Romantic Rhine with Avalon Waterways
Overview
Romantic Rhine with Avalon Waterways
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and stops in France, Germany, and Holland!
Board your vessel in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, located at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll find 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. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Also, 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, and stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Next up is the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum to see the impressive collection of historical self-playing instruments. You’ll pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge - the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne - a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.
As an exclamation point to this wonderful Rhine river cruise, you’ll spend time in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. There is much to do with the world-famous museums and abundance of restaurants amongst the classic architecture and charming canals. 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.”
What's Included:
- 7 nights accommodation onboard Avalon Suite Ship (Avalon Expression, Avalon Vista or Avalon Panorama) in a Deluxe Stateroom
- Full board dining
- Beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Return flights from London
- A choice of excursions
- Gratuities, transfers and port charges
Hand Picked By
"Recently awarded Best River Cruise Line at the 2018 Wave Awards, Avalon Waterways offer stylish, spacious and immensely comfortable staterooms which exemplify the Avalon difference. Not only are their Panorama Suites 30% bigger than the industry standard staterooms, their wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows open wider than any other, creating a unique open-air balcony. What's more, they've turned the majority of their beds to face the view, so you can experience serene riverbank vistas from the comfort of your bed."
Amy Probert
Additional Information
- Departure Date: 30th October 2021
- Duration: 7 nights
- Highlights: One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and stops in France, Germany, and Holland!
Ship Overview
Avalon Expression
Part of Avalon's cutting-edge fleet of Suite Ships®, the Avalon Expression came onto the river cruising scene with a bang. This gorgeous ship features two full decks of Panorama SuitesSM with Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform the living space into a unique Open-Air BalconySM. With 200 square feet, Panorama SuitesSM are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording you the incomparable opportunity to wake each morning facing the splendid passing scenery. Onboard amenities include an alternative light dining option in the Panorama Bistro, an expanded fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, and light al fresco lunches at the Sky Bistro on the Sky Deck.
Avalon Expression Profile
- Built: 2013
- Length: 443ft
- Crew Members: 47
- Staterooms: 16
- Suites: 67
Full Itinerary
DAY 1 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Meals included: Dinner 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
NOTE: Due to “Sail Amsterdam” departures August 8 & August 11 will start in Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam with modifications to the itinerary.
DAY 2 AMSTERDAM
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
CLASSIC You may like to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Muiderslot Castle, or a Guided Optional Biking Excursion to the Dutch countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT Cruise to Cologne
NOTE: Due to “Sail Amsterdam” departures August 8 & August 11 will start in Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam with modifications to the itinerary.
DAY 3 COLOGNE, GERMANY
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR:
DISCOVERY 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 CRUISE TO KOBLENZ
DAY 4 KOBLENZ—RHINE GORGE
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History
Enjoy free time in Koblenz this morning before sailing 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 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 RÜDESHEIM
DAY 5 MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of Wine
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,” OR:
ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
DAY 6 STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Gothic Giants, Petite France, and Varietal Vintages
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.
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 today.
Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
DAY 7 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner History, Artistry, 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 Badische Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany’s southernmost wine country in Baden—ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners’ process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
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
DAY 8 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
Meals included: Breakfast Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am.
Additional Information
- Departure Date: 30th October 2021
- Duration: 7 nights
- Highlights: One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and stops in France, Germany, and Holland!
Cabin and Fares
| Cabin Type | Guide Price | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Cabin | From £2,049pp | -- |
View CabinDeluxe Cabin 172sq. ft.All cabins include bedside tables with reading lamps, large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer and premium bath amenities, plenty of storage, writing desk/vanity with mirror and chair, flat-screen TV, telephone, complimentary Wi-Fi, in-room safe and individual climate control. | Enquire Now | |
| Deluxe Cabin | From £1,649pp | Full Board, Beer, wine & soft drinks with lunch and dinner |
View CabinDeluxe Cabin 172sq. ft.All cabins include bedside tables with reading lamps, large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer and premium bath amenities, plenty of storage, writing desk/vanity with mirror and chair, flat-screen TV, telephone, complimentary Wi-Fi, in-room safe and individual climate control. | Enquire Now |