Date: October 14-23, 2025
10 Days | 4 Countries
This magnificent Rhine River cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. Cruise on its famous canals along the elegant grachten-the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city dating back to the “Golden Age.” Visit Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—and see its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Speyer for a guided walk and visit to the Wine Museum, or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, marvel at 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. Stop in Breisach, Germany, and enjoy an excursion to Germany’s Black Forest or take an excursion to the charming village of Colmar, followed by a visit to a chateau wine cellar.
Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honored to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognized globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!
Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises.
Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.
CLASSIC: Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
DISCOVERY: We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
ACTIVE: Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
Day 1
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure or join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
Overnight stay in Amsterdam.
Day 2
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
- Classic Excursion - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age."
This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
Afternoon/Overnight cruise to Cologne.
Day 3
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
- Active Excursion - Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Discovery Excursion - Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
- Classic Excursion - 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!
- Discovery Excursion - Join an onboard lecture hosted by your Master of Wine.
Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
Overnight cruise to Rüdesheim.
Day 4
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
En route to Rüdesheim, 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.
- Discovery Excursion - Enjoy an onboard wine tasting hosted by your Master of Wine.
- Active Excursion - Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
- Discovery Excursion - Join a Guided Tour to experience the beauty and simplicity of 13th-century Eberbach Monastery-a former abbey for Cistercian monks that today is known for its wine production and as the film location for the blockbuster movie, "The Name of the Rose". Also enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
- Discovery Excursion - Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a wine tasting.
Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
Overnight docking in Rüdesheim.
Day 5
The World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
- Discovery Excursion - Enjoy a Guided City Tour, including a visit to the Wine Museum to learn about the history of viticulture and wine production, OR:
- Classic Excursion - 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.”
Evening/Overnight Cruise to Strasbourg.
Day 6
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
- Active Excursion - Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
- Classic Excursion - 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.
- Discovery Excursion - Join an enchanting Guided Tour along the famed Alsace Wine Route to discover the heart of France’s wine country and sample several local wines.
- Discovery Excursion - Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine.
Evening/Overnight cruise to Breisach.
Day 7
Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
- Discovery Excursion - 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 Excursion - Take a full-day Guided Tour to the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, followed by a visit to a countryside chateau wine cellar, OR:
- Classic Excursion - Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
Evening/Overnight cruise to Basel.
Day 8
Spectacular Views in Switzerland
This morning disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer to Mount Pilatus
- Classic Excursion - 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).
LUCERNE
A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion
- Classic Excursion - Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes Thorvaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge.
Day 9
Lake and Mountains
Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Lucerne. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend your free time to enjoy some shopping in the city center.
Day 10
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
As the newest addition to our fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon View certainly lives up to its name! With the youngest fleet of ships offering the widest views on Europe's waterways, The View continues our outstanding commitment to relaxed luxury.
Onboard amenities include complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access, a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, an Adventure Center for bikes and active gear, and an Avalon Adventure Host to assist with active excursions and activities. Enjoy exceptional onboard cuisine, including Avalon Fresh menu options, premium coffee and spirits, and versatile FlexDining venues, including the casual Panorama Bistro, al fresco Sky Grill, or elegant glass-walled Dining Room. Library books, cards, and board games are favorites in the Club Lounge, and our Observation Lounge affords the perfect vantage point to watch the world go by. The expansive Sky Deck beckons with a whirlpool, premium lounge chairs, shade system, and deck games-against a backdrop of Europe's most spectacular views!
Part of Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships, the Avalon View features two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform the living space into river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording you the incomparable opportunity to wake each morning to splendid passing scenery from your window-facing bed. Stretch out on your Comfort Collection bed and cruise with the world at your feet.
Royal Deck
300 sq ft
- River-view stateroom with Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony
- Sitting area with sofa, 2 chairs & coffee table
- Window-facing King-Size Comfort Collection Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxurious mattress toppers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, European-style duvets, soft & firm pillows
- Flat-screen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Well-stocked minibar, complimentary filtered water
- Private bathroom with full shower with glass door, marble countertop with double sinks. large mirror, premium hair dryer, L'Occitane bath products, bathrobes & slippers
- Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, easy under-bed luggage storage
Royal & Sapphire Deck
200 sq ft
- River-view stateroom with Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony
- Sitting area with sofa, chair & coffee table
- Window-facing Queen-Size Comfort Collection Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxurious mattress toppers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, European-style duvets, soft & firm pillows
- Flat-screen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Well-stocked minibar, complimentary filtered water
- Private bathroom with full shower with glass door, marble countertop with single sink, large mirror, premium hair dryer, L'Occitane bath products, bathrobes & slippers
- Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, easy under-bed luggage storage
Indigo Deck
172 sq ft
- River-view stateroom with two windows
- Queen-Size Comfort Collection Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxurious mattress toppers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, European-style duvets, soft & firm pillows
- Flat-screen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Well-stocked minibar, complimentary filtered water
- Private bathroom with full shower with glass door, large mirror, premium hair dryer, L'Occitane bath products, bathrobes & slippers
- Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, easy under-bed luggage storage
Regional wine and beer with lunch and dinner. Complimentary continental breakfast served in your room. Onboard cultural presentations and local entertainment. Onshore excursions with expert Local Guides. A choice of Avalon FlexDining® menus and venues on board to dine when and where you like. Round-the-clock cappuccinos. Free Wi-Fi. Adventure Center with gear and guidance to explore your way. Avalon Adventure Host to direct or accompany you on active pursuits. Also included? Freedom. The freedom to enjoy river cruising your way. You’re not like everyone else. Why should your river cruise be like everyone else's?
SMALL DETAILS. BIG DIFFERENCE.
When it comes to the little touches, we think big—like your choice of firmness in our exclusive Comfort Collection Beds and pillows, the plushest of towels, L’Occitane® bath products atop marble countertops, premium spirits at the upscale bar, and rich premium coffees in the Panorama and Club Lounge. You deserve the best of everything when you’re on vacation, including what you need to maintain your healthy lifestyle. On our ships, you’ll enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness center, free bicycles for use in select ports, and a bubbling whirlpool on the Sky Deck awaiting your return.
Stateroom Pricing
All prices are per person and reflect our Special Cruise Fare - pricing and availability are subject to change. The sailing has a limited availability for single occupancy staterooms and Royal Suite staterooms.
Special Offer
- $1,000 Discount per Person (included in pricing)
- Pre-Paid Daily Gratuities
- Complimentary Shore Excursions, Beverages & More
Pricing per Person for Double Occupancy
- Royal Suite - pricing & availability upon request
- Panorama Suite (Royal Deck) = $5,900
- Panorama Suite (Sapphire Deck Midship) = $5,850
- Panorama Suite (Sapphire Deck Aft) = $5,750
- Deluxe Stateroom (Indigo Deck) = $4,500
Pricing for single occupancy available upon request.
Pricing for cruise only (without Lucerne) available upon request.
Travel Add On Options
- International Airfare
- Airport Transfers
- Pre-Cruise Accommodations
- Post-Trip Accommodations
- Excursions & Tours
Passports
You must have a passport to travel internationally. Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the conclusion of your trip. Avalon requires your passport details prior to final documentation for all international travel.
Indianapolis, IN
888.487.2854
http://TravelDesigned4U.com