Is an Avalon Active & Discovery Cruise Only for Active People?
My Honest Take
When I mention my Active & Discovery river cruise, I often hear the same thing: "Oh, that's not for me. I'm not that active."
I totally understand. The name makes it sound like you'll be cycling up mountains every day. But here's what no one tells you: on an Avalon Active & Discovery cruise, being active is optional.
How Active & Discovery actually works
At each stop, you choose your style of excursion:
• Classic: a guided tour of the highlights at an easy pace, just like on any river cruise (like visiting Giverny).
• Discovery: something more hands-on that you likely wouldn't do on your own, like meeting a local count at his family's castle, or helping with the harvest at a local orchard (or like visiting a snail farm - it was so cool).
• Active: for the days you feel like moving, such as a guided bike ride or hike (like hiking up to Chateau Gaillard)
You can mix and match. Take a Discovery tour in the morning, spend a lazy afternoon on the sun deck, and nobody bats an eye.
I've done it myself.
In 2023, my husband and I sailed Avalon's Active & Discovery cruise on the Seine. I absolutely loved climing up to Chateau Gaillard - Richard the Lionheart's castle overlooking the Seine!
Want to see more about what it's really like? Here's my honest review:
Who Active & Discovery is great for
• Couples where one of you wants to explore more than the other
• Friends travelling together who don't want to agree on every plan
• Families of different generations, from grandparents to adult grandkids
Everyone does their own thing during the day, then you meet for dinner and swap stories. You're still travelling together, just without the compromises.
Who it might not suit
If you want a very quiet cruise with lots of time on board, a classic itinerary might be a better fit. The days on Active & Discovery tend to be fuller, even if you choose the gentle options.
Come sail with me
To celebrate Evening Star Travel's 10th anniversary, I'm hosting a group on Avalon's Active & Discovery on the Danube, sailing May 2027, with stops in Budapest, Vienna, Krems and Visegrád. I'll be on board, hosting meet and greets along the way. Reach out and I'll share current pricing and availability.
And if it's past May 2027 - check out my webpage for more information on my next hosted cruise: https://www.eveningstartravel.ca/joinalicia
For more details on my hosted cruise visit: https://www.eveningstartravel.ca/joinalicia
Not ready to book? Join my newsletter for honest river cruise tips, comparisons and first-hand reviews, delivered on Friday mornings.
To book your next dream vacation reach out to me through email at Alicia@EveningStarTravel.ca, or by calling 587 772 2525. I am located in Sherwood Park, Alberta (a suburb of Edmonton), and am a Travel Advisor specializing in River Cruising, I am the owner/operator of Evening Star Travel, and I book travel for clients all across Canada and the US.
Comments