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Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are three types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Day 1 LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
Welcome to Switzerland! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring this delightful town on the Reuss River.
Your Monograms Local Host will help you get the most out of your two nights in Lucerne.
Day 2 LUCERNE
Your guided walking tour includes the poignant Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and Jesuit Church.
Day 3 LUCERNE—MOUNT PILATUS—BASEL (EMBARKATION)
This morning enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up 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
Day 4 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO THE BLACK FOREST
History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
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:Visit to Badische Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany’s southernmost wine country in Baden and learn about the vintners’ process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
Day 5 STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Gothic Giants, Military Marvels, and Varietal Vintages
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
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 District.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN
Day 6 EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. MAINZ
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of Wine
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
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
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ
Day 7 RÜDESHEIM—RHINE GORGE—KOBLENZ
Eat, Drink and be Merry in Wine Country
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
Day 8 COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR:
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
Day 9 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Day 10 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).
Day 11 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; magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral where Napoleon was crowned emperor in 1804; 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.
Day 12 PARIS—LONDON, ENGLAND
Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train (Standard class)
Day 13 LONDON
Morning guided sightseeing includes all of London’s famous 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.
Day 14 LONDON
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.