The Best of Austria & Switzerland with Romantic Rhine 2020

Day 1 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2 VIENNA
Guided sightseeing features a visit to magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the Ringstrasse, and Heldenplatz. (B)

Day 3 VIENNA—MELK—SALZBURG
Enjoy a Danube cruise and visit The Sound of Music Parish Church in Mondsee before arriving in Salzburg. Guided walking tour and dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 4 SALZBURG
An optional excursion is available to Berchtesgaden and Hitler’s Eagles Nest. (B)

Day 5 SALZBURG—INNSBRUCK—ST. MORITZ, SWITZERLAND
In Innsbruck, walk through the Old Town to the Golden Roof. Drive through the Swiss Engadine to St. Moritz. (B,D)

Day 6 ST. MORITZ—CHUR—TÄSCH—ZERMATT
Board the first-class panoramic coach of the Glacier Express train and arrive in Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. (B,L)

Day 7 ZERMATT
An optional excursion is available to the Klein Matterhorn. (B,D)

Day 8 ZERMATT—BERNE
Visit Chillon Castle and arrive in Berne. (B)

Day 9 BERNE—INTERLAKEN—LUCERNE
The guided walking tour of Berne features a panoramic view from the Rose Garden and the Bear Park. Drive across Brünig Pass to Lucerne. (B)

Day 10 LUCERNE
Your morning walking tour includes the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge. This evening, enjoy a private boat cruise followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 11 LUCERNE—BASEL (EMBARKATION)
Transfer from Lucerne to Basel. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,D)

Day 12 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO THE BLACK FOREST
History, Artistry, 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 Badische Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany’s southernmost wine country in Baden—ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners’ process in the vineyards here, 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 CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)

Day 13 STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Gothic Giants, Military Marvels, and Varietal Vintages

CLASSIC Join 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.

You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—an impressive installation of pre-WWII defensive 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 center.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN (B,L,D)

Day 14 LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Castle Walls and the World’s Biggest Barrel of Wine

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,” OR: 

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below.

Alternatively enjoy a brief cruise to Mainz this afternoon and join our included tour.

MAINZ
Turning the Pages of History

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B,L,D)

Day 15 RÜDESHEIM—RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

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, OR: 

ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim

Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.

KOBLENZ
Travel Through 2000 Years Of Monumental History

Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ (B,L,D)

Day 16 COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland’s Capital City

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR: 

DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites.

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)

Day 17 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

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.

You may also choose an Optional City Biking Tour to discover the countryside.

Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)

Day 18 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• Day 1 Vienna: welcome to Austria
• Day 2 Vienna: guided sightseeing, see the Ringstrasse, Heldenplatz, and visit Schönbrunn Palace
• Day 3 Vienna—Melk—Salzburg: Danube cruise and visit to The Sound of Music Parish Church in Mondsee; guided walking tour and dinner at a local restaurant in Salzburg
• Day 4 Salzburg: day at leisure
• Day 5 Salzburg—Innsbruck—St. Moritz: walk through the Old Town, see the Golden Roof in Innsbruck; travel to St. Moritz
• Day 6 St. Moritz—Chur—Täsch—Zermatt: panoramic trip onboard of the Glacier Express train to Zermatt
• Day 7 Zermatt: day at leisure
• Day 8 Zermatt—Berne: visit Chillon Castle; travel to Berne
• Day 9 Berne—Interlaken—Lucerne: guided walking tour in Berne, see the Bear Park and enjoy the panoramic view from the Rose Garden; travel to Lucerne
• Day 10 Lucerne: morning walking tour, see the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge; private boat cruise and farewell dinner at a local restaurant
• Day 11 Lucerne—Basel (Embarkation): travel to Basel; onboard welcome reception
• Day 12 Breisach: choice of excursion to Black Forest, or visit to Badische Winzerkeller
• Day 13 Strasbourg: guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral
• Day 14 Mainz: choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or hike up Philosophers’ Way, or visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
• Day 15 Rüdesheim—Rhine Gorge—Koblenz: visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; free tim in Koblenz
• Day 16 Cologne: choice of “Cologne Highlights” walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour
• Day 17 Amsterdam: canal cruise
• Day 18 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): your vacation ends this morning

This amazing vacation offers the best of both worlds: a land tour of Austria and Switzerland—two of Europe's most scenic countries—and a river cruise on the legendary Rhine River with stops in France, Germany, and Holland!

