Romantic Rhine (Northbound)

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8-Day River Cruise with Avalon Waterways

Cruise Basel to Amsterdam

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and visits France, Germany, and Holland! Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll find the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.

At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.

July 22 – 29, 2025

8 Days, 7 Nights
Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam
Cruise only

Travel: 7 Nights. 4 Countries. 1 Amazing Vacation.

Cruise: Aboard the Avalon Envision

Itinerary: View Day-by-Day Trip Itinerary

CONTACT AN AGENT

HIGHLIGHTS

AVALON ENVISION

Just envision Europe’s most spectacular views passing your panoramic window like ever-changing picture postcards. The Avalon Envision brings this dream to life as part of the youngest fleet of ships on Europe’s waterways. Avalon continues our outstanding commitment to relaxed luxury and excellence with the Envision. Passengers can choose from two full decks of award-winning Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that transform your living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. The 200-square-foot Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, with Avalon’s signature window-facing “Beds with a View.” Onboard amenities include complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access, a Fitness Center, an Adventure Center for bikes and active gear, and an Avalon Adventure Host to assist with active excursions and activities. Enjoy exceptional onboard cuisine, including Avalon Fresh menu options, premium coffee and spirits, and versatile FlexDining venues, including the casual Panorama Bistro, al fresco Sky Grill, or elegant glass-walled Dining Room. Library books, cards, and board games are favorites in the Club Lounge, and our Observation Lounge affords the perfect vantage point to watch the world go by. The expansive Sky Deck beckons with a whirlpool, premium lounge chairs, shade system, and deck games-against a backdrop of Europe’s most spectacular scenery. Can you picture it?

Itinerary

DAY 1 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION) ⌵

Embarkation

Welcome to Switzerland.

Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Zürich or Basel 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.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH

Dinner

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time.

DAY 2 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

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.
EVENING CRUISE TO KEHL

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time.

DAY 3 KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A 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 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time.

DAY 4 MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

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.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship after a short sailing to Rüdesheim.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 5 RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE - KOBLENZ

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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 6 COLOGNE

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 Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 7 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

While we include your choice of many excursions on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time.

DAY 8 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast

In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Due to “Sail Amsterdam” departure August 12, 16 & 19 will end in Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam with modifications to the itinerary.