Compare The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards and Castles by Avalon Waterways vs Highlights of Europe - Start Amsterdam, End Paris, Classic Group, Summer by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 3,799 | $ 4,745 |
| Price Per Day | $ 475 | $ 316 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Explore the waterways, wine regions, and historic hills from Luxembourg to Holland. You’ll board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Grevenmacher on the beautiful Moselle River. An excursion to historical Luxembourg City offers unique and dramatic views, as the town is set on two levels—high above on straddling hills and dropping into two river valleys. Enjoy a guided walk in the charming wine village of Bernkastel and taste some of the region’s best wines. Continue on the Moselle River to the picturesque town of Cochem where the Riesling grape is cultivated. Visit Reichsburg Castle, nestled among vineyards and offering breathtaking views of the town and river valley below. Sail into the Rhine River to the quintessential Rhine valley town of Rüdesheim. Here visit the amazing Mechanical Musical Instruments Museum, and enjoy a stroll through the town’s famous cobblestone Drosselgasse lined with shops, restaurants, and lively taverns. 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. Your last stop in Germany is Cologne, a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic architecture. On a guided walk, see the famous twin-spired cathedral and explore the cobblestone streets of the Old City. This extraordinary European river cruise concludes with a visit to Holland’s colorful capital of Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten. Experience spectacular scenery and discover legendary cultures on your Moselle and Rhine river cruise vacation. | Experience the best Europe has to offer. Travel from London to Europe on the high-speed Eurostar train. Cruise along the quaint canals in Amsterdam, and travel from Austria, across the Dolomites into Italy. In Italy, sample Prosecco at the Conegliano Veneto, a local family winery. Join a local home dinner in Rome where your host serves up delicious regional dishes. Enjoy VIP Vatican access which allows you to cut the lines to the museums and view the famous Bramante Staircase. Then voyage through the Chianti Hills of Florence and the cobbled streets of lakeside Lucerne with a final stop in the city of lights, Paris. |
Day 1: GREVENMACHER, LUXEMBOURG (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Luxembourg! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Luxembourg City must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
The day is yours to explore Grevenmacher—with panoramic views of surrounding forests and vineyards. Enjoy dinner on board this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN GREVENMACHER
(Dinner)
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Day 2: GREVENMACHER. EXCURSION TO LUXEMBOURG
Old World Charm and World-Class Wine
ACTIVE Bike along the Mosel with your Adventure Host, OR:DISCOVERY Enjoy a Wine Walk in Luxembourg’s Moselle Region. Discover the way of life and the daily work in the vineyards while enjoying the unique panorama at the Scheuerberg, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Luxembourg City—with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture along the deep gorge terrain.
This afternoon, you might take a Guided Optional Excursion to Roman Trier-the oldest city in Germany.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
LUXEMBOURG-CITY.jpg
Day 3: BERNKASTEL, GERMANY
Castle Vines and German Wines
Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
ACTIVE Head out into the fresh air and hike up to Landshut Castle 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.
Enjoy free time this afternoon, take a bike ride through the village to sample Apfelkuchen or other wonderful German desserts.
DISCOVERY Join a Wine Tasting to experience the tradition of legendary German wine making.
Tonight, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COCHEM
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
BERNKASTEL-TOWN-SQUARE.jpg
Day 4: COCHEM
The Charm of the Moselle Valley
ACTIVE See Cochem from atop, hike up to an excellent viewpoint with your Adventure Host, OR:DISCOVERY Take part to a Guided Visit to one of the oldest mustard mills, dating back to 1810. Under the guidance of the head mustard “miller”, you’ll watch mustard being made using traditional skills, more than 200 years of savoir-faire and a recipe that has been passed down several generations, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk of Cochem through its half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit the hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird’s-eye-view of the Moselle Valley.
Relax on board on the Sky Deck while sailing through the Moselle Valley, famous for the beautiful wine growing villages and vineyards.
AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
COCHEM.jpg
Day 5: RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
ACTIVE Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR:DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.
En route to Engers, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors.
DISCOVERY Enjoy a remarkable classical music concert in a lovely baroque venue at Engers Castle, home to the Villa Musica Rhineland-Palatinate National Foundation, one of Germany’s largest music institutions.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ENGERS
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 6: COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Join 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 Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 7: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of the city’s “Golden Age."
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. Alternatively, choose an Optional Biking Tour.
You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon by visiting one of Amsterdam’s many fascinating museums or galleries. Tonight, enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Amsterdam on your own.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 8: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
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Day 1: Welcome to Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam, enjoy a day of leisure. Join your Travel Director at 17:00 for a Welcome Reception. Mingle and get to know your fellow travellers as you cruise along some of the many quaint, tree-lined canals, to explore the heart of the Old City, before enjoying a pleasant evening of dinner and wine at a local restaurant.
Hilton Amsterdam.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: The Rhine Valley and Heidelberg
Take a scenic drive through the Rhine Valley to see quaint villages, hilltop castles and hear the legend of the Loreley Rock.Follow the Neckar River to Heidelberg and visit Heidelberg Castle with a Local Expert.
Marriott Hotel Heidelberg.
Breakfast
Day 3: Mountain-ringed Innsbruck
Skirt the northern Black Forest and head towards the rolling Bavarian Alps. Stop beneath the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein, rumoured to have inspired Walt Disney's iconic castle. Once over the Austrian border, continue to the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Tour the architectural jewels of the city, seeing the Imperial Palace, Golden Roof and the 14th century houses of the Old Town.
