Compare Romantic Rhine (Northbound) by Avalon Waterways vs From Amsterdam to Basel: The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River by CroisiEurope
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,399 | $ 1,613 |
| Price Per Day | $ 425 | $ 202 |
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CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
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| Trip Style | River cruise | River cruise |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and visits France, Germany, and Holland! Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll find 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. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland. |
From Amsterdam to Basel, embark on a cruise rich in history and authenticity. Discover historic monuments through cities such as Haarlem or Colmar and its Unterlinden museum. You can take a stroll to the Arnhem Open Air Museum, which reveals a 100-year-old story.
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Day 1: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Switzerland.
Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH
(Dinner)
BASEL-SUNSET.jpg
Day 2: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:
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 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 in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
EVENING CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
BLACK-FOREST-SCENIC.jpg
Day 3: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC 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.You may also choose to join 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 MAINZ
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
STRASBOURG-PETIT-FRANCE.jpg
Day 4: MAINZ, GERMANY. 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 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,” OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship after a short sailing to Rüdesheim .
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
HEIDELBERG.jpg
Day 5: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
DISCOVERY 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.
En route to Koblenz, 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.
KOBLENZ
Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History
Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
RUDESHEIM-VINEYARDS.jpg
Day 6: COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
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 soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
COLOGNE-BEER.jpg
Day 7: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
ACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
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. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside.
Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
AMSTERDAM-CANAL-CRUISE.jpg
Day 8: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
AMSTERDAM-SUNRISE.jpg
Day 1 AMSTERDAM or surroundings(3)
Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll enjoy dinner on board.
Day 2 AMSTERDAM or surroundings(3)
This morning, we offer two excursions depending on your package.CLASSIC package: Panoramic tour of the city and a visit to a diamond merchant. Amsterdam is one of the most unique and extraordinary cities in the world. Enjoy a highlight tour of all the major sites, including the tallest windmill in the Netherlands, the De Gooyer. We’ll then heading over to the dazzling floating flower market. DISCOVERY package: An off-the-beaten-path bike tour of Amsterdam. We’ll leave on foot to head to the bike rental office. Once equipped, we'll set out on a bike tour to discover places only the locals know about. As we ride, we’ll pass in front of many famous monuments and sites, including Dam Square, the Royal Palace, the Anne Frank House, Nieuwmarkt, the Rembrandt House Museum, and much more!This afternoon, join us for an excursion for both packages: A visit to the Keukenhof Gardens.(1)(only on pre-booking before departure) Tour the beautiful spring gardens at your own pace. Don’t forget to visit the Orchid House, the Japanese Garden, and the 19th-century windmill on the edge of the tulip fields! Keukenhof also contains the works of 25 artists. To make your visit more active, you can take a boat trip through the fields or bike ride through the surrounding area.During the off-season, we’ll visit Haarlem instead.We’ll return on board in Amsterdam. Join us for an evening of dancing in the lounge. Our ship will cruise to Nijmegen overnight.
Day 2 AMSTERDAM or surroundings(3)
This morning, join us for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided panoramic tour of Amsterdam.DISCOVERY: Bike tour of Amsterdam in search of its most secret and unique locations.In the afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit the Keukenhof Gardens(1)(only on pre-booking before departure). Outside the opening dates of the park, guided tour of Haarlem.We'll return on board in Amsterdam for an evening of dancing. Our ship will cruise to Nijmegen through the night.
Day 3 NIJMEGEN
Join us on an excursion for both packages: A visit to the Netherlands Open-Air Museum in Arnhem. This national museum focuses on the everyday life of Dutch people throughout the country’s history and includes old homes, farms, and factories from different regions. You can stroll through the attraction at your own pace or take the authentic trams.Our ship will cruise to Cologne overnight. Enjoy an evening of entertainment on board.
Day 3 NIJMEGEN
This morning, join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of the open-air museum in Arnhem.Our ship will cruise to Cologne overnight. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.
Day 4 COLOGNE - KOBLENZ
Join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Cologne, the crossroads of Europe since the Middle Ages. We’ll see the immense, Gothic cathedral—the tallest twin-spire church in the world and the most visited landmark in Germany. We'll then head over to the Old Town to stroll the streets and pass in front of the famous Farina Fragrance Museum. Our ship will start to cruise up the Rhine to Koblenz early this morning. Enjoy a stroll to see the famous Deutsches Eck.
Day 4 COLOGNE - KOBLENZ
Join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Cologne. Our cruise will then continue along the Rhine to Koblenz. In the evening, enjoy a stroll to see the famous Deutsches Eck.
Day 5 KOBLENZ - MAINZ
We’ll cruise to Mainz in the early morning, traveling through the magnificent Rhine Valley.Excursion for both packages: Tour of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum. This tour on foot will take us to the city’s magnificent cathedral. We’ll then stroll down the picturesque streets of the Old City to the Gutenberg Museum.Join us for an evening of dancing in the lounge. Our ship will begin to cruise to Strasbourg.
Day 5 KOBLENZ - MAINZ
We'll cruise up the most beautiful part of the Rhine River all the way to Mainz. Join us for the excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum.Enjoy an evening of dancing after dinner. Our ship will cruise to Strasbourg through the night.
Day 6 STRASBOURG - BREISACH
We’ll arrive in Strasbourg in the afternoon.Excursion for both packages: Boat tour of Strasbourg and a visit to its cathedral (only on pre-booking before departure). Like many European cities, Strasbourg has a striking mix of architecture that includes a broad range of traditional structures next to bold modern designs.After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship. Our ship will begin to cruise to Breisach. Tonight is our festive gala evening.
Day 6 STRASBOURG - BREISACH
We'll arrive in Strasbourg in the afternoon. Excursion for both packages: Boat tour of Strasbourg and a visit to its cathedral (only on pre-booking before departure).We'll return on board after our tour and cruise to Breisach. Tonight's our gala dinner and evening.
Day 7 BREISACH - BASEL
This afternoon, join us for an excursion for both packages: A guided tour of Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum.(2) Colmar is a colorful city bursting with Alsatian charm. We’ll spend time in the romantic Little Venice neighborhood before visiting the Unterlinden Museum. The museum exhibits span 7,000 years—from prehistoric times to modern art. The most regarded masterpiece in its collection is the polyptych by artists Niclaus of Haguenau and Grünewald.We’ll begin to cruise to Basel. Join us for dinner and an evening of entertainment.
Day 7 BREISACH - BASEL
This afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum(2).Afterwards, we'll cruise to Basel. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.
Day 8 BASEL
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.
