Europe’s most legendary cities, rivers, and sights await you on this mesmerizing river cruise and land vacation. Your adventure begins with two overnights in lovely Lucerne, Switzerland, where a guided walk features the ornate historic homes lining the walled Old Town and Chapel Bridge—the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. Enjoy free time to explore on your own and an excursion takes you to the top of Mount Pilatus for spectacular Alpine views! (Departures October 25 to November 2 visit the Swiss Transport Museum as transportation up Mt. Pilatus is unavailable due to maintenance.)

A short transfer delivers you to your Avalon ship to embark your river cruise on the enchanting Rhine River. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Strasbourg, Koblenz, and Cologne, as well as an excursion to the Black Forest and to Heidelberg—Germany’s oldest university town. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of river dotted every mile with majestic castles. Visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, see the legendary Lorelei rock, and enjoy a canal cruise in splendid Amsterdam. Transfer by high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris for your exciting Monograms extension. Your hotel reservations, sightseeing with local experts, and transfers to and from your hotels will all be arranged. Best of all, you’ll have the services of friendly and knowledgeable Local Hosts® who can answer questions, share inside information, help arrange activities and excursions, and more. We know the very best place to photograph the iconic Eiffel Tower, and we’ll take you there to get your shots! You’ll go to Notre Dame Cathedral to admire its amazing stained-glass Rose Window, and the Louvre museum to see Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and other treasures. With three overnights, the “City of Light” is yours for discovering.

Next, bid “Au Revoir” as an included high-speed train transfer whisks you from Paris to London for three nights and plenty of time to investigate just what makes England so jolly. From your local expert, you’ll hear the inside stories of famous places like Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Go inside St. Paul’s Cathedral, the iconic cathedral where Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married. You’ll also see Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus—just to name a few iconic London landmarks. With a full day to explore London on your own, perhaps ride the London Eye, shop at the iconic Harrods department store, or take in a West End theater show. A perfect ending to wonderful Avalon European river cruise and Monograms land vacation!

For specific details on this special interest river cruise, please view the day-by-day itinerary.

City Highlights

Day 1-2 Lucerne: guided walkDay 3 Lucerne–Transfer to Basel (Embarkation): excursion to Mount Pilatus; onboard welcome receptionDay 4 Breisach. Excursion to the Black Forest: visit a woodcarver’s workshop; Christmas market Day 5 Strasbourg: guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas marketDay 6 Excursion to Heidelberg–Mainz: guided visit of the castle, see the Great Vat in Heidelberg; Christmas market; visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz; Christmas marketDay 7 Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge: visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim and enjoy a special treat; Christmas market; cruise through the Rhine GorgeDay 8 Cologne: guided city walk; Christmas marketDay 9 Amsterdam: canal cruiseDay 10 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): transfer to ParisParis & London: 6 nights hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast; Monograms Local Host Service & Destination Guides with city maps; guided sightseeing, inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE; high-speed Thalys train (first class) from Amsterdam to Paris; high-speed Eurostar train (Standard class*) from Paris to London (porterage available for one suitcase on Paris– London stretch only); transfers to/from train stations *NOTE: Upgrade option available on Eurostar.

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-WZA2-T1-2018