Itinerary
- Day 1
Lucerne
You arrive in Switzerland with the day open to get familiar with Lucerne. Walk around the squares and churches along the Reuss River, or check out the shops in the city center. It's a good chance to get your bearings before the guided activities start.
Optional Activities
- Explore squares and churches in Lucerne
- Shopping in the city center
Landmarks/POIs Lucerne - Day 2
Lucerne
A guided walking tour takes you through Lucerne's main highlights. You'll see the Lion Monument, wander through the Old Town, cross the Chapel Bridge, visit the Water Tower, and stop at the Jesuit Church. It's a solid overview of what makes the city worth seeing.
- 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 heads up to Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn depending on weather and season) for views across central Switzerland. If conditions aren't right, the Swiss Transport Museum is the alternative. Later, you board your cruise ship in the evening and sail toward Breisach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn for views over central Switzerland (or Swiss Transport Museum if bad weather)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pilatus Mount Stanserhorn Swiss Transport Museum - Day 4
Breisach to Kehl
At the Adventure Center, pick what interests you: a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine, a guided tour through the Black Forest with its open-air museum and traditional demonstrations, or Freiburg's medieval streets. Colmar's charming village is available in the morning if you want. You cruise to Kehl in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Full-day Guided Tour to Black Forest including Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum, authentic water mill, and traditional butter-making demonstration (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Tour of Freiburg's medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to charming village of Colmar with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings
Landmarks/POIs Black Forest Vogtsbauernhof Freiburg Colmar Rhine River - Day 5
Kehl to Mainz
Choose between biking through Strasbourg with your Adventure Host or joining a city tour that covers the Gothic cathedral with its ancient murals and astronomical clock, then La Petite France. Optional visits include the Maginot Line fortifications or Alsace wine country. You sail to Mainz in the evening and stay overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Discover Strasbourg by bike with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- City Sightseeing Tour including Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral with stained-glass and astronomical clock, and La Petite France District (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Optional Activities
- 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 the city center
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France Maginot Line - Day 6
Mainz to Rüdesheim
Pick your activity: walk the Philosophers' Way in Heidelberg, tour Heidelberg Castle to see the renaissance ruins and the famous Great Vat, or take a guided walk in Mainz that includes the Gutenberg Museum. Back on ship, there's live entertainment after you sail to Rüdesheim.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Inspiring walk in Heidelberg along Philosophers' way with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle seeing renaissance ruins and the Great Vat, the World's Largest Wine Barrel (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided City Walk in Mainz including Gutenberg Museum visit (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Philosophers' Way Gutenberg Museum - Day 7
Rüdesheim to Koblenz
Options include hiking through Rüdesheim's vineyards, visiting the Mechanical Music Museum with a Rüdesheimer coffee tasting, or stopping at Johannisberg Castle for wine tasting. After that, you sail through the UNESCO Rhine Gorge past castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock, with free time in Koblenz later and evening entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Tour of Mechanical Music Museum with authentic Rüdesheimer coffee tasting (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Visit to historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle with wine tasting (Activity Discovery - choose this OR another activity)
- Sailing through Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage site viewing ancient castles and Rock of the Lorelei
Landmarks/POIs Johannisberg Castle Rhine Gorge Rock of the Lorelei - Day 8
Koblenz to Amsterdam
Bike like a local with your Adventure Host, explore Cologne's Jewish heritage sites on a guided tour, or take a city walk featuring the twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Grab a glass of Kölsch pale lager, brewed locally for over 100 years. You cruise to Amsterdam in the afternoon and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride like the locals in Cologne with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites (Activity Discovery - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided City Walk of Cologne with soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral - Day 9
Amsterdam
Start early with a walk through Amsterdam, discover cobblestone streets on an off-the-beaten-path tour, or take a guided canal cruise. During tulip season you can visit Keukenhof gardens, or head to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills outside that season. Optional biking is available, and free time lets you explore colorful streets, canal houses, galleries, and shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning walk in Amsterdam with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through cobblestone streets (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's Golden Age (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths (during tulip season)
