The Rhine & Moselle (Southbound)

11 days
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River Cruise
Your European river cruise vacation starts in marvelous Amsterdam where there is much to see! Discover the treasures of this colorful, historic city on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River, then vi...
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$6,730
From$5,199
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Overview

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

Highlights

    • Onboard welcome reception
    • Canal cruise
    • Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided walk, visit Reichsburg Castle or visit to Bundesbank bunker or bike tour with your Adventure Host
    • Guided tour in Trier; guided tour in Luxembourg
    • Guided walk or hike with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided tour or visit to Sayn Manor House or bike tour with your Adventure Host; scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; free time in Rüdesheim
    • Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or visit Schwetzingen Castle or walk Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host; free time in Speyer
    • Choice of guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike tour with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of excursion to Black Forest or Freiburg guided tour

What's this trip about?

    Your European river cruise vacation starts in marvelous Amsterdam where there is much to see! Discover the treasures of this colorful, historic city on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River, then visit Koblenz, strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Explore the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages still standing! Take a guided walk through the delightful marketplace, see the renaissance-era Town Hall, and taste famed Moselle wines! Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, considered the most beautiful view of the Rhine River, and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit the charming Rhine Valley wine town of Rüdesheim, and visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s Castle, towering magnificently over the city. Continue your stunning European river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where a local expert will show you the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. At the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border sits Breisach—the gateway to Germany’s legendary Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Disembark your river cruise in Basel, Switzerland. Beauty, new discoveries, and delightful surprises are plentiful on your European river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers!

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityAMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
End CityBASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France
  • Luxembourg

Attractions

  • Amsterdam
  • Basel
  • Boppard
  • Heidelberg
  • Koblenz
  • Luxembourg
  • Rudesheim
  • Strasbourg
  • Trier
  • Zurich

Activities

  • Culture
  • River cruise

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Holland. 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 to explore at your leisure.

During tulip season, don’t miss a Gu...

Day 2: AMSTERDAM

Colorful Canals of Amsterdam

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”

This afternoon cho...

Day 3: COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

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 ...

Day 4: COCHEM

The Charm of the Moselle Valley

This morning, select a Guided Optional Excursion to Eltz Castle.

ACTIVE Bike along the Mosel river with your Adventure Host, OR DISCOVERY Visit the former bunker of Germany's Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank) and immerse...

Day 5: TRIER. EXCURSION TO LUXEMBOURG

Ancient Worlds and Old World Charm

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing tour of Trier—Germany’s oldest city with ancient remnants dating from 144-152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra, walk through the city...

Day 6: BERNKASTEL

Hillside Vines and German Wines

ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a hike in this beautiful area, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel—with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber-framed houses. Th...

Day 7: KOBLENZ—RHINE GORGE

Fortress Walls and Manor Halls

ACTIVE Explore Koblenz's Mosel side by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares and monuments, OR: CLASSIC Visit the Sayn Manor House on a Guided Tour. ...

Day 8: LUDWIGSHAFEN. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG—SPEYER

Philosophers’ Views and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR: CLASSIC Discover Schwetzing...

Day 9: STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a City Sightseeing Tour, including the city’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as wel...

Day 10: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

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: CLASSIC ...

Day 11: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.

(Breakfast)

BASEL-SUNRISE.jpg

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,199
Price per day$473
Last Updated: 3/27/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
23 Jun 2024
03 Jul 2024
$5,399
Available
15 Aug 2024
25 Aug 2024
$5,199
Available
09 Oct 2024
19 Oct 2024
$5,299
Available
04 May 2025
14 May 2025
$5,299
Available
16 Jul 2025
26 Jul 2025
$5,199
Available
24 Aug 2025
03 Sep 2025
$5,199
Available
27 Sep 2025
07 Oct 2025
$5,399
Available

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

4.7/5  Excellent
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Dec 2023

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From favorite cruise line to Never Again!!!

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customer

Dec 2023

Written on

Avalon waterways went out of their way to accommodate our early morning arrival.

We booked an Egyptian cruise with Avalon months ago that included airport transfers, but we did not book our flights through them. Ten days before departure we had ...

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Robert

Nov 2023

Written on

It was the Paris to Normandy then to…

It was the Paris to Normandy then to Marseille 14 day cruise. The whole cruise was terrible, ports were bypassed, crew was very inexperienced, the restaurant was uno...

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Tour Operator

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

Movenpick Amsterdam CityA 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. AmsterdamNetherlandsPiet Heinkade 11Renaissance Zurich TowerThis 300 room luxury hotel is housed in a modern tower building located in the vibrant Zurich West quarter. The exclusive Grill restaurant serves urban cuisine and the lounge bar offers drinks, snacks and cocktails. Other amenities include a fitness area on the 15th floor with city views, sauna and steam bath.ZurichSwitzerlandTurbinenstrasse 20,
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
6 years and up
Optional Activities
WHZ|The Rhine & Moselle (Southbound) WHZ1|With 2 Night in Lucerne WHZ2|With 1 Night Amsterdam & 2 Nights in Lucerne WHZQ|With 1 Night in Amsterdam WZH|The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound)
Trip ID
AVALON-WHZ

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