Rhine & Rhône Revealed with Aix-en-Provence & Nice - Southbound

19 days
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River Cruise
This mesmerizing journey sets off along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers before its conclusion along the stunning French Riviera. Enjoy a canal cruise in splendid Amsterdam and guided sightseeing in Cologne, Koblenz, and Strasbourg. Delight in excursions to Germany’s Black Forest and to Heidelberg with its imposing castle. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Go...

Overview

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

Highlights

    • Visit the Gutenberg museum
    • attend a lively Edith Piaf-style show on board

What's this trip about?

    This mesmerizing journey sets off along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers before its conclusion along the stunning French Riviera. Enjoy a canal cruise in splendid Amsterdam and guided sightseeing in Cologne, Koblenz, and Strasbourg. Delight in excursions to Germany’s Black Forest and to Heidelberg with its imposing castle. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, see the legendary Lorelei rock, and visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz. A motorcoach transfer takes you into France’s Burgundy region to fascinating Beaune for a Burgundy wine tasting or a visit of the Hôtel-Dieu. Next, board your ship in quaint Chalon-sur-Saône and set sail for lovely Tournus, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as medieval Tournon, charming Viviers, and Avignon. Before disembarking in Arles, sail into the peaceful Camargue area (daylight permitting), then arrive on the stunning Cote-d’Azur—the famed French Riviera—for your Monograms extension. We've arranged your transfer via high-speed train between Arles and Aix-en-Provence, hotel reservations, daily breakfast, sightseeing with local experts, transfers from/to your hotels to/from the train stations, and more. Plus, we know you are not familiar with the cities, so we've arranged the services of friendly and knowledgeable Local Hosts® to answer questions, share inside information, help you arrange your activities and excursions, and more. The next morning, after an included breakfast, we’ll pick you up for guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide. You’ll walk along the 17th-century Cours Mirabeau, a lively area with fountains and famous cafés, and you’ll visit the Cathedral of the Holy Savior with its mishmash of architectural styles. This was Cézanne’s hometown, and in your free time, you may want to take a tour following in his footsteps. Perhaps take an excursion to Cassis with an included cruise, soak in Aix-en-Provence’s healing thermal baths, or shop for lavender and other local products. Finally, we’ll whisk you via high-speed TGV train to Nice. Here, guided sightseeing with a local expert includes a walk through the Old Town and the famed Promenade des Anglais boulevard. In your free time, you may want to take an excursion to Monaco, St. Tropez, or Cannes, known for its international film festival. Your Local Host can help you arrange activities and excursions, plus make suggestions for the best places to sample the local specialties. We go the extra mile to make sure you live your dream rather than dream your life!

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityArrive in Amsterdam
End CityNice

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Germany
  • France

Attractions

  • Aix En Provence
  • Amsterdam
  • Arles
  • Avignon
  • Basel
  • Heidelberg
  • Heidelberg Castle
  • Koblenz
  • Lyon
  • Strasbourg
  • Vienne

Activities

  • Culture
  • River cruise

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation). Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland’s sophisticated, modern capital has a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, and restaurants has a distinct ambiance. T...

Day 2

Amsterdam. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” There’s free time in the city this afternoon. Later, bid tot ziens (farewell) to Holland and set sail for Germany. (B,L,D)

Day 3

Cologne, Germany. Today, enjoy a peaceful morning of cruising before reaching Cologne in the afternoon. One of Germany’s largest cities and capital of the Rhineland, Cologne straddles both sides of the Rhine and is known for its soaring, twin-steepled gothic cathedral...

Day 4

Koblenz–Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. Here, join a Local Guide for a WALKING TOUR of the city that reveals an eventful past thro...

Day 5

Mainz. Excursion to Heidelberg. Strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers is Mainz, with “civilized” origins dating back to around 38 BC. Today, this is Germany’s largest and most important wine market. Join your Local Guide for a GUIDED WAL...

Day 6

Strasbourg, France. 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 without a doubt an important city t...

Day 7

Breisach, Germany. Excursion to the Black Forest. Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border, Breisach is the gateway to Germany’s BLACK FOREST region, an area of unrivaled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. The area got ...

Day 8

Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)–Beaune, France–Chalon- sur-Saône (Embarkation)–Tournus. After breakfast, say goodbye to the crew of the Avalon Tranquility II, cross the border into France, and head for Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area. Beaune o...

Day 9

Tournus. After breakfast, your LOCAL GUIDE shows you the highlights of this delightful town in the southeast corner of Burgundy. Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, with a superb abbey, St. Philibert, part of which dates bac...

Day 10

Lyon. Enjoy some relaxing time on board before arriving in Lyon, France’s third-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities....

Day 11

Lyon. Enjoy a free day to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Perhaps wander through one of Lyon’s parks, discover some of the murals (there are over 100 of them), or select one of the available optional excursions. Be sure t...

Day 12

Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers. The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. A LOCAL GUIDE will show you Tournon, one of France’s oldest medieval cities, with its imposin...

Day 13

Avignon. The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region—the most picturesque part of Provence with its intact ramparts encircling the entire city, cobblestone streets and squares, and private mansions built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Known as...

Day 14

Arles. On arrival in Arles, located on the northern tip of the Camargue and the capital of the Provence region, your LOCAL GUIDE will show you highlights of the city and you’ll visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. Still used today, it dates to the 1st century and was constru...

Day 15

Arles (Disembarkation)–Aix-en-Provence. After breakfast, disembark your Avalon ship for your included transfer to Aix-en-Provence to join your Monograms vacation. (B)

Day 16

Aix-en-Provence. On your morning guided sightseeing, walk along 17th-century Cours Mirabeau boulevard, a lively area with fountains, elegant homes, and famous cafés. Admire the Mazarin Quarter, City Hall, the Jewish Quarter, and visit the CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY SAVIOUR...

Day 17

Aix-en-Provence–Nice. Travel by HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN (first-class) to Nice. Your guided sightseeing features the PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS, originally built in the second half of the 18th century and the most famous boulevard in Nice. Walk through the OLD TOWN to admire f...

Day 18

Nice. Your Local Host has many recommendations for your full day at leisure on the beautiful Côte d’Azur, such as an excursion to picturesque Êze and Monaco, a round of golf in beautiful Cannes, a visit to the Marc Chagall Museum, or the best place to relax on the beach. (B)

Day 19

Nice. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,690
Price per day$352
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

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Roi René This inviting 134 room boutique property is built in a courtyard style around the swimming pool and garden terrace. Free Wi-Fi access is avilable in all guestrooms and public areas of the hotel. A beautiful seasonal outdoor swimming pool and terrace offer the perfect place to relax and unwind. The hotel restaurant serves traditional southern French cuisine which can also be savoured on the outdoor terrace and the hotel bar offers a good choice of snacks and drinks. Aix-en-Provence France 24 Boulevard Du Roi Rene Ellington This charming 110 room boutique property has an air of casual refinement with architecture from the 1920's. Free Wi-Fi access is available in all guestrooms and public areas of the hotel. Breakfast can be enjoyed on the sunny terrace of the outdoor inner garden and evenings can be spent relaxing in the jazzy atmosphere of the lounge bar. Nice France 25 Blvd.Dubouchage,
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 .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
WAL|Rhine & Rhône Revealed – Southbound
Additional Information
Trip ID
AVALON-WALM

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