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 MARSEILLE, FRANCE
Welcome to Marseille. Enjoy free time to explore this vibrant city.
Day 2 MARSEILLE—PORT ST. LOUIS (EMBARKATION)
Spectacular Seascapes of the French Riviera
Join your expert Local Guide for an included sightseeing before joining a motorcoach transfer to board your Avalon Suite Ship.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES
Day 3 ARLES
Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights
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 Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON
Day 4 AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence
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 Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON
Day 5 VIVIERS
World History in a Charming French Country Village
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 pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNON
Day 6 TOURNON/TAIN L’HERMITAGE
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards
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 morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage.
VIENNE
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 Guided Walking Tour of Vienne and discover this charming little town surrounded by steep hills.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
Day 7 LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France
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 Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ST. JEAN DE LOSNE
Day 8 ST. JEAN DE LOSNE
Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône
Enjoy a leisurely cruising day along the majestic Saône River. Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar, or to the Castle of Cormatin.
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.
Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ST. JEAN DE LOSNE
Day 9 ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (DISEMBARKATION) BEAUNE—DIJON—PARIS (EMBARKATION)
Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris.
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.
Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgment and is one of France’s architectural highlights.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON
Day 10 VERNON
Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour
Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.
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 Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:
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 Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
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.
While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.
LES ANDELYS
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 Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine, OR:
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.
Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC
Day 11 CAUDEBEC
Churches, Cherry Orchards, and White Cliffs of Normandy
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.
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Jog in Normandy’s town of Caudebec.
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 Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine, OR:
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.
Enjoy the natural wonders of the fascinating Marais Vernier wetlands on this half-day Guided Nature Walk on the outskirts of Caudebec.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC
Day 12 CAUDEBEC. NORMANDY EXCURSIONS
Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions
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 Guided Tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:
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 full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:
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 Taste of Normandy” Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados at a local distillery.
EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN
Day 13 ROUEN
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and a Heroine for France
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.
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Walk.
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 Walking Tour of Rouen—home of the martyred Joan of Arc—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS
Day 14 CONFLANS
In the Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV
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 Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:
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 tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.
EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS
Day 15 PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals, & Canvases—The City of Lights Truly Shines
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.
Take a Morning Walk with your Avalon Adventure Host to see Paris at first light.
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.
Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
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 Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS
Day 16 PARIS-VENICE, ITALY
Say goodbye to the Avalon portion of your vacation after breakfast and fly to Venice. Your Local Host will be on hand to help you make the most of your time.
Day 17 VENICE
Your guided sightseeing in Venice includes St. Mark’s Square, inside visits of the Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
Day 18 VENICE
Your Local Host has many suggestions for your day at leisure.
Day 19 VENICE-ROME
Travel by high-speed train (first class) to Rome.
Day 20 ROME
With your included guided sightseeing visit St. Peter’s Square, and go inside the Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Day 21 ROME
A full day at leisure in Rome. Your Local Host will be on hand to help you make the most of your time.
Day 22 ROME
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Start sooner, stay longer. Start your vacation earlier or stay longer with destination options before or after your Avalon cruise.
