Duration: 15 Days
Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous Europe river cruise holiday along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers. A Master of Wine will accompany you on your European river cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
Spectacular views begin in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten. Sail to Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city best known for its Gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral—for a fascinating guided walk. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Speyer for a guided walk and visit to the Wine Museum, or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. You’ll find that Strasbourg, France—located on the French-German border— perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. InStop in Breisach, enjoy an excursion to Black Forest or take an excursion to the charming village of Colmar, followed by a visit to a chateau wine cellar.
Cruise to Tournus for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Continue to Lyon— a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture— to explore a maze of medieval alleyways in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour of the famous wine region of Beaujolais. Continue to the city of Tournon beautifully nestled among vineyards. Here, enjoy a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. In Avignon, visit the Palace of the Popes and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. This remarkable river cruise will take you to Arles, the capital of the Provence region and famous for its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater. Your European river cruise on three beautiful rivers—the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers—will carry on in your favourite travel memories for a long time to come.
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 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.
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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)
Canals of colourful Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
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 or take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colourful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
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 Join an onboard lecture hosted by your Master of Wine.
Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
En route to Rudesheim, 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 tasting hosted by your Master of Wine. 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.
Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RUDESHEIM (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".
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,L,D)
German 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 BASEL (B,L,D)
Disembark your ship and 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.
DISCOVERY Join a lecture about wine hosted by your Master of Wine while sailing to Macon.
DISCOVERY Join an excursion that will take you to a Chardonnay cellar for a wine tasting.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TREVOUX (B,L,D)
La Vie En Rose in Lyon
Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard cheese and wine tasting hosted by your Master of Wine while sailing to Lyon.
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 Lecture on board your ship.
Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON (B,L,D)
Adventures in Food and Wine
CLASSIC Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France.
DISCOVERY Take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.
DISCOVERY This evening, join an onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine.
EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON (B,L,D)
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards
ACTIVE Hike in the vineyards and take in the breathtaking views from the hills (weather permitting), OR:
CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon-one of France's oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle. The tour also includes a wine and chocolate tasting at the Cite du Chocolat at Valrhona.
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 onboard.
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.
DISCOVERY Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhone wine region.
Later, enjoy live onboard 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 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)
