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2023 Season

Rhine & Rhône Revealed for Wine Lovers (Northbound)


cruise: WLA-T2
15 Day River Cruise Arles to Amsterdam
Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous European river cruise vacation along the Rhône and Rhine Rivers. Take photos of the spectacular views that capture the romance and splendor of this magical journey. A Master of Wine will accompany you on your river cruise in France with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.

Your French river cruise vacation begins in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world—and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. The city of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards, where you’ll take a guided walk in this medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. In Lyon, take a guided tour to Beaujolais and the following day to Chardonnay, where you will have the opportunity to taste local wines.

Transfer from Chalon-sur-Saône to embark on your Rhine River cruise from Basel, Switzerland. You’ll stop in Breisach, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, well known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and cuckoo clocks. In Strasbourg, France, stroll through the picturesque La Petite France district. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s castle or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Your last stop in Germany is Cologne, where a guided walk shows you the highlights of this 2,000-year-old city. A stay in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam is the perfect way to conclude this sensational European river cruise. And the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age."

About Masters of Wine
Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honored to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognized globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!

cruise

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Day 1 Arles (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture about wine

Day 3 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes; guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape

Day 4 Viviers: Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral, or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard food and wine pairing dinner

Day 5 Tournon: Choice of guided walk in Tournon or hike with your Adventure Host; onboard chocolate and wine tasting

Day 6 Lyon: Guided sightseeing, picture stop on Fourvière Hill; guided tour to Beaujolais

Day 7 Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône: Chardonnay excursion with tasting; onboard cheese and wine tasting

Day 8 Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)-Beaune-Basel (Embarkation): Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; transfer to Basel; onboard welcome reception

Day 9 Breisach: Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or visit to a local winery in Breisach or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 10 Strasbourg: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 11 Mainz: Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or walk Philosophers’ Way with your Adventure Host, or visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz

Day 12 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 legendary Rock of the Lorelei; free time in Koblenz

Day 13 Cologne: Choice of “Cologne Highlights” walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 14 Amsterdam: Choice of canal cruise or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 15 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning

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. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises. 

Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.

The "Starting at" or "From" listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on double occupancy and any applicable non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes limited-time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.