Itinerary
- Day 1
Lucerne
You'll have the full day to check out Lucerne at your own pace. Walk around the squares and churches along the Reuss River, or spend time shopping in the city center. It's all up to you how you want to spend your time here.
Optional Activities
- Explore the many squares and churches of Lucerne
- Shopping in the city center
Landmarks/POIs Reuss River - Day 2
Lucerne
After breakfast, you'll join a guided walking tour through Lucerne's historic heart. The route takes you past the Lion Monument, through the Old Town, across the Chapel Bridge, by the Water Tower, and finishes at the Jesuit Church. Breakfast is included with this tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour including the Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, and Jesuit Church
Landmarks/POIs Lion Monument Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) Water Tower (Wasserturm) Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche St. Franz Xaver) - Day 3
Lucerne to Breisach
In the morning, you'll head out on an excursion to either Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn depending on what's available seasonally, where you'll get great views of central Switzerland. If weather is poor, you'll visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead. Board your ship in the evening for a cruise to Breisach. Breakfast and dinner are included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular views over central Switzerland, or visit the Swiss Transport Museum (in case of bad weather)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pilatus Mount Stanserhorn Swiss Transport Museum - Day 4
Breisach
You have several options for today: take a bike ride along the Rhine with an Adventure Host, join a full-day guided tour into the Black Forest to see the Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum and water mill with a butter-making demonstration, or explore medieval Freiburg surrounded by vineyards. There's also an optional trip to the village of Colmar. This evening you'll cruise to Kohl. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with Adventure Host
- Full-day Guided Tour to Black Forest including Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum, authentic water mill, and traditional butter-making demonstration
- Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city center sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley
- Guided Optional Excursion to charming village of Colmar with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings
Landmarks/POIs Rhine River Black Forest (Schwarzwald) Vogtsbauernhof Freiburg Colmar - Day 5
Kohl to Mainz
Explore Strasbourg by bike with an Adventure Host, or join a city sightseeing tour that covers the Gothic cathedral with its stained-glass windows and astronomical clock, plus the La Petite France district. Optional excursions include the Maginot Line or Alsace wine country. You'll have free time for museums or just walking around. Evening/overnight cruise to Mainz with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Discover Strasbourg by bike with Adventure Host
- City Sightseeing Tour including Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral with stained-glass windows, celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, and La Petite France District
- Guided Optional Excursion to historic Maginot Line (pre-WWII fortifications)
- Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace's wine country
- Free time to visit a museum or stroll across the city center
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France Maginot Line - Day 6
Mainz to Rüdesheim
Pick from several activities: walk along Heidelberg's Philosophers' Way with an Adventure Host, take a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle to see the Renaissance ruins and the Great Vat (the world's largest wine barrel), or join a city walk in Mainz including the Gutenberg Museum. Later this evening you'll enjoy live entertainment on board before sailing to Rüdesheim. All meals are included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Inspiring walk in Heidelberg along the Philosophers' Way with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure and its famed Great Vat (World's Largest Wine Barrel)
- Guided City Walk in Mainz including visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing
- Live entertainment on board the ship
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Philosophers' Way (Philosophenweg) Gutenberg Museum - Day 7
Rüdesheim to Koblenz
Start with a hike through Rüdesheim's vineyards with an Adventure Host, or visit the Mechanical Music Museum and try authentic Rüdesheimer coffee. As you sail to Koblenz, you'll experience the Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage site with views of ancient castles and the Rock of the Lorelei. You'll have free time in Koblenz before dinner and live entertainment on board. All meals are included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sailing through Rhine Gorge (UNESCO World Heritage site) with views of ancient castles and Rock of the Lorelei
Optional Activities
- Hike through picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour of Mechanical Music Museum with tasting of authentic Rüdesheimer coffee
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge (Upper Middle Rhine Valley) Rock of the Lorelei - Day 8
Koblenz to Amsterdam
You can bike through Cologne like a local with an Adventure Host, choose a guided walking tour of Jewish heritage sites, or join a city walk featuring the twin-steepled Gothic cathedral. Spend free time enjoying Kölsch pale lager, locally brewed for over a century. Afternoon/overnight cruise to Amsterdam with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bike ride like the locals in Cologne with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites
- Guided City Walk of Cologne with its soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral
- Free time to enjoy Kölsch pale lager (locally brewed for over 100 years)
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral - Day 9
Amsterdam
