Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous Europe river cruise vacation along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers. A Certified Sommelier 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. Inn 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 favorite travel memories for a long time to come.
About Certified Sommeliers
Seldom do travelers 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 honored 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!
Prices include prepaid gratuities
*This itinerary uses two of Avalon's wonderful ships. Starting with the Avalon View on the Rhine and ending with Avalon Poetry II on the Rhone
November 10 - Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
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
November 11 - Amsterdam, Holland
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. Choose from:
Classic Excursion
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,
Classic Excursion
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
Discovery Excursion
Join an onboard lecture hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
November 12 - Cologne, Germany
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland. Spend 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.
Today's optional excursions include:
Discovery Excursion
Join an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
Active Excursion
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host,
Discovery Excursion
Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites,
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM
November 13 - Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
En route to Rüdesheim, 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. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
Today's optional excursions are:
Active Excursion
Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim,
Discovery Excursion
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,
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a wine tasting.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
November 14 - Speyer - Heidelberg Excursion
The World’s Biggest Wine Barrel! Today's optional excursions are:
Classic Excursion
Enjoy a Guided Tour through the vibrant streets of Speyer and learn about its fascinating history and traditions. Also enjoy a wine tasting,
Classic Excursion
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 KEHL
November 15 - Kehl - Excursion to Strasbourg, France
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
Active Excursion
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host
Classic Excursion
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 Excursion
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 Excursion
Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
Novemer 16 - Breisach, Germany - Excursion to Black Forest
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Classic Excursion
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,
Discovery Excursion
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,
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
November 17 - Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation) to Beaune Sur Saone (Embarkation)
On to Burgundy!
Disembark your ship and drive on to Beaune. This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship®.
Classic Excursion
Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS
November 18 - Tournus
Pearl of Southern Burgundy
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
Classic Excursion
Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.
Discovery Excursion
Join an excursion that will take you to a Chardonnay cellar for a wine tasting.
Discovery Excursion
Later, join a lecture on board about wine hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX
November 19 - Lyon
La Vie En Rose in Lyon
Sail for lovely Lyon this morning. Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
Today's optional excursions are:
Discovery Excursion
Enjoy an onboard cheese and wine tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier while sailing to Lyon.
Active Excursion
Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet,
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. 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
Discovery Excursion
Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance Lecture on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
November 20 - Lyon
Adventures in Food and Wine
This evening, join an onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
Today's Optional Excursions:
Classic Excursion
Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France.
Discovery Excursion
Take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine
EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON
November 21 - Tournon - Viviers
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards. After lunch, enjoy an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier while sailing to Viviers after lunch. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
Active Excursion
Hike in the vineyards and take in the breathtaking views from the hills (weather permitting)
Classic Excursion
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 Cité du Chocolat at Valrhona.
Classic Excursion
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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON
November 22 - Avignon
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. Later, enjoy live onboard entertainment.
Classic Excursion
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 Excursion
Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES
November 23 - Arles
A Brush with Genius
Take free time to stop in Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine.
Active Excursion
Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host,
Discovery Excursion
Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist,
Classic Excursion
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.
Discovery Excursion
Join an onboard wine and chocolate tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
Novemer 24 - Arles (Disembarkation)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
"Rhine and Rhone Revealed for Wine Lovers"
