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Cruise the rivers of Germany

The Rhine and Moselle

Northbound - Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Avalon Artistry II
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Leave no stone unturned at the Moselle and Rhine Rivers as you stop at interesting and unique cities in France and Germany. Discover Breisach which is known as the gateway to Germany’s famous Black Forest located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Your river cruise vacation ends in the marvelous Amsterdam where you can see the limitless beauty as you travel along in this historic city.

Day-by-Day Summary

Day 1 : Basel, Switzerland | Embark
Day 2 : Breisach, Germany | Black Forest
Day 3 : Strasbourg, France
Day 4 : Ludwigshafen, Germany | Heidelberg
Day 5 : Rüdesheim | Rhine Gorge
Day 6 : Koblenz
Day 7 : Bernkastel
Day 8 : Remich | Luxembourg
Day 9 : Trier, Germany
Day 10 : Cochem
Day 11 : Cologne
Day 12 : Amsterdam, Holland
Day 13 : Amsterdam

Highlights

  • Visit Siegfried’s Museum in Rüdesheim; cruise through the Rhine Gorge
  • Enjoy the guided walk and taste the wine at Bernkastel
  • Discover Roman Trier and see the Porta Nigra
  • Appreciate the beauty of Amsterdam through the canal cruise

Ship

Avalon Artistry II

Places Visited

Activities

Trip Type

  • Small Ship

Activity Level

Relaxed

Trip Snapshots

Cruise the rivers of Germany Stroll through romantic Strasbourg Romantic evening light over Basel Aerial View over Luxembourg City Porta Nigra, Trier, Germany River through Koblenz Germany Visit beautiful and historic Strasbourg Koblenz at night
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Day 1 Basel, Switzerland | Embark

Welcome to Basel. Your Suite Ship® is ready for boarding. Flights into Zürich must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.

Day 2 Breisach, Germany | Black Forest

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Discovery: Join a full-day guided visit 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: Visit to Badische Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany’s southernmost wine country in Baden—ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners’ process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting.

You may choose to join a guided optional excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

Day 3 Strasbourg, France

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic:  Take a city sightseeing tour, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—an impressive installation of pre-WWII defensive 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.

Day 4 Ludwigshafen, Germany | Heidelberg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.”

Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below.

You’ll have some free time to stroll or shop this afternoon before sailing to Rüdesheim.

Day 5 Rüdesheim | Rhine Gorge

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Discovery: Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.

Enjoy the breathtaking views as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Koblenz.

Day 6 Koblenz

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Take a guided city walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares, and monuments OR visit the Sayn Manor House on a guided tour.

Spend free time on a cable-car ride, or a hike to see the mountain-top Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Enjoy a leisurely walk across the town to shop or sample potato pancakes and regional wine.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

Day 7 Bernkastel

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning enjoy a leisurely sailing.

Classic: Take a guided walking tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel—with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber-framed houses.

Discovery: Join a wine tasting to experience the tradition of legendary German winemaking.

Day 8 Remich | Luxembourg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided tour of Luxembourg City—with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture along the deep gorge terrain.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

Day 9 Trier, Germany

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Take a guided sightseeing tour of Trier—Germany’s oldest city with ancient remnants dating from 144-152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra, walk through the city center OR join a history-focused Roman Trier Guided Tour to learn more about the history of Roman civilization in this Moselle River city, and visit the ruins of a 20,000-seat amphitheater and imperial baths.

Day 10 Cochem

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided walk of Cochem to see the charming town’s half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit Cochem’s hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a birds-eye-view of the Moselle Valley and river bend.

Day 11 Cologne

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Take a guided city walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.

Discovery: Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites.

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

Day 12 Amsterdam, Holland

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a guided canal cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”

During tulip season, you may take a guided optional excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a guided optional excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Alternatively, choose an optional biking tour to discover the countryside.

You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam’s many fascinating museums or galleries.

Day 13 Amsterdam

  • 1 Breakfast
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
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Avalon Artistry II

Avalon Artistry II
Avalon Artistry II
The Avalon Artistry II one of two new ships introduced by Avalon Waterways in spring 2013, the 128-passenger Avalon Artistry II sails on the Rhine river.
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Per person starting at
$5,299
Select a Date
Cat. E
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets, Extra blankets, Hairdryer, and Spacious 3-door closets.
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Cat. D
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets, Extra blankets, Hairdryer, and Spacious 3-door closets.
Select a Date
Cat. B
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, Contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. A
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets
Select a Date
Cat. P
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, Well-stocked minibar, In-room safe, Contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
Avalon Artistry II Royal Suite
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Royal Suite
Royal Suite: 300 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds,Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, Well-stocked minibar, Marble countertops in bathroom, Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony, Full shower with glass door, Luxurious mattress toppers, European-style duvets.

Notes

Throughout the Ship:
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Panoramic windows
  • Elegant, contemporary design & decor
  • Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
  • Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area, and premium lounges
  • Covered Observation Lounge
  • Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
Suites & Staterooms:
  • Comfort Collection Beds with choice of mattress firmness
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Premium L'Occitane bath products
  • Large bathroom featuring a shower with glass door
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with free movie channels
  • Individual climate control and in-room safe
  • USB Ports
  • Complimentary bottled water daily
  • And, much more.
Health & Fitness:
  • Bikes
  • Canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
  • Maps for hiking, biking, and jogging routes
  • Fitness and wellness activities
  • Fitbits®
  • All through your Avalon Adventure Host
Dining:
  • FlexDining for more venue and seating options, including flexible seating times in our Panorama Dining Room
  • Avalon Fresh healthy cuisine options at every meal
  • Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
  • Early and Late Riser breakfast options
  • Daily full buffet breakfast with made-to-order egg station, hot and cold menu items
  • Daily lunch buffet with pasta or carving stations
  • Alternative light lunch at Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather permitting)
  • Daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches
  • Daily four-course a la carte dinner in the Panorama Dining Room with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. Includes selections of regional recipes, Western dishes, and vegetarian options.
  • Enjoy a tasting menu with a view in the Panorama Bistro - a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere while lingering over several satisfying selections
  • Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions and dinners with sparkling wine and canapés
  • Panorama Lounge featuring premium spirits and Avalon specialty cocktails, along with local entertainment special guests
  • Cocktails available on the Sky Deck
  • Fresh fruit available throughout the day
Notes:
  • In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate 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.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
  • Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences.
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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
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