One of Europe's most legendary rivers takes you across Germany and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent Rhine River cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. Cruise on its famous canals along the elegant grachten - the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city dating back to the "Golden Age." Visit Cologne, Germany - a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture-and see its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafes, and taverns.

Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge-offering 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, marvel at 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. Stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany's Black Forest. Here, find unrivaled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

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, 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)

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 - Keukenhof Gardens Visit
With more than 7 million dazzling bulb flowers creating incredible works of art, this exciting visit to Keukenhof is a true visual feast! 4h 0m

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 - Bites & Highlights of Amsterdam
Discover Amsterdam's charming Jordaan district, and taste the authentic foods the locals know and love on this enjoyable guided foodie walking tour. 3h 30m

Day 3: Cologne, Germany - Rudesheim
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 RUDESHEIM - (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: 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 Excursion
Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RUDESHEIM - (B,L,D)

Day 5: Rudesheim - Heidelberg - Strasbourg
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel

Active Excursion
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
Classic Excursion
Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, 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."

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

Day 6: Strasbourg - Breisach
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
Active Excursion
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
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 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 - Biking in Strasbourg with your Adventure Host
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host 1h 30m

Day 7: 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 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 8: 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)