Active Discovery on the Rhine

8 Day River Cruise Mainz to Amsterdam, Escorted by Shawnda and Brent

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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.