Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Northbound) 2025
Description
Summary
Description
Immerse yourself in the enchanting allure of Europe with our 10-day tour, which takes you through the heart of Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. This multi-day tour is a perfect blend of history, culture, and festive cheer, offering you the chance to explore charming towns, historic landmarks, and vibrant Christmas markets. From the tranquil beauty of Lucerne to the bustling canals of Amsterdam, every day brings a new adventure. Enjoy guided tours, delicious meals, and comfortable accommodations, making your journey as enjoyable as the destinations themselves.
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 View or similar
2 nights in Lucerne
7 nights onboard
Comfort Collection BedsSM with choice of mattress firmness
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Bathrobes & slippers
Premium L'Occitane bath products
Large bathroom featuring shower with glass door
Flatscreen satellite TV with free movie channels
Individual climate control and in-room safe
USB Ports
And, much more
Avalon View: 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
Mainz
Amsterdam
StrasbourgMap
Attractions
Chapel Bridge
Jesuitenkirche Hl. Franz Xaver
Homberg tower
Lion Monument Lucerne
Amsterdamse Poort, Haarlem
Heidelberg Palace
Swiss National Museum
Cologne Cathedral
Freiburger Rieselfeld
Gutenberg Museum
Mount Pilatus
Castle de Haar
Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary ArtDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Lucerne
- Lucerne - Arrival day
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Welcome to the picturesque town of Lucerne, Switzerland. Spend the day at your leisure, exploring the charming squares, churches, and the blend of tradition and modernity. You can also indulge in some retail therapy in the city center.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Lucerne
- Lucerne
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- Chapel Bridge
- Jesuitenkirche Hl. Franz Xaver
- Homberg tower
- Lion Monument Lucerne
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Join a guided walking tour of Lucerne, visiting the poignant Lion Monument, the historic Old Town, the Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and the Jesuit Church. After the tour, enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Day 3 – Day 3: Mount Pilatus and Cruise to Breisach
- Lucerne
- Basel
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- Mount Pilatus
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Start the day with a special excursion to Mount Pilatus for breathtaking views over central Switzerland. In case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead. Later, transfer to Basel to board your Suite Ship for an overnight cruise to Breisach. Enjoy breakfast and dinner on board.
Day 4 – Day 4: Black Forest and Freiburg
- Strasbourg
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- Freiburg Minster
- Wutach Gorge
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Join a full-day guided tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood. Alternatively, explore Freiburg's medieval city center, nestled in the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley. You may also choose to visit the charming village of Colmar. Overnight cruise to Strasbourg.
Day 5 – Day 5: Christmas in Strasbourg
- Mainz
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- St Thomas Church
- Petite France
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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. Spend your free time wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. You may also choose to join a guided optional excursion to visit Alsace's wine country. Overnight cruise to Mainz.
Day 6 – Day 6: Heidelberg and Mainz
- Mainz
- Heidelberg
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- Heidelberg Palace
- Gutenberg Museum
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Enjoy a guided tour to Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the 'World's Largest Wine Barrel'. Alternatively, enjoy a guided city walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. In your free time, visit the local Christmas market. Overnight docking in Rüdesheim.
Day 7 – Day 7: Rüdesheim and Koblenz
- Koblenz
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- Gutenberg Museum
- Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
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Take a guided tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum and enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee. Spend some free time enjoying Rüdesheim's Christmas markets. En route to Koblenz, sail through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei. Enjoy free time in Koblenz to explore local Christmas markets on your own before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. Overnight docking in Koblenz.
Day 8 – Day 8: Cologne and Cruise to Amsterdam
- Amsterdam
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- Cologne Cathedral
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Take a guided city walk of Cologne, with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne's Christmas markets. In the afternoon, enjoy an onboard lecture to learn about European Christmas traditions. Overnight cruise to Amsterdam.
Day 9 – Day 9: Exploring Amsterdam
- Amsterdam
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- Amsterdamse Poort, Haarlem
- Castle de Haar
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Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a guided canal cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. With a free day to explore before your cruise ends, take time to enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition or join a guided optional excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Overnight docking in Amsterdam.
Day 10 – Day 10: Departure from Amsterdam
- Amsterdam - Departure day
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Your memorable vacation ends with breakfast this morning. We hope you enjoyed your journey through Europe's enchanting cities and landscapes and look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure.
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