Your European river cruise vacation starts in marvelous Amsterdam where there is much to see! Discover the treasures of this colorful, historic city on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city's "Golden Age." Explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River, then visit Koblenz, strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Explore the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages still standing!

Take a guided walk through the delightful marketplace, see the renaissance-era Town Hall, and taste famed Moselle wines! Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, considered the most beautiful view of the Rhine River, and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit the charming Rhine Valley wine town of Rudesheim, and visit the ruins of Heidelberg's Castle, towering magnificently over the city.

Continue your stunning European river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where a local expert will show you the red-sandstone Gothic-style 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. At the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border sits Breisach-the gateway to Germany's legendary Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Disembark your river cruise in Basel, Switzerland. Beauty, new discoveries, and delightful surprises are plentiful on your European river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers!

Day 1: Amsterdam
Welcome to Holland. Your 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, don't miss a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens-with more than seven million flowering bulbs. 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)

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options for your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your cruise.

Option - Zaanse Schans & the Symbols of Holland
Tour a working windmill, watch wooden clogs being made, and visit a cheese farm on this exciting half-day guided excursion to Zaanse Schans! 4h 0m

Day 2: Amsterdam - Cologne
Colorful Canals of Amsterdam

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
Classic Excursion
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."

This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. Alternatively spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam's many fascinating museums or galleries.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE - (B,L,D)

Option - Medieval Muiderslot Castle
From Golden Age paintings to 13th-century arms and armor, discover the wonders of Muiderslot Castle, one of Holland's most beautiful medieval castle fortresses, on this captivating half-day guided tour. 4h 0m

Option - The Netherlands on two Wheels: Into the Dutch Countryside
Pedal your way past polders, dikes, and quaint, centuries-old villages on this exhilarating guided bike tour through the beautiful Dutch countryside. 3h 0m

Day 3: Cologne - Germany
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Active Excursion
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-with its soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral.

Spend free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! Local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT SAILING TO COCHEM - (B,L,D)

Option - Biking in Cologne with your Adventure Host
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host. 2h 0m

Day 4: Cochem - Remich
The Charm of the Moselle Valley

This morning, select a Guided Optional Excursion to Eltz Castle.
Active Excursion
Bike along the Mosel river with your Adventure Host, OR
Discovery Excursion
Visit the former bunker of Germany's Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank) and immerse yourself in the underground vault where millions of German Mark were kept during the Cold War, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Walk of Cochem to see the charming town's half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit Cochem's hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird's-eye-view of the Moselle Valley and river bend.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REMICH - (B,L,D)

Option - Eltz Castle Visit
Visit one of Germany's most famous fairytale castles, magnificent 12th-century Burg Eltz, where an expert guide will reveal tales from its fascinating history, and you'll get a peek at its impressive Treasury, Armory, and collection of world-class gold and silver artworks. 4h 0m

Option - Biking in Cochem with your Adventure Host
Bike along the Mosel river with your Adventure Host 2h 0m

Day 5: Remich - Trier - Bernkastel
Ancient Worlds and Old World Charm

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
Active Excursion
Wander and Discover Trier. Follow your Adventure Host for a Walk in and around this city, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Sightseeing tour of Trier-Germany's oldest city with ancient remnants dating from 144-152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra, walk through the city center, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a history-focused Roman Trier Guided Tour to learn more about the history of Roman civilization in this Moselle River city, and visit the ruins of a 20,000-seat amphitheater, and imperial baths.

This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL - (B,L,D)

Option - Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Gibraltar of the North
Explore the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe, on this mesmerizing half-day guided excursion. 4h 30m

Day 6: Bernkastel - Koblenz
Hillside Vines and German Wines

Active Excursion
Join your Adventure Host for a hike in this beautiful area, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel-with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber-framed houses.

This afternoon, select a Guided Optional Excursion to a local winery for a wine tasting.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KOBLENZ - (B,L,D)

Option - Walking and Wines in Bernkastel
Enjoy an orientation walk of Bernkastel and wine tasting in a local winery. 1h 45m

Day 7: Koblenz - Rudesheim - Lugwigshafen
Fortress Walls and Manor Halls

Active Excursion
Explore Koblenz's Mosel side by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares and monuments, OR:
Classic Excursion
Visit the Sayn Manor House on a Guided Tour.

Enjoy the breathtaking views as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Rudesheim. RUDESHEIM - Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country. Enjoy free time this evening to explore this picturesque village.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN - (B,L,D)

Option - Biking in Koblenz with your Adventure Host
Explore Koblenz's Mosel side by bike with your Adventure Host 2h 0m

Day 8: Ludwigshafen - Speyer - Strasbourg
Philosophers' Views and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel

Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
Active Excursion
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
Classic Excursion
Discover Schwetzingen Palace-the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, OR:
Classic Excursion
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."

This afternoon a short sailing will bring you to Speyer, where you will have free time to explore at your own pace.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG - (B,L,D)

Day 9: Strasbourg - Breisach
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

Active Excursion
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a City Sightseeing Tour, including the city's Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum or stroll across the city center.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH - (B,L,D)

Option - Into the Alsace Countryside with Wine Tasting
Travel along the famed Alsace Wine Route on this enchanting half-day excursion that visits a traditional medieval Alsace village and includes a cellar tasting of the local wines. 4h 0m

Option - Defending France: The Maginot Line of WWII
Explore France's awe-inspiring WWII Maginot Line, one of the greatest networks of defensive fortifications ever built, on this guided visit through the underground barracks, storehouses, and railways. 4h 0m

Option - Strasbourg: Bites & Highlights
Discover the Alsatian cuisine and traditions, so influenced by the unique history of a region, whose control alternated between Germany and France for centuries. 2h 30m

Option - Biking in Strasbourg with your Adventure Host
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host 1h 30m

Day 10: Breisach - Basel
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

Discovery Excursion
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 Excursion
Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city center, 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 its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL - (B,L,D)

Option - Storybook Colmar, France's Little Venice
Discover the fusion of German and French culture on this wonderful guided tour through storybook Colmar, the "Little Venice" of France and capital of the Alsace wine region. 3h 30m

Day 11: Basel - Home
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Flights should not leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.

MEALS:
Brekfasts, Lunches and Dinners as indicated (B,L,D)