Festive Season on the Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound)

10 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Lucerne
Can you feel it? The festive season is underway on this festive river cruise on the Rhine River! You’ll also feel the cheer of festivities underway as you touch in Holland, France, and Switzerland for the perfect way to celebrate the start of the festive season. Experience Europe’s storybook villages and captivating cities as they’re a buzz with the first glow of holiday cheer. Let the festivities begin by embarking on your Rhine River cruise in Holland’s 700-year-old city of the Golden Age—Amsterdam—to board your festively adorned Avalon Suite Ship to sail into the holiday season. Savor hot chocolate by candlelight, learn cherished holiday recipes passed down through generations, and join in the joyful sounds of carols drifting through the ship. Explore Cologne’s 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and magnificent twin-spired cathedral. The oohs and awes keep coming while sailing through the Rhine River’s most dramatically beautiful views through the Rhine Gorge—where ancient castles stand sentry from cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming, cheerful town of Rüdesheim, where coffee, wine, and music are always on the menu, including a favorite stop at Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Visit the red-walled castle ruins in Heidelberg and see the stunning sights of Strasbourg, France to marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—home to fairytale forests, Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock, of course! This Rhine River festive river cruise is the perfect way to ring in the season and revisit in every Christmas memory to come.

Unwrap more special surprises of the season in Lucerne, Switzerland! Disembark your Avalon Suite Ship in Basel for a breathtaking excursion up Mount Pilatus. Then, come back down to Earth for a guided walking tour of Lucerne, featuring the moving Lion Monument and bridge. Wishes really do come true on this Avalon River Cruise vacation to ring in the holidays!

Note: While this cruise features early holiday activities and festive atmosphere along the Danube, the official opening of Christmas Markets varies by city and may not coincide with specific cruise departures. Information specific to each city can be found on that city’s tourism website.

All This. Included
Note: While this cruise features early holiday activities and festive atmosphere along the Danube, the official opening of Christmas Markets varies by city and may not coincide with specific cruise departures. Information specific to each city can be found on that city’s tourism website.