One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits on this fascinating journey. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Strasbourg, Koblenz, and Cologne, as well as a full-day excursion to majestic Heidelberg and a canal cruise in picturesque Amsterdam. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, take pictures of the famous Lorelei rock, and sample the area’s famous Riesling wines in the quaint wine village of Rüdesheim.
AMSTERDAM Welcome reception; canal cruise
COLOGNE Guided sightseeing
COBLENZ Guided sightseeing
RÜDESHEIM “Winzerexpress” mini train Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
HEIDELBERG Guided visit of the castle
STRASBOURG Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral
BREISACH Excursion to the Black Forest
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)
Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland’s capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Dinner)
Day 2 Amsterdam
There is no better way to see the city than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” Afterward, your river cruise vessel sets sail for Cologne. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 Cologne, Germany
Cologne is one of Germany’s largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. The Germano-Roman Museum located next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! Try a Kölsch in one of the many taverns and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original “eau de cologne.” (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 Koblenz–Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim
Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. In Rüdesheim, SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there’s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 Mainz. Excursion to Heidelberg
Situated on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Main is Germany’s largest and most important wine town. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and you’ll visit the GUTENBERG MUSEUM. Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town. Take pictures of the ruins of the imposing red sandstone castle towering above the city, and enjoy free time to explore. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 Strasbourg, France
Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights are the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with the statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available today. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 Breisach, Germany. Excursion to the Black Forest
Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border, Breisach is the gateway to Germany’s BLACK FOREST region, an area of unrivaled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. Surely the most well-known products from this region are Black Forest ham and Black Forest cherry cake. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave Zürich Airport before 10 am. (Breakfast)
We offer similar Itineraries from UniworldAndViking800-640-4899
The Avalon Luminary, coming in 2010, is the latest addition to the Avalon Waterways river cruising fleet, with a design that reflects the uniqueness of the area, and which differentiates her from the other Avalon river cruise vessels. Carrying a maximum of just 138 passengers with four suites & 65 staterooms, she will be the smallest of the Avalon ships, yet the Avalon Luminary staterooms are equally spacious and well appointed, with floor-to-ceiling windows on two decks. Staterooms feature a minimum of 172 square feet of space and are the largest of the European rivers today. In addition, there is an elevator, and the whirlpool on the Sky Deck allows for a refreshing dip after a day of sightseeing. The rear lounge is perfect for small groups.
Ship Amenities
Headsets for all guided shore excursions in Europe
Services of a professional Cruise Director
Sightseeing with Local Guides
Revolutionary engineering
Silent Drive System (SDS)
Non-smoking interior
Internet access & Wi-Fi hotspots
Elegant polished metal & glass throughout
Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
Panoramic picture windows for landscape viewing
Hair Salon
Fitness Center
Spacious Sky Decks with shade system for sunning
6-person whirlpool
Lounge & Bar
Complimentary coffee & tea available throughout the day
Fine dining
Buffet breakfast items are conveniently color coded to indicate foods that are low calorie, low fat/low calorie, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy
Complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks will be included on all onboard dinners
Open seating throughout the dining room for all meals
Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
Comfortable, hotel-style beds
Comfortable beds that can be configured as two twins or one queen
European-style duvets
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Private bathroom with shower
Large closets
Minibar, hairdryer & safe
Individual climate control
Royal Deck passengers can order Continental breakfast to their staterooms
All staterooms are outside and those on Royal and Sapphire Decks have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and French balconies
Sailing Dates from 4/1/2012 - 10/28/2012
Base rates from $1,799-$2,799 per person
Port charges: $105 per person Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
Extra nights per person in Zürich: in single room $144, in twin room $98
Extra nights per person in Amsterdam from $150 - $285 per person Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in an outside Avalon Deluxe Stateroom on Indigo Deck. To upgrade to a higher category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:
Category / Decks / Price B / Sapphire Deck / $549 A / Sapphire Deck / $599 P / Royal Deck / $699 Suite / Royal Deck / $1,299
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With the decrease in the value of the dollar and the high price of fuel the cost of hotels and meals have doubled in European during the last three years. Savy travelers have come to understand that a river cruise offers the best value for a European Vacation. Accommodations, all meals on board and shore excursions are included in the price and some companies even include wine with dinner. Because of this, you do not have to live in fear of the $300 per night hotel bill, the $100 not so wonderful restaurant meal and the $10 cup of coffee with no free refills.Mike Davies
Many people believe that by dealing directly with the cruise line, they cut out the expense of a middleman. But when it comes to cruising, this is never the case. The cruise lines depend on travel agents to sell their product, and so it is the cruise lines who pay the agent's commission, not the customer. The lines also offer agents various extra incentives, bonus commissions and value-added perks, giving the travel agents more pricing leverage and the ability for us to offer you lower rates: There are many superb and well-trained travel agents, but there are not many who know as much as we do about river cruising.
