Members save more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide
Unlock member discounts
Unlock exclusive discounts and inclusions
Members only pricing
Bonus hand-picked inclusions
German Grandeur with 2 nights in Lucerne (Westbound)
Operated by Avalon Waterways
Tripcode: WNZE
Overview
Destination:
Germany,
Switzerland,
Duration:11 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Travel Period
September 2028 - October 2028
11 Day River Cruise from Nuremberg to Lucerne
See the grandeur of Germany on a European river cruise through its most picturesque destinations along the Main and Rhine Rivers. Embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® in Nuremberg, and sail to Bamberg for a guided walking tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties. Your enchanting river cruise continues to Würzburg—the “Pearl of the Romantic Road.” From here sail to Frankfurt, where you may join a guided sightseeing tour of the city, or visit the nearby town of Seligenstadt. On your way to Rüdesheim, you’ll sail through the picturesque views of the Rhine Gorge. Then cruise to Strasbourg and join a guided city tour of the sights, such as the stunning stained glass of its Gothic-style cathedral, the astronomical clock, and La Petite France district. Your scenic cruise through Europe includes a stop in Breisach to visit Germany’s beautiful Black Forest region. Choose visit to the charming city of Colmar, or a day trip to the Black Forest’s Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum. You’ll find much more to explore your way on this grand river cruise on the Rhine and Main Rivers. Cruise to Basel, Switzerland, to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship® and continue your vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) and a walking tour in Lucerne. Your Rhine River cruise and vacation in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.
See the grandeur of Germany on a European river cruise through its most picturesque destinations along the Main and Rhine Rivers. Embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® in Nuremberg, and sail to Bamberg for a guided walking tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties. Your enchanting river cruise continues to Würzburg—the “Pearl of the Romantic Road.” From here sail to Frankfurt, where you may join a guided sightseeing tour of the city, or visit the nearby town of Seligenstadt. On your way to Rüdesheim, you’ll sail through the picturesque views of the Rhine Gorge. Then cruise to Strasbourg and join a guided city tour of the sights, such as the stunning stained glass of its Gothic-style cathedral, the astronomical clock, and La Petite France district. Your scenic cruise through Europe includes a stop in Breisach to visit Germany’s beautiful Black Forest region. Choose visit to the charming city of Colmar, or a day trip to the Black Forest’s Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum. You’ll find much more to explore your way on this grand river cruise on the Rhine and Main Rivers. Cruise to Basel, Switzerland, to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship® and continue your vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) and a walking tour in Lucerne. Your Rhine River cruise and vacation in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.
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 traveler.
Highlights:
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDay 1 - NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Nuremberg must arrive by 3:30 pm.Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board as you sail.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG(D)
Day 2 - BAMBERG
The City of Seven HillsVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.ACTIVE Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG(B,L,D)
Day 3 - WÜRZBURG
A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists. ACTIVE Follow your Adventure Host to explore the wonderful Hiking trails along the river banks, OR:DISCOVERY Savor the flavors of Franconia with a guided winery visit and cellar tasting. Then, depending on the season, stroll through the city's charming old town or among the vines of the renowned Würzburger Stein vineyard with panoramic views of the Main River Valley, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco.Enjoy live entertainment on board while sailing tonight.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WERTHEIM(B,L,D)
Day 4 - WERTHEIM
Beauty on the Main River Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.ACTIVE Enjoy a walk with your Adventure Host in charming Wertheim, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walk through Wertheim’s picturesque streets and enjoy a brief pretzel-shaping demonstration, watching the baker craft fresh pretzels by hand, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Wertheim, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B,L,D)
Day 5 - FRANKFURT EXCURSION TO SELIGENSTADT
Charm in FrankfurtACTIVE Enjoy a biking experience in the city of Frankfurt with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour to Seligenstadt—one of Germany’s oldest towns and home to the Einhard Basilika—dubbed “minor basilica” in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city’s cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambience of quaint neighborhoods.Spend free time this afternoon exploring Frankfurt on your own. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BOPPARD(B,L,D)
Day 6 - BOPPARD
A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine GorgeThis morning, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Rüdesheim.Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL(B,L,D)
Day 7 - KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceJoin your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.Enjoy a leisurely sailing morning to relax onboard. This afternoon, take a motorcoach transfer to Strasbourg.CLASSIC Join a City Tour of Strasbourg’s sights, including its Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.Rejoin your ship in Kehl for dinner on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)
Day 8 - BREISACH, GERMANY (BLACK FOREST)
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour through storybook Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past countless historic buildings and monuments, OR:CLASSIC Join a full-day guided tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernhof open-air-museum, visit and authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL(B,L,D)
Day 9 - BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–SWISS ALPS
Spectacular Views in SwitzerlandThis morning disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer which will bring you in the heart of Swiss AlpsCLASSIC Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead). Lovely LucerneCLASSIC Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes the famous Chapel Bridge. (B)
Day 10 - LUCERNE
Lakeshores and Soaring Peaks Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Lucerne. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend your free time shopping in the city center.(B)
Day 11 - LUCERNE
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
Operator
Avalon Waterways
Designed from the bottom up for comfort, space, and room to dream, each Avalon Suite Ship consists of 80% Panorama Suites—offering the widest view in river cruising. Larger suites result in fewer passengers, so you’ll never feel crowded anywhere on board. From reclining on the open-air Sky Deck, relaxing in the spacious Panorama Lounge, or feeling the wind over the bough In the Observation Lounge, there’s never a shortage of comfortable spots to stretch out, day dream, or just watch the world go by. From our inception, Avalon Waterways has cast a light on the world’s most fascinating places and people – inviting wayfarers and wanderers like you to bask in their glory, intrigue and wonder. Along the way, we’ve helped travellers uncover ancient traditions while meeting the locals dedicated to preserving them; to meander historic hallways while giving back to the societies that safeguard them; and to put down the guidebooks and pick up a greater understanding of the world and its people.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
Book now
Need help?
Price from
$9,213
$8,872
*
Member price from
$8,872*
per person twin share
10 nights
Check departuresCan't find the answer you're looking for? Get in touch with our friendly Travel Consultants.
Call 1800 850 888Speak to one of our friendly consultants, available during business hours.
Mon to Fri · 9am - 5pm AEST
Speak to an expert in-store
Prefer to plan in person? Make an appointment at our Travel Store to speak with one of our experts
You might also like
16 days15 nights
Group tour (max 90)
5 days4 nightsGroup tour (max 90)8 days7 nightsGroup tour (max 90)683743cce2caf429594e72c94d1d6b9b
148322
Tour
© 2026 Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) All rights reserved.