German Grandeur (Eastbound) 2025
| Day 1 Basel (Embarkation): | Onboard welcome reception |
| Day 2 Breisach: | Choice of excursion to Black Forest or Freiburg guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 3 Strasbourg: | Choice of guided tour, visit to La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or visit to Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 4 Rüdesheim-Rhine Gorge-Boppard: | Choice of visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim, or a hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge; time at leisure in Boppard |
| Day 5 Frankfurt: | In Frankfurt choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host or guided tour in Seligenstadt |
| Day 6 Main River Village: | Guided walking tour |
| Day 7 Würzburg: | Choice of guided tour, visit to the Bishop’s Residenz or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 8 Bamberg: | Choice of guided tour, see the Old Town Hall or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 9 Nuremberg (Disembarkation): | Your cruise ends this morning |
Notes:- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Day 1
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)* Welcome to Switzerland! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board as you sail to Breisach.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
* Some departures may embark in Hüningen (France), just across the river
Day 2
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:
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:
CLASSIC 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 3
STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a City Tour of Strasbourg’s sights, including its 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 RÜDESHEIM
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 4
RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY–RHINE GORGE Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
ACTIVE Take an open-air Cable Car Ride to the Niederwald Monument, then ride or walk back down through the vineyards; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:
DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.
This afternoon, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you pass through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Boppard.
BOPPARD
A Peaceful Jewel in the Rhine Gorge
Enjoy some free time to relax, or explore the Rheinallee Promenade for delicatessen fare with a cup of German coffee or glass of Riesling wine.
Later, enjoy onboard entertainment while sailing to Frankfurt.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 5
FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO SELIGENSTADT Charm in Frankfurt
ACTIVE Enjoy a biking experience in the city of Frankfurt with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour to Seligenstadt—one of Germany’s oldest towns and home to the Einhard Basilika—dubbed “minor basilica” in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city’s cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambience of quaint neighborhoods.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 6
MAIN RIVER VILLAGE Beauty on the Main River
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 7
WÜRZBURG A Perfect Day in the Pearl of the Romantic Road
ACTIVE Explore Würzburg's charm by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists.
Enjoy live entertainment on board as you set sail for Bamberg.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 8
BAMBERG The City of Seven Hills
ACTIVE Your bike is ready! Hop on and bike along the canals in Bamberg with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.
After the tour, spend free time with a glass of German-style Rauchbier (smoked beer).
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 9
NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends this morning with breakfast.
Flights shouldn’t leave Nuremberg airport before 10 am
Radisson Blu Airport
Superior First-Class
Zuerich Flughafen Zurich Switzerland
This modern, stylish hotel 330-room property conveniently offers direct access to the airport terminal, the perfect location for arrivals & departures. Dining options include an Italian restaurant specializing in fresh Italian dishes crafted with a modern twist and a Grill restaurant offering seafood and steaks dishes prepared in an open kitchen. The atrium bar has a 16m-high glass wine tower with over 4,000 bottles of wine and champagne and the outdoor terrace is the place for cocktails and light bites. Other amenities include two fitness centers (one on site and one at the airport), a hammam, as well as a sauna set in a plane's cockpit. Free internet access is available throughout the entire hotel.
Le Meridien Grand Hotel
Superior First-Class
Bahnhofstrasse 1-3 Nuremberg Germany
With the lustrous flair of a classic grand hotel, enhanced with state-of-the-art technology and convenient features, this 190 room historic legend has been hosting international luminaries for almost 125 years. Located in the heart of the ancient city centre, museums, shops, the city's famous market and the Imperial Castle are all just a short stroll away. All air-conditioned guest rooms feature flat screen TVs, in-room safes, Free Wi-Fi Internet access, USB mobile charging ports and elegant Art Nouveau-style marble bathrooms which skillfully highlight the fusion of classic and modern style. There is a Brasserie style restaurant serving authentic German cuisine as well as an Art Deco-style Atelier bar/lounge offering 1920s charm and a large selection of drinks and cocktails.