This mesmerizing journey sets off along the Rhine, then continues on the Saône and Rhône Rivers. Enjoy a canal cruise in splendid Amsterdam as well as guided sightseeing in Cologne, Koblenz, and Strasbourg. Delight in excursions to Germany’s Black Forest and to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town with its imposing castle. Also sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, see the legendary Lorelei rock, and visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz. A motorcoach transfer takes you into France’s Burgundy region to fascinating Beaune for a visit of Hôtel-Dieu. Next, board your ship in quaint St. Jean de Losne and set sail for Seurre, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as medieval Tournon, charming Viviers, Avignon, and Arles. Daylight permitting, sail into the peaceful Camargue area. And because this cruise has a Wine Appreciation theme, you will be joined on board by a Master of Wine, who will share his knowledge of French wines while hosting a tasting of cheese and wine, and chocolate and wine, as well as a food and wine pairing dinner. This cruise vacation has it all—castles, historic sites, delightful towns, and more! Transfer to Nice airport for the start to your Monograms extension. We’ve arranged your flight to Barcelona, Spain, along with hotel reservations, daily breakfast, sightseeing with local experts, transfers from/to your hotels to/from the airport, and more. Plus, we know you are not familiar with the city, so we’ve arranged the services of a friendly and knowledgeable Local Host® to answer questions, share inside information, help you arrange your activities and excursions, and more. The next morning, after an included breakfast, we’ll pick you up for guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide that features a drive along the elegant Passeig de Gracia, and visits of Gaudi’s extraordinary Casa Batllo and Sagrada Familia Basilica. In your free time, you could explore the Picasso Museum, catch some rays on a beach, or have fun at Tibidabo Amusement Park. Your Local Host can help you make the most of this fantastic city.

City Highlights

Cruise: deluxe 14-night cruise in an outside stateroom with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection BedsSMDay 1-2 Amsterdam (Embarkation): welcome reception; canal cruise on Day 2Day 3 Cologne: choice of guided city walk or Jewish Heritage walkDay 4 Koblenz–Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim: guided sightseeing in Koblenz; cruise through the Rhine Gorge; visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; special treatDay 5 Mainz. Excursion to Heidelberg: guided walk, visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz; excursion to Heidelberg, guided visit of the castle, see the Great VatDay 6 Strasbourg: guided sightseeing, visit the La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; onboard woodcarving demonstrationDay 7 Breisach. Excursion to the Black Forest: visit a local woodcarver’s workshop or visit a Black Forest open-air museumDay 8 Basel (Disembarkation)–Beaune–St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation)–Seurre: visit Hôtel-Dieu or take part in a Crèmant tasting in Beuane; onboard welcome receptionDay 9 Seurre–Macon: leisurely cruising; free time in Macon; included visit to Chardonnay Winery.Day 10 Lyon: guided sightseeing in Lyon, picture stop on Fourvière Hill. Onboard cheese and wine tasting.Day 11 Lyon: day at leisure. Special onboard food and wine pairing dinner.Day 12 Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers: guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral. Onboard chocolate and wine tastingDay 13 Avignon: guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes and visit a winery in Châteauneuf du Pape, wine tastingDay 14 Arles: sail into the Camargue region (daylight permitting), guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman AmphitheaterDay 15 Arles (Disembarkation)–Côte d’Azur: evening in Côte d’AzurBarcelona: 3 nights hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast (B); Monograms Local Host Service & Destination Guide with city map; guided sightseeing, inside visits and specialfeatures are shown in UPPERCASE;flight Nice-Barcelona with transfers.

Meals

Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions with sparkling wine and canapésWelcome dinnerDaily Afternoon TeaDaily Night FareFarewell dinnerComplimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner are included daily on board your vesselBuffet breakfast daily while in Barcelona

Notes

NOTES:In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.

PRODUCT_LINE: AVALON-WAL2-T-2017