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Avalon Waterways
Romantic Rhine - Amsterdam to Basel
7 night cruise from
$6,245
per-person twin-share*
Cruise Line:
Avalon Waterways
Offer Expires:
This deal expires on the
30th Jun 2025
Departure Port:
Amsterdam
Cruise Departing:
11th Nov 2025
Deal Number:
20416458
Overview:
One of Europe's most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which takes you across Germany and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten, lined with homes dating back to the city's Golden Age. Cologne, Germany a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture will be an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafes, and taverns.Pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming wine town of Rudesheim and visit the unique Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum, or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, you'll be amazed by the red-sandstone Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Before the end of your European river cruise holiday, stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany's Black Forest. Here, find unrivalled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.
Day 1 Amsterdam, Netherlands (Embarkation)
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
Overnight docking in Amsterdam (D).
Day 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam CLASSIC - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age." This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.
Afternoon/Overnight cruise to Cologne (B,L,D)
Day 3 Cologne, Germany
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. ACTIVE - Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure,
OR:
DISCOVERY - Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites,
OR:
CLASSIC - Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
Overnight cruise to Rudesheim (B,L,D)
Day 4 Rhine Gorge-Rudesheim
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country En route to Rudesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei-where the mythological siren's songs lured ill-fated sailors. ACTIVE - Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee,
OR:
DISCOVERY - Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee. Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
Afternoon/Overnight cruise to Miltenberg (B,L,D)
Day 5 Mainz, excursion to Heidelberg
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel ACTIVE - Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way,
OR:
CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing,
OR:
CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the "World's Largest Wine Barrel."
Evening /Overnight cruise to Strasbourg (B,L,D)
Day 6 Strasbourg, France
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. ACTIVE - Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host,
OR:
CLASSIC - 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. Choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line-the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace's wine country today. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city centre.
Evening/Overnight cruise to Breisach (B,L,D)
Day 7 Breisach, Germany, Excursion to Black Forest
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest DISCOVERY - Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR: DISCOVERY - Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, OR: CLASSIC - Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
Evening/Overnight cruise to Basel (B,L,D)
Day 8 Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)
What's Included:
- 7 night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel in a Panorama Suite
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches & 7 Dinners
Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Professional Cruise Director to help throughout your cruise
Complimentary bicycles available for use on shore
Friendly, English-speaking crew
Headsets for all guided shore excursions
All Gratuities onobard. - Pricing includes Travel Associates non-refundable Purple Ribbon Service Booking and Management fees of $50 per person.
.
Itinerary:
One of Europe's most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which takes you across Germany and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten, lined with homes dating back to the city's Golden Age. Cologne, Germany a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture will be an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafes, and taverns.
Pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming wine town of Rudesheim and visit the unique Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum, or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, you'll be amazed by the red-sandstone Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Before the end of your European river cruise holiday, stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany's Black Forest. Here, find unrivalled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.
Day 1 Amsterdam, Netherlands (Embarkation)
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
Overnight docking in Amsterdam (D).
Day 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam
CLASSIC - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."
This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.
Afternoon/Overnight cruise to Cologne (B,L,D)
Day 3 Cologne, Germany
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
ACTIVE - Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure,
OR:
DISCOVERY - Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites,
OR:
CLASSIC - Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
Don't miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
Overnight cruise to Rudesheim (B,L,D)
Day 4 Rhine Gorge-Rudesheim
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
En route to Rudesheim, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei-where the mythological siren's songs lured ill-fated sailors.
ACTIVE - Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee,
OR:
DISCOVERY - Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee.
Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
Afternoon/Overnight cruise to Miltenberg (B,L,D)
Day 5 Mainz, excursion to Heidelberg
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel
ACTIVE - Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way,
OR:
CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing,
OR:
CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the "World's Largest Wine Barrel."
Evening /Overnight cruise to Strasbourg (B,L,D)
Day 6 Strasbourg, France
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
ACTIVE - Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host,
OR:
CLASSIC - 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.
Choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line-the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace's wine country today. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city centre.
Evening/Overnight cruise to Breisach (B,L,D)
Day 7 Breisach, Germany, Excursion to Black Forest
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
DISCOVERY - Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:
DISCOVERY - Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
CLASSIC - Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
Evening/Overnight cruise to Basel (B,L,D)
Day 8 Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)
The above information has been obtained from the relevant suppliers and should be considered an indicative guide only as to the prices that may be available for these products. Travel Associates cannot guarantee that any particular product will still be available at the following prices, or for your exact dates of travel. At the time of making your booking, prices may differ to that price displayed on this website. Please contact a Travel Associates travel consultant to obtain the latest up to date information regarding applicable prices, fees and charges, taxes, availability, any blackout dates (such as school holidays), seasonal surcharges and other terms and conditions which may apply.
- The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
- Pricing includes Travel Associates non-refundable Purple Ribbon Service Booking and Management fees of $50 per person.
- Prices quoted valid for sale until 30 June 2025 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
- All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
- Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
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- Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
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- Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
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- Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
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