Reflections on the Rhine (Southbound)

10 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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River Cruise
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.” Ne...
From$4,699
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Overview

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

Highlights

    • Onboard welcome reception
    • Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten-path walking tour
    • Choice of biking tour in the Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, or guided walk in Nijmegen; choice of guided tour in Arnhem or visit to Airborne Museum
    • Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or guided walking tour through the Belgian Quarter, or visit and tasting at the chocolate museum
    • Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or take a cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim
    • Guided tour in Frankfurt, or explore by bike with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided walk in Speyer, or a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk the Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of excursion to Black Forest or Freiburg sightseeing
    • 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

What's this trip about?

    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.” Next discover the beautiful cities of Nijmegen and Arnhem. 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 Frankfurt for a guided walk 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, you’ll find unrivaled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

Details

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

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Attractions

  • Amsterdam
  • Basel
  • Frankfurt
  • Heidelberg
  • Strasbourg

Activities

  • Culture
  • River Cruise

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.

This afternoon, you may join a Guided O...

Day 2: AMSTERDAM

Canals of Captivating Amsterdam

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

DISCOVERY 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 legenda...

Day 3: NIJMEGEN

Wildlife and WWII Valor

ACTIVE Explore the beautiful landscape of lush fields and blue water on a bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of Nijmegen— the oldest town in the Netherlands. Learn how this city was first bu...

Day 4: COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

DISCOVERY Discover the people and true spirit of one of Cologne's hippest and most creative districts on this fascinating Guided Walking Tour through the Belgian Qu...

Day 5: 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—w...

Day 6: FRANKFURT

Charm in Frankfurt

ACTIVE Enjoy a biking experience in the city of Frankfurt with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city’s cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambie...

Day 7: SPEYER. 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 Take a Guided Tour of Speyer, see its imperial Cathedral, one of the largest and most significant Rom...

Day 8: STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

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

ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-g...

Day 9: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

Winemaking and Wonderful Woods of the 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 10: 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)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,699
Price per day$470
Last Updated: 3/11/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
13 Apr 2025
22 Apr 2025
$4,699
18 May 2025
27 May 2025
$5,399
27 Jun 2025
06 Jul 2025
$5,199
05 Aug 2025
14 Aug 2025
$5,099
25 Oct 2025
03 Nov 2025
$5,199
17 May 2026
26 May 2026
$5,599
05 Jun 2026
14 Jun 2026
$5,499
08 Jul 2026
17 Jul 2026
$5,299
10 Aug 2026
19 Aug 2026
$5,299
02 Oct 2026
11 Oct 2026
$5,399

Gateway city for departures is Zürich. Port charges: $297 are included. Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability). Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not 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.

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Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,559
Great
145
Average
48
Disappointing
16
Terrible
47
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Other Avalon Waterways Reviews

c

crezet kickartz

Feb 2025

Written on

My husband and I went on our first trip from Amsterdam to Basel. It was so great and as it was my first big OE the sights were very breath-taking.

The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lo...

J

James Allen

Jan 2025

Written on

Great Staff

The staff was interactive, polite, and memorable. We were lucky enough to have met and interacted with the staff on 2 different boats. Avalon handled the necessary c...

J

Janis Lloyd

Jan 2025

Written on

Avalon consistency—good!

Cabins always great. Food very good. I wish there were semi-dry white wine offered at dinner. (Rieslings, not dry). Christmas market in Colmar was not enjoyable, way...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Westcord Jakarta

A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Javakade 766

Renaissance Zurich Tower

This 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.

Zurich

Switzerland

Turbinenstrasse 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
Additional Information
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Trip ID
AVALON-WDZ

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