Itinerary
- Day 1
Lucerne
You'll start your adventure arriving in Lucerne, a town built along the Reuss River where you can begin getting your bearings. The city center has plenty to explore, from its squares and churches to shops that line the streets. Since you're just getting oriented, walking around different neighborhoods and checking out the local vibe will help you settle in.
Optional Activities
- Explore the squares and churches of Lucerne
- Shopping in the city center
- Day 2
Lucerne
A local guide leads you through Lucerne's historic core. You'll walk to the Lion Monument, which marks an important moment in Swiss history, then head into the Old Town with its narrow streets and traditional buildings. The Chapel Bridge comes next, one of the city's most recognizable sights, and you'll pass the Water Tower before finishing at the Jesuit Church with its baroque interior.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour including Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, and Jesuit Church
Landmarks Lion Monument Chapel Bridge Water Tower Jesuit Church - Day 3
Lucerne to Breisach
The day features a full excursion to either Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn depending on seasonal conditions, both offering sweeping views across central Switzerland. If weather doesn't cooperate, the Swiss Transport Museum becomes your backup option. Later this evening, you board your ship and set sail toward Breisach, settling in for your first night on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn (weather dependent)
- Swiss Transport Museum visit (in case of bad weather)
Landmarks Mount Pilatus Mount Stanserhorn Swiss Transport Museum - Day 4
Breisach to Kehl
You'll pick from several options today. A bike ride along the Rhine works well if you want something relaxed, or you can explore the Black Forest region visiting an open-air museum, a working water mill, and watching traditional butter-making. Alternatively, Freiburg's medieval city center sits surrounded by the Black Forest. An optional morning visit to Colmar is also available, and by evening you cruise to Kehl.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with Adventure Host OR Full-day Guided Tour to Black Forest including Vogtsbauernohf open-air museum, water mill, and butter-making demonstration OR Guided Tour of Freiburg's medieval city center
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Colmar village with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings
Landmarks Black Forest Vogtsbauernohf Freiburg Colmar - Day 5
Kehl to Mainz
Strasbourg offers choices like biking through the city or taking a sightseeing tour covering the Gothic cathedral with its ornate clock, plus the charming La Petite France district. You might also consider optional excursions to the Maginot Line or the wine regions of Alsace. The rest of your time is yours to visit museums, walk around, or just take things at your own pace before sailing to Mainz.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Discover Strasbourg by bike with Adventure Host OR City Sightseeing Tour including Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and astronomical clock, and La Petite France District
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to historic Maginot Line pre-WWII fortifications
- Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace wine country
- Museum visits in Strasbourg
- Free time to stroll the city center
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France Maginot Line - Day 6
Mainz to Rüdesheim
In Heidelberg or Mainz, you can choose a walk along Philosophers' Way or tour Heidelberg Castle to see the Renaissance ruins and the massive Great Vat. If you stay in Mainz, there's a guided city walk covering the Gutenberg Museum. After exploring, you'll watch live entertainment onboard before sailing toward Rüdesheim.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Inspiring walk in Heidelberg following the Philosophers' way with Avalon Adventure Host OR Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle including the Great Vat (World's Largest Wine Barrel) OR Guided City Walk in Mainz with visit to Gutenberg Museum
- Live entertainment on board
Landmarks Philosophers' way Heidelberg Castle Gutenberg Museum - Day 7
Rüdesheim to Koblenz
Start your morning choosing between hiking through vineyards with a guide or visiting the Mechanical Music Museum for a Rüdesheimer coffee tasting. After that, you'll sail through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site where ancient castles perch on 400-foot cliffs and the Lorelei Rock looms ahead. You'll reach Koblenz with free time before dinner and more live entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Hike through Rüdesheim vineyards with Avalon Adventure Host OR Guided Tour of Mechanical Music Museum with authentic Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
- Sail through Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage site
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Rock of the Lorelei Mechanical Music Museum - Day 8
Koblenz to Amsterdam
Cologne's options include a local bike ride, a walking tour focusing on Jewish heritage sites, or the classic city walk past the soaring Gothic cathedral with its twin steeples. Your afternoon opens up for free time where you can grab a cold Kölsch beer, a local pale lager brewed in the city for more than a century. Evening brings a cruise heading toward Amsterdam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Bike ride through Cologne with Adventure Host OR Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's Jewish heritage sites OR Guided City Walk of Cologne featuring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 9
