The nine-day Active Discovery of the Danube cruise will provide a wide range of outdoor activities departing from Linz and finishing in Budapest, writes Plamena Manolova.

The tour, which launches in 2017, will stop along the way at Grein, Durnstein, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava and Visegard.

Avalon will offer a diversity of activities including mountain climbing, hiking, canoe paddling or cycling along the river as part of the cruise. Guests can also choose to explore an ice cave or visit local farms and help with the apricot harvest.

“Our customers will be able to fully immerse themselves in local life and be as active as they wish as they sail through the stunning landscapes of Austria, Bratislava and Hungary”, said David Binns, Avalon head of product.

He added: “Our sales team will be working hard to offer agents advice and training about selling this new type of river cruise and we will organise ‘fam trips’ so our key agents can experience active discovery cruises for themselves.”

A new health menu option will be featured called Avalon Fresh and will be available in all cruise ships from 2017.

Prices for Danube cruise start from £2,483 per person with a selection of activities departing October 16, 2017.

The package also includes a home pick up service to within 100 miles of the departing UK airport, return flights, full board cruise accommodation, hotel accommodation, guided excursions, overseas transfers, on board gratuities and all taxes.

Customers booking before September 30, 2016, can benefit from a free Deluxe Suiteroom upgrade.

Next year the company will also launch a 16-day cruise along Irrawaddy, Mekong, Yangtze and Amazon rivers priced from £4,875 per person.