Rhine & Rhône Revealed with in French Riviera (Southbound)
Overview
Strasbourg, France, located on the French-German border, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Breisach, Germany, is the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Lyon is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways. Continue to the city of Tournon beautifully nestled among vineyards. Here, you’ll take a guided walk in this medieval treasure with Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle.
In Avignon, visit the Palace of the Popes and take pictures of the bridge in the famous song “Sur le pont d’Avignon.” Enjoy your 2 last nights in the French Riviera. Relax along the remarkably blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea—a perfect ending to this once-in-a-lifetime European river cruise through Germany and France!
Itinerary
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
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam.
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- Classic: Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
- 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 colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
- Active: Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: 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 Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
En route to Rüdesheim, 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 Rüdesheim; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:
- Discovery: Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden - barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel.
- Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, 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."
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL
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 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 center.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest.
- Active: Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, OR:
- Classic: 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:
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
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
Disembark your ship and drive on to Beaune.
- Classic: Visit the Hôtel - Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement.
This afternoon, travel to Chalon - sur - Saône to board your Suite Ship®
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS
Pearl of Southern Burgundy
Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
- Active: Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host in Tournus, OR:
- Classic: Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.
- Discovery: Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards and the wines produced here. Attend a wine tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle!
- Discovery: Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LYON
La Vie En Rose in Lyon.
- Active: Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You'll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.
- Discovery: Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance Lecture on board your ship.
Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine.
Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
- Classic: Explore Lyon's silk heritage with a museum visit, a Walking Tour of La Presqu'île, and a live demonstration of hand - printed silk serigraphy in a workshop. A rich journey through silk history!
This afternoon, enjoy leisurely sailing to Tournon. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNON
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards.
- Classic: Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France's oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle.
Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch. VIVIERS: World History in a Charming French Country Village
- Classic: Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You'll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- Active: Discover Avignon by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes.
Guided Optional Excursions include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf - du - Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region. Explore Avignon on your own for the city's art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint - Bénézet. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES
A Brush with Genius.
- Active: Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Discovery: Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:
- Classic: Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You'll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city.
Take free time to stop at Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
Spectacular Seascapes of the Mediterranean Coast.
After breakfast this morning, you'll drive to spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.
- Classic: En route to French Riviera, stop in Aix-en-Provence and enjoy a Guided Sightseeing to discover the elegant beauty of Cezanne's hometown.
The “Queen of the French Riviera”
- Classic: Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing in Nice. Discover the narrow, winding streets, and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city—an area which has changed little since the 1700s.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Life On Board
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more
With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more
Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more
Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more
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Avalon River Cruises (2027)
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Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
