DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

Meals

Breakfast: 18 Lunch: 12 Dinner: 14

Transport

State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities

Accommodation

Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds

HighLights

Freiburg
Strasbourg
Rhine Gorge
Heidelberg
Paris

DAY 1: LAKE COMO, ITALY
Welcome to Italy! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Lake Como and its surroundings at your own pace.
DAY 2: LAKE COMO
Historic Centre and Gothic Style CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour which includes the charming historic centre, the Broletto (Town Hall) with its fascinating gothic facade, and the imposing, marble-clad Duomo. Embark on a Boat Ride on Lake Como which includes a stop in beautiful Bellagio. (B)
DAY 3: LAKE COMO
Breathtaking Views Enjoy the day at leisure to relax, recharge or explore the lakeshores. There is no shortage of ways to enjoy your free time in Lake Como! Choose a boat trip on the lake, a relaxing walk on the riverbanks or some shopping. And be sure to taste the authentic Italian specialties in a local restaurant! (B)
DAY 4: LAKE COMO-LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
A Historic Bridge and Heart of a Lion Travel to Lucerne. CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour to explore beautiful Lucerne which includes Thorvaldsen's poignant Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge. (B)
DAY 5: LUCERNE-SWISS ALPS-BASEL (EMBARKATION)
Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding CLASSIC This morning, enjoy a special Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) 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. EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,D)
DAY 6: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest Visit the Adventure Centre 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: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley. 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 KEHL (B,L,D)
DAY 7: KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, 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 centre. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ (B,L,D)
DAY 8: MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, 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. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship after a short sailing to Rudesheim. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)
DAY 9: RUDESHEIM-RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim, OR: DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer coffee. En route to Koblenz, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei-where the mythological siren's songs lured ill-fated sailors. KOBLENZ 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 10: COLOGNE
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 Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
DAY 11: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colourful Amsterdam ACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR: DISCOVERY Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, 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 colourful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)
DAY 12: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) -PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION)
On to Paris! This morning, board a high-speed train for Paris to embark on your Avalon Suite Ship and enjoy dinner onboard this evening. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON (B,D)
DAY 13: VERNON
Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crepes du Jour Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet's charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces*, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle-called "Normandy's Versailles" for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables. DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crepes, followed by an onboard history presentation. This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. LES ANDELYS Serenity on the Seine ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Chateau Gaillard-historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys-one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC (B,L,D)
DAY 14: CAUDEBEC
Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Join a guided excursion to a V-1 flying bomb launch site, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route-where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine. This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur. DISCOVERY Onboard lecture about WWII hosted by your history expert. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC (B,L,D)
DAY 15: CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY
Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach centre, and the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Join "A Taste of Normandy" Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados at a local distillery. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN (B,L,D)
DAY 16: ROUEN
The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser-known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guide Tour to visit Dieppe, where Operation Jubilee (Dieppe Raid) took place during WWII, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen-site of Saint Joan of Arc's martyrdom-and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. DISCOVERY Onboard history lecture hosted by your history expert. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS (B,L,D)
DAY 17: CONFLANS
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Chateau de Malmaison*-home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles-home to a succession of French kings. EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS (B,L,D) * Chateau de Malmaison is closed the 1st Monday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Chateau de Chantilly
DAY 18: PARIS
Cafes, Cathedrals, and Canvases in the City of Light Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. ACTIVE Experience the Seine River by foot with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Take a WWII tour of Paris which will include a visit to the museum of Les Invalides, dedicated to the Ordre de la Liberation which was created in 1940 by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, OR: CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Ile de la Cite, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, and the famous Champs-Elysees. Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary cafe on the Left Bank. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS (B,L,D)
DAY 19: PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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BookDates & Prices

Immerse yourself in German and French culture on this fabulous Europe river cruise holiday along the Seine and Rhine Rivers. Revel in the romance and splendor of this magical journey on two of Europe’s most legendary waterways.

You’ll start your European holiday with a 3-night stay in Lake Como and 1 night stay in Lucerne, with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas. In Como, an included guided walking tour features the charming historic district, the Gothic Town Hall, the impressive Duomo, and a boat ride on the lake. In Lucerne, your guided walking tour includes the Lion Monument, the Chapel Bridge, and a special highlight excursion to Swiss Alps. Next, transfer to Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Strasbourg, France, located on the French-German border, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. 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. Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city best known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral, comes alive on a guided walk. Continue to Amsterdam, the modern capital of Holland. You’ll sail from Paris to Vernon with your choice of two included excursions—a guided visit to master impressionist Claude Monet’s home and gardens at Giverny, or a guided tour of the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” You’ll sail through the picturesque and historic landscapes of Normandy, with the choice to visit the historic sites of the famed WWII landing beaches, and moving monuments to Allied forces, or you may explore the farming region for a “Taste of Normandy.”

In Rouen, site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom, take a guided walk through the medieval quarter and visit the Gothic Rouen Cathedral—once the tallest building in the world. From Conflans, join in an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Auvers-Sur-Oise—inspired setting for several famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh—or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. Your Seine River cruise returns to Paris with more time to explore the romantic city. Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour to see its iconic landmarks, including the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more, or take a tour focused on WWII and visit the museum of Les Invalides.

Traveller Notes
Departure July 3rd will operate the itinerary on the Seine in a revised order: Day 1 to 12 as per regular program, Day 13 Paris, Day 14 Conflans, Day 15 Les Andelys-Rouen, Day 16 Caudebec, Day 17 Caudebec. Normandy excursions, Day 18 Vernon, Day 19 Paris

Map

Leisurely On the go

I want to travel in

2026

Days

Countries

Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands

Meals

18breakfasts;

12lunches;

14dinners;

Transport

State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities

Accommodation

Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds

Tour Code

WZP1X

Price

*Price per person, based on Twin occupancy for 22 May 2026 departure

CAT D

Highlights

Freiburg

Strasbourg

Rhine Gorge

Heidelberg

Paris

Itinerary

EXPAND ALL DAYS

Day 1

LAKE COMO, ITALY

Welcome to Italy! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Lake Como and its surroundings at your own pace.

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 0, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

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The Cruising Experience

Timeless Rivers Of Europe: The Rhine And Seine With Swiss Alps, Lake Como & Lucerne (Wwii History)

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Itinerary

LAKE COMO, ITALY

INCLUDED MEALS

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LAKE COMO

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

LAKE COMO

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

LAKE COMO-LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

LUCERNE-SWISS ALPS-BASEL (EMBARKATION)

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

INCLUDED MEALS

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RUDESHEIM-RHINE GORGE

INCLUDED MEALS

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COLOGNE

INCLUDED MEALS

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AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

INCLUDED MEALS

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AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) -PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION)

INCLUDED MEALS

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VERNON

INCLUDED MEALS

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CAUDEBEC

INCLUDED MEALS

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CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY

INCLUDED MEALS

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ROUEN

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

CONFLANS

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

PARIS

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PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)

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