Spectacular Switzerland with Romantic Rhine

Zurich Arrival

At 6 pm, meet the Tour Director and fellow travelers for a group dinner at the hotel.

Swiss Strolls in Geneva

Zurich An orientation walk in the Old Town includes a visit to the Fraumünster Church.
Biel/Bienne Free time in the historical district.
Neuchâtel Free time for lunch before continuing to Geneva.
174 mi / 280 km

City Sights Walk through Zurich’s Old Town (Altstadt), the historic center of the city. See guild houses and public squares on both sides of the Limmat River. The Fraumünster Church, with its green steeple and stained-glass windows by Chagall and Giacometti, stands along the riverbank.

Grandeur in Geneva

Geneva Guided sightseeing includes Reformation Park and a walk through the Old Town. Free time this afternoon and evening.

History and Tradition Explore Geneva's Old Town where the imposing St. Peter's Cathedral stands in the city of the Reformation. Discover fascinating stories along the small cobblestone streets and small squares, as well as secret passages. See the Parc des Bastions where giant statues of the leading figures of the Reformation are carved into the great wall – engraved with Geneva's motto, 'Post Tenebras Lux' (Light After Darkness).

How Sweet it Is

Evian-les-Bains Enjoy free time to browse.
Gruyeres Globus Local Favorite Visit the castle and enjoy lunch with local specialties and a traditional dessert with meringue and double crème.
Broc Visit Maison Cailler Swiss chocolate factory for a tasting.
87 mi / 140 km

Local Tastes Meringue a la crème and Swiss chocolate are two perfect pleasures you can’t resist! Capture the tradition of the medieval hilltop Castle of Gruyères with the double sweetness of crème and meringue. Later sink your sweet tooth into Maison Cailler’s decadent delicacies when you visit their famous chocolate factory.

Spectacular Switzerland

Gstaad Orientation walk and free time to browse.
Interlaken Free time to explore.
Grindelwald Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening.
87 mi / 140 km

Explore More Grindelwald has been attracting visitors since the 18th century, a popular hub for those wishing to explore the Bernese Oberland, an area renowned for stunning scenery and unspoilt nature. During the winter months the area is a top ski destination, and Grindelwald is Switzerland’s largest ski resort.

The Top of Europe

Grindelwald Join an excursion to the Globus Local Favorite Jungfrau Massif with a mountain train ride to the summit, Ice Palace, and receive your Jungfrau Passport. Enjoy free time to explore.

Epic Ride An unforgettable journey to the Jungfraujoch, often called the “Top of Europe.” Disembark at Europe’s highest railway station and spend time exploring. Visit the Ice Palace where artists have created incredible ice sculptures. Enjoy 360° cinematic experience of the Jungfrau Panorama and don’t miss the chance to take the ultrafast lift to the Sphinx Observatory to get a fantastic view of the longest glacier in the Alps.

Alpine Attraction

Bern Guided walking tour includes a stop at Bear Park, panoramic views of the city from the Rose Garden and the Old Town. Free time for lunch.
Lucerne Enjoy free time late this afternoon and evening.
112 mi / 180 km

City Sights BarenPark (Bear Park) is home to Pyrenean brown bears (after which the town is named). This hillside habitat in Bern differs greatly from the bear pit of 1191 when Duke Berthold V vowed to name the town after the first animal his hunt found in the nearby woods. The first records of bears being kept in the city date back to 1513 when soldiers brought live bears home as spoils of war. Fast forward to the modern day as the inhumane bear pit of the 16th century has evolved into a 6,000 square-meter natural habitat alongside the Aar River.

Bridging History

Lucerne Walking tour includes the Lion monument, the Old Town, and the Chapel Bridge. Farewell dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

City Sights See the symbol of Lucerne at the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. Originally built in 1365, the bridge includes the Wasserturm (water tower) that once served as a prison. Today, this world-famous timber bridge is Lucerne’s most photographed landmark.

Transfer from Lucerne to Basel. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.

Note: Some departures may embark in Hüningen (France), just across the river.

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

Active Excursion
Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:

Discovery Excursion
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:

Classic Excursion
Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.

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.

Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

Active Excursion
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

Classic Excursion
Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s 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.

Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

Active Excursion
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:

Classic Excursion
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:

Classic Excursion
Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

Active Excursion
Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:

Discovery Excursion
Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.

En route to Koblenz, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured 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.

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

Active Excursion
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:

Discovery Excursion
Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:

Classic Excursion
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.

Spend free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

Active Excursion
Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:

Discovery Excursion
Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:

Classic Excursion
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.

Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.