Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound) 2025

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Description

Summary

Starts
Amsterdam
Duration
10 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy

Description

Embark on a magical 10-day journey through the heart of Europe, soaking in the festive spirit of Christmas. This multi-day tour takes you through the picturesque landscapes of Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland. From the iconic canals of Amsterdam to the majestic Black Forest, every day is a new adventure. Explore historic windmills, gothic cathedrals, ancient castles, and world-renowned museums. Savor authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, taste the world's largest wine barrel, and immerse yourself in the vibrant Christmas markets. The tour concludes with a breathtaking excursion to Mount Pilatus, offering spectacular views over central Switzerland. This tour is a perfect blend of culture, history, nature, and festive cheer.

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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

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Avalon View or similar

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7 nights onboard cruise ship

2 nights in Lucerne

Avalon View: Deluxe Stateroom ,Panorama Suite ,Royal Suite, Avalon Envision: Avalon Deluxe Stateroom ,Panorama Suite ,Royal Suite

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Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director

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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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Destinations

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
Photo of traditional half-timbered houses on picturesque canals in La Petite France in the medieval fairytale town of Strasbourg, France.Strasbourg
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
Lucerne - town in SwitzerlandLucerne

Map

Attractions

Freiburger MünsterFreiburg Minster
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
Gutenberg MuseumGutenberg Museum
Mount Pilatus, Alpnach, Obwalden, SwitzerlandMount Pilatus
Église Saint-Thomas, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, Grand Est, Metropolitan France, FranceSt Thomas Church
Photo of Castle de Haar with the bridge in the foreground, located in Utrecht ,Netherlands.Castle de Haar
photo of Amsterdam Museum (Rijksmuseum) with I Amsterdam sign, Netherlands.Amsterdam Museum
Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes MittelrheintalWelterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
Nadelwehr Luzern, Lucerne, Luzern, SwitzerlandLucerne Needle Dam

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to Holland

  • Amsterdam - Arrival day
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  • Castle de Haar
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Arrive in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. Board your Suite Ship by 5 pm. Spend the day exploring the city or join an optional guided excursion to Zaanse Schans, a charming Dutch village known for its historic windmills. Enjoy a warm welcome dinner on board.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

  • Amsterdam
  • Cologne
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  • Amsterdam Museum
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Join your Adventure Host for a guided canal cruise. Sail past the stately homes of Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board as you cruise towards Cologne.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Celebrate in the Rhineland

  • Cologne
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  • Cologne Cathedral
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Take a guided city walk of Cologne, featuring its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Spend your free time enjoying the festive glow of Cologne's Christmas markets. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board as you cruise to Rüdesheim.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Be Merry in Wine Country

Day 4: Be Merry in Wine Country

  • Gutenberg Museum
  • Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
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Sail through the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Rhine Gorge. Visit the incredible Mechanical Music Museum and enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee. Explore the city's sparkling winter wonderlands and enjoy live entertainment on board.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel

  • Strasbourg
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  • Heidelberg Palace
  • Gutenberg Museum
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Enjoy a guided tour to Heidelberg Castle, towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the 'World's Largest Wine Barrel'. Alternatively, take a guided city walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. Cruise to Strasbourg in the evening.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Joyeux Noël in Strasbourg

  • Strasbourg
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  • St Thomas Church
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Join a city sightseeing tour, including Strasbourg's Gothic, stained-glass cathedral and the magical La Petite France District. Spend your free time wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Choose a guided optional excursion to Alsace's wine country. Cruise to Breisach in the evening.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: The Beautiful Black Forest

  • Basel
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  • Freiburg Minster
  • Wutach Gorge
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Join a full-day guided tour to the magical Black Forest or explore Freiburg's medieval city center. You may choose to join a guided optional excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar. Cruise to Basel in the evening.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Spectacular Views in Switzerland

  • Basel
  • Lucerne
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  • Mount Pilatus
  • Lucerne Needle Dam
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Disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer to Mount Pilatus. Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus for spectacular views over central Switzerland. Later, join a guided walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, including Thorvaldsen's poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Lake and Mountains

  • Lucerne
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Enjoy a day at leisure in Lucerne. Discover the city's many squares and churches or spend your free time shopping in the city center.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Farewell

  • Lucerne - Departure day
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Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Bid farewell to your fellow travelers and the beautiful city of Lucerne.

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