises include visits to some of Central Europe's cultural hubs, where art, fine dining and historic sites abound. Choose a special Rhine cruise through the blooming tulip fields of northern Holland. Perhaps gliding through majestic vineyards outside Paris is more your style. Or select a Christmastime cruise with excursions to magical holiday markets.

See the very best of France on a charming Rhône river cruise. Your Rhône cruise package may include a visit to vibrant Paris, France's gastronomic capital of Lyon and the elegant French Riviera - Cote d'Asur. See historic landmarks like the Normandy beaches, Joan of Arc's Rouen or Napoleon and Josephine's Chateau de Malmaison. Enjoy artistic highlights like Claude Monet's gardens or Vincent Van Gough's Auvers-sur-oise. Of course, every France river cruise is made complete with traditional French cuisine and a local wines.

Excited about the romance of Paris? A Seine river cruise through France is ideal for art, history and wine lovers alike. In addition to seeing architectural marvels like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame cathedral, the Seine river has 37 picturesque bridges in Paris alone! Choose one of the Seine cruises that takes you through Rive Gauche (Left Bank), one of the most romantic districts in the city. Into history? Take a Paris river cruise to Normandy's landing beaches. Taste some of the best food and wine France has to offer on a Grand France package, which takes you to the stunning French Riviera.