One of Europe's most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River and its Jewish culture and heritage, which takes you across Germany-and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland!
This magnificent river cruise begins in Amsterdam, Holland, with a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes of the city's "Golden Age" and ending in Amsterdam's historic Jewish Quarter for a visit to the Portuguese Synagogue. Your stay in Amsterdam includes the possibility of joining a guided tour to the Anne Frank house. Your Rhine and Rhone River cruise with Jewish Heritage sites continues to Mainz for a guided walk, and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. You'll learn about the Jewish history of this city, and take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. You can alternatively choose to visit Worms, with its incredible Jewish history.
In Strasbourg, France, you'll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals, fascinating astronomical clock and by the old streets of the Jewish quarter. Stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany's Black Forest-an area of unrivaled natural beauty-best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.
Lyon is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways. Continue to the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage beautifully nestled among vineyards. In Avignon, visit the Palace of the Popes and take pictures of the bridge in the famous song "Sur le pont d'Avignon."
Enjoy your last night in France on the captivating Cote d'Azur. Relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea-a perfect ending to this once-in-a-lifetime European river cruise!
You've always forged your own path...with your own distinct perspective of looking at the world. Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind-offering expansive views and wider perspectives. That's why we've designed a cruise experience that's just a bit different.
Here are just some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships. See the Ship Amenities Section below for more information about the amenities in our fleet's unique ships.
Plus independent exploration options and use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP.Day-By-Day Itinerary
(B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner
Day 1
(D)
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Amsterdam. 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.
Discovery Visit the house where Anne Frank and her family lived for more than 2 years before being betrayed and turned to the Nazis (this tour is also available on day 2)
Alternatively, you may decide to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Day 2
(B, L, D)
AMSTERDAM
Colorful Amsterdam-with Canals, Crooked Houses, and Cuisine of a Golden Age Discovery Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age", visit the Jewish Quarter and the Portuguese Synagogue.
Discovery Visit the house where Anne Frank and her family lived for more than 2 years before being betrayed and turned to the Nazis.
You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam's many fascinating museums or galleries, or join a Guided Optional Excursion.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
Day 3
(B, L, D)
COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland's Capital City Classic Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR:
Discovery Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites.
Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years!
Later local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT SAILING TO KOBLENZ
Day 4
(B, L, D)
KOBLENZ-RHINE GORGE
Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History Classic Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortress walls, towers, squares and monuments.
Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the Rhine Gorge to Rudesheim. Sail past the legendary rock of the Lorelei-where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors. RÜDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country Discovery Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience.
Discovery Based on your departure, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting.
Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
Day 5
(B, L, D)
MAINZ-HEIDELBERG EXCURSION
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Barrel of Wine Discovery Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, learn about the city Jewish Heritage.
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:
Active Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an afternoon Hike up Philosophers' Way for an inspiring view of the city below OR:
Discovery Take an excursion to Worms, the city where Rashi studied and taught. Visit the Jewish Museum.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
Day 6
(B, L, D)
STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Gothic Giants, Military Marvels & Varietal Vintages Discovery Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg's s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District and the Jewish quarter with its streets which are among the oldest in France.
You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line-an impressive installation of pre-WWII defensive fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace's wine country today.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
Day 7
(B, L, D)
BREISACH, GERMANY. BLACK FOREST EXCURSION
History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest Classic Visit the charming village of Colmar on a Guided Tour of its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, 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 Bavarian butter-making demonstration
Follow your visit to Colmar with a free afternoon in Breisach. Take a bike from the ship, or walk among the pastel-painted houses above the Rhine.
EVENING CRUISE TO BASEL
Day 8
(B, D)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)-BEAUNE-ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (EMBARKATION)-SEURRE
After breakfast drive to Beaune Classic Visit the Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement
This afternoon, travel to St. Jean de Losne to board your Suite Ship® on the Saone for a brief evening cruise to Seurre.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN SEURRE
Day 9
(B, L, D)
MÂCON
Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saone
Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Macon along the majestic Saone River. 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.
Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trévoux this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX
Day 10
(B, L, D)
LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France
Sail for lovely Lyon this morning for French fare. Classic Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon, with its numerous churches, from Fourvière Hill. You'll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.
Spend free time biking through Lyon's town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhone and Saone rivers meet.
Later on board your ship, be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance Lecture, and enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
Day 11
(B, L, D)
LYON
French Food and Wine-La Vie En Rose in Lyon
Enjoy a free day in Lyon, or choose a Guided Optional Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is is known as the gastronomic capital of France!
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
Day 12
(B, L, D)
TOURNON/TAIN L'HERMITAGE
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.
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.
EVENING CRUISE TO AVIGNON
Day 13
(B, L, D)
AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence 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-Bénézet.
Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES
Day 14
(B, L, D)
ARLES
Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights Classic Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles-the captivating city of the Provence region. You'll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh.
Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) to immerse yourself in a truly unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d'Enfer.
Take advantage of any free time remaining with a stop in Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
Day 15
(B)
ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)-CÔTE D'AZUR
Spectacular Seascapes of the French Riviera
After breakfast this morning, you'll drive to the Cote d'Azur for your last night in France. Known also as the French Riviera, the spectacular Cote d'Azur stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.
Day 16
(B)
CÔTE D'AZUR
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Notes
