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Overview

This amazing European vacation offers the best of both worlds: a land tour of Austria and Switzerland—two of Europe's most scenic countries—and a river cruise on the legendary Rhine River with stops in France, Germany, and Holland!

See the true definitions of palaces and castles while visiting Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace—former home to the long-reigning Habsburg dynasty. In Switzerland, enjoy a visit to romantic Chillon Castle, a well-preserved, medieval castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. Pass through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery with a ride on the world-famous Glacier Express train. Travel first class with panoramic windows to admire the thundering waterfalls, impressive peaks, glacial ice fields, and tiny villages on your way to Zermatt, Switzerland. Other scenic highlights include a Danube cruise along the prettiest part of the river on your way to Salzburg; a private boat cruise on the fjord-lake in Lucerne; a scenic drive into the Swiss Engadine, considered the most beautiful mountain area in the world; and more. Some sightseeing highlights include the Basilika St. Michael in Mondsee (of The Sound of Music fame), a walk through the Old Town in Innsbruck, and the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne.

Embark your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, to begin your Rhine River cruise! Visit Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, and an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. In Strasbourg, France, be amazed by the red-sandstone Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s castle, towering magnificently over the city, or sail to Mainz for a guided walk and visit the captivating Gutenberg Museum. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, and explore Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam, with its world-famous museums, wealth of eateries, iconic architecture, and charming canals. See the treasures of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” A perfect ending to this fabulous land and river cruise adventure!

Book your cruise with or without flights

Cruise prices are shown without flights included in case you wish to book them separately, or aren't ready to return home when you disembark! Or we can book your flights for you from most UK airports, with overseas transfers and ATOL protection included. The choice is yours!

Book your cruise with or without flights

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 VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Meals included:
Dinner

Welcome dinner at your hotel.

Day 2 VIENNA

Meals included:
Breakfast

Guided sightseeing features a visit to magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the Ringstrasse, and Heldenplatz.

Day 3 VIENNA–MELK–MONDSEE, SALZBURG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Enjoy a Danube cruise and visit The Sound of Music Parish Church in Mondsee before arriving in Salzburg. Guided walking tour

Day 4 SALZBURG

Meals included:
Breakfast

An optional excursion is available to Berchtesgaden and Hitler’s Eagles Nest.

Day 5 SALZBURG–INNSBRUCK–ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

In Innsbruck, walk through the Old Town to the Golden Roof. Drive through the Swiss Engadine to St. Moritz.

Day 6 ST. MORITZ–CHUR–TÄSCH–ZERMATT

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch

Board the first-class panoramic coach of the Glacier Express train and arrive in Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn.

Day 7 ZERMATT

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

An optional excursion is available to the Klein Matterhorn.

Day 8 ZERMATT–BERNE

Meals included:
Breakfast

Visit Chillon Castle and enjoy a special wine tasting before arriving in Berne.

Day 9 BERNE–INTERLAKEN–LUCERNE

Meals included:
Breakfast

The guided walking tour of Berne features a panoramic view from the Rose Garden and the Bear Park. Drive across Brünig Pass to Lucerne.

Day 10 LUCERNE

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Your morning walking tour includes the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge. This evening, enjoy a private boat cruise followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 11 LUCERNE–BASEL (EMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Transfer from Lucerne to Basel. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH

Day 12 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

German winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

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 Badischer Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Learn about German winemaking in the vineyards of Baden, and enjoy a wine tasting.

You 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

Day 13 STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including the 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—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 CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN

Day 14 MAINZ, GERMANY–EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Castle Walls and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

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:

Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR:

Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ

Day 15 RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

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:

Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim.

Relax 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.

KOBLENZ

Travel 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

Day 16 COLOGNE

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR:

Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites.

Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

Day 17 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

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

Day 18 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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.