If you're a fan of palaces and castles, you'll enjoy a visit to Vienna, Austria’s Schönbrunn Palace, once the home of the Habsburg family. Stand in awe as you hear the stories of this royal family's home. And in Switzerland, you'll enjoy a visit to romantic Chillon Castle, a well-preserved, medieval castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. If spectacular scenery is your interest, you'll be thrilled with a ride on the world-famous Glacier Express train, where you'll travel first-class with panoramic windows to admire the thundering waterfalls, impressive peaks, glacial ice fields, and tiny villages on your way to Zermatt, Switzerland. Other scenic highlights include a Danube cruise along the prettiest part of the river on your way to Salzburg; a private boat cruise on the fjord-lake in Lucerne; a scenic drive into the Swiss Engadine, considered the most beautiful mountain area in the world; and more. Some sightseeing highlights include The Sound of Music Parish Church in Mondsee, a walk through the Old Town in Innsbruck, and the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne.

After this land tour of the historical sights, castles, palaces and spectacular scenery, you’ll embark your cruise ship in Basel, Switzerland, for an exciting river cruise along the Rhine River! In Breisach, Germany, 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. In Strasbourg, France, be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic 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’s castle, towering magnificently over the city, and stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam, offers world-famous museums and an abundance of restaurants amongst the classic architecture and charming canals. See the treasures of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” A perfect ending to this fabulous land and river cruise adventure!

• Ship Amenities - Avalon Panorama:
  • Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
  • Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, shade awnings, & outdoor deck game area
  • Sky Deck whirlpool
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Non-smoking staterooms & ship interior
  • Convenient Elevator Service
  • Elegant, contemporary design
  • Outside viewing deck
  • Headsets for guided shore excursions
  • English-speaking friendly crew, staff & professional Cruise Director
  • Sightseeing with Expert Local Guides
  • Onboard lectures, activities & entertainment
  • Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
  • Lounges and upscale bar serving premium spirits
  • Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, including decaf options
  • Additional biking excursions available in Amsterdam, Breisach and Bernkastel
  • Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, Nordic walking sticks, watercraft & maps
  • Casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
  • Avalon Choice® cruising experience
  • Behind-the-scenes galley tour
  • Choice of Classic, Active or Discovery excursions so that you can experience your cruise your way
  • Nordic walking sticks available onboard for complimentary check-out
  • Onshore & Onboard experiences with regional customs, cultures & tastings with local artisans, experts & entertainers
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
  • Onboard assistance is available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
  • Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi access
  • Well-stocked library with books, cards, and board games
  • Complimentary bottled water, fresh fruit, and cookies available throughout the day
  • Full-size closet mirror
• Ship Dining - Avalon Panorama:
  • Avalon Fresh^SM healthy cuisine options at every meal
  • Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, including decaf options
  • Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
  • Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
  • Daily early-riser breakfast
  • Daily late-riser breakfast
  • Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine and made-to-order egg station
  • Lunch buffet with carving and pasta stations
  • Al fresco lunch in the Sky Grill
  • Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
  • Healthy Corner options including low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy choices
  • Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan and allergy-free selections
  • Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
  • Happy Hour every evening including featured drink specials
  • Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
  • Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
  • Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
  • Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
  • Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
  • Healthy meal options
  • Casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
  • Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
  • Tastings - sample the destination's famous delicacies
  • Coffee or tea after dinner
  • Light lunch in the Panorama Lounge
  • FlexDining flexible dining times with menu & venue options

Vienna: Zeitgeist Hauptbahnof or Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen
Salzburg: Imlauer Hotel Pitter Salzburg 
St. Moritz: Laudinella
Zermatt: Pollux 
Berne: Holiday Inn Bern Westside 
Lucerne: Ameron Hotel Flora 
Cruising: Cabin onboard Avalon Panorama

Extra nights per person in Amsterdam:
in single room from $249 to $367, in twin room from $160 to $242

• In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• Port charges: $182
• Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included.
• Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability). Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• All prices per person based on double occupancy. Cruise price based on Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck. 
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package at the price quoted.