If you’ve ever been on an ocean cruise, you’re in for a great experience of a different kind when you start contemplating a Danube River Cruise. There’s no comparison. Your experience on an Avalon Waterways River Boat is unique compared to an ocean liner.

Our chartered boats will hold 162 passengers, with all passengers being Auto-Owners Insurance travelers. This is about 3,000 fewer passengers than you may have experienced on an ocean cruise! Fewer people mean more space everywhere on the boat.

Two of our boats filled with Auto-Owners Insurance travelers will cruise in tandem along the river. Having such a small group with no “outsiders” will allow you to spend lots of time with fellow Auto-Owners agents and company associates.

We’ll be cruising to one exciting destination after another in Europe, making the boat our home during this five-night cruising experience. First, we’ll make a two-day stop in Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital. We’ll cruise down the river and make another stop at Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital and largest city.

Then it’s on to Dürnstein and Melk in Austria. Once we arrive in Austria’s beautiful capital city of Vienna, we’ll move from our boat to the opulent, five-star Intercontinental Hotel for a two-night stay there. We’ll have two days to explore this historic city.

You may be wondering what you’ll experience on our boat while cruising down the Danube River. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a comfortable stateroom with a wall-to-wall window to provide you a broad view of the spectacular sites along the river. Watch hilltop castle ruins, vineyards and the famously scenic stretch of Wachau Valley go by as you gently glide down the river. No need to fear motion sickness as these flat-bottom boats move smoothly along the river.

You’ll experience many sets of locks during your journey as the boat moves in, and the locks shut to adapt the boat to the new water level needed to continue down the river. If you’re interested in getting out of your stateroom to mingle with other travelers, you’ll find the comfortable sky deck is a relaxing hangout with friends on a sunny day. Enjoy regional wine or beer on the sky deck while you watch the beautiful sites go by.

RIVER BOAT CRUISING EXPERIENCE ON THE DANUBE

Budapest

Austria

At mealtime, you’ll discover that all 162 guests fit comfortably at one seating in the spacious dining room. The breakfast buffet is extensive and delicious, with lunch and dinner being a new culinary experience daily. Even on days when we’re exploring cities, you’ll look forward to getting back on our boat for meals. In the evenings, if we’re cruising the river, you can move to the lounge after dinner for a fun night gathering with friends, drinks and entertainment.

Now that you have a little better idea of what it’s like to cruise on a river boat, watch for upcoming articles describing the sites we’ll see and explore all along the Danube. As you learn more about the beautiful places we’ll be visiting, you’ll want to apply for a passport to ensure you’ll be able to choose your travel dates once you’re qualified to travel. Don’t delay since our space is limited on this trip. If you already have a passport, here’s a reminder to make sure your passport expiration date is at least six months after our travel dates for this cruise.

Set your goals now to earn your wonderful trip through Europe in August of 2016 on our Danube River Cruise during our Centennial Celebration Incentive Travel campaign. It’s never too soon to get started earning your way to this trip!

For more information, and to watch a video about the destinations, go to www.aotrips.com.

Hungary

Slovakia

Austria