Itinerary
- Day 1
Lucerne
You'll have the day to yourself in Lucerne, a town that sits right on the Reuss River. There's plenty to see here if you want to wander around, from the different squares and churches scattered throughout the city to spots where old and new exist side by side. Shopping in the city center is an option too, or you can simply spend time at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Explore squares and churches in Lucerne
- Shopping in the city center
Landmarks/POIs Lucerne Old Town Reuss River - Day 2
Lucerne
A guided walking tour takes you through Lucerne's main sights. You'll see the Lion Monument, the charming Old Town with its narrow streets, the historic Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and the Jesuit Church. The guide will walk you through each spot and share the history behind them.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour including Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, and Jesuit Church
Landmarks/POIs Lion Monument Chapel Bridge Water Tower Jesuit Church - Day 3
Lucerne to Breisach
This morning you'll head up to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn (depending on what's open seasonally) for views across central Switzerland. If weather doesn't cooperate, you'll visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead. Later, you'll board your cruise ship and set sail for Breisach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn (weather dependent)
- Swiss Transport Museum (weather alternative)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pilatus Mount Stanserhorn Swiss Transport Museum - Day 4
Breisach to Kehl
At the Adventure Center, you'll choose what interests you for the day. Take a bike ride along the Rhine, explore the Black Forest with a traditional butter-making demo and open-air museum, or walk through Freiburg's medieval center with vineyards all around. You can also check out the village of Colmar in the morning if you'd like. By evening, the ship sails to Kehl.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride along the Rhine with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour to Black Forest including Vogtsbauernohf open-air museum, water mill visit, and traditional butter-making demonstration
- Guided Tour to Freiburg's medieval city center
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Colmar village with half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings
Landmarks/POIs Black Forest Vogtsbauernohf Freiburg Rhine River Colmar - Day 5
Kehl to Mainz
You've got options in Strasbourg. Bike around the city with your Adventure Host, or take a sightseeing tour that includes the Gothic cathedral (with its ancient murals and astronomical clock) and the La Petite France District. You can also add the Maginot Line, explore Alsace wine country, or spend time on your own checking out museums and the city center. Tonight, you'll cruise to Mainz.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour of Strasbourg with Adventure Host
- City Sightseeing Tour including Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and astronomical clock, and La Petite France District
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line pre-WWII fortifications
- Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace wine country
- Museum visits
- Free time to stroll city center
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France Maginot Line - Day 6
Mainz to Rüdesheim
Choose between walking the Philosophers' Way in Heidelberg with your host, touring Heidelberg Castle to see Renaissance ruins and the famous Great Vat, or joining a guided walk of Mainz that includes the Gutenberg Museum. There's live entertainment on board later, then you'll sail to Rudesheim.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk in Heidelberg on the Philosophers' Way with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle including the Great Vat (World's Largest Wine Barrel)
- Guided City Walk in Mainz with Gutenberg Museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Philosophers' Way Gutenberg Museum - Day 7
Rüdesheim to Koblenz
Several activities are available today. You can hike through vineyards with your Adventure Host, check out the Mechanical Music Museum and try authentic Rudesheimer coffee, or visit the 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar at Johannisberg Castle for a wine tasting. As you sail toward Koblenz, you'll pass through the Rhine Gorge where ancient castles sit on 400-foot cliffs and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei comes into view. You'll have free time in Koblenz, then dinner and entertainment back on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through vineyards of Rüdesheim with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour of Mechanical Music Museum with Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
- Guided Visit to Johannisberg Castle 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar with wine tasting
- Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage cruise through scenic landscape with ancient castles and Rock of the Lorelei
Optional Activities
- Free time in Koblenz
Landmarks/POIs Mechanical Music Museum Johannisberg Castle Rhine Gorge Rock of the Lorelei - Day 8
Koblenz to Amsterdam
In Cologne, you can bike around like a local with your Adventure Host, take a walking tour focused on Jewish heritage sites, or join a guided walk that shows you the soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral. Spend free time with a glass of Kolsch, the pale lager that's been brewed locally for over 100 years. Later in the afternoon, you'll cruise to Amsterdam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride in Cologne with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's Jewish heritage sites
- Guided City Walk of Cologne with gothic cathedral
Optional Activities
- Free time to enjoy Kölsch beer in Cologne
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral - Day 9
Amsterdam
