Robert’s Travel Emporium – Discover the world with Minerva Travel, your full-service agency specializing in leisure and group tourism for children, young adults, and individuals with disabilities.

Tour Alsace Netherlands Avalon Imagery Ii Avalon Tranquility Ii Aw_Amsterdam Aw_Artistryii Aw_Basel Aw_Cologne Aw_England + 43 More Aw_Europe Aw_Expression Aw_France Aw_Germany Aw_Holland Aw_Imageryii Aw_London Aw_Mainz Aw_Paris Aw_Passion Aw_Rhine River Aw_Strasbourg Aw_Switzerland Aw_Tranquilityii Aw_View Aw_Visionary Aw_Vista Aw_Zurich Basel Black Forest Breisach Colmar Cologne England Europe France Germany Heidelberg Holland Koblenz United Kingdom Ludwigshafen Mainz Neckar River Rhine Gorge Rhine River River Cruise Rudesheim Storyteller Series Strasbourg Switzerland Avalon Waterways 8 Day River Cruise Basel to Amsterdam

DISAPPEAR ON A MAGICAL SAILING WITH DIANA GABALDON

Go tell the bees that … you’re invited to get insider stories from international best-selling Outlander Author Diana Gabaldon, on a week-long Romantic Rhine cruise. Disappear in the magic of this river that gifts you a sail through time and tales, cliffside castles and custom-rich villages in the storybook settings of fabled, fairytale lands. Hear the Drums of Autumn calling you to fall for the Old World in new ways on this special Suite Ship sailing from Basel to Amsterdam with your favorite storyteller! Call your cruise clan and make a plan today! “Je suis prêt” (I am ready). You will experience two, exclusive on-ship events with your celebrity host, plus you will have the opportunity to share the entire vacation experience with Diana Gabaldon.

Your stunning Rhine River cruise begins in Basel, Switzerland, with stops in France, Germany, and Holland. Sail to Breisach, your starting point for an excursion to Black Forest. Then venture on to Strasbourg, France, to see its Gothic cathedral with stunning murals and stained glass. Sail to Ludwigshafen for an excursion to Heidelberg Castle, or join your Avalon Adventure Host® for a hike up Philosophers’ Way. You can alternatively visit the Gutenberg Museum for amazing history of the early pio-neers of printing. Visit Koblenz and Cologne, and arrive in Amsterdam for a guided canal cruise through the colorful city.

Transfer 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, the Arc de Triomphe, followed by a Seine River cruise. Enjoy guided sightseeing of London’s iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Enjoy free time as well to explore London on your own. Monograms is with you all the way with helpful onsite support from your expert Local Hosts® in both Paris & London.Your scenic river cruise on the Rhine River, with a Monograms 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.Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

Day 2: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

German Winemakingand the Beautiful Black Forest Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. DISCOVERY 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: DISCOVERY Visit to Badischer Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Learn about German winemaking in the vineyards of Baden, and enjoy a wine tastingYou may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. EVENING CRUISE TO STRASBOURG(B,L,D)

Day 3: STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France 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 DistrictYou may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country today.Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN(B,L,D)

Day 4: MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel 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,” OR: ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printingOVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B,L,D)

Day 5: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR: ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of RüdesheimRelax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors. 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 6: COLOGNE

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR: DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sitesSpend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)

Day 7: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)

Day 8: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

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. 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.Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)
Day 2: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemakingand the Beautiful Black Forest Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. DISCOVERY 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: DISCOVERY Visit to Badischer Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Learn about German winemaking in the vineyards of Baden, and enjoy a wine tastingYou may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. EVENING CRUISE TO STRASBOURG(B,L,D)
Day 3: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France 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 DistrictYou may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country today.Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN(B,L,D)
Day 4: MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel 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,” OR: ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printingOVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B,L,D)
Day 5: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR: ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of RüdesheimRelax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors. 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 6: COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR: DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sitesSpend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)
Day 7: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)
Day 8: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
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. 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