Rhine & Rhône Revealed for Wine Lovers (Southbound) 2024
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 15-day immersive journey through the heart of Europe, exploring the rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes of Holland, Germany, and France. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of guided excursions, leisure time, and optional activities, allowing you to tailor your experience to your interests. From the iconic canals of Amsterdam to the medieval city of Cologne, the wine country of Rüdesheim to the charming French village of Viviers, each day presents a new adventure. Enjoy local delicacies, world-class wines, and engaging cultural experiences as you cruise along the Rhine and Saône rivers. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or an outdoor enthusiast, this tour offers something for everyone.
Included
14 nights of accommodation onboard an Avalon Waterways River cruise ship
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
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
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Map
Attractions
Pont du Gard
Palais des Papes
Château de Crussol
Keukenhof Forest
Amsterdamse Poort, Haarlem
Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière
Heidelberg Palace
Wutach Gorge
Cologne Cathedral
Freiburger Rieselfeld
Château de Grignan
Gutenberg Museum
Stadtgarten Freiburg
Castle de Haar
Place Bellecour
Château de Cormatin Stephen Abragan
Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
Cologne Chocolate Museum
Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary ArtDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to Amsterdam
- Amsterdam - Arrival day
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- Keukenhof Forest
- Castle de Haar
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Begin your journey in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. Arrive by 3:30 pm and board your Suite Ship®. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your own pace. Depending on the season, you may opt for a guided tour to the Keukenhof gardens or Zaanse Schans. Enjoy your first dinner on board as we dock overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 2 – Day 2: Amsterdam to Cologne
- Amsterdam
- Cologne
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- Amsterdamse Poort, Haarlem
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Join your Adventure Host for a guided canal cruise through Amsterdam's iconic waterways. In the afternoon, choose from a variety of optional excursions or explore the city's colorful streets, galleries, and shops at your leisure. We'll then set sail for Cologne, where you'll enjoy an overnight cruise.
Day 3 – Day 3: Exploring Cologne
- Cologne
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- Cologne Cathedral
- Cologne Chocolate Museum
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Start your day with a bike ride in Cologne or choose a guided walking tour of the city's important Jewish heritage sites or its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Enjoy some free time over a glass of locally brewed Kölsch pale lager. In the evening, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment as we cruise overnight to Rüdesheim.
Day 4 – Day 4: Wine Country and Rüdesheim
Day 4: Wine Country and Rüdesheim
- Gutenberg Museum
- Welterbe Kulturlandschaft Oberes Mittelrheintal
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Sail through the breathtaking Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on your way to Rüdesheim. Take in the stunning views of ancient castles and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei. In Rüdesheim, choose between a hike through the picturesque vineyards or a guided tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum. Enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee and live entertainment on board your ship in the evening.
Day 5 – Day 5: Heidelberg to Strasbourg
- Strasbourg
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- Heidelberg Palace
- Gutenberg Museum
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Join an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, visit the captivating Gutenberg Museum to learn about the history of printing, or take a guided tour to Heidelberg Castle, home to the 'World's Largest Wine Barrel'. After a day of exploration, we cruise overnight to Strasbourg.
Day 6 – Day 6: Strasbourg to Breisach
- Strasbourg
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- Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
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Discover Strasbourg by bike or join a city sightseeing tour, including the Gothic cathedral and the magical La Petite France District. Choose a guided optional excursion to the historic Maginot Line or visit Alsace's wine country. Take some free time to visit a museum or stroll across the city center before we cruise overnight to Breisach.
Day 7 – Day 7: Breisach to Basel
- Basel
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- Wutach Gorge
- Freiburger Rieselfeld
- Stadtgarten Freiburg
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Join a full-day guided tour to the magical Black Forest, visit a local winery in Breisach for a wine tasting, or explore Freiburg's medieval city center. You may also choose to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning. We'll then cruise overnight to Basel.
Day 8 – Day 8: Beaune to Tournus
- Beaune
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- Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
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Disembark your ship in Beaune and visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital, a historical monument built in 1443. In the afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship®. We'll dock overnight in Tournus.
Day 9 – Day 9: Tournus to Trévoux
Day 9: Tournus to Trévoux
- Château de Cormatin Stephen Abragan
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Explore the charming town of Tournus, one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region. Join a lecture about wine hosted by a Master of Wine while sailing to Mâcon. In the afternoon, visit a Chardonnay cellar for a wine tasting. We'll dock overnight in Trévoux.
Day 10 – Day 10: Exploring Lyon
- Lyon
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- La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière
- Place Bellecour
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Sail to the lovely city of Lyon. Enjoy an onboard cheese and wine tasting hosted by a Master of Wine. Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike or join a guided sightseeing tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill and explore the Old Town. Attend a WWII & French Resistance Lecture on board your ship. Enjoy live entertainment after dinner and dock overnight in Lyon.
Day 11 – Day 11: Lyon to Tournon
- Lyon
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Join a culinary walk through Lyon, known as the gastronomic capital of France. Take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine. In the evening, join an onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by a Master of Wine. We'll then cruise overnight to Tournon.
Day 12 – Day 12: Tournon to Viviers
Day 12: Tournon to Viviers
- Château de Crussol
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Hike in the vineyards and take in the breathtaking views from the hills of Tournon or take a morning guided walking tour to explore the city's 16th-century castle and Roman ruins. The tour also includes a wine and chocolate tasting at the Cité du Chocolat at Valrhona. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.
Day 13 – Day 13: Viviers to Avignon
- Avignon
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Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon guided walking tour of this charming village. You'll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard as we cruise overnight to Avignon.
Day 14 – Day 14: Avignon to Arles
- Avignon
- Arles
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- Pont du Gard
- Palais des Papes
- Château de Grignan
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Join a guided sightseeing tour of the fortress city of Avignon, with its ramparts encircling the city and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes. Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region. Later, enjoy live onboard entertainment as we cruise overnight to Arles.
Day 15 – Day 15: Farewell in Arles
- Arles - Departure day
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Get your daily dose of exercise through a power walk in Arles, attend a painting workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh, or enjoy a guided walking tour of Arles, visiting the Roman Amphitheater. Take some free time to stop in Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine. Your cruise ends with breakfast the next morning. Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.
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