Travel blog

Sailing Through Europe with Leandie du Randt on Avalon Waterways

South African actress and presenter Leandie du Randt recently swapped her busy schedule for something slower, easier, and more scenic: an Avalon Waterways River Cruise on the Danube. It floats from Budapest to Prague, with castles, vineyards, and cobbled streets waiting just steps from the ship.

2min read

Published 9 December 2025

Sophie Baker

Guest Blogger

In just one week she explored five countries, tasted local wines, and enjoyed the biggest perk of cruising: getting to see loads of places while only unpacking once. What a dream! Leandie says the cruise felt like “an Uber on water.” Each morning brought a new city to explore, without the stress of trains, hotels, or hauling luggage. And in true Avalon style, everything from transfers to guided walking tours was already organised, leaving her free to wander Europe at her own pace.

Life On Board

“From the second we stepped onto the ship, the staff made us feel like family,” Leandie recalls. The daily cocktail hour quickly became a favourite, as did the gourmet dinners. “We loved that the wines each night were from the region we were travelling though too!” she laughs. And after everyone’s had their fill of food and wine, entertainment in the lounge kept the evenings alive.

She loved the way Avalon cabins are designed, with enough space that you never feel cramped. In fact, she says the cabin was the perfect place to retire to if they wanted an evening without mingling or socialising. And why not? It’s hard not to love power showers, fluffy pillows, and floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open so you can sit on the open-air balcony watching the water slip by. As Leandie says, “we loved that we were surrounded by European waters every day, even when we were in slippers and a gown while we relaxed in our cabin.”

What Life Is Really Like on a River Cruise

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Exploring the Ports of Call

Of course, the experience on board is part of the appeal. But if you’re cruising through Europe, you’ll definitely want to take full advantage of the port stops. Leandie loved how easy it was to explore Europe from the ship “and we also asked Simone, our lovely cruise director for some tips on where to go for foodies and shoppers, and she was extremely helpful!”

She also has a bit of a travel hack for those who prefer doing their own thing. “We would start walking towards the nearest Zara and then find ourselves in the hustle and bustle, discovering gems along the way.” So if you need to find where the most buzzing part of the city is, just head towards a Zara! Usually, this will take you to a main high street or shopping street and you can simply explore from there.

The Danube Experience

The Danube River itinerary gave Leandie the chance to see:

Budapest: Romantic bridges, grand Parliament buildings, and a vibrant café scene.
Vienna: The city of music, with opulent palaces and historic coffee houses.
Bratislava: A charming stop with medieval squares and local markets.
Melk & Wachau Valley: Rolling vineyards and abbeys set against dramatic river cliffs.
Prague: Hotels close to the main attractions, with transfers smoothly handled.

Each stop came with a choice: join guided tours or simply wander off to discover. And if you’re travelling as part of a group, it means that everyone can choose the option that works best for them.

“You simply hop on and off at each stop - it's like an Uber on water!”

Leandie, du Randt

Why River Cruising with Avalon Works for South Africans

For South Africans, this way of travelling ticks a lot of boxes. You can cover multiple countries in one trip without the stress of trains or airports. Flights from South Africa connect to Europe easily via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha. And once you’re in Europe, Avalon handles the rest: transfers, meals, excursions, and even wine with dinner. That means you know what you’re paying upfront, and you might be surprised at the value of a cruise holiday!

“It’s perfect for couples, groups of friends, even families,” Leandie says. “We loved meeting other travellers at dinner, but it never felt overwhelming. You can always retreat to your cabin for some space. That balance made it such a dream.”

Ready to Cruise the Danube?

Leandie calls this “a total must try.” With everything from gorgeous castles to buzzing city centres, not to mention the views from the river, the Danube cruise is the kind of trip that leaves you with stories you’ll talk about for years.

Chat to a Flight Centre Expert today to find out more about this Avalon Waterways Danube cruise package and start planning your own European river adventure.

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