Rhine & Rhône Revealed with 2 Nights Aix-en-Provence & 2 Nights Nice for Wine Lovers 2019

19 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Nice

2019 Information

This fabulous European river cruise along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers combines the best of Holland, France, and Germany. Begin in Holland’s vibrant capital of Amsterdam, with a canal cruise through the 700-year-old city. Visit Cologne, Germany, a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral, and sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge. Strasbourg, France, located on the French-German border, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries, and Breisach, Germany, is the gateway to the unrivaled natural beauty of the Black Forest.

Taste Burgundy wines on board your ship, take an excursion to the Chardonnay wine country, and sail to Lyon, the culinary capital of France. Visit the picture-postcard Place des Terreaux fountain, choose to visit the Beaujolais region for a tasting of its famous wines. Also, visit the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, and take a guided walk of Tournon, with its Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle, followed by wine and chocolate tasting. Cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes. Sample wine in the Châteauneuf du Pape wine region, and cruise on the Rhône River to visit Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh.

A Master of Wine will join you for the second part of your European river Cruise for wine lectures, tastings, and food and wine pairing. Finally, we’ll take you by private car, minivan, or motorcoach to Nice for your final two nights in France. Here, you’ll walk through the Old Town and the Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s most famous boulevard. In your free time, perhaps take an excursion to Monaco, St. Tropez, or Cannes—known for its famous film festival. At your service is an expert Monograms Local Host® who is available to you throughout your stay in Aix-en-Provence and Nice.


Dates & Prices Get a Quote Book Online

Cruise at-a-Glance

Day 1 Amsterdam (Embarkation):Welcome receptionDay 2 Amsterdam:Canal cruiseDay 3 Cologne:Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tourDay 4 Koblenz–Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim:Guided sightseeing in Koblenz; scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; special treatDay 5 Mainz. Excursion to Heidelberg:Guided walk, visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz; guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great VatDay 6 Strasbourg:Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral Day 7 Breisach. Excursion to Black Forest:Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or guided tour in ColmarDay 8 Basel (Disembarkation)–Beaune–St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation)–Seurre:Transfer to Beaune, visit the Hôtel-Dieu, or join a wine tasting in a local cellar; onboard welcome receptionDay 9 Seurre–Mâcon:Leisurely cruising; onboard lecture about wine; free time in Mâcon or Chardonnay excursionDay 10 Lyon:Onboard wine and cheese tasting; guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill Day 11 Lyon:A free day to explore this fascinating city at leisure, or excursion to Beaujolais; onboard food & wine pairing dinnerDay 12 Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers:Guided walk in Tournon with wine and chocolate tasting, or hike in the vineyeards (weather permitting); guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedralDay 13 Avignon:Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes and excursion to Châteauneuf du PapeDay 14 Arles:Guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheatre; cruise into the Camargue region (daylight permitting)Day 15 Arles (Disembarkation)–Aix-en-Provence:Transfer to Aix-en-Provence; guided walking tour visit Cathedral of the Holy SaviourDay 16 Aix-en-Provence: Day at leisureDay 17 Aix-en-Provence–Nice:Travel to Nice by private car, minivan, or motorcoach; guided walking tour with Promenade des Anglais and the old townDay 18 Nice:Day at leisureDay 19 Nice: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
  • USB Ports
  • 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

  • FlexDining® for more venue and seating options, including flexible seating times in our Panorama Dining Room
  • Avalon Fresh® 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 at 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.
  • Enjoy a tasting menu with a view in the Panorama Bistro - a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere while lingering over several satisfying selections
  • 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)

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Amsterdam. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Your day in Amsterdam is free explore at your leisure. 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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

Day 2

(B, L, D)

AMSTERDAM

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

Classic
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age”.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Muiderslot Castle—Holland’s most beautiful, best-kept medieval castle.

You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam’s many fascinating museums or galleries.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

Day 3

(B, L, D)

COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland’s Capital City

Classic
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR:
Discovery
Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites.

