Avalon: Captivating Cruises, Endless Delights

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Normand Schafer, Travel Agent in Sidney, BC

Normand Schafer

Sidney, BC Travel Agent
Super Agent

Normand Schafer

Sidney, BC · 25+ Years of Experience

Far and Away Adventures, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(47)
100% Recommended
Normand was incredibly organized and helpful. He made sure every detail was looked after, so there was no stress at all. He answered questions promptly and... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Europe

Interests:

River Cruises, Cruises, Luxury Cruises, Sailing & Boating

Suppliers:

Avalon Waterways

About Me

Cruising on Sunset
Cruising on Sunset

My name is Normand, and I am a seasoned travel professional with over 25 years of expertise. Avalon Waterways is a unique way to see the world, and I'm excited to offer it to you today. Look no further if you're looking for a trip of a lifetime that blends luxury, leisure, and exploration. Allow me to be your guide as you discover the treasures that Avalon Waterways has to offer.

Imagine traveling through some of Europe's most alluring canals while being surrounded by stunning vistas, charming towns, and well-known cities. The impressive selection of river cruises available from Avalon Waterways is made to put you right in the center of each destination. You'll have a cruise unlike anything you've ever had because to their cutting-edge Suite Ships. The distinction between indoors and outdoors is blurred by the expansive, contemporary boats' wide-opening panoramic windows. From the comfort of your own apartment, picture waking up to a breathtaking vista of castles, vineyards, or quaint riverbank towns.

Avalon Waterways' dedication to individualized service and meticulous attention to detail is one of its most distinctive qualities. I will make sure that every part of your trip is expertly planned and carried out as your dedicated travel specialist. A welcoming and accommodating team will greet you as soon as you board the ship and will be available to meet all of your needs. We'll be there to make your visit genuinely exceptional, whether it's setting up a special tour, suggesting the ideal dining establishment, or offering interesting comments about the locations.

An outstanding selection of itineraries are available from Avalon Waterways, encompassing the most popular locations in Europe and beyond. Discover the charming cities of Vienna, Budapest, and Amsterdam, as well as the scenic rivers of the Rhine, Danube, and Moselle. Immerse yourself in the deep history, culture, and gastronomy of France as you travel along the Seine or the Rhône. Avalon Waterways also provides memorable trips on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia or the Amazon River in South America for those looking for a more far-flung adventure.

The emphasis placed by Avalon Waterways on one-of-a-kind experiences and immersive excursions is among the things that really set them apart. Forget about congested tourist destinations and extended bus rides. With Avalon, you can take advantage of expertly-led guided excursions that will take you off the main road and introduce you to the true spirit of each location. Every minute will be loaded with amazing discoveries, whether it is a private wine tasting in the Bordeaux vineyards, a beautiful bike ride along the Danube, or a cookery session in a typical Vietnamese town.

So what makes Avalon Waterways the best option? It's easy. Avalon Waterways provides a genuinely unmatched way to travel the globe with their great ships, attentive service, and enlightening experiences. You may also be confident that your trip will be customized to your preferences and desires with me, Normand, as your dedicated travel specialist. I will be there to make sure that every part of your vacation exceeds your expectations from the minute you book with me until you return home with priceless memories.

Don't put off taking your ideal river cruise experience any longer. Please get in touch with me right away so that we can work together to design an unforgettable voyage with Avalon Waterways that you will never forget.

Additional Languages
French

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
47 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 47 reviews

Tahiti best trip ever
Reviewed By Laurie and Grant - Lundar, Manitoba | Traveled to Tahiti ~ French Polynesia ~ South Pacific
Normand was incredibly organized and helpful. He made sure every detail was looked after, so there was no stress at all. He answered questions promptly and even resent information when ever I needed. His knowledge of our destination and recommendations made this trip worry free and amazing !
Normand Schafer responded
"It was a pleasure working into your itinerary all of your special requests. It was a fun itinerary for me to work on as well. "
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Our Dream Trip to French Polynesia
Reviewed By Chloe - Sudbury, ON | Traveled to Tahiti ~ French Polynesia ~ South Pacific
Visiting Tahiti and Her Islands was a dream come true. Normand is extremely knowledgeable about the French Polynesian islands and provided a variety of options for our itinerary based on our interests and needs. The planning stage was delightful as Normand provided different accommodation and excursion availabilities. He was very responsive to all our inquiries, by email and phone, and always in a friendly, sincere manner. Normand booked all international and domestic flights, as well as all land transfers. Everything went very smoothly. Many thanks, Normand!
We continue to rave about how pleased we were with Normand at Far and Away Adventures with our family and friends. We will be sure to ask Normand about future vacations to the South Pacific.
Normand Schafer responded
"Thank you for your feedback on my services. It was a pleasure working with you and I look forward to helping plan many more trips to come."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Loads of personal experience
Reviewed By Ingrid - Canada | Traveled to French Polynesia | South Pacific
I can highly recommend Norm at Farandaway Adventures. Because he has travelled often throughout French Polynesia, he can make valuable recommendations in regards to very practical choices: length of time on a given island, activities to do there, best locations for accommodation, car rental ins and outs. I also really appreciated the time he took to answer my many questions. He was always patient! Lastly, we had to make quite a few flight changes due to airline changes and even an airline strike, and he handled all of those changes without us having to worry. He has many years of experience and helped us tremendously!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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What an amazing adventure- truely memorable.
Reviewed By JMW1234 - London, UK | Traveled to British Columbia | Canada
We had an outstanding experience working with Normand on our recent family trip across the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver Island. From start to finish, the planning was seamless and thoughtful. Every detail—from the route and accommodation choices to local activities and hidden gems—was perfectly tailored to our family interests and made the trip memorable for all of us. Normand was always responsive (even with a time difference), professional, and full of great suggestions that we would never have discovered on our own. His knowledge of the region and ability to organise logistics so smoothly gave us complete peace of mind, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy the unforgettable journey. I would wholeheartedly recommend Normand to anyone looking for a well-organised, personalised travel experience. Thank you Normand, you were amazing!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Excellent Service from Norm
Reviewed By Fiona White - Surrey, BC | Traveled to Uganda | Africa
I had the pleasure of working with Normand Schafer recently to plan two international trips for our school. Normand was excellent to work with and helped organize a stress-free journey for our students and staff. Normand was able to coordinate last minute airport support to help get students and staff through a security check in a quick amount of time, helping to keep the trip on track. Normand was very communicative and knowledgeable, helpful in providing multiple options to work within our budget, and always responded very quickly to all our questions. We highly recommend Normand and look forward to working with him again in the future.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Certifications & Awards

The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients.  This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.
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My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.
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