Experience Holland, Germany and Luxembourg on this fantastic river cruise vacation. Begin in Amsterdam with an exciting cruise through its intricate network of canals. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Cologne and Trier; visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in pretty Rudesheim; cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge; and visit Reichsburg Castle above charming of Cochem and a local wine cellar in Bernkastel.
Highlights & Sightseeing
CRUISE:
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Remich in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
AMSTERDAM:
Welcome reception; canal cruise
COLOGNE:
Guided sightseeing
RUDESHEIM:
Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
RHINE GORGE:
Cruise through the gorge
COCHEM:
Visit Reichsburg Castle
BERNKASTEL:
Guided walk, local marketplace; visit a wine cellar
TRIER:
Guided sightseeing, see the Porta Nigra
Meals
Superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a welcome reception, Captain's reception, and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements
Notes:
In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
Airport Transfers:
Transfers available for purchase (included when booking air through Avalon):
Amsterdam on Arrival only, for flights arriving between 6 am and midnight It's about you. You are the reason we've used our 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships.
Panoramic windows throughout every ship. Spacious designs provide personal space. Included shore excursions with Local Guide. Headsets for shore excursions. Complimentary Wi-Fi access. Personalized room options & excursions. Highest-quality craftsmanship. Premium coffees, cappuccinos and lattes. Coffee self-serve beverage station. A lounge serving premium spirit cocktails. Maintain your routine in the fitness center. The Comfort Collection by AvalonSM. Premium L'Occitane bath amenities. Daily early- and late-riser breakfast. Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine. Complimentary juices with breakfast. Made-to-order egg station at breakfast. Complimentary soft drinks with lunch. Chef-inspired regional recipes. Four-course dinners with open seating. Choice of appetizers, soups & salads. Nightly option of entree, dessert or cheese. Complimentary regional wines at dinner. Free soft drinks or beer with dinner. Night Fare served at 10:30 p.m. Remarkable service through the cruise. English-speaking crew. Non-smoking interior. Large bathrooms - showers w/ glass doors. Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels. Spacious 3-door closets for ample storage. And, much more. Day 1 Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)
Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland's 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. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Dinner)
Day 2 Amsterdam
There is no better way to see the city than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's "Golden Age." Afterward, your river cruise vessel sets sail for Cologne. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 Cologne, Germany
Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany's largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of the magnificent gothic cathedral dominate the river skyline, and the Germano-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafes, and shops. Try a Kolsch, the favorite local beer, and shop for a bottle of "4711," the original eau de cologne. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 Rudesheim-Rhine Gorge-Koblenz
Rudesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine tour and SIEGFIRED'S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there's free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblez is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The Deutsches Eck, located on a tongue of land where the two rivers converge, holds an impressive equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 Cochem
Today we sail up the Moselle River, which rises in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and enters Germany at Trier. Visit Cochem's REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here the views of the little town nestled down below and of the river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 Bernkastel
In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKET PLACE. Wine growers in this area look after Germany's largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region's varietals. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 Trier-Remich, Luxembourg
The venerable Episcopal city of Trier is the oldest in Germany and, some claim, even older than Rome! A house on the marketplace bears the inscription, "Trier was standing 1,300 years before Rome." The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town center. Trier's most famous son was socialist revolutionary Karl Marx. This afternoon, cruise to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Remich (Disembarkation)-Paris, France
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
