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Active & Discovery on the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne

Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Welcome to Lucerne
- Guided sightseeing
- Wine Tasting in Lucerne; transfer to the ship; onboard welcome reception
- Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or e-bike tour in the Black Forest or visit to a local winery
- Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or culi-nary walk, or hike along the river
- Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle with tasting of local specialties, see the Great Vat, or a hike up Philosophers’ Way, or beer tour; private reception at Rheinstein Castle
- Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; choice of Koblenz walking tour and Ehrenbreitstein For-tress with cable car ride, or Volcano Tour experience, or e-biking tour in the vineyards; classic concert
- Choice of guided city sightseeing, or biking tour, or culinary tour
- Choice of painting class, or kayak tour, or canal cruise
- Explore the Rhine River your way on Avalon Active & Discovery river cruise
- Choose included classic sightseeing, Active excursions, or Discovery activities in culture and cuisine
Short Description
Explore the Rhine River your way on Avalon Active & Discovery river cruise. Choose included classic sightseeing, Active excursions, or Discovery activities in culture and cuisine. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or an art lover, you’ll find the Avalon Choice® inclusions that speak to you! Start your vacation your way with a two-night hotel stay in Lucerne! A city sightseeing and an included wine tastings will be the perfect highlights of your stay.Join a guided culinary walk in Düsseldorf, and take a cable-car ride up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for magnificent views of the surrounding area in Koblenz. Aboard your Avalon Suite Ship®, you’ll pass through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei and enjoy specialty dishes while cruising. Your Rhine River cruise ends in Amsterdam for a day full of activities. See the colorful streets and row house doors of Amsterdam your way—from a relaxing canal cruise to a kayak tour—all at your pace! Choose a painting class to recreate the masterpieces of Dutch artists. Join us for a Rhine River cruise like no other, with more freedom to cruise your way.
Itinerary
Day 1
LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND Welcome to Switzerland. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
Day 2
LUCERNE The Lake Lucerne and its LandscapeCLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing in Lucerne and discover the beauty of this beautiful city, which lies along the banks of Lake Lucerne, couched in a breathtaking mountainous landscape.(B)
Day 3
LUCERNE–BASEL (EMBARKATION) Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.DISCOVERY Join a Wine Tasting tour in the Lucerne area.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH(D)
Day 4
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestACTIVE Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, 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: DISCOVERY Visit a local winery and its vineyards to learn about German winemaking; a wine tasting will be the perfect end of this tour.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG(B,L,D)
Day 5
STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceAsk about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.ACTIVE Take a Guided Hike along the river and the Marne-Rhine canal, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk to discover the Alsatian cuisine and traditions, so influenced by the unique history of a region, whose control alternated between Germany and France for centuries, OR:CLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s 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 one of the Optional Excursions available.Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ (B,L,D)
Day 6
MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSIONS TO HEIDELBERG The World’s Biggest Wine Barrel and Famous VineyardsACTIVE Follow the road less traveled on this exciting Guided Hike along the Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view f the city below, OR: DISCOVERY Join an exclusive Beer Tour. Stroll through the An expert Beer Sommelier will introduce you to the art of brewing, while strolling through the Heidelberg Castle garden, 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. While visiting the city, also enjoy a tasting of local specialties.DISCOVERY Enjoy an experience fit for royalty during an exclusive private reception at Rheinstein Castle.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BINGEN (B,L,D)
Day 7
RHINE GORGE–KOBLENZ Fortress Walls and Manor Halls Where the Rhine and Moselle MeetEn 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.Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.ACTIVE Take a Guided E-Bike Tour in the vineyards surrounding this beautiful city at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, OR: DISCOVERY For a unique experience, join us on an excursion to the “Lava City” of Mendig for a Volcano Encounter, including exploring the caverns and corridors where basalt (cold lava) was mined, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a leisurely Guided Walk of ancient Koblenz, including a cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for a spectacular panoramic view.DISCOVERY Enjoy a remarkable classical music concert in a lovely baroque venue at Engers Castle, home to the Villa Musica Rhineland-Palatinate National Foundation, one of Germany’s largest music institutions.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜSSELDORF (B,L,D)
Day 8
DÜSSELDORF Avant-Garde Architecture and Amazing AltbiersACTIVE Join a City Biking Tour to discover interesting stories about the sights and the city itself along the way, OR:DISCOVERY Experience Düsseldorf’s Old Town and get an insight into its culinary diversity, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Düsseldorf. Visit the Old Town, but also discover its spectacular subway line, where each station has an individual magic character.This afternoon you might take a Guided Optional Excursion to Düsseldorf’s microbreweries to try a variety of Altbiers. Later enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KOBLENZ(B,L,D)
Day 9
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND Colorful Canals of Amsterdam ACTIVE Enjoy a Guided Kayak Tour for an adventure which will provide you a unique perspective of the “Venice of the North” from the waters of its magnificent canals, OR: DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Class and be inspired by the masters’ techniques. Paint your own canvas and discover your inner artist. An orientation walk will complete your experience, OR:CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways and sites of Amsterdam.This afternoon consider an Optional Culinary Walk in one of Amsterdam’s famous districts. Spend free time strolling at leisure through the galleries and cafés of Amsterdam. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)
Day 10
AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Availability
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1,586 Avalon Waterways Travel Reviews & Ratings
Active & Discovery on the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne
Company Reviews
Memorable cruise on the Mekong
World Class Experience
Trip Insurance late but satisfactory payment
Terrible customer service
Buyer BEWARE …
The hotel in Cairo was lovely - but once on the boat on the Nile, it was so tacky, tired, smelly old carpet - the complete opposite of the Avalon boats we had been on. The worst part was that we introduced our friends to Avalon on this trip - and we are sooo embarrassed that this is the experience they are having. They certainly won’t become Avalon travelers.
My favorite was when we found out about the boat NOT being an Avalon boat - the guide said ‘don’t expect this to be like the European Avalon experiences - this will be good for Egypt’ WHAT!!!!?!?! Are you kidding. Maybe Avalon and Egypt need to get their act together. This has so damaged my view of Avalon we are not sure we will ever use them again - and we loved them prior to this experience. Deceptive, over rated, really so very disappointing.
The trip insurance failed us and Avalon
Details
Deck & Cabin Plans

Optional Activities
WWA|Active & Discovery on the Rhine (Northbound)
WWAQ|With 2 Nights in Lucerne
WAW|Active & Discovery on the Rhine (Southbound)
Accommodations
Astoria
Ideally located in the heart of Lucerne, surrounded by mountains, close to its lake boasting crystal clear waters, the historic old town, and famous Chapel Bridge. All 252 contemporary rooms have a minibar and Wi-Fi. There's a plush cocktail lounge, a stylish café, and a rooftop bar affording city views. Other facilities include a full equipped modern gym.
Lucerne
Switzerland
Pilatusstrasse 29
Westcord Jakarta
A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Javakade 766
Trip ID#:
AVALON-WWAQ
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