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

Later local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT SAILING TO KOBLENZ

Day 4

(B, L, D)

KOBLENZ—RHINE GORGE

Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History

Classic
Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortress walls, towers, squares and monuments.

Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim. Sail past the legendary rock of the Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.

RÜDESHEIM

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

Discovery
Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience.
Discovery
Based on your departure, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM

Day 5

(B, L, D)

MAINZ—HEIDELBERG EXCURSION

Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of Wine

Classic
Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
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:
Active
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an afternoon Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG

Day 6

(B, L, D)

STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Gothic Giants, Military Marvels & Varietal Vintages

Classic
Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s 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—an impressive installation of pre-WWII defensive fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country today.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH

Day 7

(B, L, D)

BREISACH, GERMANY. BLACK FOREST EXCURSION

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest

Classic
Visit the charming village of Colmar on a Guided Tour of its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, 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 Bavarian butter-making demonstration.

Follow your visit to Colmar with a free afternoon in Breisach. Take a bike from the ship, or walk among the pastel-painted houses above the Rhine.


EVENING CRUISE TO BASEL

Day 8

(B, D)

BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)—BEAUNE—ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (EMBARKATION)—SEURRE

After breakfast drive to Beaune.

Classic
Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgment and is one of France’s architectural highlights, OR
Discovery
Visit one of the biggest cellar in Burgundy, one of France’s main wine producing areas.

This afternoon, travel to St. Jean de Losne to board your Suite Ship® with a brief evening cruise to Seurre.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN SEURRE

Day 9

(B, L, D)

MACON

Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône

Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Mâcon along the majestic Saône River.

Discovery
Onboard lecture hosted by your Master of Wine.
Discovery
Take an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar.

Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trévoux this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX

Day 10

(B, L, D)

LYON

Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France

Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.

Discovery
Enjoy a delicious Wine and Cheese tasting hosted by your Master of Wine on board your ship.
Classic
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.

Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet.

Later on board your ship, be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance Lecture, and enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

Day 11

(B, L, D)

LYON

French Food and Wine—La Vie En Rose in Lyon

Discovery
Take an excursion to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.

Enjoy a free day in Lyon, or choose a Guided Optional Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France! An optional wine blending workshop is also available.

Your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals.

Discovery
Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine.
EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON

Day 12

(B, L, D)

TOURNON/TAIN L’HERMITAG

A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards

Discovery
Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage Afterwards, enjoy a wine tasting paired with chocolate at the Cité du Chocolat at Valrhona, OR:
Active
Hike in the vineyards and take in the breathtaking views from the hills (weather permitting).
VIVIERS

World History in a Charming French Country Village

Classic
Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.
EVENING CRUISE TO AVIGNON

Day 13

(B, L, D)

AVIGNON

The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

Classic
Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes, OR:
Discovery
Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.

Alternatively take a guided Optional Excursions to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.

Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

Day 14

(B, L, D)

ARLES

Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights

Classic
Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh.

Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) to immerse yourself in a truly unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.

Take advantage of any free time remaining with a stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, to relax and watch the world go by.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

Day 15

(B)

ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)—AIX-EN-PROVENCE

Leave your Avalon vacation one day early upon disembarkation in Arles, and take the included transfer to Aix-en-Provence to join your Monograms package. Your guided walking tour includes a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, known for its interesting combination of architectural styles and The Burning Bush triptych art masterpiece by Nicolas Froment.

Day 16

(B)

AIX-EN-PROVENCE

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cézanne’s hometown. Your Local Host will help you get the most out of your stay.

Day 17

(B)

AIX-EN-PROVENCE-NICE

Travel by private car, minivan, or motorcoach to Nice. Your guided sightseeing features the Promende des Anglais, originally built in the second half of the 18th century and the most famous boulevard in Nice and a walk through the charming Old Town.

Day 18

(B)

NICE

Your Local Host has recommendations for your full day at leisure on the beautiful Côte d’Azur.

Day 19

(B)

NICE

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 becomes 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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Rhine & Rhône Revealed – Southbound

Start Sooner, Stay Longer

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

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 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.