Amsterdam
Amsterdam gives you several ways to start your day, from an early walk with a guide to an off-the-beaten-path tour through cobblestone streets or a canal cruise past the Golden Age homes. During tulip season, Keukenhof gardens offer millions of flowers, or if it's another time of year, you'll visit the Zaanse Schans windmills. An optional bike tour is available, and you'll have free time to wander colorful streets and check out canal houses.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Early morning walk in Amsterdam with Adventure Host OR Off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through cobblestone streets OR Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's Golden Age
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens during tulip season (over seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths)
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses (outside tulip season)
- Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside
- Free time to explore Amsterdam's colorful streets, canal houses, galleries, and shops
Landmarks Keukenhof Zaanse Schans - Day 10
Amsterdam to Paris
You'll board a high-speed train leaving Amsterdam for Paris this morning. Once you arrive, you'll transfer to your Suite Ship for an evening onboard with dinner. After settling into your cabin, you'll head down the Seine toward Vernon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- High-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris
- Day 11
Vernon to Les Andelys
In Vernon, you can walk through Chateau des Tourelles with a guide, take a tour of Giverny where Claude Monet lived and worked, or visit Bizy Castle. Lunch features traditional French crêpes and a pastry-making demonstration while you sail. Afternoon reaches Les Andelys, where you can either hike to the ruins of Château Gaillard or walk through this small Seine-side town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by Pastry Demonstration), Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with Adventure Host OR Guided Tour of Giverny including Monet's residence and flower and water gardens OR Guided Visit to Bizy Castle (Normandy's Versailles)
- Traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes with Pastry Demonstration while sailing
- Activity choice: Guided Hike to Château Gaillard castle ruins OR Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys
Landmarks Chateau des Tourelles Giverny Bizy Castle Château Gaillard Les Andelys - Day 12
Caudebec
The morning brings either a relaxing riverside bike ride or a guided tour along the Normandy Abbeys Route, passing over 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys built along the Seine. There's also an optional afternoon excursion to Honfleur, an old seaside town worth visiting if you have the time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Relaxing bike ride along the river with Adventure Host OR Guided Trip along Normandy Abbeys Route featuring over 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur
Landmarks Normandy Abbeys Route Honfleur - Day 13
Caudebec to Rouen
Three guided tour options let you choose your focus. You can explore Normandy's D-Day beaches including Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, tour British and Canadian commemorative sites, or experience local traditions with a Calvados brandy tasting. Later, live entertainment plays onboard before you sail to Rouen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Guided Tour of Normandy WWII landing beaches (Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, American Cemetery) OR Guided Tour of British and Canadian commemorative sites (British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, Arromanches, Juno Beach Center, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery) OR Guided Tour of authentic Normandy traditions with brandy tasting in Calvados
- Live entertainment on board
Landmarks Omaha Beach Pointe du Hoc American Cemetery Pegasus Memorial Arromanches Juno Beach Center Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery - Day 14
Rouen to Conflans
Rouen can be explored by bike with a guide or through a walking tour of the medieval quarter. You'll see the 16th-century Astronomical Clock and Notre-Dame Cathedral, the place where Joan of Arc was executed. By evening, your ship sails toward Conflans.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Guided Bike Tour of Rouen's monuments and hidden gems OR Guided Walking Tour of Rouen including medieval quarter, 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Landmarks Notre-Dame Cathedral Astronomical Clock - Day 15
Conflans to Paris
Your morning in the area offers options like a riverside bike ride along the Seine, a visit to Auvers-sur-Oise where Vincent van Gogh lived and was buried, or a tour of Château de Malmaison, the home of Napoleon and Josephine. You can also add an optional excursion to the Palace of Versailles. The ship then cruises to Paris for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Relaxing bike ride along the Seine with Adventure Host OR Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise (home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh) OR Guided Tour of Château de Malmaison (home of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles
Landmarks Auvers-sur-Oise Château de Malmaison Palace of Versailles - Day 16
Paris
Paris lets you choose between a guided walk along the Seine, a tour of the city's ancient core featuring Palais-Royal and Île de la Cité, or a broader city tour covering the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Champs-Élysées. You'll have free time afterward to explore on your own or sit at a Left Bank café with a glass of wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Experience the Seine river by foot with Adventure Host OR Guided Walk featuring Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, Left Bank, and Latin Quarter OR Guided City Tour showcasing Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and Champs-Élysées
