Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers (Southbound)

River/Barge Cruise

8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Basel
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers takes you across Germany and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! A Certified Sommelier will travel with you on your cruise to host lectures, tastings, and tips on food-and-wine pairing.

This magnificent Rhine River cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. Cruise on its famous canals along the elegant grachten-the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city dating back to the “Golden Age.” Visit Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—and see its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Speyer for a guided walk and visit the Wine Museum or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Stop in Breisach, Germany, and enjoy an excursion to Germany’s Black Forest or take an excursion to the charming village of Colmar, followed by a visit to a chateau wine cellar.

About Certified Sommeliers
Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from certified experts in the field! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a certified sommelier who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. We are honored to offer our guests the expertise of certified sommeliers who join select cruises to share their insights and inspiration in all things wine. Truly exclusive experiences for wine lovers!

Notes:

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.

From price

$5,911

$3,811

Price per person, twin share

Tour Provider	Avalon Waterways
Number Of Days	8
Start Location	Amsterdam, Netherlands
End Location	Zurich, Switzerland
Age Range	Avg. 40+
Group Size	20 to 90
Tour Style	Premium
Tour Themes	River/Small ship/Barge
Physical Rating	Easy to Moderate

Departure dates

Price per person, twin share

Start	End	Availability	Price
13 Oct 2026	20 Oct 2026	Available	$7,804 $6,104
27 Oct 2026	03 Nov 2026	Available	$7,324 $4,824
10 Nov 2026	17 Nov 2026	Available	$9,303 $6,803
19 Oct 2027	26 Oct 2027	Available	$7,311 $5,511
02 Nov 2027	09 Nov 2027	Available	$5,911 $3,811

Itinerary details

Day 1 - AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Holland. 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.

The day is yours to relax and discover this delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, restaurants and lively marketplace.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

(D)

Day 2 - AMSTERDAM

Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

CLASSIC 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."

This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

DISCOVERY Join an onboard lecture hosted by your Certified Sommelier.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

(B,L,D)

Day 3 - COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

DISCOVERY Join an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.

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 Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

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

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM

(B,L,D)

Day 4 - RHINE GORGE-RÜDESHEIM

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

En route to Rüdesheim, 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.

ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to experience the beauty and simplicity of 13th-century Eberbach Monastery-a former abbey for Cistercian monks that today is known for its wine production and as the film location for the blockbuster movie, "The Name of the Rose". Also enjoy a wine tasting, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a wine tasting.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER

(B,L,D)

Day 5 - SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

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 through the vibrant streets of Speyer and learn about its fascinating history and traditions. Also enjoy a wine tasting, 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.”

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHL

(B,L,D)

Day 6 - KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

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.

DISCOVERY Join an enchanting Guided Tour along the famed Alsace Wine Route to discover the heart of France’s wine country and sample several local wines.

DISCOVERY Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH

(B,L,D)

Day 7 - BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

DISCOVERY Take a full-day Guided Tour to the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, followed by a visit to a countryside chateau wine cellar, OR:

CLASSIC 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 in the morning through storybook Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past past countless historic buildings and monuments.

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL

(B,L,D)

Day 8 - BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.

(B)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose this tour?

This tour offers a unique and premium experience by featuring a Certified Sommelier on board to host exclusive lectures, tastings, and food-and-wine pairing sessions. Additionally, you will travel on an award-winning Suite Ship featuring one-of-a-kind Open Air Balconies and Panorama Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, ensuring the grandest views of the Rhine River.

What type of traveller is this tour designed for, what type of traveller will enjoy this tour most?

This tour is perfectly designed for wine enthusiasts and those who appreciate a premium travel experience. It will be most enjoyed by travelers who love combining cultural sightseeing—such as visiting Gothic cathedrals and medieval villages—with gourmet experiences and expert-led educational sessions on viticulture.

What are the pros and cons of this tour?

The pros include an expert-led wine program, high-end ship accommodations with panoramic views, and a diverse itinerary covering Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland. A potential con is that certain activities, sailing schedules, or the itinerary itself may be subject to change due to weather, water levels, or technical issues.

Is this a good option for solo travellers, couples, or families?

While the text does not explicitly mention specific packages for solo travelers or families, the premium nature of the cruise and the focus on wine and culture make it an excellent choice for couples and adult groups seeking a sophisticated European getaway.

Is this tour better for first-time visitors or experienced travellers?

This tour is a wonderful option for both. First-time visitors will appreciate the guided introductions to iconic landmarks in Amsterdam, Cologne, and Strasbourg, while experienced travelers will enjoy the deeper, specialized insights provided by the Certified Sommelier and the 'off-the-beaten-path' excursion options.

Is this suitable for people with mobility concerns?

The tour is rated as 'Easy to Moderate' in terms of physicality. While many activities are relaxing, some excursions involve guided walking tours through cobblestone streets or hiking through vineyards, so guests with significant mobility concerns may wish to inquire about the specific accessibility of each activity.

Is this tour more focused on sightseeing, culture, or adventure?

This tour provides a balanced blend of all three. It focuses heavily on culture and sightseeing through visits to historic cathedrals, museums, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, while offering 'Active' adventure options such as bike rides and hiking with an Adventure Host.

What is the pace of this tour (fast-paced vs relaxed)?

The pace is generally relaxed, as it utilizes a river cruise format where the hotel moves with you. Guests have a mix of structured guided tours and free time to explore cities like Amsterdam and Cologne at their own leisure.

Does the itinerary feel rushed or relaxed?

The itinerary feels relaxed and thoughtfully curated, allowing for overnight dockings and leisurely afternoons. The inclusion of onboard lectures and entertainment during cruise segments ensures that travel time is used for enrichment rather than feeling like a rush between destinations.

Are key highlights and landmarks included?

Yes, the tour includes many major highlights, such as the canals of Amsterdam, the twin-spired cathedral in Cologne, the Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg Castle, the Strasbourg Cathedral, and the Black Forest.

Are language barriers handled by the guide?

The tour provides an Adventure Host and guided tours in multiple cities, which typically helps navigate local environments; however, the text does not explicitly state the specific language services provided to handle barriers.

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