ITINERARY
Your 8-day river cruise holiday includes stays in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland—all beginning with your Avalon Rhine River cruise embarking from Amsterdam.
Before sailing down the Rhine River, you’ll enjoy a guided canal cruise through the colourful capital of Holland.
Next, you’ll cruise to Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture—an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. Later, relax on the Sky Deck of your ship as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Rüdesheim. You’ll take a guided tour of Rüdesheim’s outstanding Mechanical Music Museum.
Sail into Mainz for city sightseeing, including a visit to the impressive Gutenberg Museum or choose an excursion to nearby Heidelberg—and cruise to Strasbourg, France.
Then, 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. Cruise to Basel, Switzerland, to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship®
Thursday 31 July 2025 – Fly from NZ to Amsterdam
Friday 01 August 2025 – Arrive Amsterdam.
On arrival at Amsterdam Airport make your own way by taxi or uber to your centrally located hotel. You have a day free to explore the city or rest before your Romantic Rhine cruise.
Saturday 02 August 2025 – Day One – Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
Guests must be onboard by 5pm please.
Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Zaanse Schans & the Symbols of Holland: Tour a working windmill, watch wooden clogs being made, and visit a cheese farm on this exciting half-day guided excursion to Zaanse Schans!
Overnight: Docking in Amsterdam
Sunday 03 August 2025 – Day Two – Amsterdam
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Discovery 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, OR:
Classic Excursion: 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.
While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is an excursion that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Bites & Highlights of Amsterdam: Discover Amsterdam`s charming Jordaan district, and taste the authentic foods the locals know and love on this enjoyable guided foodie walking tour.
Overnight: Cruise to Cologne.
Monday 04 August 2025 – Day Three – Cologne, Germany
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Active Excursion: Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
Discovery Excursion: Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
Classic Excursion: Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
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.
Overnight: Cruise to Rudesheim
Tuesday 05 August 2025 – Day Four – Rhine Gorge- Rudesheim
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.
Active Excursion: Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
Discovery Excursion: Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.
Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
Overnight: Docking in Overnight: Rudesheim
Wednesday 06 August 2025 – Day Five – Mainz – Excursion to Heidelberg
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
Active Excursion: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers` way, OR:
Classic Excursion: Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, OR:
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.”
Overnight: Cruise to Rudesheim
Thursday 07 August 2025 – Day Six – Kehl. Excursion to Strasbourg, France.
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Active Excursion: Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
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.
While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
The historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country today.
Into the Alsace Countryside with Wine Tasting: Travel along the famed Alsace Wine Route on this enchanting half-day excursion that visits a traditional medieval Alsace village and includes a cellar tasting of the local wines.
Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.
Overnight: Cruise to Rudesheim
Friday 08 August 2025 – Day Seven – Breisach, Germany. Excursion to Black Forest.
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Discovery 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, OR:
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.
While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.
Storybook Colmar, France`s Little Venice: Discover the fusion of German and French culture on this wonderful guided tour through storybook Colmar, the “Little Venice” of France and capital of the Alsace wine region.
Overnight: Cruise to Basel
Saturday 09 August 2025 – Day Eight – Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. You can extend your time in Europe or be transferred to the airport…
Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.
Monday 11 August 2025 – Arrive home in NZ.
Notes…
In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveller.
Not included in your package…
* Airport to Hotel to Ship Transfers = A Taxi/Uber in Amsterdam to Hotel is approx NZD$100 from Hotel to Ship is a very short distance. From ship to ZRH Airport is included. From Como Hotel to MXP is included. We can advise costs of Meet & Greet transfers if you prefer this.
* Meals on land and all Alcoholic drinks outside of meal times onboard are additional. Optional Sightseeing is additional – ask for a price list.
* Travel Insurance = price varies depending on age and pre-existing medical conditions.
ADDON EXTENSION…
SWISS ALPS, LUCERNE & LAKE COMO from $2,999pp
Disembark your river cruise ship in Basel and continue your adventure in Lucerne and Lake Como, starting with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas and a guided walking tour to explore lovely Lucerne.
Transfer by motorcoach to Como and enjoy a stop and sightseeing on the way in Lugano. In Como, an included guided walking tour features the charming historic district, the Gothic-style Town Hall, and the impressive Duomo.
Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Como to renowned Bellagio with its centuries-old buildings, cobblestone lanes, and charming shops. The perfect end to your magnificent holiday of a lifetime!