Start early with a morning walk in Amsterdam with an Adventure Host, or take an off-the-beaten-path guided tour through cobblestone streets, or explore waterways on a canal cruise past Golden Age homes. During tulip season, visit Keukenhof gardens with millions of tulips or historic windmills at Zaanse Schans. Optional biking is available. Free time to check out colorful streets, galleries, and shops. All meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Early morning walk in Amsterdam with Adventure Host
- Off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through cobblestone streets
- Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's Golden Age
- Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens (during tulip season) with over seven million tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other bulbs
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses (outside tulip season)
- Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside
- Free time to explore Amsterdam's colorful streets, canal houses, galleries, and shops
Landmarks/POIs Keukenhof Gardens Zaanse Schans - Day 10
Amsterdam to Vernon
This morning you'll board a high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris. Later, you'll board your Avalon Suite Ship and have dinner on board this evening. Evening/overnight cruise to Vernon with breakfast and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11
Vernon to Les Andelys to Caudebec
Start with a walk through Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles with an Adventure Host, or take a guided tour of Giverny, Claude Monet's home and gardens. Alternative is Bizy Castle with its magnificent courtyard and water gardens. After a traditional French lunch of crêpes and pastry demonstration while sailing, you'll cruise to Les Andelys. Choose between a guided hike to Château Gaillard ruins or a walking tour of Les Andelys. Evening/overnight cruise to Caudebec with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional French luncheon of authentic crêpes), Dinner
Included Activities
- Traditional French luncheon of authentic crêpes
- Pastry Demonstration
Optional Activities
- Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour of Giverny, home of Claude Monet, with grounds, residence, and flower and water gardens
- Guided Visit to Bizy Castle (Normandy's Versailles) with magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables
- Guided Hike to castle ruins of Château Gaillard (historic home of King Richard the Lionheart)
- Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys (one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine)
Landmarks/POIs Chateau des Tourelles Giverny Bizy Castle Château Gaillard Les Andelys - Day 12
Caudebec
You'll have a relaxing bike ride along the river with an Adventure Host, or join a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route to see medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys along the Seine. In the afternoon, an optional excursion to the seaside town of Honfleur is available. Overnight docking in Caudebec with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the river with Adventure Host
- Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route with more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches
- Guided Optional Excursion to old seaside town of Honfleur
Landmarks/POIs Honfleur - Day 13
Caudebec to Rouen
Choose from multiple guided tours: explore Normandy's WWII landing beaches including Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, tour British and Canadian commemorative sites, or experience authentic Normandy with a brandy tasting in Calvados. Later there's live entertainment on board. Evening cruise to Rouen with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches including Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc monument, and American Cemetery
- Full-day Guided Tour of British and Canadian commemorative sites including British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, Arromanches, Juno Beach Center, and Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery
- Guided Tour of authentic tradition in Normandy with brandy tasting in Calvados
- Live entertainment on board the ship
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Pointe du Hoc American Cemetery (Normandy) Pegasus Memorial Arromanches Juno Beach Center Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery - Day 14
Rouen to Conflans
Take a guided bike tour to discover Rouen's monuments on two wheels, or join a guided walking tour featuring Joan of Arc's martyrdom site, the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Evening/overnight cruise to Conflans with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided Bike Tour to discover Rouen's famous monuments and hidden gems
- Guided Walking Tour of Rouen including Saint Joan of Arc's martyrdom site, medieval quarter with 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Rouen Notre-Dame Cathedral Rouen Astronomical Clock - Day 15
Conflans to Paris
You can take a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with an Adventure Host, visit Auvers-sur-Oise where Vincent van Gogh is buried, or take a guided tour of Château de Malmaison, Napoleon Bonaparte's home. Optional excursion to the Palace of Versailles is also available. Evening cruise to Paris with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the Seine with Adventure Host
- Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh
- Guided tour of Château de Malmaison (home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine)
- Guided Optional Excursion to Palace of Versailles (home to succession of French kings)
Landmarks/POIs Auvers-sur-Oise Château de Malmaison Palace of Versailles - Day 16
Paris
Experience the Seine on foot with an Adventure Host, or discover ancient Paris on a guided walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, and sites on the Left Bank and Latin Quarter. Alternatively, join a city tour covering the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and Champs-Élysées. Stroll on your own or linger over wine at a literary café. Overnight docking in Paris with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Experience the Seine on foot with Adventure Host
- Captivating Guided Walk featuring Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, Left Bank, and Latin Quarter
- Guided City Tour showcasing Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and Champs-Élysées
