Your European vacation begins with a 3-night stay in Lake Como and 1 night stay in Lucerne, with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas. In Como, an included guided walking tour features the charming historic district, the Gothic Town Hall, the impressive Duomo, and a boat ride on the lake. In Lucerne, your guided walking tour includes the Chapel Bridge, and a special highlight excursion to Swiss Alps.

Embark on your Rhine River cruise through 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 visit Schwetzingen Castle. 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.

Day 1: Lake Como

Explore at your own pace

Day 2: Lake Como  (Classic Excursion Included)

Join a Guided Walking Tour which includes the charming historic center, the Broletto (Town Hall) with its fascinating gothic façade, and the imposing, marble-clad Duomo. Embark on a Boat Ride on Lake Como which includes a stop in beautiful Bellagio.

Day 3: Lake Como & Breathtaking Views

Enjoy the day at leisure to relax, recharge or explore the lakeshores. There is no shortage of ways to enjoy your free time in Lake Como! Choose a boat trip on the lake, a relaxing walk on the riverbanks or some shopping. And be sure to taste the authentic Italian specialties in a local restaurant!

Day 4: Lake Como and Lucerne, Switzerland (Classic Excursion Included)

Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour to explore beautiful Lucerne which includes famous Chapel Bridge

Day 5:  Lucerne and Swiss Alps (Classic Excursion Included)

Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding 

En route to Basel, enjoy a special Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead).

Continue to Basel to board your Suite Ship®.

Day 6: Breisach, Germany with included Excursion to Black Forest

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

Visit the Adventure Center for included activities with your Adventure Host.

Active Excursion

Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view, OR:

Classic 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.

Not included: 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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL

Day 7: Kehl with included excurion 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.

Not included: 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.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN

Day 8: Ludwighafen, Germany with 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

Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square.

This afternoon through the evening, enjoy leisurely sailing to Rüdesheim.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM

Day 9: Koblenz - Rudesheim - Rhine Gorge

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

Active Excursion

Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:

Classic 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, OR:

Discovery Excursion

Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.

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.

This evening enjoy live entertainment onboard.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

Day 10: Cologne with Included Excursions

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:

Classic 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

Day 11: Amsterdam, Holland with Included Excusions 

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

Active Excursion

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

Classic 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.”

Not Included: 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

Day 12: Amsterdam (Disembarkation)

Your vacation ends with breakfasy this morning 

Deluxe Suite (Category D/E): $5,835 per person, double occupancy.

*Deluxe Suite (Category D/E) River Only:  $3,934, per person, double occupancy

Panaramic Suites (Category B): $7,734 per person, double occupancy.

*Panoramic Suite (Category B) River Only:  $5833, per person, double occupancy

Panaramic Suites (Category A): $7,834 per person, double occupancy.

*Panoramic Suite (Category A) River Only:  $5,933 per person, double occupancy

Panaramic Suites (Category P): $7,884 per person, double occupancy.

*Panoramic Suite (Category P) River Only:  $5,983, per person, double occupancy

Payment Details 

• $250 Non-Refundable Deposit Due: March 19, 2026
• Final Payment Due: June 17, 2026
• Payment Installments Available

Includes: 

• Classic, Active and Discovery Excursions listed in the intineray 
• Hotels with breakfast in Lake Como, Lucerne
• Port Fees
• Pre Paid Gratuities
• $750 per person credit.  
• Meals and drinks are included while aboard the Avalon Vista.  

Not Included:

• Flights 
• Extra Night Hotel Stays (Pre and Post Cruise) 
• Travel Protections
• Optional Excursions

Avalon Waterways includes Active, Classic, and Discovery Excursions to accommodate your travel style and desired activity level.

CLASSIC

A local expert is ready to guide your clients through the history and heritage of local destinations and the "must see" sites.

DISCOVERY

Inspiring and interactive hands-on activities designed to speak to your clients' interests - they spend their day immersing themselves in the destination’s unique culture.

ACTIVE

Embark on energetic excursions keeping them in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour, to biking, paddling, and hiking their way through scenic locales.

All excursion groups are small (<25).

You do have the option to add on excursions that are of special interest

Italy

Switzerland

Germany

France

Netherlands