Discover highlights of western Europe on this 14-day journey that combines a Rhine River cruise with land-based exploration of some of the world's most famous cities. Spend two days exploring beautiful Lucerne, Switzerland before venturing to Basel to board Avalon Panorama and set off on your voyage. Choose your preferred excursion between visiting the famous Black Forest or a calming visit to Badischer Winzerkeller. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Marvel at the soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral in Cologne before disembarking in Amsterdam, where you may take a guided optional excursion to Keukenhof Gardens during tulip season. Continue on to Paris and London for days of exploration.
Highlights
Tour Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim
Join an excursion to see the unrivaled natural beauty of the Black Forest
Enjoy the delightful town on the Reuss River in Lucerne
Explore the Heidelberg Castle, Great Vat or Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
Enjoy guided land-based exploration in Lucerne, Paris, and London
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Welcome to Switzerland! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring this delightful town on the Reuss River. Your Monograms Local Host will help you get the most out of your two nights in Lucerne.
Day 2: Lucerne, Switzerland
1 Breakfast
Your guided walking tour includes the poignant Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and Jesuit Church.
This morning enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest. Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
Discovery: Join a full-day Guided Tour 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:
Discovery: Visit to Badischer Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Learn about German winemaking in the vineyards of Baden, and enjoy a wine tasting.
Classic: Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’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—the pre-WWII 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.
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,” OR:
Active: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR:
Classic: Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
Discovery: Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR:
Active: Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim.
Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.
Koblenz
Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History. Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
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. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside.
Day 10: Amsterdam | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Transfer from your Avalon ship to the train station, where you begin your Monograms package.
Travel to Paris by high-speed train (First class).
Day 11-12: Paris, France
2 Breakfasts
Morning guided sightseeing includes a drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe and a stop to take photos of the Eiffel Tower from one of the best panoramic viewing points. Also admire the heart of the city from a different perspective on a Seine River cruise. Embark your comfortable boat near the Eiffel Tower and spend a relaxing hour gliding by many of the city's important landmarks such as the L'Institut de France; Notre Dame Cathedral; Hôtel de Ville, the city's municipal headquarters; the Conciergerie, formerly a notorious prison where Marie-Antoinette spent the last days of her life; famous Louvre Palace and museum; and much more.
Day 13-14: London, United Kingdom
2 Breakfasts
Morning guided sightseeing includes all of London’s famous landmarks. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben; Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were married; Whitehall’s mounted horseguards; the Prime Minister’s Downing Street; Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus. Then, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral (except on Sundays). Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece with its world-famous dome is an iconic feature of London’s skyline.
This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Rhine River Cruises.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure 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, Extra blankets, and Hairdryer
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, Extra blankets, and Hairdryer.
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 bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets, Extra blankets, and Hairdryer
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 bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets, Extra blankets, Hairdryer, and Spacious 3-door closets.
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
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, In-room safe, Elegant, contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Double sinks, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets, Extra blankets.
Initial deposit is $250pp, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover/Novus, and American Express. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
8 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, maps, canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
Wifi
Complimentary fresh fruit available daily
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
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
Panoramic windows
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or on board your vessel
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Franny has been such an amazing help with all my trip planning. This is our 3rd trip to plan with her and she is always so willing to assist and find the best deals for my family and friends.
Suzanne Turbyfill
3 days ago
Our advisor at Adventure Life, Mary Curry, was knowledgable and quick to respond with answers to any questions we had. She made our booking efficiently and set up a time for us to make a secure payment through her directly. We’ve used Adventure Life repeatedly and would definitely recommend it.
Sarika FREY
3 days ago
Very efficient and responsive.
Patricia
4 days ago
I selected Adventure Travel as I was not satisfied with the responsiveness of the agent for the cruise I was trying to book and it had good recommendations. So far, I am quite happy with my agent, Betty, very responsive and accommodating.
charles
4 days ago
Jess was great. Our plans changed and we had to make some adjustments and she was super helpful. Finding us a cost-effective alternative to our original trip plan.