Rhine & Rhône Revealed for Wine Lovers (Northbound) 2025
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 15-day journey through the heart of Europe, exploring the rich history, culture, and culinary delights of France, Germany, and the Netherlands. This multi-day tour offers an immersive experience, from the vibrant cityscapes of Marseille and Lyon to the charming French countryside of Viviers and Tournon. Discover the architectural marvels of Avignon, the gastronomic delights of Lyon, and the picturesque vineyards of Tournon. Cross borders into Germany and the Netherlands, exploring the Black Forest, the historic city of Cologne, and the colorful canals of Amsterdam. Each day brings a new adventure, with guided tours, wine tastings, painting workshops, and more. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or an art enthusiast, this tour has something for everyone.
Included
Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
Avalon Fresh® healthy cuisine options at every meal
Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
Daily breakfast buffet with full range of classic breakfast items, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and daily a la carte specials
Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Daily lunch buffet featuring regional specialties, classic dishes, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and rotating chef’s features including carving & pasta stations. Alternatively, you may dine al fresco at our Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather and itinerary permitting) or enjoy a light lunch in the Panorama Lounge.
Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Avalon FlexDining® flexible dining times with menu & venue options
Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan, low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, high energy and allergy-free selections
Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
New in 2023 - included Happy Hour every evening featuring house beer, wine, cocktails and a drink of the day
Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
Specialty coffees, espresso drinks and beWell Essence flavored and infused water available throughout each day
Avalon Waterways River cruise ship
14 nights of accommodation onboard an Avalon Waterways River cruise ship
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
Panoramic windows throughout the ship
Elegant, contemporary design & decor
Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
Covered Observation Lounge
Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
Elevator
Non-smoking interior and staterooms
Avalon Waterways offers a selection of included excursions in every port of call, with something for everyone within their "Classic", "Discovery" and "Active" collections
Destinations
Marseille
Amsterdam
Strasbourg
Lyon
Speyer
AvignonMap
Attractions
Freiburg Minster
Palais des Papes
Kirschgarten
Pharmacy Museum
Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
Heidelberg Palace
Wutach Gorge
Cologne Cathedral
Arles Amphitheatre
Château de Grignan
Gutenberg Museum
St Thomas Church
Place Bellecour
Amsterdam Museum
Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes MittelrheintalDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Marseille to Arles
- Marseille - Arrival day
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Welcome to France! Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Marseille. Make sure to arrive by 3 pm to board your Suite Ship, which will take you to the charming city of Arles. Enjoy your first dinner on board as we dock overnight in Arles.
Day 2 – Day 2: Arles to Avignon
- Avignon
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- L'espace Van Gogh
- Arles Amphitheatre
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Start your day with a power walk in Arles, or attend a painting workshop inspired by Vincent van Gogh. Explore the city's captivating sights, including the Roman Amphitheater. Enjoy some free time at Le Café Van Gogh before we set sail for Avignon. In the evening, join a wine lecture hosted by a Master of Wine.
Day 3 – Day 3: Exploring Avignon
- Avignon
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- Palais des Papes
- Château de Grignan
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Discover the fortress city of Avignon, visiting the magnificent Palace of the Popes. Later, take a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a taste of the Rhône wine region. Enjoy live onboard entertainment as we dock overnight in Avignon.
Day 4 – Day 4: Viviers to Tain L'Hermitage
- Tain-l'Hermitage
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- Orange Cathedral
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Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers. Choose between a hike to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host or a guided walking tour of the village. In the evening, join an onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine as we cruise to Tain L'Hermitage.
Day 5 – Day 5: Tournon to Lyon
- Lyon
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- Armenian Heritage Center
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Explore Tournon on foot or join a guided walking tour to discover one of France's oldest medieval cities and its 16th-century castle. In the afternoon, enjoy a chocolate and wine tasting onboard as we sail to Lyon, docking overnight.
Day 6 – Day 6: Lyon to Tournus
- Lyon
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- Palais de la Bourse de Lyon
- Place Bellecour
- Tour d'Oingt
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Discover Lyon, the gastronomy capital of France, with a guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Fourvière Hill and the lively cafés and monuments of Place des Terreaux. Alternatively, take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area to learn more about its wine. Enjoy live entertainment as we sail to Tournus.
Day 7 – Day 7: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
Day 7: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
- Royal Monastery of Brou
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Travel to the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region, famous for its Chardonnay vineyards. Attend a wine tasting in the cellars of a medieval castle. Later, enjoy a cheese and wine tasting onboard, hosted by your Master of Wine. We dock overnight in Chalon-sur-Saône.
Day 8 – Day 8: Beaune to Basel
- Beaune
- Basel
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- Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
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Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, a stunning example of French architecture. In the afternoon, travel by motorcoach to Basel to board your Rhine River cruise. Enjoy dinner as we set sail for Breisach.
Day 9 – Day 9: Breisach to Strasbourg
- Strasbourg
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- Freiburg Minster
- Wutach Gorge
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Join a full-day guided tour to the magical Black Forest or the charming village of Colmar. Alternatively, explore Freiburg's medieval city center. Enjoy lunch onboard as we cruise to Strasbourg, docking overnight.
Day 10 – Day 10: Strasbourg to Speyer
- Speyer
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- St Thomas Church
- Petite France
- Alsace Adventure Park
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Discover Strasbourg by bike or join a city sightseeing tour, visiting the Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral and the magical La Petite France District. Alternatively, join a guided tour along the famed Alsace Wine Route. In the evening, enjoy a food and wine pairing dinner onboard as we cruise to Speyer.
Day 11 – Day 11: Exploring Speyer
- Speyer
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- Pharmacy Museum
- Heidelberg Palace
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Enjoy a guided city tour, including a visit to the Wine Museum, or take a guided tour to Heidelberg Castle, home to the 'World's Largest Wine Barrel'. We dock overnight in Speyer.
Day 12 – Day 12: Rüdesheim to Koblenz
Day 12: Rüdesheim to Koblenz
- Kirschgarten
- Gutenberg Museum
- Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
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Enjoy a hike through Rüdesheim's picturesque vineyards or join a guided tour to the 13th-century Eberbach Monastery. Alternatively, visit the incredible Mechanical Music Museum. As we sail to Koblenz, enjoy the breathtaking views of the Rhine Gorge and the Rock of the Lorelei.
Day 13 – Day 13: Cologne to Amsterdam
- Amsterdam
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- Cologne Cathedral
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Explore Cologne like a local with a bike ride or choose a guided walking tour of the city's important Jewish heritage sites. Alternatively, take a guided city walk to see the city's iconic twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Enjoy a glass of Kolsch pale lager before we set sail for Amsterdam.
Day 14 – Day 14: Exploring Amsterdam
- Amsterdam
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- Amsterdamse Poort, Haarlem
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Start your day with an early morning walk in Amsterdam or explore the city's iconic waterways on a guided canal cruise. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring this charming city or joining an optional excursion to Zaanse Schans or a biking tour.
Day 15 – Day 15: Farewell Amsterdam
- Amsterdam - Departure day
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Your 15-day journey through the heart of Europe comes to an end. After breakfast, bid farewell to Amsterdam and take with you the unforgettable memories of this multi-day tour.
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