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

Your European river cruise holiday starts in marvellous Amsterdam where there is much to see! Discover the treasures of this colourful, historic city on a canal cruise through the elegant Grachten lined with stately homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age". Explore the magnificent city of Cologne, Germany, which spans both sides of the Rhine River, then visit Koblenz, strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Explore the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages still standing! Take a guided walk through the delightful marketplace, see the renaissance-era Town Hall, and taste famed Moselle wines! Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, considered the most beautiful view of the Rhine River, and see ancient castles standing majestically on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit the charming Rhine Valley wine town of Rüdesheim, then visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s Castle, towering magnificently over the city.

Continue your stunning European river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where a local expert will show you the red-sandstone Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. At the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border sits Breisach—the gateway to Germany’s legendary Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Disembark your river cruise in Basel, Switzerland. Beauty, new discoveries, and delightful surprises are plentiful on your European river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers!

Day 1
Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. During tulip season, don't miss a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens-with more than seven million flowering bulbs. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)

Day 2
Colorful Canals of Amsterdam
Visit the Adventure centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
CLASSIC - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age."
This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. Alternatively spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam's many fascinating museums or galleries.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE (B,L,D)

Day 3
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
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! Local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT SAILING TO COCHEM (B,L,D)

Day 4
The Charm of the Moselle Valley
This morning, select a Guided Optional Excursion to Eltz Castle.
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 Cochem's hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird's-eye-view of the Moselle Valley and river bend.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REMICH (B,L,D)

Day 5
Ancient Worlds and Old World Charm
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
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.
This afternoon choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL (B,L,D)

Day 6
Hillside Vines and German Wines
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 KOBLENZ (B,L,D)

Day 7
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.
Enjoy the breathtaking views as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Rudesheim.
RUDESHEIM; Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
Enjoy free time this evening to explore this picturesque village.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B,L,D)

Day 8
Philosophers' Viewsand the World's Biggest Wine Barrel
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
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,"
This afternoon a short sailing will bring you to Speyer, where you will have free time to explore at your own pace.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)

Day 9
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 BREISACH (B,L,D)

Day 10
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
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:
DISCOVERY - 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 BASEL (B,L,D)

Day 11
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (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.