AVALON 2025: Active & Discovery on the Rhine (Southbound) (WAW)
8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Basel
Fairytale settings await on every Rhine River cruise, but an Active & Discovery cruise wit Avalon immerses you in new, interactive ways. As you glide from untouched villages to touching cities throughout Holland, Germany and France, our range of excursions, from Classic to Discovery to Active options, presents the opportunity to move at your desired pace and be moved at every turn. Clifftop castles, rolling vineyards, and cobblestone lanes become even more enchanting when you experience them from the seat of a bicycle or an artist's stool. From culinary walks and beer tours to cave, castle and kayaking explorations, you choose exactly how to toast the joys of the Rhine and your moving journey on it.Move. Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:-Paddle through the canals of Amsterdam on a kayak.-Take an E-Bike tour surrounded by beautiful vineyards at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.-Follow the road less traveled on an exciting hike along Heidelberg's Philosophers' Way.And Be Moved.Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:-Discover your inner artist at an Amsterdam painting class inspired by the Dutch masters.-Explore the lava caverns on a one-of-a-kind volcano encounter below the town of Mendig.-Join a foodie tour through Strasbourg to discover the cuisine of France's Alsace region. Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely 'you' ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Rhine.
Call (847) 455-8897 for more information or to book today! Mention code 17492882
- Tour Operator
- Globus
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Amsterdam | How Suite It Is! Welcome Aboard Your Avalon Suite Ship.Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. You may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure the colorful cafes, galleries, bridges, and canals. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(D)AMSTERDAM-ZAANSE-SCHANS.jpg |
| Day 2 | Amsterdam | Colorful Canals of Amsterdam Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.ACTIVE Enjoy a Guided Kayak Tour for an adventure which will provide you a unique perspective of the 'Venice of the North' from the waters of its magnificent canals, OR: DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Class and be inspired by the masters' techniques. Paint your own canvas and discover your inner artist, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways and sites of Amsterdam.This afternoon enjoy a relaxing sailing on the Sky Deck. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DUSSELDORF(B,L,D)AMSTERDAM-KAYAKING.jpg |
| Day 3 | Dusseldorf | Avant-Garde Architecture and Amazing Altbiers ACTIVE Join a City Biking Tour to discover interesting stories about the sights and the city itself along the way, OR: DISCOVERY Experience Dusseldorf's Old Town and get an insight into its culinary diversity, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Dusseldorf. Visit the Old Town, but also discover its spectacular subway line, where each station has an individual magic character.This afternoon you might take a Guided Optional Excursion to Dusseldorf's microbreweries to try a variety of Altbiers. Later enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KOBLENZ(B,L,D)DUSSELDORF.jpg |
| Day 4 | Rhine Gorge | Fortress Walls and Manor Halls Where the Rhine and Moselle MeetJoin your Adventure Host for today's special activities.ACTIVE Take a Guided E-Bike Tour in the vineyards surrounding this beautiful city at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, OR: DISCOVERY For a unique experience, join us on an excursion to the 'Lava City' of Mendig for a Volcano Encounter, including exploring the caverns and corridors where basalt (cold lava) was mined, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a leisurely Guided Walk of ancient Koblenz, including a cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for a spectacular panoramic view. En route to Bingen, 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.DISCOVERY Enjoy an experience fit for royalty during an exclusive private reception at Rheinstein Castle.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BINGEN(B,L,D)RHINE-GORGE-RHEINSTEIN-CASTLE.jpg |
| Day 5 | Speyer | The World's Biggest Wine Barrel and Famous VineyardsACTIVE Follow the road less traveled on this exciting Guided Hike along the Philosophers' Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR: DISCOVERY Learn about the art of beer making with an entertaining and exclusive Guided Tour of four breweries in and out of Old Heidelberg, OR: 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. While visiting the city, also enjoy a tasting of local specialties.Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG(B,L,D)HEIDELBERG.jpg |
| Day 6 | Strasbourg | A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceAsk about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.ACTIVE Enjoy a walking tour along the river and explore Strasbourg's lovely European District around the Marne-Rhein Canal, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk to discover the Alsatian cuisine and traditions, so influenced by the unique history of a region, whose control alternated between Germany and France for centuries, OR:CLASSIC 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.This afternoon choose one of the Optional Excursions available.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)STRASBOURG-PETIT-FRANCE.jpg |
| Day 7 | Breisach | German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestACTIVE Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, OR: 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: CLASSIC 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.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL(B,L,D)BLACK-FOREST-SCENIC.jpg |
| Day 8 | Basel | Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.(B)BASEL-SUNRISE.jpg |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- US$ Price Details
Gateway city for departures is Zurich.Port charges:$210Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.Travel Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Avalon Waterways, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (the Traveler) and Avalon Waterways, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travelers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travelers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.
Important Notes- Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for Avalon Waterways to reserve space for you. View Terms & Conditions for limited exceptions.
- The following charges are not included in the land/cruise vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; intra-vacation air, unless specified in the itinerary; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee up to $11.20 per person, passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $4.10 per segment, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Avalon menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature.
- Additional airline-imposed fees for seat assignments may apply and are not included in your total package cost. Please refer to carrier websites for seat assignment policies and applicable pricing.
Booking your Vacation with Air
Our volume buying power saves you money. We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city. Avalon Waterways offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Early Airfare Price Guarantee locks in a price that is guaranteed not to increase. Air pricing and schedules are available approximately 330 days prior to last travel date in the itinerary. At that time the best air price will be utilized and a new invoice with the air cost and confirmed schedule will be sent. The identity of the carrier, which may include the carrier's codeshare partner, will be assigned and disclosed at this time. If the guaranteed price is the lowest, the schedule with the lowest fare per contracted classes of service will be booked. Any voluntary change to the confirmed flights negates the guaranteed price and is subject to air pricing at the time of the change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices - air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional non-refundable air deposit of $300 per person is required for Flex Air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e. air-inclusive vacation). Air can only be booked by Avalon in conjunction with a vacation package. Instant Purchase Air requires air payment in full at time of booking (i.e. air-inclusive vacation) plus a non-refundable per person service fee of $30 (North/Central America), $50 (Europe/Middle East) or $80 (all other international destinations). Once booked, Instant Purchase Air is non-refundable, and non-changeable. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option. However, once your airfare is confirmed and Avalon has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.
Air-Inclusive Vacations - Applicable Taxes & Fees
Air-inclusive vacations include government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a Total Amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply. At the time of booking your air-inclusive vacation online, carrier Websites will be provided to check baggage fees, or you can visit www.iflybags.com for up-to-date baggage pricing/restrictions. For return travel from some countries, international travelers are required to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be collected by the local government and are payable by the traveler at time of travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about these fees.
'Starting at' Disclaimer
The 'Starting at' or 'From' listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on double occupancy and any applicable 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 limited-time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.
