Active Discovery on the Rhine
8 Day River Cruise Mainz to Amsterdam, Escorted by Shawnda and Brent
May 18-25, 2019
If you would like any additional details please contact Shawnda and Brent:
Shawnda and Brent 918-429-3267
Here is the day to day itinerary:
Day by Day
Day 1
MAINZ, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
How Suite It Is! Welcome Aboard Your Avalon Suite Ship®.
Flights into Frankfurt must arrive before 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
The day is yours to explore Mainz.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ
Dinner
Day 2
MAINZ. EXCURSION TO ELTVILLE
ACTIVE For some exercise before lunch, join a Guided Hike along one of the Hike Rheinsteig trails through Eltville’s Idyllic forest & vineyards, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walk through the historic Old Town of Eltville am Rhein, well known as the City of Wine, with a Wine Tasting included, OR:
CLASSIC Visit the Romanesque beauty of Eberbach Monastery.
This evening, enjoy an authentic German Dinner on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
RÜDESHEIM—RHINE GORGE
The Scenic and Majestic Rhine Gorge
Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Boppard.
BOPPARD
A Peaceful Jewel on the Rhine
ACTIVE Take a Guided Tour of Marksburg Castle, visit its battlements overlooking the Rhine, and take a scenic walk down the surrounding hillside back to your ship, OR:
DISCOVERY For a unique experience, join us on an excursion to the “Lava City” of Mendig for a Vulcano Encounter, including exploring the caverns and corridors where basalt (cold lava) was mined, as well as a visit to the nearby Monastery at “Maria Laach”, OR:
CLASSIC Take a leisurely Guided Walk of ancient Koblenz, including a cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for a spectacular panoramic view.
At day’s end, you’ll dine aboard your ship as you cruise to Engers.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ENGERS
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
BONN
Beethoven’s Birthplace, Beer Gardens, and History on the Rhine
Start your day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail to Cologne.
COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland’s Capital City
ACTIVE For a unique view of Cologne’s history and beauty, join us on a Jogging Tour of the city, OR:
DISCOVERY Join an off-the-beaten-path Guided Tour to discover the quaint Belgian Quarter of Cologne, OR:
DISCOVERY Visit Cologne’s Chocolate Museum and learn the process of chocolate production and ancient history of this food of the gods, OR:
CLASSIC Take a leisurely Guided City Walk of Cologne for a view of her must-see sight, including the Old City and its soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral.
Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜSSELDORF
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
DÜSSELDORF
Avant-Garde Architecture and Amazing Altbiers
This morning you might join a Guided Optional Excursion to Düsseldorf’s microbreweries to try a variety of Altbiers. Later, cruise to Duisburg.
DUISBURG
A Masterpiece of Industrial Architecture and Idyllic Forests
ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike through the idyllic landscapes and forests around Duisburg, OR:
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Culinary Walk through the multicultural Metropolis of the Ruhr Region and experience authentic German and Turkish specialties, OR:
CLASSIC Discover one of the most unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites through a Guided Tour of the Zollverein Coal mine. Don’t be fooled by the name—its beauty and scope will surprise you.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN DUISBURG
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
XANTEN
Roman Treasure and Priceless Archaeological Discoveries
ACTIVE Enjoy a Guided Bike Tour in the picturesque German countryside, OR:
DISCOVERY Take a step back in time through a Roman Experience Workshop, including adorning yourself in Roman garb—a story you’ll have forever OR:
DISCOVERY Participate in the Roman Games at the Archaeological Park and get first-hand experience of life and leisure time during Roman Empire, OR:
CLASSIC Enjoy a visit to the Archaeological Park along with a leisurely walking tour of the town of Xanten before returning to the ship.
Enjoy a dinner featuring dishes reminiscent of Roman cuisine.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Colorful Amsterdam—with Canals, Crooked Houses, and Cuisine of a Golden Age
ACTIVE See the sights of Amsterdam from a unique perspective by joining our Guided Jogging Tour of the city—all at an easy pace with stops for commentary, OR:
DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Class and be inspired by the masters’ techniques. Paint your own canvas and discover your inner artist, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a leisurely Culinary Walk in one of Amsterdam’s famous districts, where you’ll sample savory and sweet Dutch specialties, OR:
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways and sites of Amsterdam. Later, learn the secrets of this unique city with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Tour with your local guide.
This afternoon you might take a Guided Optional Bike Excursion through the Dutch countryside, or spend free time strolling at leisure through the galleries and cafés of Amsterdam. Later, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
Vacation Highlights
Day 1 Mainz (Embarkation): onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Mainz. Excursion to Eltville: choice of visit to the Eberbach Monastery, or Eltville guided tour with wine tasting, or hiking in Eltville
Day 3 Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge–Boppard: free time in Rüdesheim; cruise through the Rhine Gorge; choice of visit to Marksburg Castle, or Ehrenbreitstein Fortress with a cable car ride; or Volcano Tour experience with a visit to the monastery at “Maria Laach”
Day 4 Bonn–Cologne: free time in Bonn; choice of jogging tour, or Cologne sightseeing “off the beaten track”, or visit the chocolate museum, or Cologne highlights walking tour
Day 5 Düsseldorf–Duisburg: free time in Düsseldorf; choice of visit the Zollverein coal mine, or guided hike around Duisburg, or culinary tour in Duisburg
Day 6 Xanten: choice of bike tour along the Rhine, or visit to the Archeological Park, or Roman Games at the Archaeological Park, or Roman clothes workshop
Day 7 Amsterdam: choice of painting class, or jogging tour, or culinary walk, or canal cruise
Day 8 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): your vacation ends with breakfast
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.