Duration: 11 Days
Your cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers begins in Amsterdam, Holland’s capital, to explore extraordinary cities in Germany and France, as well as Basel, Switzerland. A Certified Sommelier will accompany you on your river cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
Your European river cruise holiday starts in marvellous Amsterdam where there is much to see! Discover the treasures of this colourful, historic city on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age". Explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River, then visit Koblenz, strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Explore the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages still standing! Take a guided walk through the delightful marketplace, see the renaissance-era Town Hall, and taste famed Moselle wines! Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, considered the most beautiful view of the Rhine River, and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit the charming Rhine Valley wine town of Rüdesheim, then visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s Castle, towering magnificently over the city or go to Speyer for a guided walk and a visit to the Wine Museum.
Continue your stunning European river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where a local expert will show you the red-sandstone Gothic 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. At the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border sits Breisach—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. Disembark your river cruise in Basel, Switzerland. Beauty, new discoveries, and delightful surprises are plentiful on your European river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers!
About Certified Sommeliers
Seldom do travellers get the chance to learn about wines from certified experts in the field! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a certified sommelier who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. We are honoured to offer our guests the expertise of certified sommeliers who join select cruises to share their insights and inspiration in all things wine. Truly exclusive experiences for wine lovers!
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2025, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2025.
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.
Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)
Colourful Canals of Amsterdam
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
DISCOVERY 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. Alternatively spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam's many fascinating museums or galleries.
DISCOVERY Onboard lecture and wine tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
DISCOVERY Onboard wine and chocolate tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
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!
Local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT SAILING TO COCHEM (B,L,D)
The Charm of the Moselle Valley
This morning, select a Guided Optional Excursion to Eltz Castle.
ACTIVE Bike along the Moselle River with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Visit the former bunker of Germany's Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank) and immerse yourself in the underground vault where millions of German Mark were kept during the Cold War, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk of Cochem to see the charming town's half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit Cochem's hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird's-eye-view of the Moselle Valley and river bend.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TRIER (B,L,D)
Ancient Worlds and Old-World Charm
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
DISCOVERY On board wine lecture hosted by your Certified Sommelier
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing tour of Trier-Germany's oldest city with ancient remnants dating from 144-152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra, walk through the city centre, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Luxembourg City-with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture along the deep gorge terrain.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL (B,L,D)
Hillside Vines and German Wines
ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a hike in this beautiful area, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel-with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber-framed houses.
This afternoon, select a Guided Optional Excursion to a local winery for a wine tasting.
DISCOVERY On board food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KOBLENZ (B,L,D)
Fortress Walls and Manor Halls
ACTIVE Explore Koblenz's Mosel side by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares, and monuments, OR:
CLASSIC Visit the Sayn Manor House on a Guided Tour.
Enjoy the breathtaking views as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Rudesheim.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
RUDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
After dinner, enjoy free time to explore this picturesque village or enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B,L,D)
Philosophers' Views and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
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."
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard wine tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
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, OR:
CLASSIC Take a City Sightseeing Tour, including the city's Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.
Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum or stroll across the city centre.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,L,D)
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
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:
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:
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.
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 BASEL (B,L,D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)
