Overview
You’ll stop in Breisach, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, well known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and cuckoo clocks. In Strasbourg, France, stroll through the picturesque La Petite France district. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s castle or stop in Ludwigshafen for a visit to Schwetzingen Castle. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Your last stop in Germany is Cologne, where a guided walk shows you the highlights of this 2,000-year-old city. A stay in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam is the perfect way to conclude this sensational European river cruise. And 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."
A Journey That Changes with the Seasons. From the lively energy of summer to the golden calm of fall and the fresh renewal of spring, the Rhine and Rhône take on a distinct character in every season. Depending on when you sail, you can enjoy spring jam making, summer brewery tours and tastings, hands on fragrant flower picking and oil distillation, fall visits to historic vineyards or wine-harvest experiences. It’s the same iconic journey – beautifully shaped by the season in which you experience it.
Itinerary
Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Marseille must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
A Brush with Genius.
Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
- 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.
This afternoon, enjoy free time to shop, stroll, or just relax in a lovely park along Arles' Boulevard des Lices.
EVENING 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON
World History in a Charming French Country Village.
Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers.
- Active: Walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic: Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on an 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.
- Discovery: Later, enjoy a tasting of Local Specialties on board your ship.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TAIN L'HERMITAGE
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards.
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- Active: Explore Tournon by foot as you follow your Adventure Host for a morning hike in this beautiful town along the Rhone, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided Tour through the scenic Doux Valley aboard the Train des L'Ardeche steam - engine train, OR:
- Classic: Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France's oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle.
In the early afternoon cruise to Mâcon.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MÂCON
Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône
- Discovery: Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyardsn and the wines produced here. Enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle!
- Discovery: Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship while sailing to Lyon.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN 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 lively cafés, monuments, and maze of medieval alleyways where history comes to life.
Spend free time biking through Lyon's town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
Drive to Beaune and transfer to Basel.
- Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne to discover Burgundy's rich wine culture through an immersive, interactive experience, and enjoy a wine tasting.
This afternoon, travel by motorcoach to Basel to board your Rhine River cruise.
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
- 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 Vogtsbauernhof 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 KEHL
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France.
- 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.
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: 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:
- Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square.
This afternoon through the evening, enjoy leisurely sailing to Rüdesheim.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
- 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.
En route to Koblenz, 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.
KOBLENZ: Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History
Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- 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!
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam.
- Active: Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
- 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.”
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. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Your cruise 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 complement 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
River Cruise Reviews (2)
The Rhine River cruise was good. read more Expression ship a bit larger and slightly less performance of crew and staff. Great scenery on both cruises. Would recommend Avalon for any cruising in Europe. We really enjoyed our time on the rivers.
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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.
