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2023 Season

Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights Lucerne (Northbound)


cruise: WZA3-T1
10 days from Lucerne to Amsterdam
You’ll start your European vacation with a 2 night stay in Lucerne, Switzerland. Enjoy a guided walking tour in-cluding the Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, Jesuit Church, and a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus.

Your winter wonderland river cruise on the Rhine will commence in Basel, Switzerland, with stops in France, Germany, and Holland. Each town is festively lit and decorated and strains of Christmas carols fill the air. You’ll sail to Breisach, your starting point for an excursion to Black Forest. Then venture on to Strasbourg, France, to see its Gothic cathedral with stunning murals and stained-glass and home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe and its centerpiece is a giant Christmas tree.

Sail to Mainz for an excursion to Heidelberg Castle. You can alternatively visit the Gutenberg Museum for amazing history of the early pioneers of printing. Sail to Rüdesheim and be enthralled by the life-size figures of Europe’s largest nativity scene on the Market Square, before gliding through the spectacular Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. You’ll visit Koblenz and Cologne–your last stop in Germany. Here, wander through the Christmas market, try some traditional Lebkuchen and get some inner warmth with a cup of Glühwein. Arrive in Amsterdam for a guided canal cruise through the colorful city.

Your scenic river cruise on the Rhine River, and Monograms vacation package in Switzerland are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.

cruise

at-a-glance


Day 1 Lucerne, Switzerland: Welcome to Switzerland

Day 2 Lucerne: Guided walking tour with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge

Day 3 Lucerne, Mount Pilatus-Basel (Embarkation): Excursion to Mount Pilatus (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); onboard welcome reception

Day 4 Breisach: Black Forest Exursion or visit to a local winery in Breisach

Day 5 Strasbourg: Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral

Day 6 Excursion to Heidelberg. Mainz: Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or guided walk in Mainz with visit of the Gutenberg Museum; Christmas market

Day 7 Rüdesheim-Rhine Gorge-Koblenz: Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; Christmas market; cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; Christmas market

Day 8 Cologne: Guided walk; Christmas market

Day 9 Amsterdam: Canal cruise

Day 10 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises. 

Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.

The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.