Itinerary

Amsterdam → Cologne → Rhine Gorge → Rüdesheim → Mainz → Strasbourg → Breisach → Basel

Description

Pricing is based on departure date: 01 August 2026

Alternative departures available from August to November 2026.

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers takes you across Germany and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! 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 Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg 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, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. Here, find unrivaled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

Itinerary Map

Itinerary Highlights

Amsterdam, Holland

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, 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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM.

Amsterdam

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Classic Excursion
Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:

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.

Cologne, Germany

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!

Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM

Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim

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.

Active Excursion
Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:

Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:

Discovery Excursion
Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.*
Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM

Mainz. Excursion to Heidbelberg

Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

Active Excursion
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:

Classic Excursion
Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, 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 KEHL.

Kehl. Excusions to Strasbourg, France

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.

Choose 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 BREISACH.

Breisach, Germany. Excusion to Black Forest

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

Classic 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:

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.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL.

Basel, Switzerland

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

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

Your Ship: Avalon Vista

The Avalon Vista's suites feature 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. Enjoy seamless views from your Comfort Collection bed that faces the window. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording you the space to entertain in your private sitting area or just relax and enjoy the passing vistas. Onboard amenities include a Fitness Center, complimentary computer use in public areas and complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, shade system, whirlpool, and the delightful Sky Bistro. Sweeping views are yours to enjoy on the Avalon Vista!

What’s included with your vacation

EVERYTHING YOU WANT. NOTHING YOU DON’T.

Why pay extra for the experiences you came for? With Avalon, the best parts of cruising aren’t upsold – they’re already yours. That's the Avalon difference. From the glass of wine in your hand to the Wi-Fi on your phone, from the sunrise yoga class to the storybook castle on your afternoon e-bike ride – it’s all built in. No nickel-and-diming. No surprises. With us, the best memories aren’t add-ons, they’re included.

FREE SPIRITED SIPS
Wine, beer, and soft drinks are always included at lunch and dinner. Plus, enjoy complimentary Happy Hour every night (except the first) with wine, beer, and specialty cocktails – even zero-proof options designed by award-winning mixologist Martin Hudák. And when you want something cosy or indulgent, the Club Lounge is open 24/7 with complimentary specialty teas and coffees.

FREE STYLE DINING
No fixed seating. No forced schedules. With FlexDining® you choose when, where, and how you eat. Elegant four-course dinners in glass-walled dining rooms. Breezy Sky Deck barbecues or al fresco lunches and dinners. Petite plates in the Panorama Bistro. Breakfast in bed with river views. Afternoon teatime with pastries. Sweet treats and savoury bites—always available in the Club Lounge. All included.

FREE TO EXPLORE
Avalon Choice® Excursions offers you an average of 22 included excursions to experience the world – from castle hikes and chocolate workshops, city tours to kayaking trips. Plus bikes and e-bikes are free to use when you want to wander on your own.

FREE TO MOVE
Wellness is also included with Avalon. From yoga to stretching classes led by Adventure Hosts, to enhanced fitness centers with new equipment, to bikes and e-bikes ready for every port – Avalon makes it easy to keep your body and spirit in motion.

FREE CONNECTION
Stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi via Starlink, free infotainment systems in every stateroom with 50+ free movies, and the AvalonGO app to keep you informed and on course before and during your cruise.

FREE TO DREAM
Every room is exterior facing and comes with a view, plus Comfort CollectionSM beds, Egyptian cotton linens, marble bathrooms, and L’Occitane® products. Most guests enjoy a Panorama SuiteSM with a wall-to-wall Open-Air Balcony® and beds that face the passing landscapes. Would you like your coffee with one complimentary castle or two?

FREE TO PLAY (AND STAY UP LATE)
Daylight isn’t the end of the adventure. With Avalon After DarkSM, your evenings sparkle with live music, trivia, dance parties, and themed events. Add in al fresco dinners on the Sky Deck, late-night cocktails, and overnight stays in legendary cities – or free movies in the comfort of your Panorama Suites and you’ll find the nights shine as brightly as the days.