The Rhine & Moselle with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)

13 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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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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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 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, and continue your vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) and a walking tour in Lucerne. Your Rhine and Moselle Rivers 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
  • Luxembourg
  • Rudesheim
  • Strasbourg
  • Trier

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.

DISCOVERY Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look...

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 Tou...

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 Schwetzinge...

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: CLASS...

Day 11: 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 accessi...

Day 12: LUCERNE

At Leisure in Lovely Lucerne

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 13: LUCERNE

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,311
Price per day$485
Last Updated: 3/11/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
04 May 2025
16 May 2025
$6,456
16 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025
$6,311
24 Aug 2025
05 Sep 2025
$6,422
27 Sep 2025
09 Oct 2025
$6,556
12 Sep 2026
24 Sep 2026
$6,760
21 Oct 2026
02 Nov 2026
$6,406

Gateway city for departures is Zürich. Port charges: $300 Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability). Please call for single accommodation price. 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

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
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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-WHZ1

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