It’s not often you get the chance to rub shoulders with best-selling author Christopher Moore who will host his storyteller cruise on the legendary Danube River from Vilshofen to Budapest in October next year.
The 10-day Illuminations on the Danube Storyteller itinerary will focus on the American author’s newest novel, Anima Rising which is set in Vienna in 1911. The novel will also debut in 2025.
“I first visited Vienna on an Avalon Waterways cruise a few years ago and I was so taken with the city, I knew I wanted to set a book there. I can’t wait to go back – this time, introducing readers of my books to the sights, scenes and stories of the city.
“This itinerary, as a whole, is incredible. The architecture of Budapest is stunning and the beauty of the Danube gorge is one of the most extraordinary bits of nature I’ve ever seen, particularly in the fall. I’m looking forward to visiting the smaller towns along the river too, like Durnstein, where you can see the castle where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner in the 12th century – real Robinhood stuff,” said Moore.
Moore’s cruise marks Avalon waterways fourth year of its Storyteller Cruise series. Other Storyteller hosts have included American author Diana Gabaldon, writer Cheryl Strayed, American author Gillian Flynn and creator/author of television’s popular “Sex and the City” Candace Bushnell.
Avalon has three more Storyteller cruises in 2024 with limited spaces available.
They include:
Euro-Hang II: A cruise Celebrating Sister Hazel’s 30th Anniversary Storyteller cruise on the Danube departing 23 July.
Cheers to 50 Years: A Storyteller Cruise & Birthday Celebration with Jen Hatmaker cruise in Holland & Belgium, departing 3 August.
Kiltn’It: Facts, Fiction & Fairytale Settings: Set Sail on the Rhine with Storyteller author Graham McTavish departing on 12 October.
For more information, click here.
Themed cruises are also very popular offerings by other river lines such as AmaWaterways, Tauck and Uniworld.
AmaWaterways operate several themed cruises throughout the year in Europe focusing on wine, golf, music, special interest cruises like the African-American heritage and Christmas Markets.
“Christmas Markets cruises are extremely popular and sell out quickly,” said Angela Smith, head of marketing Australia and NZ at AmaWaterways. “Coming from a traditional hot Christmas season, many Australians have the dream of a White Christmas on their travel bucket list.
“There really isn’t anything quite like the European Christmas markets. It’s a huge drawcard – sipping mulled wine while meandering through stalls selling gorgeous Christmas gifts or the mouthwatering smells of baked goods and other delectable snacks.”
Now AmaWaterways has added more sailings and extended the cruises into the New Year due to the popularity.
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Tauck offers four themed cruises on Europe’s waterways. There’s Autumn along the Rhine: Munich’s Oktoberfest; Christmas Markets and Family River Cruises. On the Danube, a special Musical Magic cruise is also available.
The 12-day Musical Magic along the Danube cruises take guests from Budapest to Prague with special musical experiences in Vienna’s Palais Auersperg and a private Palais Ferstek with cocktails, dinner, an orchestra and a ballet performance.
Family cruises are tailor-made for multi-generational families looking for a stress-free way to travel together on the Rhine, Danube, Douro, Seine and Rhone with visits to fairy-tale castles and learn about world-changing history on the beaches of Normandy.
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Uniworld has a Generations Collection cruises for the entire family with special programs, kid-friendly menus, craft workshops, young travellers lounge and games room equipped with PlayStation plus two dedicated hosts to oversee activities for junior cruisers aged from 4 to 12 years.
Uniworld also hosts Jewish Heritage themed cruises to build “bridges of understanding” for travellers wanting to explore their roots and others wanting to enjoy an immersive journey of Europe’s Jewish history and culture. The voyages include visits to museums, Holocaust memorials and synagogues to learn more about the 2000-year-old history of the Jewish people in Europe.
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