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Romantic Rhine with Swiss Alps and Italian Lakes, 1 Night in Lucerne & 3 Nights in Lake Maggiore (Southbound)

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Operated by Avalon Waterways
Tripcode: WAZ7
Overview
Destination:
Italy
Netherlands
Duration:12 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
May 2028 - September 2028
12 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Lake Maggiore
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey on a Rhine River cruise, which takes you across Germany—and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent European river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. Experience the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city with a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”

Visit Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. Sail 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 Ludwigshafen for a guided visit to Schwetzingen Palace or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit 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.

Disembark your river cruise ship in Basel and continue your vacation in Lucerne and Lake Maggiore, starting with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas and a guided walking tour to explore lovely Lucerne. Transfer by motorcoach to Lake Maggiore and enjoy a stop and sightseeing on the way in Lugano. In Lake Maggiore, discover the elegance and tranquility of its islands. Continue with a guided tour in Rocca di Angera or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Como to renowned Bellagio with its centuries-old buildings, cobblestone lanes, and charming shops.

Romantic – Any Time of Year
From the lively energy of summer to the golden calm of fall and the fresh renewal of spring, the Rhine reveals a different kind of romance in every season. Depending on when you sail, you can enjoy spring jam making, summer brewery tours and tastings, or fall visits to historic vineyards. Sail when vineyard-covered hills glow with color, medieval towns feel extra special, and the river’s legendary scenery unfolds at an unhurried pace. It’s the same iconic Rhine – beautifully shaped by the season in which you experience it.

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
Day 1 - AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS (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.

Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.

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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

(D)

Day 2 - AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

CLASSIC 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."

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.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

(B,L,D)

Day 3 - COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC 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 Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM

(B,L,D)

Day 4 - 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.

ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, followed by a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee OR:

CLASSIC 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, OR:

DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.


OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN

(B,L,D)

Day 5 - LUDWIGSHAFEN. 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 Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, 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 Tun, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel.”

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL

(B,L,D)

Day 6 - KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

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.

Choose 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 center.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH

(B,L,D)

Day 7 - BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

ACTIVE Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, 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 an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL

(B,L,D)

Day 8 - BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–SWISS ALPS
Spectacular Views in Switzerland

This morning, disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer, which will bring you to the heart of the Swiss Alps

CLASSIC 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 Lucerne

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes the famous Chapel Bridge.

(B)

Day 9 - LUCERNE–LAKE MAGGIORE, 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 Lake Maggiore, with its clear blue waters and lovely lakeside landscapes.

(B)

Day 10 - LAKE MAGGIORE
Natural Treasures and Baroque Palace

CLASSIC Journey into the refined charm of Isola Bella, then enjoy a boat trip to the serene Isola Madre and its magnificent gardens.

(B,L)

Day 11 - LAKE MAGGIORE. EXCURSION TO LAKE COMO
Breathtaking Lake Views

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to historic Rocca di Angera, then enjoy a wine tasting featuring regional flavors in a scenic setting, OR:

CLASSIC Embark on a boat ride across Lake Como from elegant Tremezzo to the picturesque village of Bellagio, then enjoy free time to explore this charming lakeside town.

(B)

Day 12 - LAKE MAGGIORE
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Dates

Select a date or submit general enquiry

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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
*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
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11 nights
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