Duration: 8 Days
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and visits France, Germany, and Holland! A Master of Wine will accompany you on your river cruise on the Rhine river with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
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, enjoy an excursion to Germany’s Black Forest or take an excursion to the charming village of Colmar, followed by a visit to a chateau wine cellar.
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 stop in Speyer for a guided walk and a visit to the Wine Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or enjoy a visit to Eberbach monastery and its wine cellar, 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. 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 colourful 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 Holland.
About Masters of Wine
Seldom do travellers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honoured to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognized globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!
Welcome to Switzerland.
Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Zurich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)
Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
DISCOVERY 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:
DISCOVERY Take a full-day Guided Tour to the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, followed by a visit to a countryside chateau wine cellar, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
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.
DISCOVERY Join an enchanting Guided Tour along the famed Alsace Wine Route to discover the heart of France's wine country and sample several local wines.
DISCOVERY Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (B,L,D)
The World's Biggest Wine Barrel
DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided City Tour, including a visit to the Wine Museum to learn about the history of viticulture and wine production, 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."
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN SPEYER (B,L,D)
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to experience the beauty and simplicity of 13th-century Eberbach Monastery-a former abbey for Cistercian monks that today is known for its wine production and as the film location for the blockbuster movie, "The Name of the Rose". Also enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a 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.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Master of Wine.
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 DOCKING IN KOBLENZ (B,L,D)
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:
DISCOVERY 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 Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years!
DISCOVERY Enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting hosted by your Master of Wine.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam
CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."
Take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colourful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops or join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
