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Romantic Rhine With Swiss Alps, Lake Como & Lucerne

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Operated by Avalon Waterways
Tripcode: WZA5
Overview
Destination:
Netherlands
Switzerland
Start:Lake Como, Switzerland
Finish:Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duration:12 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
March 2025 - December 2026
Your European holiday begins with a 3-night stay in Lake Como and 1 night stay in Lucerne, with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas. In Como, an included guided walking tour features the charming historic district, the Gothic Town Hall, the impressive Duomo and a boat ride on the lake. In Lucerne, your guided walking tour includes the Lion Monument, the Chapel Bridgeand a special highlight excursion to Swiss Alps.

Embark on your Rhine River cruise through France, Germany, and Holland. Board your Avalon Suite Ship in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll find 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. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.

At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.
Standard inclusions
  • 11 breakfasts.
    6 lunches.
    7 dinners.
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Itinerary
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Day 1 - LAKE COMO, ITALY
Welcome to Italy! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Lake Como and its surroundings at your own pace.
Day 2 - LAKE COMO
Historic Centre and Gothic Style CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour which includes the charming historic centre, the Broletto (Town Hall) with its fascinating gothic facade, and the imposing, marble-clad Duomo. Embark on a Boat Ride on Lake Como which includes a stop in beautiful Bellagio. (B)
Day 3 - LAKE COMO
Breathtaking Views Enjoy the day at leisure to relax, recharge or explore the lakeshores. There is no shortage of ways to enjoy your free time in Lake Como! Choose a boat trip on the lake, a relaxing walk on the riverbanks or do some shopping. And be sure to taste the authentic Italian specialties in a local restaurant! (B)
Day 4 - LAKE COMO-LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion Travel to Lucerne. CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour to explore beautiful Lucerne which includes Thorvaldsen's poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge. (B)
Day 5 - LUCERNE-SWISS ALPS-BASEL (EMBARKATION)
Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding CLASSIC This morning 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). Transfer to Basel to board your Suite Ship. EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,D)
Day 6 - BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, 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 butter-making demonstration, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley. You may choose to join 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 KEHL (B,L,D)
Day 7 - KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: 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 Petite France District. You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line-the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France or visit Alsace's wine country today. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city centre. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ (B,L,D)
Day 8 - MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR: 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: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship after a short sailing to Rudesheim. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
Day 9 - RUDESHEIM-RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim, OR: DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee. En route to Koblenz, 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. KOBLENZ Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ (B,L,D)
Day 10 - COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Spend free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
Day 11 - AMSTERDAM*, HOLLAND
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam ACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR: DISCOVERY 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 Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age." During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colourful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D) * Due to the "SAIL Amsterdam" from 19 to 25 August, Amsterdam excursions commence from ship docking location in Rotterdam.
Day 12 - AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)*
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B) *Due to increased harbour traffic expected for the 2025 "SAIL Amsterdam" event, departures 812 & 816 will disembark in Rotterdam.
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Travellers

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
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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
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$7,750 $7,391 *
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$7,391*
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11 nights
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