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11 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam 2026(WZH)
River Cruise Description
Your cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers begins in Basel, Switzerland, to explore extraordinary cities in Germany and France, as well as Holland's capital of Amsterdam. At the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border sits Breisach-the gateway to Germany's beautiful Black Forest. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where a local expert will show you the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and its fascinating astronomical clock. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, then sail for the charming Rhine Valley wine town of Rüdesheim. Cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge for the most beautiful view of the Rhine River and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit Koblenz, strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, before coming to the charming wine village of Bernkastel! Here, you'll go on a guided walk and taste some of the famed Moselle wines. Visit a medieval castle, then sail back into the Rhine and explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River. Your river cruise vacation ends in marvelous Amsterdam. Take in the sights on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city's "Golden Age."Thanks for your interest!
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I'm sorry, but an error has occurred. Try Again| Departure Date | Ship | Priced From (per person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $5,029 | Call Us! |
| Jun 14, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $4,779 | Call Us! |
| Jul 17, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $4,329 | Call Us! |
| Aug 19, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $4,329 | Call Us! |
| Sep 22, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $5,029 | Call Us! |
| Oct 11, 2026 | Avalon Imagery II | $4,479 | Call Us! |
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 Avalon's exclusive AvalonGO APP.
River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Basel. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH
(D)
Day 2 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Center 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 center, 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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
(B,L,D)
Day 3 STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Active
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
Take a City Sightseeing Tour, including the city’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN
(B,L,D)
Day 4 LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Philosophers’ Views and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
Active
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
Classic
Discover Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square, 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."
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
(B,L,D)
Day 5 RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
Breathtaking Views
This morning leave Rüdesheim after breakfast and enjoy the breathtaking views as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Koblenz. KOBLENZ
Fortress Walls and Manor Halls
Active
Explore Koblenz's Mosel side by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares, and monuments, OR:
Classic
Visit the Sayn Manor House on a Guided Tour.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL
(B,L,D)
Day 6 BERNKASTEL
Hillside Vines and German Wines
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.This morning, enjoy leisurely sailing.Active
Join your Adventure Host for a hike in this beautiful area, OR:
Classic
Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel—with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber-framed houses.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TRIER
(B,L,D)
Day 7 TRIER. EXCURSION TO LUXEMBOURG
Ancient Worlds and Old-World Charm
Enjoy a relaxing morning sailing to Trier.Classic
Take a Guided Sightseeing tour of Trier—Germany’s oldest city with ancient remnants dating from 144-152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra, walk through the city center, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Tour of Luxembourg City—with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture along the deep gorge terrain.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COCHEM
(B,L,D)
Day 8 COCHEM
The Charm of the Moselle Valley
Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. Active
Bike along the Moselle River with your Adventure Host, OR:
Discovery
Visit the former bunker of Germany's Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank) and immerse yourself in the underground vault where millions of German Mark were kept during the Cold War, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Walk of Cochem to see the charming town’s half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit the hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird’s-eye-view of the Moselle Valley and river bend.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
(B,L,D)
Day 9 COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland’s Capital City
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.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT SAILING TO AMSTERDAM
(B,L,D)
Day 10 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful 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.”
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
(B,L,D)
Day 11 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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