Rhine River Cruise 2024

Rhine River Cruise 2024 on the Avalon Expression ship. September 22 flew into Zurich Switzerland and spent 2 nights in Lucerne. Boarded ship on September 24 for 8 nights.
Day 1 Luzern (Lucerne), Switzerland– arrived later in the day, explored the town & attended mass at Jesuit Catholic Church
Day 2 Lucerne– Guided walking tour of Lucerne. Lunch with my cousin & his wife. They later walked us to see the old city wall.
Day 3 Lucerne & Basel – Excursion to Mount Pilatus and then board the ship in Basel. Once boarded the ship left for Breisach
Day 4 Breisach, Germany – spent the day in the Black Forest & the open-air museum
Day 5 Strasbourg, France – Ship docked in Kehl. Walking tour of Strasbourg including La Petite France. In the afternoon we toured the Maginot Line, a pre WWII fortification
Day 6 Mainz, Germany – The ship first stopped at Ludwigshafen at 5 AM. Some of the guest left for morning excursions after breakfast. We stayed on the ship and rode it to Mainz. After lunch we did a walking tour of Mainz including the Gutenberg Museum. Explored the town as we walked back to the ship. The ship left for Rudesheim before dinner. Arrived 8:30 PM. Took a walk in the nearby park as they had a festival.
Day 7 Rudesheim – Guided tour of the Mechanical Music Museum in the morning and explored town as we walked back to the ship. Ship left for Koblenz at 12:15 AM. Rode on the sky deck getting photos including 22 castles. Arrived in Koblenz at 5 PM. Went exploring and decided to take cable car up to the castle with views of Koblenz.
Day 8 Koln (Cologne) – Ship left at 1:30 AM and arrived in Cologne at 7:30 AM. Guided walking tour of Cologne ending at the Cathedral. As it was Sunday, we stayed for Mass. We explored and walked back to ship. Ship left at 1:15 PM for Amsterdam.
Day 9 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ship arrived 7 AM as sun rising. Canal cruise followed by walking tour. Got to see, from Ted Lasso, the house boat & bridge Rebecca fell into canal. After tours returned to ship to pack.
Day 10 Amsterdam Airport – left early in morning for airport to fly home.

Avalon Website Description: Romantic Rhine (Northbound) - 8 Day River Cruise Basel to Amsterdam
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and visits France, Germany, and Holland! Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll 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. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style 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 Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.

At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.