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Reflections on the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound) 2025
12 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Lucerne
Tour Description:
Your 12-day river cruise vacation includes stays in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland—all beginning with your Avalon Rhine River cruise embarking from Amsterdam. Before sailing down the Rhine River, you’ll enjoy a guided canal cruise through the captivating capital of Holland. Next discover the beautiful cities of Nijmegen and Arnhem. 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, cafés, 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 Rüdesheim and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Frankfurt for a guided walk 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, you’ll find unrivaled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Cruise to Basel, Switzerland, to disembark from your Avalon Suite Ship® and continue your vacation with a visit to Mt. Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) and a walking tour in Lucerne. Spend two nights in this lovely Swiss setting where the Swiss Alps provide a stunning, snowcapped backdrop. Your Rhine River cruise and vacation in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.
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Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing| Day 1 Amsterdam (Embarkation): | Onboard welcome reception |
| Day 2 Amsterdam: | Choice of canal cruise or off-the-beaten path walking tour |
| Day 3 Nijmegen: | Choice of biking tour in the Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, or guided walk in Nijmegen, or guided tour of Freedom Museum; guided tour in Arnhem |
| Day 4 Cologne: | Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or guided walking tour through the Belgian Quarter, or visit and tasting at the chocolate museum |
| Day 5 Rhine Gorge-Rüdesheim: | Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or take a cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host |
| Day 6 Frankfurt: | Guided tour in Frankfurt, or explore by bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 7 Speyer. Excursion to Heidelberg: | Choice of guided walk in Speyer, or a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk the Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host |
| Day 8 Strasbourg: | Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 9 Breisach: | Choice of excursion to Black Forest or Freiburg sightseeing |
| Day 10 Basel (Disembarkation)-Swiss Alps-Lucerne: | Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead), guided walking tour in Lucerne with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge |
| Day 11 Lucerne: | Full day at leisure |
| Day 12 Lucerne: | Your vacation 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.
•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.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (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.
This afternoon, you may join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Day 2
AMSTERDAM Canals of Captivating Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
DISCOVERY Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
CLASSIC 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 or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s vibrant streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO NIJMEGEN
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 3
NIJMEGEN Wildlife and WWII Valor
ACTIVE Explore the beautiful landscape of lush fields and blue water on a bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of Nijmegen— the oldest town in the Netherlands. Learn how this city was first built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and see the archaeological Roman-era ruins in the city that was also damaged in WWII, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to the Freedom Museum in Groesbeek to experience the fascinating story of war and freedom through interactive exhibits focused on democracy and human rights.
CLASSIC This afternoon, discover Arnhem, a key site during WWII’s Operation Market Garden, and enjoy a Guided Tour featuring the city’s historical highlights and war memorials, followed by a tasting of herb and vegetable products at a medieval castle.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 4
COLOGNE, GERMANY Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
DISCOVERY Discover the people and true spirit of one of Cologne's hippest and most creative districts on this fascinating Guided Walking Tour through the Belgian Quarter, OR:
DISCOVERY Learn all about the 5,000-year history and production process behind “Brown Gold”—chocolate—on this fun hands-on Guided Tour and Tasting at Cologne’s incredible Chocolate Museum, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!
Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 5
RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
En route to Rüdesheim, 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 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. 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
FRANKFURT Charm in Frankfurt
ACTIVE Enjoy a biking experience in the city of Frankfurt with your Adventure Host, 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.
Spend free time this afternoon exploring Frankfurt on your own.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7
SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG 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 Take a Guided Tour of Speyer, see its imperial Cathedral, one of the largest and most significant Romanesque edifices in Germany, 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8
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 center.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 9
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST Winemaking and Wonderful Woods of the 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:
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, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)*–SWISS ALPS Spectacular Views in Switzerland
This morning, disembark your Avalon ship and take a motorcoach transfer which will bring you in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
CLASSIC Enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).
LUCERNE
A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking tour to explore beautiful Lucerne, which includes Thorvaldsen’s poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge.
* Some departures may disembark in Hüningen (France), just across the river
Day 11
LUCERNE Alpine Beauties
Today, enjoy a day at leisure in Lucerne. Discover the many squares and churches and how tradition and modernity stand side-by-side or spend your free time to enjoy some shopping in the city center
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 12
LUCERNE Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning
Breakfast
Breakfast Accommodations
Accommodations| Amsterdam | Amsterdam | Lucerne | Lucerne |
Westcord Jakarta
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Javakade 766 Amsterdam Netherlands
A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Javakade 766 Amsterdam Netherlands
A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
