AVALON – The Upper Rhine to the City of Music – 12 days

Day 1 Zürich – Basel. Arrive in Zürich where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship in Basel for 11 nights. Before dinner is served, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)

Day 2 Strasbourg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region, is influenced by the culture of both countries. It is also the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Brewery. A local guide will show you the highlights, such as the lovely Petite France District, the Gothic Cathedral, Place Kléber and Place Gutenberg, with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion into the Alsace region is also available. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Speyer – Mannheim. Included today: Choice of excursion to Speyer or Heidelberg. After breakfast this morning, why not join the included  sightseeing tour of Speyer? An ancient imperial city, Speyer is home to an impressive Romanesque cathedral. Your tour includes a visit to the Technology Museum, home to a vast collection of locomotives and fire engines, classic cars and aircraft including a Boeing 747 and an original space shuttle. Alternatively head to the university city of Heidelberg where a Local Guide will introduce you to the imposing castle ruins, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and the Great Vat – the world’s largest wine barrel. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Wertheim. Included today: Guided walk. Enjoy a morning at leisure on board as you cruise the picturesque Main River before reaching Wertheim in the early afternoon. Wertheim is set at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers. Today’s guided walk introduces the medieval town centre. Enjoy an included tasting of local specialities before some free time at leisure to admire locally produced blown-glass ornaments or head up to the castle overlooking the town. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Würzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Surrounded by steep, verdant vineyards, Würzburg is known as the ‘Pearl of the Romantic Road’ and makes an immediate impression with views of  its 15th century Old Main Bridgeits and beautiful Marienberg Fortress. Today’s guided sightseeing tour visits the magnificent Bishop’s Residenz, home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. Later this afternoon enjoy some free time, or perhaps join the optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Bamberg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as you cruise gently up the scenic Main River. This afternoon, arrive in medieval Bamberg, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guided walking tour takes in its Old Town Hall which straddles the River Regnitz, serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions and its  breathtaking cathedral. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Nuremberg. Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to its original style. On an included guided sightseeing tour, Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches, Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and elegant patrician houses  or perhaps join the more specialised ‘Nuremberg Trials’ tour. Later this afternoon, learn more about the fascinating Main-Danube Canal at our included on board lecture. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Regensburg. Included today: Guided walk; beer tasting. Today, Cruise through picturesque Altmühltal to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided walk this afternoon include Porta Pretoria – gates to the Roman fort built in 179AD and the Old Town Hall. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town and one of Bavaria’s cultural centres. Here, you can enjoy a snack at one of Germany’s oldest restaurants, the 12th century Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). Before dinner is served, sample some of Germany’s famous beers. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Passau – Linz. Included today: Guided walk in Passau. Ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. On a guided walking tour, explore the highlights including St Stephen’s Cathedral, home to one of the world’s largest church organs with more than 17,000 pipes. Later this afternoon, cruise to Linz. Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to either Salzburg, to take in the popular ‘Sound of Music’ sights, or Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO town in the Czech Republic. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Melk – Dürnstein. Included today: Guided visit of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey; see the Stiftskirche in Dürnstein. Today is dedicated to the beautiful and romantic Wachau Valley, where many excellent Austrian wines are grown and produced. This morning, visit Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries. Later, lounge on the Sky Deck with a glass of white wine as you cruise to Dürnstein, whose blue and white Baroque Stiftskirche stands right on the river bank. Explore on your own free time or choose from a range of optional excursions. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Vienna. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Also known as the ‘City of Music’, Vienna inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Strauss and Beethoven and was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. See the impressive Vienna Opera House, the lavish Hofburg Palace,  the majestic Ring Boulevard and awe-inspiring St Stephen’s Cathedral on your included city tour with a local guide. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Apfelstrüdel or Sachertorte  in a local café. An optional concert is also available during your stay. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Vienna. Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

The Avalon experience

Included Highlights

• STRASBOURG Guided sightseeing, visit the Petite France district and the gothic cathedral
• MANNHEIM Choice of excursion to Speyer or Heidelberg
• WERTHEIM Guided walk
• WÜRZBURG Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz
• BAMBERG Guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall
• MAIN-DANUBE CANAL Cruise on the canal
• NUREMBERG Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Trials tour
• REGENSBURG Guided walk; beer tasting
• PASSAU Guided walk
• MELK Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
• DÜRNSTEIN See the Stiftskirche
• VIENNA Guided sightseeing
• 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
• Flights from London Heathrow with British Airways; regional flights at a supplement
• 11 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