TORONTO — ‘Outlander’ fans are in for a real treat with Avalon’s new ‘Author Cruise’ on the Rhine River, featuring ‘Outlander’ series author, Diana Gabaldon.

Departing on June 9, 2020, the week-long ‘Romantic Rhine Author Cruise with Diana Gabaldon’ allows fans to sail onboard the Avalon Expression with the author from Basel to Amsterdam, as well as participate in daily excursions.

On what it means to have the author sail onboard, Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways, said: “Diana Gabaldon has added to the storytelling tapestry of our lives while also inspiring travel with her literature. In her ‘Outlander’ series of novels and novellas – now an award-winning series on W Network – she has brought to life the backdrops of Scotland, North America, France, Germany as well as dozens of destinations across the globe.”

Also new for 2020 is ‘Reflections on the Seine for Photography Enthusiasts’, hosted by Brenda Tharp, photography veteran and co-author of ‘Extraordinary Everyday Photography’. This voyage sails along the Seine River and includes stops at the WWII Landing Beaches in Normandy, Monet’s Giverny, Rouen’s astronomical clock, Van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise and Napoleon’s Chateau de Malmaison.

“In addition to announcing new author and photography cruises in 2020, we are also unveiling new culinary-themed vacations and favourites featuring wine, beer, history, heritage and, of course, Christmas markets,” added Hoffee. “Regardless of the theme, our passion-filled vacations have the great distinction of uniting our guests with their pastimes and other like-minded travellers.”

Other Special Interest cruises include two culinary voyages in Burgundy & Provence, and Rhine & Rhone (departing March 31 and 24, respectively), and four wine itineraries, one of which is new (‘Danube Dreams for Wine Lovers, departing April 30 and Oct. 29).

Avalon will also offer three Beer Cruises, 16 Christmas Market Cruises throughout Europe, one Garden & Nature Cruise, two World War I and II Cruises, two Habsburg Cruises that sail to Germany, Austria and Hungary, three Jewish Heritage Cruises down the Danube, Rhine and Rhône Rivers, and one Passion Play cruise, featuring multiple departures throughout 2020.

Clients can save with the Suite Life Sales Event when booking a 2020 Europe cruise early. They’ll receive airfare from $499 per person plus save $1,200 per couple on select 2020 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruises.

For more information go to avalonwaterways.ca.