Romantic Rhine with Swiss Alps and Italian Lakes, Lucerne & Lake Maggiore (Southbound)
Overview
Visit Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old read more Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River, where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
Continue your Rhine River cruise to Ludwigshafen for a guided visit to Schwetzingen Palace or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty—best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.
Disembark your river cruise ship in Basel and continue your vacation in Lucerne and Lake Maggiore, starting with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas and a guided walking tour to explore lovely Lucerne. Transfer by motorcoach to Lake Maggiore and enjoy a stop and sightseeing on the way in Lugano. In Lake Maggiore, discover the elegance and tranquility of its islands. Continue with a guided tour in Rocca di Angera or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Como to renowned Bellagio with its centuries-old buildings, cobblestone lanes, and charming shops.
Romantic – Any Time of Year From the lively energy of summer to the golden calm of fall and the fresh renewal of spring, the Rhine reveals a different kind of romance in every season. Depending on when you sail, you can enjoy spring jam making, summer brewery tours and tastings, or fall visits to historic vineyards. Sail when vineyard-covered hills glow with color, medieval towns feel extra special, and the river’s legendary scenery unfolds at an unhurried pace. It’s the same iconic Rhine – beautifully shaped by the season in which you experience it.
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.
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, followed by 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
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 Tun, 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 Guided Tour through storybook Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past countless historic buildings and monuments, OR:
- Classic: Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernhof open-air - museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
Spectacular Views in Switzerland.
This morning, disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer, which will bring you to the heart of the Swiss Alps.
- Classic: Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead)
LUCERNE: Lovely Lucerne.
- Classic: Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes the famous Chapel Bridge.
History in Grand View.
- Classic: En route to Como, enjoy a stop in Lugano and a guided sightseeing of this charming Swiss city.
Continue to Lake Maggiore, with its clear blue waters and lovely lakeside landscapes.
Natural Treasures and Baroque Palace
- Classic: Journey into the refined charm of Isola Bella, then enjoy a boat trip to the serene Isola Madre and its magnificent gardens.
Breathtaking Lake Views.
- Discovery: Join a Guided Tour to historic Rocca di Angera, then enjoy a wine tasting featuring regional flavors in a scenic setting, OR:
- Classic: Embark on a boat ride across Lake Como from elegant Tremezzo to the picturesque village of Bellagio, then enjoy free time to explore this charming lakeside town.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Life On Board
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
Dates & Pricing
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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.
