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Tour Netherlands Avalon Imagery Ii Avalon Tranquility Ii Aw_Amsterdam Aw_Artistryii Aw_Basel Aw_Christmastime Aw_Cologne Aw_England + 36 More Aw_Expression Aw_France Aw_Germany Aw_Holland Aw_Illumination Aw_London Aw_Mainz Aw_Panorama Aw_Paris Aw_Rhine River Aw_Strasbourg Aw_Switzerland Aw_Tranquilityii Aw_Vista Aw_Zurich Basel Black Forest Breisach Cologne England Europe France Germany Heidelberg Holland Koblenz United Kingdom Mainz Rhine Gorge Rhine River River Cruise Rudesheim Strasbourg Switzerland Avalon Waterways 12 Day River Cruise Basel to London

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 amid strains of Christmas carols filling the air. You’ll board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland. Sail for Breisach, Germany, the gateway to the Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Explore the warm and friendly Christmas market with traditional festive offerings.

Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe with a spectacular Christmas tree. Visit Heidelberg’s castle ruins towering above the city, and watch the skaters on the ice rink below, and Mainz to enjoy a guided walk through town, and browse the charming Christmas market. Sail to charming Rüdesheim, home to Europe’s largest nativity scene, and pass through the dramatic views of the Rhine Gorge on your way to the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne. Wander through Cologne’s brilliant Christmas market, and try traditional Lebkuchen and Glühwein. You’ll visit Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam, and take a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”

Travel by high-speed train to Paris to start your Monograms vacation package with two nights in “The City of Light.” Your guided sightseeing with an expert guide includes a drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, followed by a Seine River cruise. Your 2-night stay in London includes guided sightseeing in London, as well as free time to explore the city. Sightseeing includes Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Your Monograms vacation package includes helpful onsite support from your expert Local Hosts® in both Paris & London. Your scenic river cruise on the Romantic Rhine River, and complete vacation package in Paris and London are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.

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 the winery with a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.EVENING 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 Petit 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.EVENING/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 treat. Sail 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 cathedral, OR: Spend 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)–PARIS, FRANCE

Transfer from your Avalon ship to the train station, where you begin your Monograms package. Travel to Paris by high-speed train (First class). (B)

Day 9: PARIS

Morning guided sightseeing includes a drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe and a stop to take photos of the Eiffel Tower from one of the best panoramic viewing points. Also admire the heart of the city from a different perspective on a Seine River cruise. Embark your comfortable boat near the Eiffel Tower and spend a relaxing hour gliding by many of the city's important landmarks such as the L'Institut de France; Notre Dame Cathedral; Hôtel de Ville, the city's municipal headquarters; the Conciergerie, formerly a notorious prison where Marie-Antoinette spent the last days of her life; famous Louvre Palace and museum; and much more.(B)

Day 10: PARIS–LONDON, ENGLAND

Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train (Standard class)(B)

Day 11: LONDON

Morning guided sightseeing includes all of London’s landmarks. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben; Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were married; Whitehall’s mounted horseguards; the Prime Minister’s Downing Street; Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus. Take photos of the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel situated on the river bank, and the Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe. Then, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral (except on Sundays). Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece with its world-famous dome is an iconic feature of London’s skyline.(B)

Day 12: LONDON

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Details

Tour Operator: Avalon
Duration (Days): 12

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 the winery with a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.EVENING 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 Petit 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.EVENING/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 treat. Sail 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 cathedral, OR: Spend 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)–PARIS, FRANCE
Transfer from your Avalon ship to the train station, where you begin your Monograms package. Travel to Paris by high-speed train (First class). (B)
Day 9: PARIS
Morning guided sightseeing includes a drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe and a stop to take photos of the Eiffel Tower from one of the best panoramic viewing points. Also admire the heart of the city from a different perspective on a Seine River cruise. Embark your comfortable boat near the Eiffel Tower and spend a relaxing hour gliding by many of the city's important landmarks such as the L'Institut de France; Notre Dame Cathedral; Hôtel de Ville, the city's municipal headquarters; the Conciergerie, formerly a notorious prison where Marie-Antoinette spent the last days of her life; famous Louvre Palace and museum; and much more.(B)
Day 10: PARIS–LONDON, ENGLAND
Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train (Standard class)(B)
Day 11: LONDON
Morning guided sightseeing includes all of London’s landmarks. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben; Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were married; Whitehall’s mounted horseguards; the Prime Minister’s Downing Street; Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus. Take photos of the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel situated on the river bank, and the Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe. Then, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral (except on Sundays). Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece with its world-famous dome is an iconic feature of London’s skyline.(B)
Day 12: LONDON
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

ROMANTIC RHINE W/ 2 NIGHTS P ARIS & 2 NIGHTS LONDON - NB