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Romantic Rhine with 3 Nights in Lake Como & 1 Night in Lucerne & Mount Pilatus (Northbound)
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Welcome to Italy
- Guided walking tour
- Boat ride on Lake Como to Bellagio
- Transfer to Lucerne; guided walking tour in Lucerne, with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
- Excursion to Mount Pilatus (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); transfer to Basel to join your ship; onboard welcome reception
- Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or visit to a local winery in Breisach or bike with your Adventure Host
- Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
- Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host, or visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
- Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the leg-endary Rock of the Lorelei; free time in Koblenz
- Choice of 'Cologne Highlights' walking tour or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
- Choice of canal cruise or walk with your Adventure Host
- Your European vacation begins with a 3-night stay in Lake Como and 1 night stay in Lucerne, with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas
- In Como, an included guided walking tour features the charming historic district, the Gothic Town Hall, the impressive Duomo and a boat ride on the lake
Short Description
Your European vacation begins with a 3-night stay in Lake Como and 1 night stay in Lucerne, with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas. In Como, an included guided walking tour features the charming historic district, the Gothic Town Hall, the impressive Duomo and a boat ride on the lake. In Lucerne, your guided walking tour includes the Lion Monument, the Chapel Bridgeand a special highlight ex-cursion to stunning Mount Pilatus. Embark on your Rhine River cruise through France, Germany, and Holland. Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll find the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.
Itinerary
Day 1: LAKE COMO, ITALY
Welcome to Italy!
The remainder of the day is free to start exploring this delightful town on the Lake Como. This gorgeous city offers you plenty of opportunities to get the most out of your three nights stay.
Day 2: LAKE COMO
Historic Center and Gothic Style
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour which includes the charming historic center, the Broletto (Town Hall) with its fascinating gothic façade, and the imposing, marble-clad Duomo. Embark on a Boat Ride on Lake Como which includes a stop in beautiful Bellagio.(Breakfast)
Day 3: LAKE COMO
Breath-taking Views
Enjoy the day at leisure to relax, recharge or explore the lakeshores. Como offers you every kind of solutions for your spare time. Choose a boat trip on the lake, a relaxing walk on the riverbanks or shopping in the city centre. And be sure to taste the authentic Italian specialties in a local restaurant! (Breakfast)
Day 4: LAKE COMO–LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion
Continue to Lucerne.
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour to explore beautiful Lucerne which includes Thorvaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge. (Breakfast)
Day 5: LUCERNE–MOUNT PILATUS–BASEL (EMBARKATION)
Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding
CLASSIC This morning enjoy a special Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).Transfer to Basel to board your Suite Ship®.
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH
(Breakfast,Dinner)
Day 6: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, 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 to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
EVENING CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 7: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country today.
Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 8: MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, 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,” OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 9: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.
En 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.
KOBLENZ
Travel Through 2000 Years Of Monumental History
Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 10: COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY 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!
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 11: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
ACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside.
Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
Day 12: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
Availability
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Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click
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1,680 Avalon Waterways Travel Reviews & Ratings
Romantic Rhine with 3 Nights in Lake Como & 1 Night in Lucerne & Mount Pilatus (Northbound)
Company Reviews
1st river cruise exceeded expectations
The staff was very wonderful.
Extraordinary hotel and central staff!
BEST River Cruise!
This was a time of many firsts for me
The ship was spotless elegance. Our room was amazing like every part of our trip! The food and the excursions were perfectly executed.
I can’t wait to go on another trip. Thank you Avalon!
This was my first Rhine River Cruise
Details
Deck & Cabin Plans
Optional Activities
WZA|Romantic Rhine (Northbound)
WZA1|With 3 Nights in Paris & 3 Nights in London
WZA2|With 2 Nights in Lucerne, 2 Nights In Paris & 2 Nights in London
WZA3|With 2 Nights in Lucerne
WZA4|With 2 Nights in Paris & 2 Nights in London
WZA5|With 3 Nights in Lake Como & 1 Night in Lucerne & Mount Pilatus
WZA6|With 3 Nights in Lake Como, 1 Night in Lucerne, Mount Pilatus, 2 Nights in Paris & 2 Nights in London
WAZ|Romantic Rhine (Southbound)
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Accommodations
Barchetta Excelsior
Overlooking Piazza Cavour, this modern 84-room hotel is just steps away from the shores of Lake Como with free Wi-Fi access available throughout. Italian and international cuisine is served in the Bistro restaurant on the ground floor where drinks and light meals can also be enjoyed on the outdoor terrace during the summer season. The American lobby bar offers the perfect place to unwind and relax with a drink.
Como
Italy
Piazza Cavour 1
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
Movenpick Amsterdam City
A stylish 408-room hotel in the perfect location, this waterfront property offers Free Wi-Fi internet access throughout. The chic restaurant serves creative international cuisine and there is a fabulous bar serving drinks and light snacks which is also a great spot for a nightcap. For relaxation there is a Lifestyle Studio featuring a gym, Finnish sauna, bio sauna & ice fountain.
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Piet Heinkade 11
Trip ID#:
AVALON-WZA5
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