Rhine & Rhône Revealed with 2 Nights in French Riviera (Southbound) 2026
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31.03-16.04.26 guaranteed
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14.04-30.04.26 guaranteed
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04.08-20.08.26 guaranteed
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01.09-17.09.26 guaranteed
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29.09-15.10.26 guaranteed
Itinerary
Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous European river cruise vacation along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône 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!
Tour program
Day 1
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAMMeals:
Dinner
Day 2
AMSTERDAM
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: Activity 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.Overnight:
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNEMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
COLOGNE, GERMANY
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:Activity discovery:
Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:Activity 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! Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment. Overnight:
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIMMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM
Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:Activity 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: Activity discovery:
Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. Overnight:
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIMMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
MAINZ. HEIDELBERG EXCURSION
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:Activity classic:
Enjoy a Guided City Walk including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing, OR:Activity 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."Overnight:
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KEHLMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:Activity 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. Overnight:
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACHMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
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: Activity 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. Overnight:
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASELMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)–BEAUNE–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (EMBARKATION)
Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement.This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship®. Overnight:
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUSMeals:
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9
TOURNUS
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. Activity discovery:
Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.Overnight:
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUXMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10
LYON
Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR:Activity classic:
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.Activity discovery:
Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance Lecture on board your ship.Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner. Overnight:
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYONMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
LYON
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. Overnight:
EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNONMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
TOURNON
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.Location:
VIVIERSWorld History in a Charming French Country Village Activity 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.Overnight:
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNONMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13
AVIGNON
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 Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône 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-Bénézet. Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment. Overnight:
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLESMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14
ARLES
Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR:Activity discovery:
Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:Activity 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 Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine. Overnight:
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLESMeals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15
ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)–FRENCH RIVIERA
Breakfast
Day 16
FRENCH RIVIERA
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.Meals:
Breakfast
Day 17
FRENCH RIVIERA
Breakfast
Tour Details
Accommodation
2 nights in Nice
14 nights onboard
Open–Air Balconies® and Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows in all Panorama SuitesSM
Comfort Collection BedsSM with choice of mattress firmness
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Bathrobes & slippers
Premium L'Occitane® bath products & hairdryer
Large bathroom featuring shower with glass door
Wide selection of free movie channels and English-speaking TV
Individual climate control and in-room safe
Full-size closet and mirror
Additional under-bed storage
Well-stocked mini-bar
Flights
Guide
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Insurance
Meals
Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
Avalon Fresh® healthy cuisine options at every meal
Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
Daily breakfast buffet with full range of classic breakfast items, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and daily a la carte specials
Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Daily lunch buffet featuring regional specialties, classic dishes, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and rotating chef’s features including carving & pasta stations. Alternatively, you may dine al fresco at our Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather and itinerary permitting) or enjoy a light lunch in the Panorama Lounge.
Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Avalon FlexDining® flexible dining times with menu & venue options
Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan, low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, high energy and allergy-free selections
Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
New in 2023 - included Happy Hour every evening featuring house beer, wine, cocktails and a drink of the day
Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
Specialty coffees, espresso drinks and beWell Essence flavored and infused water available throughout each day
Optional
Additional Services
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
Panoramic windows throughout the ship
Elegant, contemporary design & decor
Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
Covered Observation Lounge
Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
Elevator
Non-smoking interior and staterooms
Avalon Waterways offers a selection of included excursions in every port of call, with something for everyone within their "Classic", "Discovery" and "Active" collections
Transport
Avalon Waterways cruise ships
Good to know
Currency
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Customer reviews
Operator
Faq Tour
How can I book a tour?
You can order a tour on our website by selecting the desired dates and clicking the “Confirm dates” button. You can also contact our sales department by phone or email.
Which payment options are available?
We accept credit cards, bank transfers and other popular payment methods.
Can I change or cancel my reservation?
Yes, changes or cancellations are possible, however penalties may apply depending on the time before the tour starts.
What documents are required to participate in the tour?
You will need a passport with a valid visa (if required) to visit countries along the tour route.
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