Duration: 22 Days
Experience the best of German and French culture on an unforgettable European river cruise along the Rhine, Seine, Saône, and Rhône rivers. Capture the romance and splendour of this magical journey with your camera as you revel in spectacular views.
Your cruise commences in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to the breath taking Black Forest. Strasbourg, situated on the French-German border, perfectly blends the cultures of both nations. Sail through the awe-inspiring Rhine Gorge, witnessing ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Discover Cologne, Germany, renowned for its gothic architecture and iconic twin-spired cathedral. Continue to Amsterdam, the modern capital of Holland, before transferring to Paris via a high-speed train for your Seine river cruise. Savour wine, cheese, and the scenic beauty of the Seine River, with stops in charming and historic regions of France. Before bidding adieu to the Seine, immerse yourself in the romantic city of Paris, exploring its rich history and iconic landmarks. Embark on a high-speed train to Dijon, then transfer to your Suite Ship® on the Saône River. Sail to Lyon, nestled at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône Rivers. Explore the medieval treasure of Tournon, featuring Roman ruins and a captivating 16th-century castle. In historic Avignon, marvel at the 14th-century Palace of the Popes, the largest gothic fortress in the world. Conclude your cruise in Arles, renowned for inspiring Van Gogh’s paintings and hosting captivating plays and concerts in its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater.
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)
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, 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 CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
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 centre.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ (B,L,D)
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 Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (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 Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee.
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 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!
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam
ACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, 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. 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 Biking Tour to discover the countryside.
Take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colourful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
This morning, board a high-speed train for Paris to embark on your Avalon Suite Ship and enjoy dinner onboard this evening.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON (B,D)
Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crepes du Jour
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet's charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces*, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle-called "Normandy's Versailles" for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crepes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.
This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.
LES ANDELYS
Serenity on the Seine
ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Chateau Gaillard-historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys-one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC (B,L,D)
*Monet's House is closed in March and November. During this period this excursion will be replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche-Guyon and its castle
Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine
ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route-where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.
This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC (B,L,D)
Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:
CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach centre, and the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:
CLASSIC Join "A Taste of Normandy" Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados at a local distillery.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN (B,L,D)
The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France
ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen-site of Saint Joan of Arc's martyrdom-and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS (B,L,D)
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV
ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Chateau de Malmaison*-home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.
Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles-home to a succession of French kings.
EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS (B,L,D)
* Chateau de Malmaison is closed the 1st Monday of each month and on 22nd September. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Chateau de Chantilly
Cafes, Cathedrals and Canvases in the city of Light
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
ACTIVE Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Ile de la Cite, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, and the famous Champs-Elysees.
Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary cafe on the Left Bank.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS (B,L,D)
Take a High-Speed Train from Paris to Dijon, to drive on to Beaune.
CLASSIC Visit the Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement.
This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saone to board your Suite Ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS (B,D)
Pearl of Southern Burgundy
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
CLASSIC Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centres in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.
Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or to the Castle of Cormatin.
DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TREVOUX (B,L,D)
La Vie En Rose in Lyon
Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.
ACTIVE Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhone and Saone rivers meet, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourviere Hill with its numerous churches. You'll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafes, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.
DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance your lecture on board your ship.
Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON (B,L,D)
Adventures in Food and Wine
DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France.
The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France's third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city's more than 100 murals.
EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON (B,L,D)
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards
CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon-one of France's oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhone River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage.
Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.
VIVIERS
World History in a Charming French Country Village
CLASSIC Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late 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.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON (B,L,D)
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
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 Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhone 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-Benezet.
Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES (B,L,D)
Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights
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 Amphitheatre in this visually stunning city.
Take free time to stop in Le Cafe van Gogh for a glass of wine.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES (B,L,D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am. (B)
