Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)

10 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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River Cruise
Your 10-day river cruise vacation includes stays in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland—all beginning with your Avalon Rhine River cruise embarking from Amsterdam. Before sailing down the Rhine River, you’ll enjoy a guided canal cruise through the colorful capital of Holland. Next, you’ll cruise to Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its G...
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Overview

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

Highlights

    • Onboard welcome reception
    • Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour
    • Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
    • 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 in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided walk in Mainz with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, 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
    • Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); guided walking tour in Lucerne with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
    • Full day at leisure
    • Your 10-day river cruise vacation includes stays in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland—all beginning with your Avalon Rhine River cruise embarking from Amsterdam

What's this trip about?

    Your 10-day river cruise vacation includes stays in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland—all beginning with your Avalon Rhine River cruise embarking from Amsterdam. Before sailing down the Rhine River, you’ll enjoy a guided canal cruise through the colorful capital of Holland. Next, you’ll cruise to Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture—an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. On your way to Rüdesheim, relax on the Sky Deck of your ship as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge —the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. You’ll take a guided tour of Rüdesheim’s outstanding Mechanical Music Museum. Sail into Mainz for city sightseeing, including a visit to the impressive Gutenberg Museum, or choose an excursion to nearby Heidelberg—and cruise to Strasbourg, France. Then, stop in Breisach, Germany, 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. Cruise to Basel, Switzerland, to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship® and continue your vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus and a walking tour in Lucerne. Your Rhine River cruise and vacation in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.

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Details

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

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Attractions

  • Amsterdam
  • Basel
  • Heidelberg
  • Koblenz
  • Lucerne
  • Rudesheim
  • Strasbourg

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, you may take a Gu...

Day 2: AMSTERDAM*

Canals of Colorful 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 legendary ...

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—...

Day 4: 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—...

Day 5: MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Printing Halls, 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 City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the capt...

Day 6: KEHL. EXCURSION TO 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-glass...

Day 7: 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 8: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–SWISS ALPS

Spectacular Views in Switzerland

This morning disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer which will bring you in the heart of Swiss Alps

CLASSIC Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessib...

Day 9: LUCERNE

Lakeshores and Soaring Peaks

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.

(Breakfast)

Day 10: LUCERNE

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,598
Price per day$460
Last Updated: 3/5/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
30 Mar 2025
08 Apr 2025
$4,456
05 Apr 2025
14 Apr 2025
$4,556
19 Apr 2025
28 Apr 2025
$4,756
29 Apr 2025
08 May 2025
$4,856
03 May 2025
12 May 2025
$4,956
13 May 2025
22 May 2025
$5,063
27 May 2025
05 Jun 2025
$5,077
31 May 2025
09 Jun 2025
$5,077
10 Jun 2025
19 Jun 2025
$5,077
24 Jun 2025
03 Jul 2025
$5,122

Gateway city for departures is Zürich. Port charges: $210 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

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

Renaissance

A contemporary 87-room hotel set in an elegant turn-of-the-century building located in the heart of Lucerne. Amenities include a lively South American-inspired restaurant, hip cocktail bar, small fitness center, and a contemporary lounge area where complimentary tea and coffee can be enjoyed during the day.

Lucerne

Switzerland

Pilatusstrasse 15

Radisson Blu

Situated on the shore of Lake Lucerne, surrounded by Swiss mountains, this contemporary 189-room hotel is conveniently located close to the historic Old Town with many shops and restaurants just a short walk away. Spacious, light-filled guest rooms have large floor-to-ceiling windows with a stylish chic decor and amenities include air-conditioning, coffee/tea making facilities, minibars and Free Wi-Fi internet access. Mediterranean dishes are served in the LUCE Restaurant with an outdoor terrace for Summer dining, creative cocktails can be enjoyed in the LUCE Bar and a great selection of vintage wines are available in the LUCE Wine Lounge. On-site services include a fitness center on the fifth floor, a sauna, a steam bath and a relaxation room with a view of Mount Pilatus. Room service is delivered by the hotel's resident robot butler, aptly named" Jeeves" after the legendary quintessential butler invented by British-American author P.G. Wodehouse.

Lucerne

Switzerland

Inseliquai 12

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
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
AVALON-WAZ2

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