Romantic Rhine with Swiss Alps, 3 Nights in Lake Como & 1 Night in Lucerne (Northbound) 2026
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Your European vacation begins 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, walk through the charming historic district, visit the impressive Piazza Duomo, and enjoy a boat ride on the lake. In Lucerne, your guided walking tour includes the Chapel Bridge and a special highlight excursion to Swiss Alps. Embark on your Rhine River cruise through France, Germany, and Holland. Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll find the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.
- Day 1LAKE COMO, ITALYTue, Sep 15, 2026Welcome to Italy! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Lake Como and its surroundings at your own pace.
- Day 2LAKE COMOWed, Sep 16, 2026Historic Center and Gothic StyleCLASSIC Step into the storybook streets of Como on a guided walk through its historic heart. Then wander lakeside gardens and craft your own masterpiece at Museo Voltiano. Embark on a Boat Ride on Lake Como which includes a stop in beautiful Bellagio.(B)
- Day 3LAKE COMOThu, Sep 17, 2026Breathtaking ViewsEnjoy 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 4LAKE COMO–LUCERNE, SWITZERLANDFri, Sep 18, 2026Lovely LucerneTravel to Lucerne. CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour to explore beautiful Lucerne which includes the famous Chapel Bridge. (B)
- Day 5LUCERNE–SWISS ALPS–BASEL (EMBARKATION)Sat, Sep 19, 2026Your Suite Ship® is Ready for BoardingCLASSIC 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 6BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FORESTSun, Sep 20, 2026German 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: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 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 CRUISE TO KEHL(B,L,D)
- Day 7KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCEMon, Sep 21, 2026A Grand Cathedral and La Petite FranceACTIVE 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 center. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ(B,L,D)
- Day 8MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERGTue, Sep 22, 2026Castle 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 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 Rüdesheim.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM (B,L,D)
- Day 9RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGEWed, Sep 23, 2026Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR: CLASSIC 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, OR: DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.* 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 Travel Through 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) *This excursion will not be operated on departure June 19 and will be replaced by a Guided Tour to Eberbach Monastery with a wine tasting.
- Day 10COLOGNEThu, Sep 24, 2026Prost! 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 Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)
- Day 11AMSTERDAM, HOLLANDFri, Sep 25, 2026Canals of Colorful AmsterdamACTIVE Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR: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.” 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. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D)* This excursion will not be operated on departure 421 and will be replaced by a Bike Tour through the Dutch countryside.
- Day 12AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)Sat, Sep 26, 2026Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Countries Visited
Rivers Visited
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Inclusions
•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.
•Due to “Sail Amsterdam” departure August 15 will end in Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam with modifications to the itinerary.
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Ship Information
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The trip was wonderful! I would certainly go on another river cruise.
Great river cruise experience. Absolutely fantastic experience.
this is our fourth river cruise with avalon waterways and they always exceed our expectations
Trip was changed to a hotel/bus tour due to failure of boats electrical system on the first night of our cruise. Avalon did an excellent job considering the problem that occurred. The gave us an excellect bus and hotel trip and have promised a 100% refund of our cruise cost.
Avalon exceeded our expectations! Clean, well maintained and well appointed ship. The staff was outstanding! I was afflicted with laryngitis for the duration of this cruise and the staff was so kind!
This Danube River Cruise was absolutely fabulous in every respect. The stateroom accommodations on board the Vista were premier. The entire boat was immaculate and the crew were the friendliest and most helpful I have ever experienced while at a vacation facility. My wife and I took almost every included as well as optional tour and we felt at the end of the vacation, each tour we took was better than the previous one and considering the first one was perfect. One can understand the level of appreciation my wife and I felt at the end of the 12 days. The guides were well informed and very entertaining and I felt the experience was worth every penny spent. Avalon River Cruises and Affordable Tours (specifically my travel consultant) are simply outstanding and have earned my travel loyalty!
Avalon was terrific and the cruise was fabulous. I want to particularly note that the wait staff, the cabin steward and, the Cruise Director were outstanding in their service.
Our travel consultant at Affordale Tours was an excellent travel consultant, answered all of our questions, e-mails, and telephone calls. She was very detail-oriented. The accommodations on board the ship were amazing, and the excursions were informative, historical and fun. We had excellent local tour guides. Our cruise director was amazing. I have never seen a woman work so hard to accommodate so many different personalities and she did it with a smile on her face.
Great trip. I have to give it a 10 plus. Service, food and accommodations on the ship was a 10.
The cruise was superb. Avalon Waterways cruise director was the perfect host and the staff was most attentive to the passengers. The Danube river experience was breathtakingly beautiful. The before and after trips to Budapest and Prague, also hosted by our cruise director, were memorable.
Trip was fantastic. Exceeded our expectations!!
Food and staff were excellent. Bed was very comfortable and room was sufficiently spacious. On the last day, we were forced o spend our last night in a hotel due to water levels, which is understandable. However, there were no food choices at the hotel dinner.
WiFi issues Lack of water in Danube above Passau- Avalon did compensate us for this problem. Vlad was great as the cruise director. Tour guides very informative. Hotels wonderful.
Everything went very smoothly. As changes became a possibility, due to low water levels, we were kept informed. They did everything g they could to ensure our trip was pleasant and met our expectations.

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The ship was very nice, with plenty of room in our cabin and in the bath. The staff members were extremely courteous and efficient. Excellent food and very good guides at the various places we visited.