Amsterdam starts early with an optional morning walk with your host. You can discover the cobblestone streets on a guided walk through neighborhoods off the main routes, or explore the waterways on a canal cruise past homes from Amsterdam's Golden Age. During tulip season, Keukenhof gardens are an option with millions of flowers, or outside that season, visit the historic windmills at Zaanse Schans. There's also an optional biking tour, and you'll have free time to wander colorful streets, explore canal houses, browse galleries, and shop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning walk in Amsterdam with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Amsterdam's cobblestone streets and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods
- Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes from Amsterdam's Golden Age
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens during tulip season with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans outside of tulip season for historic windmills and Dutch houses
- Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside
- Free time to explore Amsterdam's colorful streets and shops
Landmarks/POIs Keukenhof Gardens Zaanse Schans - Day 10
Amsterdam to Paris
This morning you'll board a high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris. Once there, you'll get settled on your Avalon Suite Ship and have dinner on board this evening. After that, you'll cruise to Vernon overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11
Vernon to Les Andelys to Caudebec
At the Adventure Center, pick your activity. Walk to Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles with your host, tour Giverny where Claude Monet lived with his residence and famous gardens, or visit Bizy Castle in Normandy. You'll have a traditional French lunch of crepes and watch a pastry demonstration while sailing. Later you'll arrive in Les Andelys, where you can hike to the Chateau Gaillard castle ruins (King Richard the Lionheart's old home) or take a walking tour of the town. By evening, you'll sail to Caudebec.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional French luncheon of authentic crêpes), Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Chateau des Tourelles on foot with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour of Giverny with Monet's residence and flower and water gardens
- Guided Visit to Bizy Castle (Normandy's Versailles)
- Traditional French luncheon of authentic crêpes with Pastry Demonstration
- Guided Hike to Château Gaillard castle ruins
- Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys
Landmarks/POIs Chateau des Tourelles Giverny Bizy Castle Château Gaillard Les Andelys - Day 12
Caudebec
Take a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, or join a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route with more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches built along the Seine. There's an option to visit Honfleur, the old seaside town, this afternoon. An onboard lecture covers the days before and after the Normandy D-Day landing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride along the river with Adventure Host
- Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route featuring medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches
- Onboard Lecture about Normandy D-Day landing history
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur
Landmarks/POIs Normandy Abbeys Route Honfleur - Day 13
Caudebec to Rouen
You'll choose from three guided tour options. Visit the WWII landing beaches with Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the American Cemetery. Or explore British and Canadian commemorative sites like Pegasus Memorial and Juno Beach Center. Or experience authentic Normandy with a brandy tasting in Calvados. Later there's live entertainment on board. By evening, you'll cruise to Rouen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Normandy WWII landing beaches including Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc monument, and American Cemetery
- 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 Normandy tradition with brandy tasting in Calvados
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Pointe du Hoc American Cemetery Pegasus Memorial Juno Beach Center Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery - Day 14
Rouen to Conflans
Take a guided bike tour through Rouen to see famous monuments and hidden spots, or join a walking tour that shows you where Joan of Arc was martyred, the medieval quarter, the 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Tonight, you'll cruise to Conflans.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Bike Tour of Rouen discovering famous monuments and hidden gems
- Guided Walking Tour of Rouen including Saint Joan of Arc site, medieval quarter, Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Rouen Notre-Dame Cathedral Saint Joan of Arc Martyrdom Site - Day 15
Conflans to Paris
You can bike along the Seine with your Adventure Host, visit Auvers-sur-Oise where Vincent van Gogh lived and is buried, or tour the Chateau de Malmaison (home of Napoleon and Josephine). An optional visit to the Palace of Versailles is also available. There's live entertainment on board later before cruising to Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 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 Josephine)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles
Landmarks/POIs Auvers-sur-Oise Château de Malmaison Palace of Versailles - Day 16
Paris
Explore Paris on foot with your Adventure Host, or take a guided walk through the ancient heart of Paris including the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, and sites on Ile de la Cite and the Left Bank. You can also join a guided tour showcasing major Paris sites like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, and Champs-Elysees. Spend the rest of the day on your own strolling through Paris or relaxing over wine at a cafe on the Left Bank.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk through Paris with Adventure Host
- Guided Walk featuring Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, Île de la Cité, Left Bank, and Latin Quarter
- Guided City Tour of Paris iconic sites including Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and Champs-Élysées
Optional Activities
- Free time to stroll through Paris
- Linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank
Landmarks/POIs Palais-Royal Louvre Museum Île de la Cité Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Opéra Garnier Champs-Élysées - Day 17
Departure
Your vacation wraps up this morning with breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
