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One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which takes you across Germany—and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland!
This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”
You’ll also visit the dynamic city of Cologne, Germany - a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral, and the many shops, cafes, and taverns of popular Old Town.
You’ll sail through the spectacular Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River—where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
Continue your Rhine River cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Join a guided excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade.
Before the end of your European river cruise vacation, stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivalled natural beauty—best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which takes you across Germany—and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland!
This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”
You’ll also visit the dynamic city of Cologne, Germany - a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral, and the many shops, cafes, and taverns of popular Old Town.
You’ll sail through the spectacular Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River—where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
Continue your Rhine River cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Join a guided excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade.
Before the end of your European river cruise vacation, stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivalled natural beauty—best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.
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 Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)
Welcome to Amsterdam.
Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Day 2 Amsterdam
Colourful Amsterdam—with Canals, Crooked Houses, and Cuisine of a Golden Age
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.”
Join a Guided Optional Culinary Walk through Amsterdam to sample savory and sweet Dutch specialties, or a Guided Optional Excursion to Muiderslot Castle—Holland’s most beautiful, best-kept medieval castle.
You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam’s many fascinating museums or galleries.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
Day 3 Cologne, Germany
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland’s Capital City
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:
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.
Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!
Later local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT SAILING TO KOBLENZ
Day 4 Koblenz - Rhine Gorge
Travel Through 2,000 Years of Monumental History
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 amid ancient fortress walls, towers, squares, and monuments.
Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.
RÜDESHEIM
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 a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience.
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.
Based on your departure date, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
Day 5 Mainz. Excursion to Heidelberg
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 City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
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,” 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 your Avalon Adventure Host for an afternoon Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
Day 6 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 Petite France District.
You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—an impressive installation of pre-WWII defensive fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
Day 7 Breisach, Germany. Excursion to the Black Forest
History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest
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 charming village of Colmar on a Guided Tour of its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, OR:
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 Vogtsbauernhof open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional Bavarian butter-making demonstration.
Follow your visit to Colmar with a free afternoon in Breisach. Take a bike from the ship, or walk among the pastel-painted houses above the Rhine.
EVENING CRUISE TO BASEL
Day 8 Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)
Your holiday ends this morning with breakfast.