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses (outside tulip season)
- Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside
Landmarks/POIs Keukenhof Gardens Zaanse Schans - Day 10
Amsterdam to Paris
You board a high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris. After arriving, you board your Avalon Suite Ship and have dinner on board this evening. Then you cruise toward Vernon and stay overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11
Vernon to Les Andelys to Caudebec
Pick from exploring Chateau des Tourelles on foot, a guided tour of Giverny where Claude Monet lived and painted, or visiting Bizy Castle known as Normandy's Versailles. During lunch, you'll have traditional French food with a crepe and pastry demonstration while sailing. After that, you cruise to Les Andelys and can either hike to Château Gaillard castle ruins or walk through the town. The ship continues to Caudebec overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes followed by Pastry Demonstration), Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles on foot with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of Claude Monet, with gardens (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity - Note: Monet's House closed March and November, replaced with La Roche-Guyon tour during closure)
- Guided Visit to Bizy Castle, called Normandy's Versailles (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- Traditional French luncheon with authentic French crêpes and Pastry Demonstration while sailing (Activity Discovery - included for all)
- Guided Hike up to Château Gaillard castle ruins, historic home of King Richard the Lionheart (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys, one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Landmarks/POIs Giverny Monet's Garden Bizy Castle Château Gaillard La Roche-Guyon - Day 12
Caudebec
Take a relaxing bike ride along the river or join a guided tour of the Normandy Abbeys Route where over 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys line the Seine. Honfleur, an old seaside town, is optional to visit. An onboard lecture covers the Normandy D-Day landing and what came before and after.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the river with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route featuring more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- Onboard Lecture about D-Day: days before and after the Normandy landing (Activity Discovery - included for all)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to old seaside town of Honfleur
Landmarks/POIs Honfleur - Day 13
Caudebec to Rouen
Choose between a WWII landing beaches tour hitting Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the American Cemetery, a full-day tour of British and Canadian sites like Pegasus Memorial and Juno Beach Center, or an authentic Normandy experience with brandy tasting in Calvados. Live entertainment happens on board before you cruise to Rouen in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches visiting Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc monument, and American Cemetery (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- 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 (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Tour of authentic Normandy traditions with brandy tasting in Calvados (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Pointe du Hoc American Cemetery Normandy Pegasus Memorial Juno Beach Center Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery Arromanches - Day 14
Rouen to Conflans
Either bike through Rouen discovering famous spots and hidden gems, or take a walking tour covering Saint Joan of Arc's martyrdom site, the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. You sail to Conflans in the evening and stay overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Bike Tour of Rouen discovering famous monuments and hidden gems (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Walking Tour of Rouen with site of Saint Joan of Arc's martyrdom, medieval quarter with 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Landmarks/POIs Rouen Cathedral Joan of Arc Martyrdom Site Astronomical Clock of Rouen - Day 15
Conflans to Paris
Options include biking along the Seine, visiting Auvers-sur-Oise where Vincent van Gogh lived and is buried, or touring Château de Malmaison, home of Napoleon and Josephine. The Palace of Versailles is optional if you want. Live entertainment happens on board before you cruise to Paris in the afternoon and evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the Seine with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Tour of opulent Château de Malmaison, home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Palace of Versailles, home to a succession of French kings
Landmarks/POIs Auvers-sur-Oise Château de Malmaison Palace of Versailles - Day 16
Paris
Walk the Seine with your Adventure Host, take a guided tour covering the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, Left Bank, and Latin Quarter, or do a city tour showing the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and Champs-Élysées. Spend free time strolling Paris or lingering over wine at a Left Bank café.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Experience the Seine river by foot with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Captivating Guided Walk featuring Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, Left Bank, and Latin Quarter (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided City Tour showing iconic Paris sites including Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and Champs-Élysées (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Optional Activities
- Free time to stroll Paris independently or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank
