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The Rhine & Moselle with Swiss Alps, 1 night in Lucerne & 3 nights on Lake Como (Southbound)

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Operated by Avalon Waterways
Tripcode: WHZE
Overview
Destination:
Italy
Netherlands
Duration:15 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
July 2028 - July 2028
15 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Lake Como
Your European river cruise vacation starts in marvelous Amsterdam where there is much to see! Discover the treasures of this colorful, historic city on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River, then visit Koblenz, strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Explore the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages still standing! Take a guided walk through the delightful marketplace, see the Renaissance-era Town Hall, and taste famed Moselle wines! Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, considered the most beautiful view of the Rhine River, and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit the charming Rhine Valley wine town of Rüdesheim, and visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s Castle, towering magnificently over the city. Continue your stunning European river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where a local expert will show you 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. At the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border sits Breisach—the gateway to Germany’s legendary Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty.

Disembark your river cruise ship in Basel and continue your vacation in Lucerne and Lake Como, 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 Como and enjoy a stop and sightseeing on the way in Lugano. In Como, walk through the charming historic district, visit the impressive Piazza Duomo, and enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Como to renowned Bellagio with its centuries-old buildings, cobblestone lanes, and charming shops. In your free time, you might like to travel to fashionable Milan, or ride the funicular to the village of Brunate. The perfect end to your magnificent vacation!

A Cruise That Shines All Year Long.
From the energy of summer to the softer rhythms of fall and spring, this journey along the Rhine & Moselle reveals something special in every season. You may enjoy spring jam making, summer brewery tours and tastings or cozy fall walks through historic vineyards with unique wines. Enjoy the same iconic rivers, beautifully shaped by the season in which you experience them.

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.

The day is yours to relax and discover this delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, restaurants and lively marketplace.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

(D)

Day 2 - AMSTERDAM
Colorful Canals of Amsterdam

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

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. Alternatively spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam’s many fascinating museums or galleries.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

(B,L,D)

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

This morning, enjoy leisurely sailing.

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!

Local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT SAILING TO COCHEM

(B,L,D)

Day 4 - COCHEM
The Charm of the Moselle Valley

This morning, select a Guided Optional Excursion to Eltz Castle.

ACTIVE Bike along the Moselle River with your Adventure Host, OR

DISCOVERY Visit the former bunker of Germany's Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank) and immerse yourself in the underground vault where millions of German Mark were kept during the Cold War, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk of Cochem to see the charming town’s half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit Cochem’s hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird’s-eye-view of the Moselle Valley and river bend.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TRIER

(B,L,D)

Day 5 - TRIER. EXCURSION TO LUXEMBOURG
Ancient Worlds and Old-World Charm

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise through a walk in Trier with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing tour of Trier—Germany’s oldest city with ancient remnants dating from 144-152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra, walk through the city center, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Luxembourg City—with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture along the deep gorge terrain.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL

(B,L,D)

Day 6 - BERNKASTEL
Hillside Vines and German Wines

ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a hike in this beautiful area, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel—with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber-framed houses.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KOBLENZ

(B,L,D)

Day 7 - KOBLENZ—RHINE GORGE
Fortress Walls and Manor Halls

ACTIVE Explore Koblenz's Mosel side by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares, and monuments, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Visit to the Sayn Manor House and its Butterfly Gardens.

Enjoy the breathtaking views as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Rüdesheim.



Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

After dinner, enjoy free time to explore this picturesque village or enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN

(B,L,D)

Day 8 - LUDWIGSHAFEN. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Philosophers’ Views and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

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

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:

CLASSIC Discover 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."

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG

(B,L,D)

Day 9 - STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Take a City Sightseeing Tour, including the city’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.

Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum or stroll across the city center.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH

(B,L,D)

Day 10 - 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 11 - BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–SWISS ALPS
Spectacular Views in Switzerland

This morning disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer which will bring you in the heart of 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 12 - LUCERNE–LAKE COMO, ITALY
History in Grand View

CLASSIC En route to Lake Como, enjoy a stop in Lugano and a guided sightseeing of this charming Swiss city.

(B)

Day 13 - LAKE COMO
Legendary Lake Houses

CLASSIC Step into the storybook streets of Como on a guided walk through its historic heart. Then wander lakeside gardens and craft your own masterpiece at Museo Voltiano.

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 14 - LAKE COMO
Italian Beauty on the Banks

Enjoy a free day to explore Como and its surroundings at your own pace. There is no shortage of ways to explore Lake Como with free time. Choose a boat trip on the lake, a relaxing walk on the riverbanks or do some shopping in the city centre. And be sure to taste authentic Italian specialties in a local restaurant!

(B)

Day 15 - LAKE COMO
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Dates

Select a date or submit general enquiry

Enquire now

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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14 nights
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