Rhine & Rhône Revealed with 2 Nights in French Riviera (Northbound) 2025

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Description

Summary

Starts
Nice
Duration
17 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum age
8 years

Description

Embark on a captivating multi-day tour through the heart of Europe, where breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant cultures await. From the sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera to the enchanting canals of Amsterdam, this journey promises an unforgettable experience. Explore the historic streets of Nice, the artistic allure of Arles, and the medieval charm of Avignon. Sail along the picturesque Rhône and Rhine rivers, discovering hidden gems like Viviers and Tournon. Delight in the culinary delights of Lyon and the world-renowned wines of the Mâconnais region. Immerse yourself in the cultural tapestry of Strasbourg and Heidelberg, and marvel at the architectural wonders of Cologne and Amsterdam. With luxurious accommodations, guided tours, and exquisite meals, this tour offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Join us for an extraordinary voyage through Europe's most iconic destinations.

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Included

2 nights in Nice

14 nights onboard cruise ships

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Avalon Waterways cruise ship

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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

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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

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Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director

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Destinations

Mainz - city in GermanyMainz
View of Mediterranean luxury resort and bay with yachts. Nice, Cote d'Azur, France. Nice
Amsterdam Netherlands dancing houses over river Amstel landmark in old european city spring landscape.Amsterdam
View of the Old Town of Basel with red stone Munster cathedral and the Rhine river, Switzerland.Basel
Beaune - city in FranceBeaune
Photo of traditional half-timbered houses on picturesque canals in La Petite France in the medieval fairytale town of Strasbourg, France.Strasbourg
The City of Lyon in the daytime.Lyon
Arles - city in FranceArles
Cologne Aerial view with trains move on a bridge over the Rhine River on which cargo barges and passenger ships ply. Majestic Cologne Cathedral in the background.Cologne
Avignon - city in FranceAvignon

Map

Attractions

#ILoveNICE, Vieux Nice, Nice, Maritime Alps, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Metropolitan France, France#ILoveNICE
Train de l'Ardèche
photo of Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes), once fortress and palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, at morning, Avignon, France.Palais des Papes
L'espace Van Gogh
Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune, Beaune, Côte-d'Or, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Metropolitan France, FranceHôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
Heidelberg Palace, Altstadt, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, GermanyHeidelberg Palace
Wutach Gorge, Göschweiler, Löffingen, Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Löffingen, Landkreis Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg, GermanyWutach Gorge
Photo of Cologne Cathedral, a Roman Catholic Gothic cathedral in Cologne, Germany.Cologne Cathedral
Pont du Gard Museum
photo of the Roman Arles Amphitheatre in the Old Town of Arles in France.Arles Amphitheatre
Abbaye de Cluny, R-3792878, R-2202162Cluny Abbey
Gutenberg MuseumGutenberg Museum
Église Saint-Thomas, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, Grand Est, Metropolitan France, FranceSt Thomas Church
photo of the equestrian monument of King Louis XIV in Place Bellecour at morning in Lyon, France.Place Bellecour
photo of Amsterdam Museum (Rijksmuseum) with I Amsterdam sign, Netherlands.Amsterdam Museum
Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes MittelrheintalWelterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Nice

  • Nice - Arrival day
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  • Fort de la Revère
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Welcome to the enchanting French Riviera! Begin your journey in Nice, where you have the freedom to explore the stunning Mediterranean coastline. Take in the breathtaking views and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of this iconic region.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Nice

  • Nice
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  • #ILoveNICE
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Discover the charm of Nice, the 'Queen of the French Riviera.' Enjoy a guided tour through the historic streets of Vieux Nice, where baroque architecture and vibrant culture await. Relish a delightful breakfast as you soak in the city's timeless beauty.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Arles

  • Arles
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Board your luxurious Avalon Suite Ship in Arles, where your river cruise adventure begins. Enjoy a leisurely day on board, with breakfast and dinner included, as you prepare for the captivating journey ahead.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Arles to Avignon

  • Arles
  • Avignon
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  • L'espace Van Gogh
  • Arles Amphitheatre
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Experience the artistic allure of Arles with a guided walking tour, including a visit to the Roman Amphitheater. Engage in a painting workshop inspired by Van Gogh or enjoy a power walk through the city. Savor a glass of wine at Le Café Van Gogh before sailing to Avignon, where you'll dock overnight.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Avignon

