AVALON 2026: Rhine & Rhone Revealed with 2 Nights in French Riviera (Southbound) (WALE)
17 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to French Riviera
Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous European river cruise vacation along the Rhine, Saone, and Rhone 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!
Call (207) 623-4591 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18780863
- Tour Operator
- Globus
- Duration
- 17 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Amsterdam | 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 AmsterdamJoin 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.' 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.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D) |
| Day 3 | Cologne | 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.Spend free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM(B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | Rudesheim | Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country En route to Rudesheim, 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 Rudesheim; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rudesheimer 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 Rudesheimer coffee. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RUDESHEIM(B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | Mainz | Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine BarrelACTIVE 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 | A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceAsk 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.Choose 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 center. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | Breisach | German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestDISCOVERY 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 BASEL(B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | Chalon-Sur-Saone | Disembark your ship and drive on to Beaune.CLASSIC Visit the Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement. This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saone to board your Suite Ship. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS(B,D) |
| Day 9 | Tournus | Pearl of Southern BurgundyVisit 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.Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or to the Castle of Cormatin. DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TREVOUX(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 Rhone and Saone rivers meet, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourviere Hill with its numerous churches. You'll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafes, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance Lecture on board your ship.Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON(B,L,D) |
| Day 11 | Lyon | Adventures in Food and WineCLASSIC Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France.The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France's third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city's more than 100 murals. EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON(B,L,D) |
| Day 12 | Tournon | A Rendezvous with Castle Views and VineyardsCLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon-one of France's oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle.Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.VIVIERSWorld 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.Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.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.Guided Optional Excursions include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhone wine region. Explore Avignon on your own for the city's art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Benezet. Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment. EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES(B,L,D) |
| Day 14 | Arles | A Brush with GeniusACTIVE 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.Take free time to stop in Cafe Van Gogh for a glass of wine. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES(B,L,D) |
| Day 15 | French Riviera | Spectacular Seascapes of the Mediterranean CoastAfter 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) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- US$ Price Details
Port charges:$462 are included.Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.Travel Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Avalon Waterways, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (the Traveler) and Avalon Waterways, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travelers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travelers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.
Important Notes- Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for Avalon Waterways to reserve space for you. View Terms & Conditions for limited exceptions.
- The hotels and accommodations listed are provisional and subject to change and may be substituted with properties of similar standard. Hotels are confirmed approximately 30 days prior to departure and can be found in your travel documents, but are not guaranteed until check-in.
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Booking your Vacation with Air
Our volume buying power saves you money. We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city. Avalon Waterways offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Early Airfare Price Guarantee locks in a price that is guaranteed not to increase. Air pricing and schedules are available approximately 330 days prior to last travel date in the itinerary. At that time the best air price will be utilized and a new invoice with the air cost and confirmed schedule will be sent. The identity of the carrier, which may include the carrier?s codeshare partner, will be assigned and disclosed at this time. If the guaranteed price is the lowest, the schedule with the lowest fare per contracted classes of service will be booked. Any voluntary change to the confirmed flights negates the guaranteed price and is subject to air pricing at the time of the change.
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Air-inclusive vacations include government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a Total Amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply. At the time of booking your air-inclusive vacation online, carrier Websites will be provided to check baggage fees, or you can visit www.iflybags.com for up-to-date baggage pricing/restrictions. For return travel from some countries, international travelers are required to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be collected by the local government and are payable by the traveler at time of travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about these fees.
'Starting at' Disclaimer
'Starting at' or 'From' price is per person (double occupancy) and includes cruise taxes and port charges, but does not include airfare to or from your vacation.
