Avalon Tranquility II, The Rhine & Moselle ex Basel to Amsterdam

Your cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers begins in Basel, Switzerland, to explore extraordinary cities in Germany and France, as well as Holland’s capital of Amsterdam. At the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border sits Breisach—the gateway to Germany’s beautiful Black Forest. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where a local expert will show you the red-sandstone Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and its fascinating astronomical clock. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, then sail for the charming Rhine Valley wine town of Rüdesheim.

Cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge for the the most beautiful view of the Rhine River, and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit Koblenz, strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, before coming to the charming wine village of Bernkastel! Here, you’ll go on a guided walk and taste some of the famed Moselle wines! Visit a medieval castle, then sail back into the Rhine and explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River. Your river cruise holiday ends in marvellous Amsterdam. Take in the sights on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”

Day 1
Welcome to Basel. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zurich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

Day 2
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE - Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY - 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:
CLASSIC - Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting.
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)

Day 3
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
ACTIVE - Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC - Take a City Sightseeing Tour, including the city's Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city centre.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B,L,D)

Day 4
Philosophers' Views and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel
ACTIVE - Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a hike up Philosophers' Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR:
CLASSIC - Take an entertaining Guided Tour to the famous Frankenstein castle, nestled in the hills of the Western Odenwald area, and enjoy a breathtaking view on the Rhine Valley, OR:
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."
Enjoy sailing a leisurely afternoon sailing to Rudesheim.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RUDESHEIM (B,L,D)

Day 5
Breathtaking Views
This morning leave Rudesheim after breakfast and enjoy the breathtaking views as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Koblenz.
KOBLENZ : Fortress Walls and Manor Halls
ACTIVE - Explore Koblenz's Mosel side by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC - Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortresses walls, towers, squares and monuments, OR:
CLASSIC - Visit the Sayn Manor House on a Guided Tour.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL (B,L,D)

Day 6
Hillside Vines and German Wines
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. This morning enjoy a leisurely sailing.
ACTIVE - Bike along the Mosel river with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC - Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel-with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber-framed houses.
This afternoon, select a Guided Optional Excursion to a local winery for a wine tasting.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REMICH (B,L,D)

Day 7
Enjoy a free morning to discover Remich on your own. Alternatively choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available.
During lunch time enjoy a short sailing to Trier.
TRIER, GERMANY: Ancient Worlds, and Old World Charm
ACTIVE - Explore Trier on foot, hike around the city with your Adventure Host, OR
CLASSIC - Take a Guided Sightseeing tour of Trier-Germany's oldest city with ancient remnants dating from 144-152 AD. Starting from Porta Nigra, walk through the city centre, OR:
CLASSIC - Join a history-focused Roman Trier Guided Tour to learn more about the history of Roman civilization in this Moselle River city, and visit the ruins of a 20,000-seat amphitheater, and imperial baths.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COCHEM (B,L,D)

Day 8
The Charm of the Moselle Valley
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
ACTIVE - Bike along the Mosel river with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY - Visit the former bunker of Germany's Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank) and immerse yourself in the underground vault where millions of German Mark were kept during the Cold War, OR:
CLASSIC - Join a Guided Walk of Cochem to see the charming town's half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit the hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird's-eye-view of the Moselle Valley and river bend,
Enjoy a short cruise to Alken, where you have free time to explore at your own pace, Alternatively, select a Guided Optional Excursion to Eltz Castle.
EVENING CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)

Day 9
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland's Capital City
ACTIVE - Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR;
DISCOVERY - Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR;
CLASSIC - Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne-with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
Spend free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years!
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT SAILING TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)

Day 10
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
ACTIVE - Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
CLASSIC - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."
During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Alternatively, choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam's many fascinating museums or galleries.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)

Day 11
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Another exciting Suite Ship graces the rivers of Europe in 2015. The intimate setting of the Avalon Tranquility II® features two full decks of Panorama Suites with Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform the living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard-perfect for stretching out and relaxing-or even throwing a private cocktail party for up to six adults in the spacious sitting area. Onboard amenities and services include free Wi-Fi access, Internet corner, a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, a hair salon, elevator, and a spacious Sky Deck with shade system, whirlpool, deck games, and the delightful Sky Bistro for al-fresco lunches of light grill fare.

You've always forged your own path...with your own distinct perspective of looking at the world. Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind-offering expansive views and wider perspectives. With river cruising's only Open-Air BalconySM, these wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows open wider than any other in the industry, blurring the line between outside and in, forming a spacious seating area for six, and creating an open invitation to discover and dream. Even if you're a seasoned traveler, you've never seen Europe like this.

Whether you'd like a romantic mini-break, an extended exploration, or something in between, with Avalon Waterways, you get to choose the river cruise that reveals the very best of Europe, Asia or South America.

What defines luxury? Is it the enjoyment of the good things in life, or is it simply having things just the way you prefer them? At Avalon Waterways, we navigate with both elegance and ease to deliver a "just right" experience - one that transports you at just the right pace, with just the right amenities, and just the right views. Along the legendary waterways of Europe, we balance enriching activities, included excursions, mouthwatering cuisine, and unmatched service to offer the perfect degree of relaxed indulgence. We call this the Avalon difference.