2023 Season

Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine with 3 Nights in Paris & 3 Nights in London (Northbound)

cruise: WZA1-T1
14 days from Basel to London
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this winter wonderland journey along the Rhine River, which starts in Switzerland with stops in France, Germany, and Holland! Each town is festively lit and decorated and strains of Christmas carols fill the air. You’ll board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland. Sail for Breisach, Germany, the gateway to the Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Explore the warm and friendly Christmas market with traditional festive offerings. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe with a spectacular Christmas tree.

Choose between a visit to Heidelberg’s castle ruins towering above the city or a guided sightseeing in Mainz and browse its charming Christmas market. Sail to charming Rüdesheim, home to Europe’s largest nativity scene, and pass through the dramatic views of the Rhine Gorge on your way to the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne. Wander through Cologne’s brilliant Christmas market, and try traditional Lebkuchen and Glühwein. You’ll visit Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam, and take a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”

Transfer by high-speed train to Paris to start your Monograms vacation package with 3 nights in “The City of Light”. Enjoy a guided sightseeing with an expert guide, drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe, and join a Seine River cruise. You’ll enjoy guided guided sightseeing in London, England’s most famous destination, as well as free time to really get to know the city. Sightseeing includes Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Your Monograms vacation package includes helpful onsite support from your expert Local Hosts® both in Paris & London. Your scenic river cruise on the Romantic Rhine River, and complete vacation package in Paris and London are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.

cruise

at-a-glance

Day 1 Basel (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Breisach: Choice of Black Forest Excursion or visit to Badischer Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer; Christmas market

Day 3 Strasbourg: Guided sightseeing, visit the La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral; Christmas market

Day 4 Excursion to Heidelberg. Mainz: Choice of excursion to Heidelberg, guided visit of the castle, see the Great Vat or guided walk, visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz; Christmas market

Day 5 Rüdesheim-Rhine Gorge Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; scenic sailing through the Rhine Gorge; Christmas market

Day 6 Cologne: Guided city walk; Christmas market

Day 7 Amsterdam: Canal cruise

Day 8 Amsterdam (Disembarkation)-Paris, France: Travel to Paris by high-speed train (first class)

Day 9 Paris: Guided sightseeing, Seine River cruise

Day 10 Paris: Full day at leisure

Day 11 Paris-London, England: Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train (standard class)

Day 12 London: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul's Cathedral (except on Sundays)

Day 13 London: Full day at leisure

Day 14 London: Your vacation ends this morning
Avalon Choice

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. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises. 

Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.

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.
  • Christmas markets are open from the first weekend in December, depending on the location.
The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees, gratuities  and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown.   International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.