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.”
V100 Operated by Avalon Waterways
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Basel to Amsterdam
Day 1 - Basel (Switzerland)
Embark your ship in Basel. Cruise to Breisach this evening. (D)
Day 2 - Breisach (Germany)
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 goin 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. Follow your visit to Badische Winzerkeller with a free afternoon in Breisach. Cruise this evening to Strasbourg. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Strasbourg (France)
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. Cruise overnight to Ludwigshafen. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Ludwigshafen (Germany) - Mainz
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.” Alternatively, join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below. Alternatively enjoy a brief cruise to Mainz this afternoon and join our included tour. In Mainz, enjoy a Guided City Walk including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. Dock overnight in Mainz. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Rüdesheim - Koblenz
Based on your departure, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting. Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience or take a Guided Hike through the vineyards with your Adventure Host. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors. In Koblenz, enjoy free time before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. Moor overnight in Koblenz. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Cologne
Today choose from a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral,or 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! Cruise to Amsterdam this afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Amsterdam (Holland)
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. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional City Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. Moor overnight in Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Amsterdam
Disembark in Amsterdam. (B)
Key: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner
Amsterdam to Basel
Day 1 - Amsterdam (Holland)
Embark in Amsterdam.(D)
Day 2 - Amsterdam
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” 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. Cruise to Cologne this afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Cologne (Germany)
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral or 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. Cruise overnight to Koblenz. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Koblenz - Rudesheim
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. In Rudesheim, based on your departure, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting. Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. Moor overnight in Rudesheim. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Mainz
Enjoy a Guided City Walk of Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. Alternatively, 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 join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below. Cruise overnight to Strasbourg. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Strasbourg (France)
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 choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the splendid Alsace wine country. Alternatively, enjoy a free afternoon sampling the local cuisine in Place Kléber. Cruise overnight to Breisach. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Breisach (Germany)
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 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. Follow your visit to Badische Winzerkeller with a free afternoon in Breisach. Cruise overnight to Basel. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Basel (Switzerland)
Disembark after breakfast. (B)
Key: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner