Romantic Rhine's Architecture

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers takes you across Germany and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent Rhine River cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Cruise on its famous canals along the elegant grachten--the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city dating back to the “Golden Age.” Visit Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—and see its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Ludwigshafen for a guided visit to Schwetzingen castle, or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style 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. Stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. Here, find unrivalled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

Your Fly, Stay & Cruise Package Includes:

• $3,000 flight credit per person
• 4 nights 4-star accommodation in Amsterdam with breakfast
• Canal Cruise with Coffee and Snack Box
• Brussels and Bruges - Full-Day Tour
• 7-night Romantic Rhine (Southbound) river cruise onboard Avalon View
• All onboard meals during your river cruise
• Guided shore excursions included on the cruise
• Port charges and government fees
• 4 nights 4-star accommodation in Basel with breakfast
• Basel Private Walking Tour
• Select private transfers

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 20 August – 04 September 2027

Extend your holiday in Europe, speak with the team about options!

Solo pricing available

Canal Cruise with Coffee and Snack Box

This cruise offers you the best views of the 17th-century buildings lining the city canals, and will also show you the 21st-century city that Amsterdam has become. You’ll come across new architecture and bridges, showing a city that is rooted in history but continues to develop and change.

Brussels and Bruges - Full-Day Tour

Embark on an unforgettable journey through two of Europe's most enchanting cities! From the idyllic canals of Bruges to the architectural splendour of Brussels, this tour will take you through captivating landscapes of the Dutch countryside and historical sites you won't want to miss. 

Basel Private Walking Tour

Basel is a multicultural city, cheerful, innovative and open to the world. It is also known as the Swiss capital of culture.

Cruise Itinerary:

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, 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.

Day 2: Canals of Colourful Amsterdam

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

Classic Excursion: Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city

Classic Excursion: 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 or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colourful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

Day 3: Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Active Excursion: Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host

Classic Excursion: Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites

Classic Excursion: 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! Later, local musicians will join you on board for live entertainment.

Day 4: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

En route to Rüdesheim, 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.

Active Excursion: Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, followed by a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee

Classic Excursion: Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee

Discovery Excursion: Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.

Day 5: Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel

Active Excursion: Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way

Classic Excursion: Join a Guided Visit to Schwetzingen Palace—the heart of a stunning site consisting of the palace, palace gardens, and historic palace square

Classic Excursion: 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.”

Day 6: A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

Active Excursion: Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host

Classic Excursion: Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

Choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country today. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city centre.

Day 7: German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

Active Excursion: Take a Guided E-bike Tour to experience the magical Black Forest from a unique point of view

Classic Excursion: 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:

Classic Excursion: Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

Day 8: Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.

Prices listed are per person in NZD, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 27-10-2026 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.