Active & Discovery on the Rhine – Northbound 2019

8 Day River Cruise Mainz to Amsterdam

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Explore the Rhine River from a unique perspective on Avalon Active& Discovery river cruise. With Avalon Choice, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of included excursions to match your interests and pace. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or an art lover, you’ll find the inclusions that speak to you! With Avalon Choice inclusions, you choose how to discover fascinating sites on your Rhine River cruise. Visit the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, take a guided tour in Düsseldorf to discover its spectacular subway, and taste regional wines in Eltville. In Koblenz, take a cable-car ride up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for magnificent views of the surrounding area. On board, you’ll pass through the magnif-icent Rhine Gorge and enjoy specialty dishes while cruising. Your Rhine River cruise ends in Amsterdam for a day full of activities. See the colorful corners of Amsterdam your way—from a canal cruise to a leisurely culinary walk in one of Amsterdam’s famous districts, or a guided jogging tour of the city—all at an easy pace! You might choose an in-cluded painting class, instead, to recreate the masterpieces of Dutch artists. Join us for a Rhine River cruise like no other, with more included selections for every taste, passion, and pace. Avalon Choice on Active & Discovery river cruises gives you the Active, Discovery, and Classic inclusions to see each destination your way!


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Cruise at-a-Glance

Day 1 Mainz (Embarkation):Onboard welcome receptionDay 2 Mainz–Rüdesheim:Choice of nature walk in Eltville, Eltville guided tour with wine tasting, or visit to the Eberbach Monastery; free time in RüdesheimDay 3 Rhine Gorge–Boppard–Engers:Cruise through the Rhine Gorge; choice of visit to Marksburg Castle, Volcano Tour experience with a visit to the monastery at “Maria Laach,” or Ehrenbreitstein Fortress with a ca-ble-car rideDay 4 Bonn–Cologne:Free time in Bonn; choice of jogging tour, Cologne off-the-beaten-track sightseeing, a visit to the chocolate museum, or a Cologne highlights walking tourDay 5 Düsseldorf:Choice of Bike Tour, guided city sightseeing, or guided culinary walkDay 6 Arnhem–Nijmegen:Choice of hike in the National Park, Arnhem guided sightseeing, or guided tour of Arnhem’s Kröller-Müller Museum; free time in NijmegenDay 7 Amsterdam:Choice of jogging tour, painting class, culinary walk, or canal cruiseDay 8 Amsterdam (Disembarkation):Your vacation ends this morning

Cruise YourWay

Avalon makes it easy to experience vacation your way with seamless extension options before and after your cruise. Your Way offers added nights in a selection of locales. From Budapest to Barcelona, you can spend a little or a lot more time getting to know more on shore with Your Way custom itineraries.

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Always Included

You've always forged your own path...with your own distinct perspective of looking at the world. Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind—offering expansive views and wider perspectives. That's why we've designed a cruise experience that's just a bit different.

Here are just some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships. See the Ship Amenities Section below for more information about the amenities in our fleet’s unique ships.

Throughout the Ship
Suites & Staterooms
Health & Fitness
Dining

Throughout the Ship:

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Panoramic windows
  • Elegant, contemporary design & decor
  • Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
  • Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
  • Covered Observation Lounge
  • Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day

Suites & Staterooms:

  • Comfort Collection BedsSM with choice of mattress firmness
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Premium L'Occitane bath products
  • Large bathroom featuring shower with glass door
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with free movie channels
  • Individual climate control and in-room safe
  • Complimentary bottled water daily
  • And, much more.

Health & Fitness:

  • Bikes
  • Canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
  • Maps for hiking, biking and jogging routes
  • Fitness and wellness activities
  • Fitbits®
  • All through your Avalon Adventure HostSM

Dining

  • FlexDiningSM for more venue and seating options, including flexible seating times in our Panorama Dining Room
  • Avalon FreshSM healthy cuisine options at every meal
  • Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
  • Early and Late Riser breakfast options
  • Daily full buffet breakfast with made-to-order egg station, hot and cold menu items
  • Daily lunch buffet with pasta or carving stations
  • Alternative light lunch or Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather permitting)
  • Daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches
  • Daily four-course a la carte dinner in the Panorama Dining Room with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts. Includes selections of regional recipes, Western dishes and vegetarian options.
  • Alternative Panorama Bistro dinner, featuring regional specialties and small plates
  • Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions and dinners with sparkling wine and canapés
  • Panorama Lounge featuring premium spirits and Avalon specialty cocktails, along with local entertainment special guests
  • Cocktails available on the Sky Deck
  • Fresh fruit available throughout the day

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
  • Plus independent exploration options and use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP.

Day-By-Day Itinerary

(B) = Breakfast   (L) = Lunch   (D) = Dinner

Day 1

(D)

MAINZ, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

How Suite It Is! Welcome Aboard Your Avalon Suite Ship®.

