Rhine & Rhône Revealed for Wine Lovers - Cruise Only

15 days
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River Cruise
This fabulous European river cruise along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers combines the best of Holland, France, and Germany. Begin in Holland’s vibrant capital of Amsterdam, with a canal cruise through the 700-year-old city. Visit Cologne, Germany, a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral, and sail through th...

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Welcome reception
    • Canal cruise
    • Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour
    • Guided sightseeing in Koblenz; scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; special treat
    • Guided walk, visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz; guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat
    • Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral
    • Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or guided tour in Colmar
    • Transfer to Beaune, visit the Hôtel-Dieu, or join a wine tasting in a local cellar; onboard welcome reception
    • Leisurely cruising; onboard lecture about wine; free time in Mâcon or Chardonnay excursion
    • Onboard wine and cheese tasting; guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill

What's this trip about?

    This fabulous European river cruise along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers combines the best of Holland, France, and Germany. Begin in Holland’s vibrant capital of Amsterdam, with a canal cruise through the 700-year-old city. Visit Cologne, Germany, a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral, and sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge. Strasbourg, France, located on the French-German border, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries, and Breisach, Germany, is the gateway to the unrivaled natural beauty of the Black Forest. Taste Burgundy wines on board your ship, take an excursion to the Chardonnay wine country, and sail to Lyon, the culinary capital of France. Visit the picture-postcard Place des Terreaux fountain, choose to visit the Beaujolais region for a tasting of its famous wines. Also, visit the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, and take a guided walk of Tournon, with its Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle, followed by wine and chocolate tasting. Cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes. Sample wine in the Châteauneuf du Pape wine region, and cruise on the Rhône River to visit Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh. A Master of Wine will join you for the second part of your European river Cruise for wine lectures, tastings, and food and wine pairing expertise on this French wine country vacation of a lifetime.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityAMSTERDAM
End CityARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France
  • Netherlands

Attractions

  • Amsterdam
  • Arles
  • Avignon
  • Basel
  • Burgundy
  • Heidelberg
  • Koblenz
  • Lyon
  • Rudesheim
  • Strasbourg

Activities

  • Culture
  • River cruise

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Amsterdam. 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 explore at your leisure. During tulip season, you may t...

Day 2

AMSTERDAM Colorful Amsterdam—with Canals, Crooked Houses, and Cuisine of a Golden Age CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age” Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Muiderslot Castle—Ho...

Day 3

COLOGNE, GERMANY Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland’s Capital City CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR: DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites. Don’t miss the c...

Day 4

KOBLENZ—RHINE GORGE Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortress walls, towers, squares and monuments. Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim. Sail past the legen...

Day 5

MAINZ—HEIDELBERG EXCURSION Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of Wine CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle t...

Day 6

STRASBOURG, FRANCE Gothic Giants, Military Marvels & Varietal Vintages 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 Franc...

Day 7

BREISACH, GERMANY. BLACK FOREST EXCURSION History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest CLASSIC Visit the charming village of Colmar on a Guided Tour of its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, OR: DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the...

Day 8

BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–BEAUNE—ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (EMBARKATION)—SEURRE After breakfast drive to Beaune. CLASSIC Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgment and is one of F...

Day 9

MACON Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Mâcon along the majestic Saône River. DISCOVERY Onboard lecture hosted by your Master of Wine. DISCOVERY Take an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trévoux this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX (B,L,D)

Day 10

LYON Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France Sail for lovely Lyon this morning. DISCOVERY Enjoy a delicious Wine and Cheese tasting hosted by your Master of Wine on board your ship. CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from...

Day 11

LYON French Food and Wine—La Vie En Rose in Lyon DISCOVERY Take an excursion to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine. Enjoy a free day in Lyon, or choose a Guided Optional Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is k...

Day 12

TOURNON/TAIN L’HERMITAGE A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards DISCOVERY Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes o...

Day 13

AVIGNON The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes, OR DISCOVERY Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châ...

Day 14

ARLES Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh. Consider a Guided ...

Day 15

ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Last Updated: 5/23/2019

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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WAL|Rhine & Rhône Revealed for Wine Lovers
Trip ID
AVALON-WAL0-T2

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