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Compare France, Switzerland and Italy Adventure Tour by Discovery Nomads vs The Best of the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne by Avalon Waterways

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Duration 10 days 7 days
Price From $ 1,890 $ 3,248
Price Per Day $ 189 $ 464
Highlights
  • Check out Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower
  • Visit to the Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica in Venice
  • Explore Florence on a walking tour and visit Uffizi Gallery
  • Discover Rome, see Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Piazza Navona
  • Visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City
  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei.
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of excursion to Black Forest or visit to a local winery in Breisach or Freiburg guided tour
  • Excursion to Mount Pilatus (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
  • Discover extraordinary destinations in Germany, France and Switzerland on this Rhine River cruise to sample local charms and traditions from Frankfurt to Basel
  • Relax on the Sky Deck and 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
Trip Style Private guided tour River cruise
Lodging Level Premium Standard
Physical Level
  • 2- Easy
  • 1- Very easy
Travel Themes
  • Cultural
  • Family Friendly
  • Train & Rail Journeys
  • Transformative
  • Cultural
  • 50 plus
  • Small Ship Cruise
Countries Visited
Cities and Attractions
  • Doge’s Palace
  • Florence
  • Lucerne
  • Paris
  • Rome
  • St. Peter's Basilica
  • Venice
  • Basel
  • Frankfurt
  • Lucerne
  • Strasbourg
Flights & Transport Ground transport included No
Activities
  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Photography
  • Trains & Rail
  • Culture
  • River cruise
Meals Included

6 Breakfasts

N/A
Description

Take an amazing journey through the most romantic cities of Europe, see Paris from the top of Tour Eiffel, go hiking in Lucerne, walk around the canals of Venice, visit Uffizi Gallery in Florence, explore ancient Rome, see the stunning architecture of the cities and admire the breathtaking scenery of the Swiss Alps.

Discover extraordinary destinations in Germany, France and Switzerland on this Rhine River cruise to sample local charms and traditions from Frankfurt to Basel. Relax on the Sky Deck and 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. In Strasbourg, France, you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone Gothic 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. Before the end of your European river cruise vacation, 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.

Cruise to Basel, Switzerland, to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship® and continue your vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus and a 2 night stay in Lucerne.

Your Rhine River cruise and vacation in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a wonderful European vacation. (p)
Itinerary: France, Switzerland and Italy Adventure Tour

Day 1-2: Paris

Accommodation: Novotel Paris or similar

Arrival before 12.00pm. Check this beautiful city from the Eiffel Tower and in the evening you will have free time to explore the nightlife of the city. On the next day you have sightseeing tour around Paris and visit Louvre museum.

Day 3: Lucerne

In the morning you will travel by train to Switzerland. Discover this small city of Lucerne in the Swiss Alps and walk around its tiny streets.

Day 4-6: Venice

Accommodation: Best Western or similar

Explore Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, see the impressive halls of Sala del Maggior Consiglio and pass through the Bridge of Sights. Optional activities include a vaporetto ride to Murano and Burano, Peggy Guggenheim Museum and the Accademia Gallery.

Day 6-8: Florence

Accommodation: NH Florence or similar.

Today you will go on a walking tour around Florence, see the Duomo, the medieval Ponte Vecchio and the Medici Chapels and then visit Uffizi Gallery. Your guide will explain works by some of the greatest artists from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, such as Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, and more.

Day 8-10: Rome

Accommodation: Eurostars Rome or similar

Today you will have a walking tour around Rome's beautiful piazzas, learn the dark history of Santa Maria del Popolo and admire its paintings by Caravaggio. And do not miss the amazing Italian food, wine and nightlife. On the next day learn about the history of St.Peters Basilica in Vatican.

Itinerary: The Best of the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne

Day 1: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Frankfurt must arrive before 2 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE

(Dinner)

FRANKFURT-LEDERHOSEN.jpg

Day 2: RHINE GORGE

The Most Beautiful View of the Rhine River

DISCOVERY While sailing enjoy a cup of Rüdesheimer Coffee, a local drink prepared mixing brandy and sugar, topped with coffee and a layer of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Enjoy a relaxing day onboard and 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 Join your Adventure Host to discover today’s special activities and classes.

DISCOVERY Enjoy a wine tasting onboard.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

RHINE-GORGE-RHEINSTEIN-CASTLE.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 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 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

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

STRASBOURG-PETIT-FRANCE.jpg

Day 4: 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:

DISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, 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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

BLACK-FOREST-SCENIC.jpg

Day 5: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–MOUNT PILATUS

Spectacular Views in Switzerland

This morning disembark your Avalon ship and continue your vacation with a 2-night stay in Lucerne.

CLASSIC Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).

LUCERNE

A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion

CLASSIC Join a guided walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes Thorwaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge.

(Breakfast)

MOUNT-PILATUS.jpg

Day 6: LUCERNE

Swiss Serenity

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)

LUCERNE-CHAPEL-BRIDGE.jpg

Day 7: LUCERNE

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

LUCERNE-CITY.jpg

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