Flights into Frankfurt must arrive before 3 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

The day is yours to explore Mainz.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ

Day 2

(B, L, D)

MAINZ

Forests and Famous Vineyards

Active
Join a Guided Nature Walk along one of the Rheinsteig walking trails through Eltville’s idyllic forests and vineyards, OR:
Discovery
Join a Guided Walk through the historic Old Town of Eltville am Rhein, well known as the City of Wine, with Wine Tasting included, OR:
Classic
Discover the Romanesque Beauty of Eberbach Monastery, the location of almost all the interior scenes of the film version of Umberto Eco’s dark medieval murder mystery, “The Name of the Rose.”

Enjoy a brief cruise on your way to the picturesque village of Rüdesheim.This evening, enjoy dinner on board while cruising to Bingen.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BINGEN

Day 3

(B, L, D)

RHINE GORGE—BOPPARD

The Majestic Rhine Gorge and a Peaceful Jewel on the Rhine

Enjoy breakfast on board as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Boppard.

Active
Take a Guided Tour of Marksburg Castle, visit its battlements overlooking the Rhine, and take a scenic walk down the surrounding hillside back to your ship, 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. Also, enjoy a visit to the nearby Monastery at “Maria Laach,” OR:
Classic
Take a leisurely Guided Walk in ancient Koblenz, including a cable-car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for a spectacular panoramic view.

At day’s end, you’ll dine aboard your ship as you cruise to Engers.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ENGERS

Day 4

(B, L, D)

BONN

Beethoven’s Birthplace, Beer Gardens, and History on the Rhine

Take advantage of some free time in Bonn this morning, or choose to join an Optional Guided Excursion before sailing to Cologne while having lunch on board.

COLOGNE

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Active
For a unique view of Cologne’s history and beauty, join us on a Jogging Tour of the city, OR:
Discovery
Join an off-the-beaten-path Guided Tour to discover the quaint Belgian Quarter of Cologne, OR:
Discovery
Visit Cologne’s Chocolate Museum and learn the process of chocolate production and ancient history of this food of the gods, OR:
Classic
Take a leisurely Guided City Walk of Cologne for a view of its must-see sights, including the Old City and its soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral.

Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜSSELDORF

Day 5

(B, L, D)

DÜSSELDORF

Avant-Garde Architecture and Amazing Altbiers

Active
See the main sights in Düsseldorf’s on a biking tour. At each point, your guide will share fascinating highlights about Düsseldorf and its interesting history, OR:
Discovery
Experience Düsseldorf’s Old Town and get an insight into its culinary diversity, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Tour of Düsseldorf with a visit to the city’s Old Town, and discover its spectacular U-Bahn subway line, where each station incorporates its own magical character of innovative art, architecture, and design.

This afternoon, you might take a Guided Optional Excursion to Düsseldorf’s microbreweries to try a variety of Altbiers.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ARNHEM

Day 6

(B, L, D)

ARNHEM, HOLLAND

Wildlife, WWII Valor, and Van Gogh

Active
Go on a hike in the Hoge Veluwe National Park with a Nature Expert and discover its abundance of wildlife, including deer, wild boar and mouflon (wild sheep), OR:
Discovery
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Arnhem’s courageous past with impressive monuments and places of remembrance, OR:
Classic
Take a Guided Tour of Arnhem’s Kröller-Müller Museum with the world’s second largest Van Gogh collection.
NIJMEGEN

Delicious Dutch Specialties and Famous Mills

You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to a Windmill, or take an Optional Cooking Workshop.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

Day 7

(B, L, D)

AMSTERDAM

Colorful Amsterdam—with Canals, Crooked Houses, and Cuisine of a Golden Age

Active
See the sights of Amsterdam from a unique perspective by joining our Guided Jogging Tour of the city—all at an easy pace with stops for commentary, OR:
Discovery
Attend a Painting Class and be inspired by the masters’ techniques. Paint your own canvas and discover your inner artist, OR:
Discovery
Join a leisurely Culinary Walk in one of Amsterdam’s famous districts, where you’ll sample savory and sweet Dutch specialties, OR:
Classic
Enjoy a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways and sites of Amsterdam.

This afternoon, you might take a Guided Optional Bike Excursion through the Dutch countryside, or an Optional Kayaking Excursion. Alternatively, take an Optional Excursion to Holland’s beautiful medieval Muiderslot Castle. Spend free time strolling at leisure through the galleries and cafés of Amsterdam.

Later, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

Day 8

(B)

AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Notes

  • In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
  • Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

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Active & Discovery on the Rhine – Northbound

Start Sooner, Stay Longer

Start your vacation earlier or stay longer with destination options before or after your Avalon cruise.

Ship Details

Hotels

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyAvalon site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

No Excursions are available at this time.