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2023 Season

Rhine & Rhône Revealed with 1 Night in Amsterdam for Wine Lovers (Southbound)

cruise: WALQ-T1
16 days from Amsterdam to Arles
Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous Europe vacation along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers. Spectacular views begin before your Rhine & Rhône Revealed vacation with an overnight stay in Amsterdam! Join us for an off-the-beaten-path guided walking tour through its cobblestone streets. Awaken the next day to to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten. Sail to Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city best known for its Gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral, —and enjoy a guided walk. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River dotted every mile with ancient castles. You’ll discover that Strasbourg, France, located on the French-German border, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty.

A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.

Cruise to Tournus for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Sail to Lyon —a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture—to explore the maze of medieval alleyways of Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour of the famous wine region of Beaujolais. Continue to the city of Tournon beautifully nestled among vineyards, and enjoy a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. In Avignon, visit the Palace of the Popes and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. This remarkable river cruise will take you to Arles, the capital of the Provence region and famous for its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater. Your European river cruise on three beautiful rivers—the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers—will carry on in your favourite travel memories for a long time to come.

cruise

at-a-glance

Day 1 Amsterdam: Welcome to Amsterdam

Day 2 Amsterdam (Embarkation): Off the beaten path walking tour; onboard welcome reception

Day 3 Amsterdam: Canal cruise

Day 4 Cologne: Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 5 Rhine Gorge-Rüdesheim: 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

Day 6 Mainz. Excursion to Heidelberg: 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 a hike up Philosophers’ Way

Day 7 Strasbourg: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Breisach: Choice of excursion to Black Forest or visit to a local winery in Breisach

Day 9 Basel (Disembarkation)-Beaune-Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation): Transfer to Beaune, visit Hôtel-Dieu; onboard welcome reception

Day 10 Tournus: Guided walk in Tournus; onboard lecture about wine; Chardonnay excursion

Day 11 Lyon: Onboard cheese and wine tasting; choice of guided sightseeing with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture

Day 12 Lyon: Culinary tour; guided tour to Beaujolais; onboard food and wine pairing dinner

Day 13 Tournon-Viviers: Guided walk in Tournon with wine and chocolate tasting or hike in the vineyards (weather permitting); guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral

Day 14 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes; guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape

Day 15 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 16 Arles (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises. 

Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.

The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.