From

£2,176 pp

Cruise only

Departing 21 July 2020

From

£2,547 pp

Cruise with flights & transfers

From London Heathrow

Call us on
0330 058 8243

Overview

See the grandeur of Germany with a scenic river cruise through its most picturesque destinations along the Main and Rhine Rivers.

Your European scenic river cruise begins with two nights in Munich. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle, and visit the mountain village of Oberammergau—known for its once-a-decade production of the Passion Play. You may decide instead to take a guided tour of the fascinating highlights of Munich. You’ll then embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® in Nuremberg, and sail to Bamberg for a guided walking tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties.

Your enchanting river cruise continues to Würzburg—the “Pearl of the Romantic Road.” From here sail to Frankfurt, where you can join a guided sightseeing tour of the city, or visit the nearby town of Seligenstadt. On your way to Rüdesheim enjoy a sailing through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Then cruise to Strasbourg and join a guided city tour of Strasbourg’s sights, such as the stunning stained-glass of its gothic cathedral, the astronomical clock, and La Petite France district.

Your scenic cruise through Europe includes a stop in Breisach to visit Germany’s beautiful Black Forest region. Choose a guided tour of charming Colmar, or join a day trip to the Black Forest’s Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum, and more. Your river cruise on the Rhine and Main Rivers comes to an end in Basel, Switzerland, but your memories of this tremendous adventure through many of Europe’s most beautiful destinations will last a lifetime.

Part of the Save up to £2,500pp offer

Save up to £2,500pp on 2020 cruises when you book before 21 February.

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Itinerary

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:

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.

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.

Classic

<p>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.</p>

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.

Day 1 MUNICH, GERMANY

Welcome to Munich!

The day is yours to relax and explore the city on your own.

Day 2 MUNICH

Meals included:
Breakfast

Modern Munich with Storybook Villages and Fairytale Castles

Take a full-day Guided Tour to the garden landscape of the Bavarian Alps to visit Neuschwanstein Castle—the historic home of King Ludwig.

Day 3 MUNICH-NUREMBERG (EMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Living Heritage and History Lessons

Join a Guided Tour of Nuremberg with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG

Day 4 BAMBERG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

One Thousand Years of History in the City of Seven Hills

Take a Guided Walking Tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.

After the tour, spend free time with a glass of German-style Rauchbier (smoked beer). Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG

Day 5 WÜRZBURG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road

Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists.

Enjoy live entertainment on board while sailing tonight.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE

Day 6 MAIN RIVER VILLAGE

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Hidden Gems and Bavarian Beauty of a Main River Village

Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Main River Bavarian village.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT

Day 7 FRANKFURT EXCURSION TO SELIGENSTADT

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Culture, Commerce, and Charm in Frankfurt

Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city’s cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambience of quaint neighborhoods, OR:

Take a Guided Tour to Seligenstadt—one of Germany’s oldest towns and home to the Einhard Basilika—dubbed “minor basilica” in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.

Spend free time this afternoon exploring Frankfurt on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BOPPARD

Day 8 BOPPARD

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine Gorge

Take some free time to relax, or explore the Rheinallee Promenade for delicatessen fare with a cup of German coffee or glass of Riesling wine.

This afternoon, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Rüdesheim.

RÜDESHEIM—RHINE GORGE

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

Based on your cruise date, you’ll be treated to either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting.

Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG

Day 9 STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

A Gothic Cathedral, Heavenly Time, and Dreamy French Wine

Join a City Tour of Strasbourg’s sights, including its gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

Take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.

Explore on your own along tree-lined streets with gingerbread-style houses reminiscent of Brothers Grimm within the very modern city of the European Parliament.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH

Day 10 BREISACH, GERMANY (BLACK FOREST)

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest

Visit to Badische Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany’s southernmost wine country in Baden—ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners’ process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:

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.

Follow your visit to Badische Winzerkeller with a free afternoon in Breisach. Take a bike from the ship, or walk among the pastel-painted houses above the Rhine.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL

Day 11 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast

Your vacation ends this morning with breakfast.

Departure flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am.

Questions? Our travel specialists can help with any queries, quotes or special requirements. Request a callback or email us.

Notes

In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler