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Romantic Rhine With Mount Pilatus, Lucerne & Lake Como (Festive)

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Operated by Avalon Waterways
Tripcode: WAZ1F
Overview
Destination:
Italy
Netherlands
Start:Amsterdam, Netherlands
Finish:Lake Como, Italy
Duration:12 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
This product has sold out, you can still contact us for other options.
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this delightful winter cruise along the Rhine River, which takes you across Germany—and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture—will be an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. While you’re there, why not try a locally-brewed Kölsch beer?

Pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine river cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle towering magnificently over the city. In Strasbourg, France, you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. The city’s Christmas market is one of the oldest and finest in Europe. Stop in Breisach, Germany, located on the French-German border, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivalled natural beauty—best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. At every stop, you’ll experience the magical charm of this time of year, with the towns decked out in festive lights and décor, and the Christmas markets waiting to be explored.

Disembark your Avalon Suite Ship in Basel and enjoy a special excursion up Mount Pilatus for spectacular 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 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. Your Rhine River cruise and holiday in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European holiday of a lifetime.
Standard inclusions
  • 11 breakfasts.
    6 lunches.
    7 dinners.
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Itinerary
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Day 1 - AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Holland. 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. With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition or join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)
Day 2 - AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. CLASSIC - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age." AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)
Day 3 - COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland CLASSIC - Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne's Christmas markets. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
Day 4 - RUDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country En route to Rudesheim, 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. 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. Don't miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
Day 5 - MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel DISCOVERY - Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime 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, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
Day 6 - STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Joyeux Noel in Strasbourg 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. Savour the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. Choose a Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace's wine country today. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,L,D)
Day 7 - BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO THE BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest DISCOVERY - Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood, OR: DISCOVERY - Visit to a local winery in Breisach where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, 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. After your visit to the winery, 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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)
Day 8 - BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)-MOUNT PILATUS
Spectacular Views in Switzerland This morning disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer to Mount Pilatus. CLASSIC - Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead). LUCERNE A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion CLASSIC - Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes Thorvaldsen's poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge. (B)
Day 9 - LUCERNE-LAKE COMO, ITALY
History in Grand View CLASSIC - En route to Como, enjoy a stop in Lugano and a guided sightseeing of this charming Swiss city. Continue to Como, the city on the lake that bears its name. (B)
Day 10 - LAKE COMO
Legendary Lake Houses CLASSIC - Take 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. CLASSIC - Experience a Boat Ride on Lake Como for panoramas of stunning mountain scenery and luxury lakeside villas. Disembark at picturesque Bellagio for exploration on your own, returning by boat to Como. (B)
Day 11 - LAKE COMO
Italian Beauty on the Banks Enjoy a free day to explore Como and its surroundings at your own pace. Como offers you every kind of solutions for your spare time. Choose a boat trip on the lake, a relaxing walk on the riverbanks or make shopping in the city centre. And be sure to taste authentic Italian specialties in a local restaurant! (B)
Day 12 - LAKE COMO
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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.

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11 nights
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