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Avalon Waterways Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Paris & 2 Nights in London (Northbound) (WZA4)

12 days from Basel to London 
Your stunning Rhine River cruise begins in Basel, Switzerland, with stops in France, Germany, and Holland. Sail to Breisach, your starting point for an excursion to Black Forest. Then venture on to Strasbourg, France, to see its Gothic cathedral with stunning murals and stained glass.

Sail to Mainz for an excursion to Heidelberg Castle, or join your Avalon Adventure Host® for a hike up Philosophers’ Way. You can alternatively visit the Gutenberg Museum for amazing history of the early pio-neers of printing. Visit Koblenz and Cologne, and arrive in Amsterdam for a guided canal cruise through the colorful city.

Transfer by high-speed train to Paris to start your Monograms® vacation package with two nights in “The City of Light.” Your guided sightseeing with an expert guide includes a drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, followed by a Seine River cruise. Enjoy guided sightseeing of London’s iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Enjoy free time as well to explore London on your own. Monograms is with you all the way with helpful onsite support from your expert Local Hosts® in both Paris & London.

Your scenic river cruise on the Rhine River, with a Monograms vacation package in Paris and London are the perfect combination to unlock a guided European vacation of a lifetime.

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; scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; 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)-Paris, France: Travel to Paris by high-speed train (first class)

Day 9 Paris: Guided sightseeing, Seine River cruise

Day 10 Paris-London, England: Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train (standard class)

Day 11 London: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul's Cathedral (except on Sundays)

Day 12 London: Your vacation ends this morning

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 (2023)

Day 1BASEL, 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 2BREISACH, 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 3STRASBOURG, FRANCE
 A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

ACTIVE 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 4MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
 Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

ACTIVE 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 5RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
 Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

ACTIVE 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.

Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure 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

(B,L,D)
Day 6COLOGNE
 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 7AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
 Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

ACTIVE 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 8AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)–PARIS, FRANCE
 Transfer from your Avalon ship to the train station, where you begin your Monograms package. Travel to Paris by high-speed train (first class).

(B)
Day 9PARIS
 Morning Guided Sightseeing includes a drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe and a stop to take photos of the Eiffel Tower from one of the best panoramic viewing points. Also admire the heart of the city from a different perspective on a Seine River cruise. Spend a relaxing hour gliding by many of the city's most important landmarks.

(B)
Day 10PARIS–LONDON, ENGLAND
 Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train (standard class).

(B)
Day 11LONDON
 Morning Guided Sightseeing includes all of London’s landmarks. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben; Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were married; Whitehall’s mounted horseguards; the Prime Minister’s Downing Street; Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus. Then, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral (except on Sundays). Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece with its world-famous dome is an iconic feature of London’s skyline.

(B)
Day 12LONDON
 Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Gateway city for arrivals is Zürich.

Port charges:
$196

Gratuities 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.

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