AC Hotel Innsbruck.
Breakfast
Day 4: Across the Dolomites to Venice Relaxed Start
Continue your journey, crossing the Italian border and on through the Dolomites. Amongst the hills of Conegliano Veneto, stop at a local family winery in Veneto to discover the art of prosecco production. Savour a tasting of these luxurious sparkling wines and discover how to make the perfect Bellini. Continue to the romantic city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic. In the evening, enjoy a dinner with wine.
Hotel Indigo Venice - Sant'Elena.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5: The Magic of La Serenissima Relaxed Start
Wake up ready to embrace this romantic city. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you witness the skill of glassblowers on a visit to a traditional arts centre. Take a private cruise to St. Mark's Square where the city's former wealth and power is evidenced by the riches of St. Mark's Basilica. Admire the Doge's Palace and its adjoining Bridge of Sighs. With the rest of the day free, why not cruise the Venetian lagoon to the island of Burano for a meal of local specialties and wine?
Hotel Indigo Venice - Sant'Elena.
Breakfast
Day 6: The Eternal City of Rome
Head into the Apennine Mountains and venture through the peaceful landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria. Follow the course of the Tiber to your hotel in the Eternal City of Rome. Italian culture is deeply rooted in hospitality with food, friends and family being central to everyday life. You’re invited into the home of a Roman local to experience Italian hospitality at its best, as you enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal with your host.
Golden Tulip Rome Piram.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: Papal and Imperial Rome
During your two-night stay, join a Local Expert for a private tour of the priceless art housed in the Vatican Museums and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Your priority visit includes fast-track entry and behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase, a part of the Vatican usually closed to the public. Then explore St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world. Cross the River Tiber to see the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.
Golden Tulip Rome Piram.
Breakfast
Day 8: The Chianti Hills to Florence
Drive to the Chianti Hills and the city of Florence. A Local Expert will accompany you to the Duomo where the Gates of Paradise adorn the baptistery. Continue to Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city, lined with fountains and statues it acts as a virtual open-air gallery of Renaissance masterpieces. A leisurely afternoon give you time to shop for quality goods, like gold and leather, which Florence is famous for. Alternatively, there is the option to visit the Accademia Gallery with an art historian to see Michelangelo's famed masterpiece, 'David.' In the evening, savour an authentic meal at a local trattoria in the heart of Florence.
NH Firenze, Florence.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: Lake Maggiore Relaxed Start
Travel past Milan, the capital of Lombardy, as you journey north to the beautiful Italian Lake District, a favourite retreat of the rich and famous where Alpine scenery combines with luxuriant subtropical vegetation. Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure at this popular resort and beautiful lake. Perhaps choose to take a cruise to the lovely Isola Bella for a guided tour of the incredible palace and stunning Botanical Gardens? Later, the choice is yours for your Dine-Around Evening. Enjoy your preferred dining experience from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants, each offering their own unique cuisine and ambience.
Hotel Simplon, Baveno
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 10: The Alps and onto Lucerne Relaxed Start
In the morning, enjoy your last moments among the charming Italian Lake District before your travels continue across the Swiss border. Appreciate the Alpine terrain as you embark on a scenic journey by funicular railway and open-top cable car to the summit of the stunning Mount Stanserhorn. Take in the pristine mountain air and, on a clear day, witness views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Explore Mount Stanserhorn with Insight Choice. Choose to take a walk along beautiful scenic pathways for a chance to see marmots and other native animals. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and hear a conservation talk by a Swiss ranger, to learn about local wildlife and flora. Continue to lakeside Lucerne where the afternoon is at your leisure. You may choose to enjoy a cruise on Lake Lucerne with its dramatic vistas.
Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Breakfast
Day 11: Lakeside Lucerne Relaxed Start
The emotive Lion Monument, carved into a limestone cliff, is a memorial dedicated to the heroic Swiss Guards who died defending King Louis XVI during the French Revolution, which is a source of great pride to the people of Lucerne. See this beautiful work before strolling across the Chapel Bridge to see the ornate Jesuit Church. With the day free, there is plenty of time for shopping for delectable chocolate and glamorous Swiss watches in the traffic-free Old Town. Perhaps venture into the countryside for a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride and meet the local farmers?
Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Breakfast
Day 12: Sights and delights of Paris
Journey through the rural French country side of Alsace and Burgundy regions, famous for its vineyards and wines, to arrive in the vibrant City of Light. During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and the imposing facades of the Louvre. Discover the banks of the Seine with its many romantic bridges, see the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. With the evening free, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this glittering city. Why not visit one of the world-famous cabaret shows?
Crowne Plaza Paris - Republique.
Breakfast
Day 13: The Food and Flavours of Paris
Start your day with an Insight Choice. Choose to shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian for fashion, perfume or cosmetics with your Local Expert. Alternatively, join an avid foodie as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. In the evening, enjoy a Celebration Dinner at the historic restaurant La Coupole. Delight in French cuisine and delicious wine.
Crowne Plaza Paris - Republique.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 14: Au Revoir Paris
Bid farewell to your travelling companions as your journey comes to an end. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 and 11:00.
Breakfast
