22 Day River Cruise Basel to Bordeaux
Immerse yourself in German and French culture on this fabulous Europe river cruise vacation along the Rhine, Seine, Garonne, and Dordogne Rivers. Your adventure begins in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to unrivaled beauty of Germany’s Black Forest. Soak in the sights of Strasbourg, France, located on the French-German border—perfectly blending the cultures of both countries. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles peer from 400-foot cliffs above the shores. History comes to life in Cologne, Germany—the 2,000-year-old city best known for its Gothic architecture and towering twin-spired cathedral. Continue to Amsterdam and board a canal cruise for an immersive view of the tall, narrow houses in the capital of Holland. Be whisked away via high-speed train to Paris to board your Seine River cruise to be wined, dined, and delighted by French culture, cuisine, and captivating charm. Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk or see the legendary landmarks of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower—to name a few.
Your European river cruise vacation gets even better with a captivating cruise on France’s Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Sail through the brilliant Bordeaux region—famed for its legendary vineyards and lovely villages. Be carried away with your choice of Avalon’s included Classic, Active, and Discovery experiences—from the regal histories of castles and Châteaux to the romantic cellars where wine bouquets and bon-vivant cuisine tempt the palate. While the landscapes and lush pastoral treasures are plentiful along the shores of the Garonne and Dordogne, Avalon elevates each immersive experience for a deeper discovery of the cultural and architectural treasures that recall the rich traditions of Southwest France. From unparalleled panoramic drives to forested two-wheel excursions by bike to the delicacies of seaside Arcachon—the world is your oyster on this adventure in la belle vie of Bordeaux!
May 20 to June 10
July 1 to July 22
July 29 August 19
August 12 to September 2
September 9 to September 30
September 23 to October 14
October 7 to October 28
Welcome to Switzerland!
Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE EXCURSION
Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY EXCURSION
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:
CLASSIC EXCURSION
Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
EVENING CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
ACTIVE EXCURSION
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION
Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ
Castle Walls and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
ACTIVE EXCURSION
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' Way, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION
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:
CLASSIC EXCURSION
Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, 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
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
ACTIVE EXCURSION Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
DISCOVERY EXCURSION
Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.
En route to Koblenz take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei.
Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE EXCURSION Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY EXCURSION Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral.
Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
ACTIVE EXCURSION Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets, canal houses, galleries, and shops.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Monet’s Fleurs and Crêpes du Jour
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE EXCURSION Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces*, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.
Serenity on the Seine
ACTIVE EXCURSION Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC
*Monet’s House is closed in March and November. During this period this excursion will be replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche-Guyon and its castle.
Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine
ACTIVE EXCURSION Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.
This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC
Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions
CLASSIC EXCURSION Join a Guided Tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION
Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Join “A Taste of Normandy” Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN
The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France
ACTIVE EXCURSION Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANSISE TO AMSTERDAM
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV
ACTIVE EXCURSION Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.
Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.
*Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Monday of each month and on 22nd September. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly.
EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE EXCURSION Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS
Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding
This morning, travel to Bordeaux to board your Suite Ship® and start your cruise on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers.OVERNIGHT
*Ship may sail in the evening to Cadillac-sur-Garonne based on tide and water levels.
DOCKING IN BORDEAUX
On the Steps of Montesquieu
CLASSIC EXCURSION Take a guided tour of Château de la Brêde—birthplace of Montesquieu—political philosopher and author of “The Spirit of Law.” Visit the fortress-style castle still reflected in its impressive moat, OR:
DISCOVERY EXCURSION Join a Guided Visit with wine tasting at a local château. Sip the sweet notes and fresh acidity of Sauternes, the beloved golden-yellow wine.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your Suite Ship® .
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CADILLAC-SUR-GARONNE
Bikes, Vines, and Wines
This morning, enjoy a leisurely sailing to Cussac Fort Médoc
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE EXCURSION Enjoy a relaxing E-bike guided tour in Bordeaux’s finest wine region. You will be amazed by the picturesque countryside while you enjoy a wonderful ride through the vineyards, OR:
DISCOVERY EXCURSION Take a Guided Visit to an historic Château in the Médoc area and enjoy a tasting of their wonderful wines, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as protagonists.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CUSSAC FORT MÉDOC
Fine Art, Fine Bubbly, and a Fine Day for a Drive
A brief morning sailing to Blaye. Ask your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
CLASSIC EXCURSION Take a guided visit to the Citadel of Blaye, an UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by a panoramic drive following the famed Route de la Corniche along the right banks of the River Dordogne, OR:
DISCOVERY EXCURSION Join a Guided Tour to discover Blaye from a different perspective, including a visit to a local art gallery with wine tasting.
Relaxing afternoon sailing on the Dordogne River to Bourg.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BOURG
The Village Amid the Vineyards
CLASSIC EXCURSION Join a guided tour of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion—a UNESCO World Heritage site of legends and legendary landscapes.
Later, sail Bordeaux.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX
Bordeaux Sights and Brilliant Lights
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
CLASSIC EXCURSION Join a guided walking tour to discover the heart of Bordeaux with a stroll amid its stunning squares, avenues, and cathedrals sights.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX
Seas, Shells, and Sips
ACTIVE EXCURSION Join your Adventure Host for a bike ride along Bordeaux’ postcard river views of the Les Quais, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION Join a full-day guided tour of the seaside resort of Arcachon. Gaze upon its 19th-century architectural treasures and taste its delicacies of oysters and wine.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX
Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration. Avalon puts you in the captain's seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world's most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you'll see how the tides they are a-changin'.
© The Trip Goddess 2023
Website managed by SwellDestinations