Duration: 8 Days
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this winter wonderland journey along the Rhine River, which starts in Switzerland with stops in France, Germany, and Holland! Each town is festively lit and decorated and strains of Christmas carols fill the air. You’ll board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland. Sail for Breisach, Germany, the gateway to the Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Explore the warm and friendly Christmas market with traditional festive offerings. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe with a spectacular Christmas tree.
Visit Heidelberg’s castle ruins towering above the city, and watch the skaters on the ice rink below, or sail to Mainz to enjoy a guided walk through town, and browse the charming Christmas market. Sail to charming Rüdesheim, home to Europe’s largest nativity scene, and pass through the dramatic views of the Rhine Gorge on your way to the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne. Wander through Cologne’s brilliant Christmas market, and try traditional Lebkuchen and Glühwein. You’ll visit Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam, and take a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Transfer by high-speed train to Paris to start your Monograms vacation package with 2 nights in “The City of Lights”. Your VIP sightseeing with an expert guide, includes a drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, followed by a Seine river cruise. You’ll enjoy a guided VIP sightseeing in England’s most famous destination, as well as free time to really get to know the city. Sightseeing includes Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Your Monograms vacation package includes helpful onsite support from your expert Local Hosts® both in Paris & London. Your scenic river cruise on the Romantic Rhine River, and complete vacation package in Paris and London are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European holiday of a lifetime.
Day
1
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Zurich 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)
Day
2
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest
DISCOVERY - Join 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, OR:
DISCOVERY - 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.
You may choose to follow your visit to Badische Winzerkeller with 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)
Day
3
STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Gothic Giants, Petite France, and Varietal Vintages
Gothic Giants, Military Marvels, and Varietal Vintages
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 Petit France District.
Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit Alsace's wine country today.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B,L,D)
Day
4
EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. MAINZ
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Barrel of Wine
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.
CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
In your free time visit the local Christmas market: explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sound. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B,L,D)
Day
5
RUDESHEIM-RHINE GORGE-KOBLENZ
Eat, Drink and be Merry in Wine Country
DISCOVERY - Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.
Sail through the Rhine Gorge to Rudesheim, past the legendary rock of The Lorelei-where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.
Don't miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in Koblenz. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
Day
6
COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
CLASSIC - Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR:
Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne's Christmas markets.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
Day
7
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
CLASSIC - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."
With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition or join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
Day
8
AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departure Date:
2020-12-12
Return Date:
2020-12-19
Single :
7062NZD
Twin :
4720NZD
Open
Departure Date:
2020-12-05
Return Date:
2020-12-12
Single :
7062NZD
Twin :
4720NZD
Open
Departure Date:
2020-11-28
Return Date:
2020-12-05
Single :
7062NZD
Twin :
4720NZD
Open
