Romantic Rhine with Swiss Alps and Italian Lakes, Lake Maggiore & Lucerne (Northbound)
Overview
Embark on your Rhine River cruise through France, Germany, and Holland. Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, 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 unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade.
Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or visit Schwetzingen Palace. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then pass 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—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.
At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of the Netherlands.
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 Italy!
The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Lake Maggiore and its surroundings at your own pace.
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.
Lovely Lucerne.
Travel to Lucerne.
- Classic: Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes the famous Chapel Bridge.
Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
- Classic: En route to Basel, 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)
Continue to Basel to board your Suite Ship®
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 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 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.
You may also choose to join 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 Tun, 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.
Take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
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.
