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17 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Amsterdam to French Riviera 2026(WALE)
Rhine & Rhône Revealed with 2 Nights in French Riviera
Starting from $5,919Ship(s): Avalon Poetry II, Avalon View
Specialty Cruises: Wine Lovers
River Cruise Description
Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous European river cruise vacation along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers. Enjoy spectacular views and romantic splendor of this magical journey ending with a night in Marseilles. It all begins in Holland's popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten. 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. 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. Strasbourg, France, located on the French-German border, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Breisach, Germany, is the gateway to Germany's Black Forest-an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Lyon is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways. Continue to the city of Tournon beautifully nestled among vineyards. Here, you'll take a guided walk in this medieval treasure with Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. In Avignon, visit the Palace of the Popes and take pictures of the bridge in the famous song "Sur le pont d'Avignon." Enjoy your 2 last nights in the French Riviera. Relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea-a perfect ending to this once-in-a-lifetime European river cruise through Germany and France!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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $6,389 | Call Us! |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $7,289 | Call Us! |
| May 26, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $8,579 | Call Us! |
| Jun 23, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $7,979 | Call Us! |
| Jul 7, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $7,979 | Call Us! |
| Aug 4, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $7,979 | Call Us! |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $8,279 | Call Us! |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $9,079 | Call Us! |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $8,189 | Call Us! |
| Oct 13, 2026 Wine Lovers(WALE-T7) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $7,889 | Call Us! |
| Oct 27, 2026 Wine Lovers(WALE-T7) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $6,719 | Call Us! |
| Nov 10, 2026 Wine Lovers(WALE-T7) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $5,919 | 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 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. Your day in Amsterdam is free to 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
(D)
Day 2 AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.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.”
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
(B,L,D)
Day 3 COLOGNE, GERMANY
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
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.
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; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, 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 Rüdesheimer coffee.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
(B,L,D)
Day 5 MAINZ. HEIDELBERG EXCURSION
Printing Halls, 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 City Walk including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
(B,L,D)
Day 7 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
(B,L,D)
Day 8 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–BEAUNE–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (EMBARKATION)
Disembark your ship and drive on 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 Judgement.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS
(B,D)
Day 9 TOURNUS
Pearl of Southern Burgundy
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.Classic
Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.
Discovery
Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX
(B,L,D)
Day 10 LYON
La Vie En Rose in Lyon Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.Active
Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR:
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.
Discovery
Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance Lecture on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
(B,L,D)
Day 11 LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine
Classic
Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France.
EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON
(B,L,D)
Day 12 TOURNON
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards
Classic
Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle.
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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON
(B,L,D)
Day 13 AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.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.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES
(B,L,D)
Day 14 ARLES
A Brush with Genius
Active
Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR:
Discovery
Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:
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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
(B,L,D)
Day 15 ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)–FRENCH RIVIERA
Spectacular Seascapes of the Mediterranean Coast
After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive to French Riviera, which stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.(B)
Day 16 FRENCH RIVIERA
The “Queen of the French Riviera”Classic
Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing in Nice. Discover the narrow, winding streets, and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city—an area which has changed little since the 1700s.
(B)
Day 17 FRENCH RIVIERA
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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