This amazing vacation offers the best of both worlds: a land tour of Austria and Switzerland—two of Europe’s most scenic countries—and a river cruise on the legendary Rhine River with stops in France, Germany, and Holland!

If you’re a fan of palaces and castles, you’ll enjoy a visit to Vienna, Austria’s Schönbrunn Palace, once the home of the Habsburg family. Stand in awe as you hear the stories of this royal family’s home. And in Switzerland, you’ll enjoy a visit to romantic Chillon Castle, a well-preserved, medieval castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. If spectacular scenery is your interest, you’ll be thrilled with a ride on the world-famous Glacier Express train, where you’ll travel first-class with panoramic windows to admire the thundering waterfalls, impressive peaks, glacial ice fields, and tiny villages on your way to Zermatt, Switzerland. Other scenic highlights include a Danube cruise along the prettiest part of the river on your way to Salzburg; a private boat cruise on the fjord-lake in Lucerne; a scenic drive into the Swiss Engadine, considered the most beautiful mountain area in the world; and more. Some sightseeing highlights include The Sound of Music Parish Church in Mondsee, a walk through the Old Town in Innsbruck, and the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne.

After this land tour of the historical sights, castles, palaces and spectacular scenery, you’ll embark your cruise ship in Basel, Switzerland, for an exciting river cruise along the Rhine River! In Breisach, Germany, find the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. In Strasbourg, France, be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s castle, towering magnificently over the city, and stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam, offers world-famous museums and an abundance of restaurants amongst the classic architecture and charming canals. See the treasures of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” A perfect ending to this fabulous land and river cruise adventure!

City Highlights

Day 1 Vienna: arrive in Vienna, welcome dinnerDay 2 Vienna: guided sightseeing, visit Schönbrunn Palace and HeldenplatzDay 3 Vienna–Melk–Mondsee–Salzburg: visit the church from The Sound of Music in Mondsee; in Salzburg guided walking tour, visit Mirabell Gardens and the Residenz Square; dinner with the wine at the St. Peter StiftskellerDay 4 Salzburg: day at leisureDay 5 Salzburg–Innsbruck–St. Moritz, Switzerland: walk through the Old Town to the Golden RoofDay 6 St. Moritz–Chur–Täsch–Zermatt: Glacier Express train to ZermattDay 7 Zermatt: day at leisureDay 8 Zermatt–Berne: guided visit of Chillon castleDay 9 Berne–Interlaken–Lucerne: guided walking tour in Berne, stop at the Rose Garden and the Bear Park, take pictures of the Jungfrau massifDay 10 Lucerne: walking tour, private cruise with a drink and farewell dinner at a local restaurantDay 11 Zürich–Transfer to Basel (Embarkation): onboard welcome receptionDay 12 Breisach. Excursion to the Black Forest: visit a woodcarver’s workshop or visit a Black Forest open-air museumDay 13 Strasbourg: guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedralDay 14 Excursion to Heidelberg–Mainz: guided visit of the castle, see the Great Vat in Heidelberg; visit the Gutenberg Museum in MainzDay 15 Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge–Koblenz: visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim and enjoy a special treat; cruise through the Rhine Gorge; guided walk in KoblenzDay 16 Cologne: choice of guided city walk or Jewish Heritage walkDay 17 Amsterdam: canal cruiseDay 18 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): your vacation ends this morning

Meals

Cruise Portion: 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 vesselLand Portion:Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 lunch on the Glacier Express train, 5 three-course dinners with wine including a welcome dinner in Vienna and a farewell dinner in Lucerne

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-XZC5-2018