Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Northbound) 2025
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a magical multi-day tour through the heart of Europe, immersing yourself in the festive spirit of Christmas. This enchanting journey will take you through the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland and Germany, exploring charming cities and villages, each adorned with twinkling lights and vibrant Christmas markets. From the bustling city of Zürich to the medieval city center of Freiburg, the magical Black Forest, and the gothic cathedral of Strasbourg, this tour offers a unique blend of culture, history, and festive cheer. Savor local delicacies, explore historical sites, and soak in the festive atmosphere as you cruise through the beautiful Rhine Valley. This tour is a perfect blend of guided activities and leisure time, allowing you to customize your experience to your liking.
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
4 nights of accommodation onboard an Avalon Waterways River cruise ship
stateroom-suite: 4 night(s); Avalon Panorama: Avalon Deluxe Stateroom ,Panorama Suite ,Royal Suite, Avalon Imagery II: Avalon Deluxe Stateroom ,Panorama Suite ,Royal Suite
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
Frankfurt (Oder)
Strasbourg
Zurich
SpeyerMap
Attractions
Spalentorweg
Heidelberg Palace
Wutach Gorge
Speyer Cathedral
Freiburger Rieselfeld
Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary ArtDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Zürich/Basel - Breisach
- Zurich - Arrival day
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- Basel Town Hall
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Welcome to Switzerland! Your journey begins in either Zürich or Basel, where you must arrive by 3 pm. Once on board your Suite Ship®, take a leisurely stroll through the city center, basking in the festive illumination and indulging in Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread, sweets, and Swiss raclette. As the evening sets in, we set sail for Breisach.
Day 2 – Day 2: Breisach - Strasbourg
- Strasbourg
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- Freiburg Minster
- Sulzbach Wasserpfad
- Freiburger Rieselfeld
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Start your day with a guided tour of Freiburg’s medieval city center, nestled in the heart of the Black Forest. Later, you may choose to join a guided tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood. In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the charming village of Colmar or spend your time leisurely browsing Breisach’s lovely Christmas market. As the day ends, we cruise overnight to Strasbourg.
Day 3 – Day 3: Strasbourg - Speyer
- Strasbourg
- Speyer
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- Petite France
- Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
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Today, join us for city sightseeing in Strasbourg, including the city’s gothic cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You may choose to join a guided optional excursion in a wine country village in beautiful Alsace. Spend your free time in the afternoon strolling through the glowing winter markets of Strasbourg. As the day concludes, we set sail for Speyer.
Day 4 – Day 4: Speyer - Frankfurt
- Speyer
- Frankfurt (Oder)
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- Heidelberg Botanical Garden
- Heidelberg Palace
- Speyer Cathedral
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Begin your day with a guided tour of the magnificent Heidelberg Castle, a renaissance treasure towering above the city. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg. Alternatively, you can choose to enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights, sounds, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. As the day draws to a close, we cruise overnight to Frankfurt.
Day 5 – Day 5: Frankfurt
- Frankfurt (Oder) - Departure day
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- Frankfurt Cathedral
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Your enchanting Christmas cruise concludes in Frankfurt. After a hearty breakfast on board, prepare for your onward journey. Please ensure your flights do not depart Frankfurt airport before 10 am. We hope you take home unforgettable memories of your festive journey through the heart of Europe.
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