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Tour Netherlands Aw_Amsterdam Aw_Basel Aw_Cologne Aw_Europe Aw_Germany Aw_Holland Aw_Mainz Aw_Rhine River + 24 More Aw_Strasbourg Aw_Switzerland Basel Black Forest Breisach Cologne Europe France Germany Heidelberg Holland Kehl Koblenz Switzerland Mount Pilatus Rhine Rhine Gorge Rhine River River Cruise Rudesheim Speyer Strasbourg Avalon Waterways 10 days from Lucerne to Amsterdam

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and visits France, Germany, and Holland! A Certified Sommelier will accompany you on your river cruise on the Rhine River with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.

You’ll start your European vacation with a 2-night stay in Lucerne, Switzerland. Enjoy a guided walking tour including the Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, Jesuit Church, and a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility). Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here, enjoy an excursion to Germany’s Black Forest or take an excursion to the charming village of Colmar, followed by a visit to a chateau wine cellar. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Speyer for a guided walk and a visit to the Wine Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or enjoy a visit to Eberbach monastery and its wine cellar, then 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. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.

At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.

About Certified Sommeliers
Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from certified experts in the field! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a certified sommelier who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. We are honored to offer our guests the expertise of certified sommeliers who join select cruises to share their insights and inspiration in all things wine. Truly exclusive experiences for wine lovers!

Day 1: LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND

Welcome to SwitzerlandThe day is free to start exploring this delightful town on the Reuss River. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend your free time to enjoy some shopping in the city center.

Day 2: LUCERNE

Lovely LucerneCLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour, which includes the Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and Jesuit Church. (B)

Day 3: LUCERNE–SWISS ALPS–BASEL (EMBARKATION)

Your Suite Ship® is Ready for BoardingCLASSIC This morning, enjoy a special Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).Transfer to Basel to board your Suite Ship®.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,D)

Day 4: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:DISCOVERY Take a full-day Guided Tour to the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, followed by a visit to a countryside chateau wine cellar, OR: CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour in the morning through storybook Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past past countless historic buildings and monuments. 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.DISCOVERY Join a lecture about wine hosted by your Certified Sommelier.EVENING CRUISE TO KEHL(B,L,D)

Day 5: KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceAsk about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC 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.DISCOVERY Join an enchanting Guided Tour along the famed Alsace Wine Route to discover the heart of France’s wine country and sample several local wines. DISCOVERY Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER(B,L,D)

Day 6: SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

The World’s Biggest Wine BarrelACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour, including a visit to the Wine Museum to learn about the history of viticulture and wine production, 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 RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)

Day 7: RÜDESHEIM-RHINE GORGE

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to experience the beauty and simplicity of 13th-century Eberbach Monastery-a former abbey for Cistercian monks that today is known for its wine production and as the film location for the blockbuster movie, "The Name of the Rose". Also enjoy a wine tasting, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a wine tasting.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.DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.KOBLENZTravel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ(B,L,D)

Day 8: COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! DISCOVERY Enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)

Day 9: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

Canals of Colorful AmsterdamACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:CLASSIC Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)

Day 10: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Details

Tour Operator: Avalon
Duration (Days): 10

Itinerary ▼

Day 1: LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
Welcome to SwitzerlandThe day is free to start exploring this delightful town on the Reuss River. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend your free time to enjoy some shopping in the city center.
Day 2: LUCERNE
Lovely LucerneCLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour, which includes the Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and Jesuit Church. (B)
Day 3: LUCERNE–SWISS ALPS–BASEL (EMBARKATION)
Your Suite Ship® is Ready for BoardingCLASSIC This morning, enjoy a special Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).Transfer to Basel to board your Suite Ship®.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,D)
Day 4: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:DISCOVERY Take a full-day Guided Tour to the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, followed by a visit to a countryside chateau wine cellar, OR: CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour in the morning through storybook Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past past countless historic buildings and monuments. 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.DISCOVERY Join a lecture about wine hosted by your Certified Sommelier.EVENING CRUISE TO KEHL(B,L,D)
Day 5: KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceAsk about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC 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.DISCOVERY Join an enchanting Guided Tour along the famed Alsace Wine Route to discover the heart of France’s wine country and sample several local wines. DISCOVERY Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER(B,L,D)
Day 6: SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
The World’s Biggest Wine BarrelACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour, including a visit to the Wine Museum to learn about the history of viticulture and wine production, 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 RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)
Day 7: RÜDESHEIM-RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to experience the beauty and simplicity of 13th-century Eberbach Monastery-a former abbey for Cistercian monks that today is known for its wine production and as the film location for the blockbuster movie, "The Name of the Rose". Also enjoy a wine tasting, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a wine tasting.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.DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.KOBLENZTravel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ(B,L,D)
Day 8: COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! DISCOVERY Enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)
Day 9: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful AmsterdamACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:CLASSIC Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)
Day 10: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne for Wine Lovers (Northbound)