AVALON – Romantic Rhine – Amsterdam to Zürich – 8 days
Call River Cruise Tours free to book 0800 612 5677 and receive a free case of wine. PLUS we have no credit card fees!
Introduction
Romantic Rhine River cruises are sure to be enchanting. Avalon Waterways Rhine cruise holidays include guided sightseeing in Cologne, Koblenz and Strasbourg, a visit to beautiful Heidelberg, a cruise on the canals of Amsterdam and a chance to sample Riesling wines in Rüdesheim. Avalon Waterways cruise ships also sail through the remarkable Rhine Gorge to view the legendary Lorelei Rock.
Day 1 Amsterdam. Fly to Amsterdam where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for seven nights and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)
Day 2 Amsterdam. Included today: Canal cruise. Holland’s delightful 700-year-old capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s ‘Golden Age’. Later, set sail for Cologne. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Cologne. Included today: Choice of Guided city walk or Jewish Cologne tour. Cologne is one of Germany’s largest cities, with a river skyline dominated by the soaring twin spires of its magnificent gothic cathedral. This afternoon, choose between an included Guided City Walk or a ‘Jewish Cologne’ tour. The Old Town offers up a great choice of cafés, shops and taverns so be sure to try a Kölsch in one of the many taverns and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original ‘eau de cologne’. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Koblenz – Rhine Gorge – Rüdesheim. Included today: Guided sightseeing in Koblenz; cruise the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Overlooking the Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, 2,000 year old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre of the Middle Rhine region. After a walking tour with a local guide, cruise the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river where quaint, fairytale castles stand sentry on the steep, terraced banks. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Reaching Rüdesheim, enjoy a visit to the fascinating Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and free time to explore the Drosselgasse. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Excursions to Mainz & Heidelberg. Included today: Mainz guided walk and Gutenberg Museum visit, Heidelberg Castle visit. Situated on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany’s largest and most important wine town. Join your Local Guide for a Guided Walk through the Old Town to see the Carnival Fountain on the Schillerplatz and visit the Gutenberg Museum, a tribute to Gutenberg, father of modern printing, who was born here. After lunch, head to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany. With a Local Guide, visit the imposing castle ruins, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and see the Great Vat – the world’s largest wine barrel. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Strasbourg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights include the Gothic Cathedral, the lovely Petite France district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available. After dinner tonight, enjoy an onboard woodcarving demonstration. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Breisach. Included today: Excursion to the Black Forest. Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border, Breisach is the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest region, an area of unrivalled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. The region is best known for its cuckoo clocks, Black Forest ham and Black Forest Gateaux. Perhaps visit the workshop of a local wood carver and clock maker, or visit the open-air Museum of Vogtbauernhof to see how life was lived in this area centuries ago. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Basel – Zürich. Disembark your ship and transfer to Zürich airport for your flight to the UK. (B)
Price & dates
All prices and supplements are per person. The prices and departure dates listed in the table below do not show live availability therefore may not be up-to-date. To find out the latest availability please call us on 0800 612 5677 for information.
| Departure Date | Booking Code | Your Ship | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Apr 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £1955 | SOLD OUT |
| 07 Apr 2015 | WAZ3 | Avalon Expression | £1285 | |
| 11 Apr 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2055 | SOLD OUT |
| 14 Apr 2015 | WAZ5 | Avalon Artistry II | £2129 | |
| 19 Apr 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2181 | SOLD OUT |
| 25 Apr 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2184 | Limited Availability |
| 02 May 2015 | WAZ | Avalon Visionary | £2258 | SOLD OUT |
| 03 May 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2259 | |
| 07 May 2015 | WAZ1 | Avalon Affinity | £1279 | Includes saving of at least £1,000 per person |
| 09 May 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2315 | Limited Availability |
| 17 May 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2328 | |
| 21 May 2015 | WAZ1 | Avalon Affinity | £1335 | Includes saving of at least £1,000 per person |
| 23 May 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2358 | |
| 31 May 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2359 | |
| 06 Jun 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2299 | Limited Availability |
| 09 Jun 2015 | WAZ1 | Avalon Affinity | £2298 | Limited Availability |
| 14 Jun 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2299 | |
| 20 Jun 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2329 | Limited Availability |
| 28 Jun 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2299 | Limited Availability |
| 04 Jul 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2230 | Limited Availability |
| 12 Jul 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2247 | Limited Availability |
| 18 Jul 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2277 | Limited availability |
| 26 Jul 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2277 | Limited availabiliy |
| 01 Aug 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2259 | SOLD OUT |
| 07 Aug 2015 | WAZ1 | Avalon Affinity | £2259 | |
| 09 Aug 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2229 | Limited Availability |
| 15 Aug 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2259 | |
| 29 Aug 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2284 | Limited Availability |
| 06 Sep 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2348 | |
| 09 Sep 2015 | WAZ1 | Avalon Affinity | £2348 | Limited Availability |
| 12 Sep 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2349 | Limited Availability |
| 20 Sep 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2348 | Limited Availability |
| 26 Sep 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2315 | SOLD OUT |
| 02 Oct 2015 | WAZ5 | Avalon Artistry II | £1285 | |
| 04 Oct 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2219 | |
| 10 Oct 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2155 | Limited Availability |
| 16 Oct 2015 | WAZ5 | Avalon Artistry II | £2159 | |
| 18 Oct 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £2150 | Limited Availability |
| 24 Oct 2015 | WAZ4 | Avalon Tranquility II | £2100 | |
| 01 Nov 2015 | WAZ2 | Avalon Felicity | £1955 |
Save at least £1,000 per person on sailings 7 and 21 May/ Prices shown include savings and are subject to availability
Upgrade supplements
| Category | Deck | Felicity Affinity |
Expression, Tranquility II, Visionary, Artistry II |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Indigo | – – – | £115 |
| B | Sapphire | £375 | £545 |
| A | Sapphire | £405 | £575 |
| P | Royal | £465 | £639 |
| Suite | Royal | £815 | £1049 |
Travel Options
Prices are based on flights from Heathrow with British Airways. Flights are also available at a supplement from Aberdeen,Birmingham,Bristol,Cardiff, Durham Teesside,Edinburgh,Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford,Manchester,Newcastle and Norwich.
The Avalon experience
Included Highlights
- AMSTERDAM Canal cruise
- COLOGNE Choice of guided walk or Jewish Cologne Tour
- KOBLENZ Guided sightseeing
- RHINE GORGE Cruise through the gorge
- RÜDESHEIM Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- MAINZ Visit the Gutenberg Museum
- HEIDELBERG excursion
- STRASBOURG Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; onboard wood carving demonstration
- BREISACH Excursion to the Black Forest or visit a Black Forest open-air museum
- WELCOME RECEPTION, CAPTAIN’S RECEPTION AND FAREWELL DINNER
Included in the price
- Private door-to-door home pick-up service by executive car for you and your travelling companions within 75 miles of your chosen airport or station.
- Flights from London Heathrow with British Airways; regional flights at a supplement
- 7 nights deluxe accommodation in a spacious stateroom with hotel-style beds, ensuite facilities and river views. Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors and a French Balcony in most staterooms
- All meals on board including full breakfast, buffet lunch and waiter service dinner with quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions; afternoon tea with cakes and sweet treats; a choice of teas and coffees throughout the day
- Included excursions and sightseeing trips with Local Guides and a choice of optional tours; headsets provided on excursions
- Services of an experienced Cruise Director
- Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew
- On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music
- Welcome reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner
- All transfers, local port charges and airport taxes
- A choice of pre- or post- holiday extensions