Roma Travel Agency

Tour Alsace Netherlands Aw_Amsterdam Aw_Basel Aw_Cologne Aw_Europe Aw_Germany Aw_Holland Aw_Mainz + 27 More Aw_Rhine River Aw_Strasbourg Aw_Switzerland Basel Black Forest Breisach Cologne Europe France Germany Heidelberg Holland Kehl Switzerland Ludwigshafen Main Mainz Mount Pilatus Rhine Rhine Gorge River Cruise Rudesheim Strasbourg Swiss Alps The Netherlands Avalon Waterways 10 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Lucerne

Can you feel it? The festive season is underway on this festive river cruise on the Rhine River! You’ll also feel the cheer of festivities underway as you touch in Holland, France, and Switzerland for the perfect way to celebrate the start of the festive season. Experience Europe’s storybook villages and captivating cities as they’re a buzz with the first glow of holiday cheer. Let the festivities begin by embarking on your Rhine River cruise in the Netherlands' 700-year-old city of the Golden Age—Amsterdam—to board your festively adorned Avalon Suite Ship to sail into the holiday season. Savor hot chocolate by candlelight, learn cherished holiday recipes passed down through generations, and join in the joyful sounds of carols drifting through the ship. Explore Cologne’s 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and magnificent twin-spired cathedral. The oohs and awes keep coming while sailing through the Rhine River’s most dramatically beautiful views through the Rhine Gorge—where ancient castles stand sentry from cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming, cheerful town of Rüdesheim, where coffee, wine, and music are always on the menu, including a favorite stop at Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Visit the red-walled castle ruins in Heidelberg and see the stunning sights of Strasbourg, France to marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—home to fairytale forests, Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock, of course! This Rhine River festive river cruise is the perfect way to ring in the season and revisit in every Christmas memory to come.

Unwrap more special surprises of the season in Lucerne, Switzerland! Disembark your Avalon Suite Ship in Basel for a breathtaking excursion up Mount Pilatus. Then, come back down to Earth for a guided walking tour of Lucerne, featuring the famous Chapel Bridge. Wishes really do come true on this Avalon River Cruise vacation to ring in the holidays!

Note: While this cruise features early holiday activities and festive atmosphere along the Danube, the official opening of Christmas Markets varies by city and may not coincide with specific cruise departures. Information specific to each city can be found on that city’s tourism website.

Day 1: AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Holland. Your Festive Suite Ship® Awaits!Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Unwrap your European vacation to explore the festivities in Amsterdam with free time to enjoy the warmth and glow of festive season. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)

Day 2: AMSTERDAM

Canals of Colorful AmsterdamJoin your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.CLASSIC Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR: CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age." This afternoon, choose from Guided Optional Excursions or enjoy free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops as the Golden City begins to shine even more with festive season atmosphere.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D)

Day 3: COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Warm Toasts to the Festive SeasonDISCOVERY Learn about cherished Christmas traditions of Germany with an onboard presentation. ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites. Breath the Festive atmosphere with a taste of traditional German pastries, typical of the Festive time, with stops to enjoy authentically delicious Weckmännchen, Bethmännchen, and Stollen, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne beneath the magnificent twin-steeples soaring atop its Gothic cathedral. Feel your spirits rise with a taste of traditional German pastries, particularly popular in the Festive season, with stops to enjoy authentically delicious Weckmännchen, Bethmännchen, and Stollen.DISCOVERY Toast the holidays with an onboard beer tasting of Glühbier, a traditional warm, spiced beer perfect for the sweater weather!Later, local musicians liven the festivities with live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)

Day 4: RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM

Making Merry in Wine CountryEn route to Rüdesheim, 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 Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim; enjoy a spirited tasting of the rich Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:CLASSIC 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, OR:DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.DISCOVERY Learn the art of preparing the perfect mulled wine with an onboard demonstration—a perfect start to the holiday season. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN(B,L,D)

Day 5: LUDWIGSHAFEN. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Castle Walls and the World’s Biggest Wine BarrelACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, 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.” Then, satisfy your sweet tooth in the tradition of German Christmas cookies and pastries at a local café. DISCOVERY Roll up your sleeves and get hands‑on with traditional Christmas cookie making on board.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL (B,L,D)

Day 6: KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceAsk about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.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. Unlock your inner elf to learn the art of handmade Christmas decorations with the guidance of local craftsmen. Choose 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, spend time on your own in Strasbourg to take in the festive atmosphere and treats in the French tradition. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)

Day 7: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest where fairytales come true with cherry cake and cuckoo clocks, 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, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL(B,L,D)

Day 8: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–SWISS ALPS

Spectacular Views in SwitzerlandThis morning, disembark your Avalon ship and travel by motorcoach to the heart of Swiss AlpsCLASSIC Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead). LUCERNELovely LucerneCLASSIC Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes famous Chapel Bridge.(B)

Day 9: LUCERNE

Lakeshores and Soaring Peaks 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.(B)

Day 10: LUCERNE

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Details

Tour Operator: Avalon
Duration (Days): 10

Itinerary ▼

Day 1: AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Holland. Your Festive Suite Ship® Awaits!Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Unwrap your European vacation to explore the festivities in Amsterdam with free time to enjoy the warmth and glow of festive season. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)
Day 2: AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colorful AmsterdamJoin your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.CLASSIC Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR: CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age." This afternoon, choose from Guided Optional Excursions or enjoy free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops as the Golden City begins to shine even more with festive season atmosphere.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D)
Day 3: COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Warm Toasts to the Festive SeasonDISCOVERY Learn about cherished Christmas traditions of Germany with an onboard presentation. ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites. Breath the Festive atmosphere with a taste of traditional German pastries, typical of the Festive time, with stops to enjoy authentically delicious Weckmännchen, Bethmännchen, and Stollen, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne beneath the magnificent twin-steeples soaring atop its Gothic cathedral. Feel your spirits rise with a taste of traditional German pastries, particularly popular in the Festive season, with stops to enjoy authentically delicious Weckmännchen, Bethmännchen, and Stollen.DISCOVERY Toast the holidays with an onboard beer tasting of Glühbier, a traditional warm, spiced beer perfect for the sweater weather!Later, local musicians liven the festivities with live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)
Day 4: RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM
Making Merry in Wine CountryEn route to Rüdesheim, 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 Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim; enjoy a spirited tasting of the rich Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:CLASSIC 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, OR:DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.DISCOVERY Learn the art of preparing the perfect mulled wine with an onboard demonstration—a perfect start to the holiday season. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN(B,L,D)
Day 5: LUDWIGSHAFEN. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Castle Walls and the World’s Biggest Wine BarrelACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, 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.” Then, satisfy your sweet tooth in the tradition of German Christmas cookies and pastries at a local café. DISCOVERY Roll up your sleeves and get hands‑on with traditional Christmas cookie making on board.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL (B,L,D)
Day 6: KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceAsk about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.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. Unlock your inner elf to learn the art of handmade Christmas decorations with the guidance of local craftsmen. Choose 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, spend time on your own in Strasbourg to take in the festive atmosphere and treats in the French tradition. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)
Day 7: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest where fairytales come true with cherry cake and cuckoo clocks, 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, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL(B,L,D)
Day 8: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–SWISS ALPS
Spectacular Views in SwitzerlandThis morning, disembark your Avalon ship and travel by motorcoach to the heart of Swiss AlpsCLASSIC Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead). LUCERNELovely LucerneCLASSIC Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes famous Chapel Bridge.(B)
Day 9: LUCERNE
Lakeshores and Soaring Peaks 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.(B)
Day 10: LUCERNE
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Festive Season on the Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)