Highlights of Germany

13 days
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River Cruise
Willkommen in Deutschland—welcome to Germany! On this spectacular cruise vacation, enjoy one of Germany’s largest cities, Munich, and many of its charming villages and towns, with picturesque scenery along the way. Visit King Ludwig’s most famous castle—Neuschwanstein, the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle—and spend time in delightful Oberam...

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Experience 9-night deluxe Cruise in an outside stateroom with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds
    • Explore Munich
    • Visit Regensburg enjoy the guided walk to Historische Wurstküche
    • Exploring Würzburg, visit the Bishop’s Residenz
    • Opportunity to cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim
    • Enjoy through Heidelberg, visit of the castle, see the Great Vat
    • Discover Strasbourg

What's this trip about?

    Willkommen in Deutschland—welcome to Germany! On this spectacular cruise vacation, enjoy one of Germany’s largest cities, Munich, and many of its charming villages and towns, with picturesque scenery along the way. Visit King Ludwig’s most famous castle—Neuschwanstein, the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle—and spend time in delightful Oberammergau. Explore and savor beer tasting in Regensburg, a beautifully preserved medieval city where you’ll visit one of Germany’s oldest restaurants. Enjoy a picturesque Bavarian village with medieval homes, and visit Heidelberg and its famous castle. Explore La Petite France district in Strasbourg. Cruise through the Rhine Gorge, the most dramatic part of the river, and drive through the garden-like landscapes of the Bavarian Alps. This is just a sampling of the scenic wonders and delightful destinations awaiting your discovery!

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMunich
End CityBasel

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France

Attractions

  • Heidelberg
  • Heidelberg Castle
  • Munich
  • Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Nuremberg
  • Salzburg
  • St. Martin's Cathedral
  • Strasbourg

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Nature
  • River cruise
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Sailing
  • Winetasting

Trip includes

    • Accommodation for 13 days
    • Most of the meals as mentioned in the itinerary
    • Internal transportation
    • Wi-Fi accessibility
    • Sightseeing with Certified Local Guides

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive In Munich, Germany

Welcome to Munich! The day is free to start exploring.

Day 2: Munich

Meals: Breakfast

Munich, capital of Bavaria, offers a small-town feel with its pedestrian- and bike-friendly atmosphere. With its historical museums, splendid English Garden, traditional cafés, and delightful shops, Munich has plenty to see and do. A LOCAL GUID...

Day 3: Munich. Excursion to Neuschwanstein & Oberammergau

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, a full-day outing takes you into the garden-like landscapes of the Bavarian Alps and for a visit to King Ludwig’s fairytale NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, situated high above the village of Hohenschwangau. Continue to Oberammergau, famous...

Day 4: Munich–Passau (Embarkation)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Enjoy a free morning in Munich, then, in the afternoon, drive to Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube. Join your Local Guide for an included WALKING TOUR through this charming town of graceful ...

Day 5: Regensburg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BC, Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Established during the Holy Roman Empire and the only German city not bombed during WWII, Regensburg has at lea...

Day 6: Nuremberg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, enjoy a relaxing morning of cruising before arriving in Nuremberg. Although 90% of Nuremberg’s Old Town suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it has been restored to the glory it once knew as the unofficial cap...

Day 7: Kitzingen

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Kitzingen is the center of the wine trade in the region known as Franconia. Join your LOCAL GUIDE for a visit of this city on the river Main. See the city’s main landmark, the leaning tower with its distinctive crooked roof, and the renaissance Town Hall, built in 1563 and formerly used as a watch tower and prison.

Day 8: Würzburg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Surrounded by verdant hillside vineyards, Würzburg, the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” makes an immediate impression with imposing Marienberg Fortress perched above town and the 15th-century Alte Mainbrucke (Old Main Bridge). O...

Day 9: Main River Village

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

On the banks of the Main River you find cultural gems of small towns, many of them tucked away behind medieval defensive walls and towered gates. With half-timbered houses, narrow streets, and medieval town centers, these picturesque Bavarian villages are a photographer’s delight. Join your Local Guide to experience one of these towns on a Guided Walk.

Day 10: Boppard–Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, arrive in Boppard on the left bank of the Rhine. After breakfast, a GUIDED WALK will acquaint you with this town, which saw its beginnings as a Celtic settlement, then a Roman stronghold, and today as a spa cente...

Day 11: Excursion to Heidelberg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, relax on board before joining an afternoon excursion to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany, founded in 1386. With a local guide, visit the imposing ruins of Heidelberg castle, towering magnifice...