Optional Activities
- Free time to stroll Paris independently or linger over wine in a Left Bank literary café
Landmarks Palais-Royal Louvre Museum Île de la Cité Latin Quarter Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Opéra Garnier Champs-Élysées - Day 17
Paris to Tournus
You'll take a high-speed train from Paris to Dijon, then drive to Beaune. The Hôtel-Dieu, a charity hospital built in 1443, houses a famous Last Judgement painting. From there, you'll drive to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship. The evening finds you docked in Tournus.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- High-speed Train from Paris to Dijon
- Guided Visit to Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune (built 1443) including Van der Weyden's Last Judgement painting
Landmarks Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital - Day 18
Tournus
Tournus is one of the oldest monastic centers in southeast Burgundy, and your local guide will show you its main sights. Optional excursions take you to a Chardonnay wine cellar or the Castle of Cormatin if you want to go deeper. Later, you'll enjoy a cheese tasting onboard before sailing to Trévoux.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Tournus highlights with Local Guide
- Cheese Tasting on board ship
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar
- Guided Optional Excursion to the Castle of Cormatin
Landmarks Tournus Castle of Cormatin - Day 19
Trévoux to Lyon
Lyon awaits you this morning. You can either bike through the architectural district with a guide or take a sightseeing tour from Fourvière Hill, which has several churches, then explore the Old Town's medieval alleys and the Place des Terreaux fountain. After that, there's a WWII and French Resistance lecture onboard, followed by live entertainment after dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with Adventure Host OR Guided Sightseeing Tour including Fourvière Hill, Old Town, and Place des Terreaux
- WWII & French Resistance lecture on board ship
- Live entertainment after dinner
Landmarks Fourvière Hill Place des Terreaux - Day 20
Lyon
A culinary walk takes you through Lyon to understand why it's considered France's gastronomic capital. The rest of your day opens up completely, so you can explore at your own pace, relax, or shop in France's third largest city. You might bike to local markets and parks or take a tour of the city's numerous murals. Evening cruising heads to Tournon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Culinary Walk through Lyon to discover gastronomic capital status
Optional Activities
- Bike rental to explore local produce markets and parks
- Leisurely tour of the city's more than 100 murals
- Free time to explore, relax, or shop in Lyon
- Day 21
Viviers - Avignon
Morning brings a guided walk through Tournon, one of France's oldest medieval cities with a 16th-century castle and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and granite cliffs. After lunch while sailing, you reach Viviers for a late afternoon walking tour of this charming village with pale-stone buildings, a Romanesque cathedral, and an Old Town layered with Christian, Roman, and medieval history. Entertainment plays onboard before overnight cruise to Avignon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning Guided Walking Tour of Tournon including 16th-century castle and Roman ruins
- Late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of Viviers including Romanesque cathedral and Old Town
- Live entertainment on board
Landmarks Tournon Hermitage Viviers - Day 22
Avignon
A guided tour covers Avignon's fortress walls and the Palace of the Popes. You might choose optional excursions to the ancient Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct or the wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. You'll have free time to see art, museums, theater, and take photos of the countryside and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet. Evening features live entertainment before sailing to Arles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon including ramparts and Palace of the Popes
- Live entertainment on board
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard
- Guided Optional Excursion to wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for Rhône wine region tasting
- Free time for art, culture, theatre, museums, and photography in Avignon
Landmarks Palace of the Popes Pont du Gard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pont Saint-Bénézet - Day 23
Arles
Arles offers three choices for your day. Take a power walk with a guide, join a painting workshop to learn van Gogh's techniques and create your own work, or walk through the city with a focus on the Roman Amphitheater. You'll have free time to relax at Café van Gogh over a glass of wine and soak in the Provence atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Power Walk in Arles with Adventure Host OR Painting Workshop learning Vincent van Gogh techniques OR Guided Walking Tour of Arles including Roman Amphitheater
Optional Activities
- Free time to stop in Café van Gogh for a glass of wine
Landmarks Roman Amphitheater Café van Gogh - Day 24
Arles to Marseille
Your journey concludes this morning with breakfast onboard. You'll disembark and arrange your own transport to the Marseille airport, bringing your river cruise adventure to an end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
