ROMANTIC RHINE
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.” Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture—will be an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns.
Romantic Rhine
8 Days | Amsterdam – Basil
From $3,565* per person twin share
Tour Inclusions:
COUNTRIES – Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland
MEALS – Breakfast: 7, Lunch: 6 , Dinner: 7
TRANSPORT – State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities
ACCOMMODATION – Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds
DAY1: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. 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 (D)
DAY2: AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC – Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colourful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
DAY3: COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland ACTIVE – Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY – Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR: CLASSIC – Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Spend free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
DAY4: RUDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country En route to Rudesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei-where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors. ACTIVE – Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim, OR: DISCOVERY – 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. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
DAY5: MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel ACTIVE – Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR: CLASSIC – Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, OR: CLASSIC – 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.” EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
DAY6: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. ACTIVE – Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC – Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. Choose 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 centre. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,L,D)
DAY7: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest DISCOVERY – 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: DISCOVERY – Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking 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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)
DAY8: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)
Romantic Rhine
8 Days | Amsterdam – Basil
From $3,565* per person twin share