- Free time to stroll through Paris or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank
Landmarks/POIs Palais-Royal Louvre Museum Louvre Pyramid Île de la Cité Latin Quarter Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Opéra Garnier Champs-Élysées - Day 17
Paris to Tournus
You'll take a high-speed train from Paris to Dijon, then drive to Beaune. Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital built in 1443 to see Van der Weyden's Last Judgement painting. This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship. Overnight docking in Tournus with breakfast and dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, home to Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement
Landmarks/POIs Hôtel-Dieu (Beaune) - Day 18
Tournus
Visit Tournus, one of southeast Burgundy's oldest monastic centers, with a local guide showing you the highlights. Optional excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or Castle of Cormatin is available. Later enjoy a cheese tasting on board your ship. Overnight docking in Trévoux with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Local guide tour of Tournus highlights
- Cheese Tasting on board the ship
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Chardonnay wine cellar
- Guided Optional Excursion to Castle of Cormatin
Landmarks/POIs Tournus Castle of Cormatin - Day 19
Trévoux to Lyon
Sail to Lyon this morning. Explore the architectural district by bike with an Adventure Host, traveling over bridges where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, or join a sightseeing tour from Fourvière Hill with its churches and views of the Old Town's medieval alleyways. You'll attend a lecture on WWII and French Resistance on board, then enjoy live entertainment after dinner. Overnight docking in Lyon with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- WWII & French Resistance lecture on board the ship
Optional Activities
- Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with Adventure Host over bridges and along Rhône and Saône rivers
- Guided Sightseeing Tour surveying Lyon from Fourvière Hill with numerous churches, exploring Old Town with medieval alleyways, and Place des Terreaux with monuments and famous fountain
- Live entertainment after dinner
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Basilica Place des Terreaux - Day 20
Lyon
Join a culinary walk through Lyon to discover why it's known as the gastronomic capital of France. The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop. Take a bike from the ship to check out local produce markets and parks, or enjoy a tour of the city's over 100 murals. Evening cruise to Tournon with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Culinary Walk through Lyon to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore, relax, or shop
- Bike rental from ship to explore local produce markets and parks
- Leisurely tour of Lyon's more than 100 murals
- Day 21
Tournon to Viviers to Avignon
Take a morning guided walking tour to explore Tournon, one of France's oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle and Roman ruins. After lunch, sail to Viviers, a charming village with pale-stone buildings and a Romanesque cathedral mixing historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. Late afternoon guided walking tour available. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. Evening/overnight cruise to Avignon with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon
- Late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of Viviers
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle Viviers Cathedral - Day 22
Avignon
Take a guided sightseeing tour of Avignon's fortress and ramparts, then visit the Palace of the Popes. Optional excursions include the Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard or the wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Explore Avignon on your own for art, culture, theatre, and museums. Don't miss photographing the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet. Later there's live entertainment on board. Evening cruise to Arles with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of fortress city of Avignon with ramparts and Palace of the Popes
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard
- Guided Optional Excursion to famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Free time to explore Avignon's art, culture, theatre, and museums
- Photography of medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet
- Live entertainment on board
Landmarks/POIs Palace of the Popes Pont du Gard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pont Saint-Bénézet - Day 23
Arles
Start with a power walk in Arles with an Adventure Host, attend a painting workshop to learn Vincent van Gogh's techniques and create your own painting, or join a guided walking tour of Arles visiting the Roman Amphitheater. Take free time to stop at Le Café van Gogh for wine. Overnight docking in Arles with all meals included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Power Walk in Arles with Adventure Host
- Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh and create your own painting
- Guided Walking Tour of Arles with visit to Roman Amphitheater
- Free time to stop at Le Café van Gogh for a glass of wine
Landmarks/POIs Roman Amphitheater (Arles) Le Café van Gogh - Day 24
Arles to French Riviera
After breakfast, you'll drive to the French Riviera, which stretches along the Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border. Breakfast is included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Drive to French Riviera along Mediterranean coast from Toulon to Italian border
Landmarks/POIs French Riviera - Day 25
Nice
Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in Nice. You'll walk through the narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city, which has remained largely unchanged since the 1700s. Breakfast is included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour in Nice
- Exploration of Vieux Nice (old city) with narrow winding streets and baroque churches
Landmarks/POIs Vieux Nice (Old Town) - Day 26
Nice
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Breakfast is included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
