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Tour Netherlands Aw_Amsterdam Aw_Artistryii Aw_Basel Aw_Christmastime Aw_Cologne Aw_Expression Aw_France Aw_Germany + 31 More Aw_Holland Aw_Illumination Aw_Italy Aw_Lake Como Aw_Mainz Aw_Panorama Aw_Rhine River Aw_Strasbourg Aw_Switzerland Aw_Tranquilityii Aw_Vista Aw_Zurich Basel Black Forest Breisach Cologne Europe Germany Heidelberg Holland Italy Lake Como Switzerland Mainz Mount Pilatus Rhine Gorge Rhine River Rüdesheim Strasbourg Avalon Waterways 14 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Milan

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this delightful winter cruise along the Rhine River, which takes you across Germany—and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture—will be an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. While you’re there, why not try a locally brewed Kölsch beer? Pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.

Continue your Rhine river cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum, or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle towering magnificently over the city. In Strasbourg, France, you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. The city’s Christmas market is one of the oldest and finest in Europe. Stop in Breisach, Germany, located on the French-German border, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty—best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

At every stop you’ll experience the magical charm of this time of year, with the towns decked out in festive lights and décor, and the Christmas markets waiting to be explored. Disembark your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel and begin your Monograms® vacation in Switzerland and Italy. Start with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus for spectacular Alpine panoramas and a guided walking tour to explore lovely Lucerne. Transfer by high-speed train to Como, where an included guided walking tour features the charming historic district, the Gothic Town Hall, and the imposing Duomo. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Como to renowned Bellagio with its centuries-old buildings, cobblestone lanes, and charming shops. Travel to fashionable Milan for the last two nights of your vacation. Your Monograms Local Host® can help you make this fabulous vacation just perfect for you!

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. With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition or 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 AmsterdamCLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D)

Day 3: COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne's Christmas markets.Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)

Day 4: RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM

Eat, Drink and be Merry in Wine CountrySail through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim past the legendary rock of The Lorelei–where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)

Day 5: MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of WineCLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel.”EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG(B,L,D)

Day 6: STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Gothic Giants, Military Marvels, and Varietal VintagesCLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petit France District.Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit Alsace’s wine country today.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)

Day 7: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO THE BLACK FOREST

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black ForestDISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, OR: DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.After your visit to the winery, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL(B,L,D)

Day 8: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–MOUNT PILATUS–LUCERNE

Disembark your Avalon ship and join the Monograms portion of your vacation. Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead). Later join a guided walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne which includes Thorwaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge. (B)

Day 9: LUCERNE–LAKE COMO, ITALY

Travel by high-speed train (First class) to Como, the city on the lake that bears its name. Your Local Host will be waiting to greet you and offer recommendations so you can make the most of your time in this well-known city. Your guided walking tour includes the charming historic center; the Broletto (Town Hall) with its fascinating gothic façade; and the imposing, marble-clad Duomo.(B)

Day 10: LAKE COMO

Experience a boat ride on Lake Como for panoramas of stunning mountain scenery and luxury lakeside villas. Disembark at picturesque Bellagio for exploration on your own returning by boat to Como. (B)

Day 11: LAKE COMO

Your Local Host will have many suggestions for your day at leisure. (B)

Day 12: LAKE COMO–MILAN

Transfer to Milan and enjoy guided sightseeing which includes a visit to the Sforzesco Castle grounds and time to admire the glass-domed Galleria and magnificent gothic Duomo. (B)

Day 13: MILAN

Your Local Host will have many ideas for your full day at leisure.(B)

Day 14: MILAN

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Details

Tour Operator: Avalon
Duration (Days): 14

Itinerary ▼

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. With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition or 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 AmsterdamCLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D)
Day 3: COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne's Christmas markets.Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)
Day 4: RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM
Eat, Drink and be Merry in Wine CountrySail through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim past the legendary rock of The Lorelei–where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)
Day 5: MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of WineCLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel.”EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG(B,L,D)
Day 6: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Gothic Giants, Military Marvels, and Varietal VintagesCLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petit France District.Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit Alsace’s wine country today.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)
Day 7: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO THE BLACK FOREST
History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black ForestDISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, OR: DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.After your visit to the winery, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL(B,L,D)
Day 8: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–MOUNT PILATUS–LUCERNE
Disembark your Avalon ship and join the Monograms portion of your vacation. Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead). Later join a guided walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne which includes Thorwaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge. (B)
Day 9: LUCERNE–LAKE COMO, ITALY
Travel by high-speed train (First class) to Como, the city on the lake that bears its name. Your Local Host will be waiting to greet you and offer recommendations so you can make the most of your time in this well-known city. Your guided walking tour includes the charming historic center; the Broletto (Town Hall) with its fascinating gothic façade; and the imposing, marble-clad Duomo.(B)
Day 10: LAKE COMO
Experience a boat ride on Lake Como for panoramas of stunning mountain scenery and luxury lakeside villas. Disembark at picturesque Bellagio for exploration on your own returning by boat to Como. (B)
Day 11: LAKE COMO
Your Local Host will have many suggestions for your day at leisure. (B)
Day 12: LAKE COMO–MILAN
Transfer to Milan and enjoy guided sightseeing which includes a visit to the Sforzesco Castle grounds and time to admire the glass-domed Galleria and magnificent gothic Duomo. (B)
Day 13: MILAN
Your Local Host will have many ideas for your full day at leisure.(B)
Day 14: MILAN
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

ROMANTIC RHINE W/ MT PILATUS , LUC, COMO, MILAN EXT-SB