Landmarks/POIs Louvre Museum Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe Opéra Garnier Champs-Élysées Palais-Royal Île de la Cité - Day 17
Paris to Tournus
You take a high-speed train from Paris to Dijon, then drive to Beaune. There you'll visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital built in 1443, which houses Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement. This afternoon you travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your cruise ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, home to Van der Weyden's Last Judgement painting
Landmarks/POIs Hôtel-Dieu - Day 18
Tournus
At the Adventure Center, your local guide shows you Tournus, one of southeast Burgundy's oldest and most important monastic centers. Visit a Chardonnay wine cellar or Castle of Cormatin if interested. Later, you'll enjoy a cheese tasting on board the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Local guide tour of highlights of Tournus, one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in southeast Burgundy
- Cheese Tasting on board ship (Activity Discovery - included for all)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar
- Guided Optional Excursion to Castle of Cormatin
Landmarks/POIs Tournus Castle of Cormatin - Day 19
Trévoux to Lyon
You sail to Lyon this morning. Bike through the architectural district with your Adventure Host, or take a guided sightseeing tour from Fourvière Hill with its churches, exploring the Old Town's medieval alleyways, cafés, monuments, and Place des Terreaux fountain. An onboard lecture covers WWII and the French Resistance. Live entertainment follows dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with Adventure Host over bridges and along river banks where Rhône and Saône meet (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Sightseeing Tour surveying Lyon from Fourvière Hill, exploring Old Town medieval alleyways, and Place des Terreaux (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
- WWII and French Resistance lecture on board ship (Activity Discovery - included for all)
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Basilica Place des Terreaux Old Town Lyon - Day 20
Lyon
Join a culinary walk through Lyon to see why it's France's gastronomic capital. The rest of the day is free to explore, relax, or shop. Grab a bike to check out local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city's 100 plus murals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Culinary Walk through Lyon to discover why it's the gastronomic capital of France (Activity Discovery)
Optional Activities
- Explore local produce markets and parks by bike
- Leisurely tour of the city's more than 100 murals
- Free time to explore, relax, or shop
- Day 21
Tournon to Viviers to Avignon
A morning guided walking tour explores Tournon, one of France's oldest medieval cities, with its 16th-century castle and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and granite slopes. After lunch you sail to Viviers and take a late afternoon walking tour of its pale-stone buildings, Romanesque cathedral, and Old Town showing Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. Live entertainment happens on board before you cruise to Avignon overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning Guided Walking Tour of Tournon, one of France's oldest medieval cities, with 16th-century castle and Roman ruins
- Late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of Viviers exploring pale-stone buildings, Romanesque cathedral, and Old Town with Christian, Roman, and medieval influences
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Hermitage Viviers Viviers Cathedral - Day 22
Avignon
Your Adventure Host joins you for the day. A guided sightseeing tour covers Avignon's fortress city with ramparts and Palace of the Popes. Optional stops include the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard or wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Explore on your own for art, culture, theater, and museums. Snap photos of countryside, monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet. Live entertainment happens later this evening.
- 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 wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Free time to explore Avignon's art, culture, theatre, and museums
Landmarks/POIs Palace of the Popes Avignon Ramparts Pont du Gard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pont Saint-Bénézet - Day 23
Arles
Go for a power walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, attend a painting workshop learning Vincent van Gogh's techniques to create your own work, or take a guided tour seeing the Roman Amphitheater. You'll have free time to stop at Le Café van Gogh for a glass of wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Power Walk in Arles with Adventure Host (Activity Active - choose this OR another activity)
- Painting Workshop to learn Vincent van Gogh techniques and create your own painting (Activity Discovery - choose this OR another activity)
- Guided Walking Tour of Arles and Roman Amphitheater (Activity Classic - choose this OR another activity)
Optional Activities
- Free time at Le Café van Gogh for a glass of wine
Landmarks/POIs Roman Amphitheater of Arles Le Café van Gogh - Day 24
Arles to French Riviera
After breakfast, you drive to the French Riviera, which stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs French Riviera - Day 25
Nice
A guided sightseeing tour takes you through Nice. You'll discover the narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city, which hasn't changed much since the 1700s.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Nice discovering narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice (old city), unchanged since the 1700s
Landmarks/POIs Vieux Nice - Day 26
Tour End
Your trip ends after breakfast this morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
