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Tour Netherlands Avalon Imagery Ii Avalon Tranquility Ii Aw_Amsterdam Aw_Artistryii Aw_Basel Aw_Christmastime Aw_Cologne Aw_Europe + 31 More Aw_Expression Aw_France Aw_Germany Aw_Holland Aw_Illumination 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 Koblenz Mainz Rhine Gorge Rhine River River Cruise Rudesheim Strasbourg Switzerland Avalon Waterways 8 Day River Cruise Basel to Amsterdam

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this winter wonderland journey along the Rhine River, which starts in Switzerland with stops in France, Germany, and Holland! Each town is decorated with festive lights with the strains of Christmas carols the air. Board your vessel in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, the gateway to the Black Forest, an area of unrivalled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Here’s your first chance to explore a Christmas market offering many traditional items. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where you’ll visit the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe and its centerpiece is a giant Christmas tree. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s castle, towering magnificently over the city, and watch the skaters on the ice rink below, and Mainz for a guided walk and visit the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Next up is the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. You’re sure to be enthralled by the life-size figures of Europe’s largest nativity scene on the Market Square. Pass through the dramatic views of the Rhine Gorge before arriving in Cologne—your last stop in Germany. Here, you’ll explore the 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral. Wander through the Christmas market, try some traditional Lebkuchen and get some inner warmth with a cup of Glühwein.

As an extra celebration of this wonderful Rhine river cruise, spend time in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. 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.”

Day 1: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 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.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

Day 2: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

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

Day 3: 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 Petite France DistrictSavor 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.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ(B,L,D)

Day 4: EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. MAINZ

Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of WineCLASSIC 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.”CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printingIn your free time visit the local Christmas market: explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sound.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ(B,L,D)

Day 5: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE–KOBLENZ

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryDISCOVERY 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 treatSail through the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz, past the legendary rock of The Lorelei–where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in Koblenz.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D)

Day 6: COLOGNE

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedralSpend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne’s Christmas markets.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)

Day 7: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

Canals of Colorful AmsterdamCLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”With a free day to explore before your cruise ends, 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(B,L,D)

Day 8: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Details

Tour Operator: Avalon
Duration (Days): 8

Itinerary ▼

Day 1: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 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.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)
Day 2: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood, OR:DISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting.You may choose to follow your visit to Badischer Winzerkeller with a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the afternoon, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG(B,L,D)
Day 3: 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 Petite France DistrictSavor 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.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ(B,L,D)
Day 4: EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. MAINZ
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of WineCLASSIC 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.”CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printingIn your free time visit the local Christmas market: explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sound.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ(B,L,D)
Day 5: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE–KOBLENZ
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryDISCOVERY 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 treatSail through the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz, past the legendary rock of The Lorelei–where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in Koblenz.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D)
Day 6: COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedralSpend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne’s Christmas markets.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)
Day 7: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful AmsterdamCLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”With a free day to explore before your cruise ends, 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(B,L,D)
Day 8: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

ROMANTIC RHINE - NORTHBOUND

Day 1: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)

Day 2: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

Day 3: STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Day 4: EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. MAINZ

Day 5: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE–KOBLENZ

Day 6: COLOGNE

Day 7: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

Day 8: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Details

Itinerary ▼

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