CANALS, VINEYARDS & CASTLES  W/ 2 NTS PARIS - SOUTHBOUND

CANALS, VINEYARDS & CASTLES W/ 2 NTS PARIS - SOUTHBOUND

Photography | River Cruise - Avalon Waterways® Europe

Tour Netherlands Avalon Visionary Aw_Amsterdam Aw_Antwerp Aw_Artistryii Aw_Belgium Aw_Cologne Aw_Europe Aw_France + 27 More Aw_Germany Aw_Holland Aw_Imageryii Aw_Moselle River Aw_Paris Aw_Photography Aw_Rhine River Aw_Tranquilityii Aw_Trier Aw_Visionary Bernkastel Cochem Cologne Engers Europe France Germany Holland Luxembourg Luxembourg City Moselle River Remich Rhine River River Cruise Rudesheim Avalon Waterways 10 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Paris
Start this magnificent river cruise in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a unique perspective—on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten. Cruise in the company of Brenda Tharp, world-class photographer, who shares on-board presentations. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a photography contest at the end of your cruise to vote for favorite shots taken on your cruise. Begin your scenic cruise along the Rhine River and come to Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture. Sail through the dramatic views of the Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, enjoy a stroll through its famous cobblestone Drosselgasse lined with shops, restaurants, and lively taverns.

Along the Moselle River, stop at the picturesque town of Cochem where the Riesling grape is cultivated. Visit Reichsburg Castle, nestled among vineyards and offering breath-taking views of the town and river valley below. In Bernkastel, enjoy a guided walk and taste some of the region’s best-loved wines. Go on an excursion to historical Luxembourg City, offering unique and dramatic views as it is set on two levels—high above on straddling hills and dropping into two river valleys. Ride the high-speed train to Paris, the last stop on this fabulous European river cruise. Guided sightseeing shows you the famous sights of the romantic “City of Light”: Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum with its elegant glass pyramid contrasting its ancient architecture.

Meet Your Photographer
"I love waking up early to witness and photograph the rainbow of dawn's colors as they are painted across the sky, or the mist rising off a river. A great photo takes preparation, timing, and a bit of luck, yet if feels like a gift when I'm out there and it all comes together. I love telling stories through my pictures, and I travel the world seeking the light on the land, and the life of people and wildlife."
Learn more about Brenda Tharp >

Day 1: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(D)

Day 2: AMSTERDAM

Canals of Colorful AmsterdamVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of the city’s “Golden Age"This afternoon choose among the many Guided Optional Excursions available. DISCOVERY Onboard introduction to photography with our expert Brenda Tharp, world-class photographerAFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D)

Day 3: COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Celebrate in the RhinelandCLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sitesSpend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! Enjoy live entertainment onboard your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)

Day 4: RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryThis morning, relax on the Sky Deck while sailing through the magnificent Rhine Gorge.DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR; ACTIVE Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; based on your departure enjoy a local special treatEnjoy a leisurely cruise to Engers this evening while having dinner on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ENGERS(B,L,D)

Day 5: COCHEM

Reichsburg Castle, Riesling Wine, and the Charm of the Moselle ValleyRelax on the Sky Deck of your ship while sailing through the Moselle Valley, famous for the beautiful growing villages and their vineyards.CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk of Cochem to see the charming town’s half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit Cochem’s hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird’s-eye-view of the Moselle Valley and river bendEVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL(B,L,D)

Day 6: BERNKASTEL

German Vineyards of the Moselle Valley Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel—with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber-framed houses, OR: ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a hike to nearby castle ruinsSpend some free time at your leisure this afternoon, perhaps biking through the Renaissance-style village, or visiting a café to sample Apfelkuchen or other wonderful German desserts. DISCOVERY Join a Wine Tasting to experience the tradition of legendary German wine makingTonight, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REMICH(B,L,D)

Day 7: REMICH, LUXEMBOURG. EXCURSION TO LUXEMBOURG CITY

Ancient Worlds, Old World Charm, and World-Class WineThis morning, you might take a history-focused Guided Optional Excursion to Roman Trier to learn more about the history of Roman civilization in the oldest city in Germany. After your tour, enjoy some free time in Trier. CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Luxembourg City—with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture along the deep gorge terrainThis evening, share in an award ceremony for favorite photos taken on your cruise.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN REMICH(B,L,D)

Day 8: REMICH (DISEMBARKATION)–PARIS, FRANCE

Today, travel by motorcoach to Luxembourg City or Metz to board a high-speed train to Paris. Known as one of the world’s most romantic and lively cities, Paris is a delight for all your senses.CLASSIC Join a Guided City tour that shows the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.(B)

Day 9: PARIS

Today in your free time, stroll down the Champs-Elysées with its lavish cafés, or perhaps visit the world-famous Louvre, or Montmartre with its gleaming white Sacre Coeur Basilica and bevy of artists on Place du Tertre. All of this awaits your discovery! (B)

Day 10: PARIS

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Details

Tour Operator
Avalon
Duration (Days)
10

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