Christmastime on the Romantic Rhine (Northbound)
Festive Time: Romantic Rhine Northbound | Avalon
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
The Beautiful Black Forest CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.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 STRASBOURG(B,L,D)
Day 3: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Joyeux Noël in StrasbourgCLASSIC 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 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.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ(B,L,D)
Day 4: MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of WineDISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel,” OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.In your free time visit the local Christmas market: explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sounds.Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM (B,L,D)
Day 5: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE–KOBLENZ
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryCLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.Spend some free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Rüdesheim’s Christmas markets, while warming up with some hot-mulled wine or their local delicacies.En route to Koblenz, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors.KOBLENZTravel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History Enjoy free time in Koblenz to explore local Christmas markets on your own before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ(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 cathedral.Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne’s Christmas markets. DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy an onboard lecture to learn about European Christmas traditions.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. 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
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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)
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Day 2: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
The Beautiful Black Forest CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.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 STRASBOURG(B,L,D)
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Day 3: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Joyeux Noël in StrasbourgCLASSIC 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 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.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ(B,L,D)
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Day 4: MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of WineDISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel,” OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.In your free time visit the local Christmas market: explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sounds.Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM (B,L,D)
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Day 5: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE–KOBLENZ
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryCLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.Spend some free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Rüdesheim’s Christmas markets, while warming up with some hot-mulled wine or their local delicacies.En route to Koblenz, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors.KOBLENZTravel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History Enjoy free time in Koblenz to explore local Christmas markets on your own before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ(B,L,D)
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Day 6: COLOGNE
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. DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy an onboard lecture to learn about European Christmas traditions.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)
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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. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)
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Day 8: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)