  • Avignon
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  • Pont du Gard
  • Palais des Papes
  • Pont du Gard Museum
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Explore the fortress city of Avignon with a guided tour of the Palace of the Popes. Opt for excursions to the Pont du Gard or the wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Capture the beauty of the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet and enjoy live entertainment on board as you dock overnight in Avignon.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Viviers

  • Avignon
  • Tain-l'Hermitage
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  • Orange Cathedral
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Sail leisurely to Viviers, a charming village with a rich history. Choose between a guided walking tour of the Old Town and its Romanesque cathedral or a hike up to the hilltop cathedral. Enjoy the blend of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences before an evening cruise to Tain l'Hermitage.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Tournon to Lyon

  • Lyon
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  • Train de l'Ardèche
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Explore the medieval town of Tournon with a guided walking tour or a hike to the 16th-century castle. In the afternoon, cruise to Lyon, enjoying live entertainment on board. Dock overnight in Lyon, ready to explore this vibrant city.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Lyon

  • Lyon
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  • Place Bellecour
  • Tour d'Oingt
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Discover Lyon's rich history with a guided tour from Fourvière Hill, offering panoramic views of the city. Explore the Old Town's medieval alleyways and the lively Place des Terreaux. Spend your free time cycling through the city's picturesque squares and along the riverbanks before an evening cruise to Tournus.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône

Day 9: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône

  • Royal Monastery of Brou
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Venture into the Mâconnais region to explore its renowned Chardonnay vineyards. Participate in a wine-tasting session within a medieval castle's cellars. Later, enjoy a cheese tasting on board as you cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you'll dock overnight.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Beaune to Basel

  • Beaune
  • Basel
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  • Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
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Visit the historic Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune, home to Van der Weyden's 'Last Judgment.' In the afternoon, travel to Basel to embark on your Rhine river cruise. Enjoy dinner and an evening cruise to Breisach.

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Day 11

Day 11 – Day 11: Breisach to Kehl

  • Strasbourg
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  • Schwarzwaldmuseum
  • Wutach Gorge
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Explore the Black Forest with a guided tour, including a visit to the Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum. Alternatively, enjoy a bike ride along the Rhine or explore Freiburg's medieval city center. Consider an optional excursion to Colmar before an evening cruise to Kehl.

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Day 12

Day 12 – Day 12: Strasbourg to Mainz

  • Strasbourg
  • Mainz
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  • St Thomas Church
  • Petite France
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Discover Strasbourg by bike or enjoy a guided city tour, including the Gothic cathedral and La Petite France district. Opt for excursions to the Maginot Line or Alsace's wine country. Spend free time exploring Strasbourg before an evening cruise to Mainz.

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Day 13

Day 13 – Day 13: Heidelberg to Rüdesheim

  • Mainz
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  • Heidelberg Palace
  • Gutenberg Museum
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Explore Heidelberg with a guided tour of the castle or a city walk including the Gutenberg Museum. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Rhine Valley as you sail to Rüdesheim, where you'll dock overnight.

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Day 14

Day 14 – Day 14: Rüdesheim to Koblenz

  • Mainz
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  • Gutenberg Museum
  • Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
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Delight in a guided tour of the Mechanical Music Museum or enjoy a hike through Rüdesheim's vineyards. Sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, passing the legendary Rock of the Lorelei. Spend free time in Koblenz before an evening of onboard entertainment.

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Day 15

Day 15 – Day 15: Cologne

  • Cologne
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  • Cologne Cathedral
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Explore Cologne with a guided city walk, including the iconic twin-steepled cathedral. Alternatively, discover the city's Jewish heritage sites or enjoy a bike ride like the locals. Savor a glass of Kölsch before an afternoon cruise to Amsterdam.

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Day 16

Day 16 – Day 16: Amsterdam

  • Amsterdam
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  • Amsterdam Museum
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Discover Amsterdam's charm with a guided canal cruise or a walking tour through its cobblestone streets. During tulip season, visit the Keukenhof gardens, or explore Zaanse Schans outside of tulip season. Enjoy an optional biking tour before docking overnight in Amsterdam.

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Day 17

Day 17 – Day 17: Amsterdam

  • Amsterdam - Departure day
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Conclude your unforgettable journey with a delightful breakfast in Amsterdam. Reflect on the memories made during this extraordinary multi-day tour through Europe's most captivating destinations.

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