Day 12: Strasbourg, France

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg blends the cultures of both countries in a delightful way. As capital of the Alsace region and seat of the Council of Europe and European Parliament, it is an important ...

Day 13: Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)

Meals: Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,299
Price per day$331
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

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Avalon Waterways

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CRUISING ELEVATED.
Innovative, transformative, original. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and
away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain’s seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world’s most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you’ll see how the tides they are a-changin’. 

Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

IT DOESN’T GET ANY SUITER.
Enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and ease – where little touches are bold, gestures are grand and the views even grander. There’s a reason our ships are the critics’ darlings and favorites among our most discerning guests. Our boutique-hotel-inspired Panorama Suites feature the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising and decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery.

PACK YOUR PASSIONS.
As you set sail down the world’s most legendary waters, we’ve curated a collection of the most intriguing experiences to immerse yourself in – both on board and off.

SEE MORE THAN THE SEA/
On a typical cruise, you see waves, water and more water. On an Avalon cruise, legendary landmarks and postcard-perfect landscapes are always in view. Dock to discovery takes mere minutes. 

LET’S DISH.
While we naturally present the signature delicacies of the regions you visit, we enrich the gastronomic journey by offering multiple dining venues, bringing unexpected culinary experiences to the table.

What they’re known for
River cruises to classic and exotic destinations with a luxury flair and personalization options.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Airfare
    • Airport transfers
    • Alcohol & beverages outside of the contracted menu
    • Additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary
    • Travel Protection premiums
    • Applicable cruise taxes, fees, fares and port charges
    • Other items of a personal nature
Ship & cabin information
Luminary
Cruising on the Avalon Luminary is the ideal way to experience the majesty, extensive history and fascinating culture of some of Europe's oldest cities along its legendary rivers. Built in 2010, the Avalon Luminary holds a maximum of just 138 passengers. Visit multiple countries and cities and unpack only once, so you spend your time experiencing and enjoying Europe rather than dealing with the logistics of travel. Enjoy a highly personalized cruise experience, spacious deluxe staterooms and suites, contemporary décor, and popular onboard amenities, including a large Sky Deck with whirlpool and Sky Bistro, lounge and a bar serving premium spirits, a complimentary Internet Corner and free Wi-Fi throughout the ship, Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, hair salon, and elevator.
Amenities Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows Sky Deck with shade awnings Elevator Outside viewing deck Friendly, English-speaking crew Cruise Director Revolutionary engineering Sky Deck whirlpool Fitness Center Lounges and upscale bar serving premium spirits Onboard movie nights Avalon Choice cruising experience Choice of Leisurely, Traditional or Independent sightseeing options Local Favorites onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans & experts Onboard assistance is available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise Complimentary Wi-Fi access Fresh fruit available throughout the day Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs Non-smoking interior Elegant, contemporary design Headsets for all guided shore excursions in Europe Sightseeing with Certified Local Guides Onboard lectures, activities & nightly entertainment Room service for Continental breakfast & beverages (service fee applies) Internet Corner Hair salon (manicures available) Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees Biking excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein Behind-the-scenes ship tour Use of Nordic walking sticks English-speaking TV channels with over 100 free movie options
Deck Plans: Cat. E
Cancellation policy

Booking Cancellations & Cancellation Fees:

If a booking cancellation is received by Avalon prior to the final payment date of your vacation, your non-refundable land deposit and Travel Protection payments will be retained in addition to your Flex-Air deposit, Instant Purchase Air payment and service fee, and/or intra-vacation air deposit. For individual reservations, the following per person cancellation fees apply. Total price does not include discounts, promotions, or special incentives. (For group reservations, refer to the Group Policy.)

Standard Cancellation Fees:

90-60 days prior to commencement of services: 35% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

59-30 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

29-1 days prior to commencement of services: 80% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

On departure day and later: 100% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches and 13 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Meals Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions with sparkling wine and canapés Welcome dinner Daily Afternoon Tea Daily Night Fare Farewell dinner Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; soft drinks with lunch; and wine, beer, or soft drinks with dinner are included daily on board your vessel Notes: Departure December 19 is offered as an exclusive Festive Time Cruise, including special holiday features at no additional cost. Experience the holiday season the European way! Enjoy the jolly atmosphere on your festively decorated ship as you delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of local customs and traditions. In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program. Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered. Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Trip ID
AVALON-HigOfgAva

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