Avalon Waterways Romantic Rhine (Northbound) (WZA)
8 Day River 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.
Ships:
Expression -
Vista -
Illumination -
Panorama - View - Envision
Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing
Day 1 Basel (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Breisach: Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or visit to a local winery in Breisach or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 3 Strasbourg: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite
France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 4 Mainz: Choice of guided tour of
Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or hike up Philosophers' Way, or visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
Day 5 Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge–Koblenz: Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in
Rüdesheim or hike in the vineyards with your Adventure Host; cruise through the scenic
Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the leg-endary Rock of the Lorelei; free time in Koblenz
Day 6 Cologne: Choice of 'Cologne Highlights' walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 7 Amsterdam: Choice of canal cruise or walk with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
Special Interest Departures
12/08/2024 - Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine (Northbound)
12/15/2024 - Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine (Northbound)
10/21/2025 - Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
11/04/2025 - Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
11/18/2025 - Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
12/02/2025 - Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine (Northbound)
12/09/2025 - Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine (Northbound)
12/16/2025 - Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine (Northbound)
Related Avalon Tours
WZA - Romantic Rhine (Northbound)
WZA1 - With 3 Nights in Paris & 3 Nights in London
WZA2 - With 2 Nights in Lucerne, 2 Nights In Paris & 2 Nights in London
WZA3 - With 2 Nights in Lucerne
WZA4 - With 2 Nights in Paris & 2 Nights in London
WZA5 - With 3 Nights in Lake Como & 1 Night in Lucerne & Mount Pilatus
WZA6 - With 3 Nights in Lake Como, 1 Night in Lucerne, Mount Pilatus, 2 Nights in Paris & 2 Nights in London
WAZ - Romantic Rhine (Southbound)
Itinerary (2024)
| Day 1 | BASEL, SWITZERLAND (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 (D) |
| 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 Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, 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: DISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting.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 STRASBOURG(B,L,D) |
| Day 3 | STRASBOURG, FRANCE |
| | A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ(B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG |
| | Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine BarrelACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below, 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,” OR: CLASSIC 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.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE |
| | Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR: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.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.KOBLENZTravel 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(B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | COLOGNE |
| | Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:CLASSIC 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(B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND |
| | Canals of Colorful AmsterdamACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR: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. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) |
| | Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Avalon Pricing Details
Gateway city for arrivals is Zürich.Port charges: $210Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included on Avalon portion only.Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
Avalon Notes
- 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.