AVALON WATERWAYS
14 Days | Romantic Rhine with Lucerne,
Paris and London
Northbound (WZA2)

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LUCERNE TO LONDON

Day 1 | Lucerne, Switzerland. Welcome to Switzerland! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring this delightful town on the Reuss River. Your Monograms Local Host will help you get the most out of your two nights in Lucerne.

Day 2 | Lucerne. Your guided walking tour includes the poignant Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and Jesuit Church. (B)

Day 3 | Lucerne. Mount Pilatus. Basel. Embark. This morning enjoy a special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus. Journey almost 7,000 ft. (2,132 m) up for spectacular views over central Switzerland (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead). Transfer to Basel to board your Suite Ship®. (D)

Day 4 | Breisach, Germany. Excursion to the Black Forest. History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest. 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. (B,L,D)

Discovery &mdsh; 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 — Visit to Badische Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany’s southernmost wine country in Baden — ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners’ process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting.

Day 5 | Strasbourg, France. Gothic Giants, Petite France, and Varietal Vintages. 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. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center. (B,L,D)

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.

Day 6 | Ludwigshafen, Germany. Excursion to Heidelberg. Alternatively enjoy a brief cruise to Mainz this afternoon and join our included tour. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. (B,L,D)

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 a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below.

MAINZ. Turning the Pages of History.

Classic — Enjoy a Guided City Walk including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.

Day 7 | Rudesheim. Cruising the Rhine Gorge. Koblenz. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country. 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. Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. (B,L,D)

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 — OR — 

Active — Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim.

Day 8 | Cologne. Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! (B,L,D)

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.

Day 9 | Amsterdam, Holland. Canals of Colorful Amsterdam. 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 City Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. (B,L,D)

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

Day 10 | Amsterdam. Disembark. 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 11 | Paris. 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. Embark your comfortable boat near the Eiffel Tower and spend a relaxing hour gliding by many of the city's important landmarks such as the L'Institut de France; magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral where Napoleon was crowned emperor in 1804; Hôtel de Ville, the city's municipal headquarters; the Conciergerie, formerly a notorious prison where Marie-Antoinette spent the last days of her life; famous Louvre Palace and museum; and much more. (B)

Day 12 | Paris. London, England. Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train (Standard class). (B)

Day 13 | London. Morning guided sightseeing includes all of London’s famous 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. Take photos of the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel situated on the river bank, and the Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe. 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 14 | London. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents. 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. Due to “Sail Amsterdam” departure August 1 will end in Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam with modifications to the itinerary.

ROMNTIC RHINE WITH  LUCERNE, PARIS AND LONDON NORTHBOUND ITINERARY (WZAM) 14 DAYS | LUCERNE TO LONDON