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The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards & Castles

4.6/5 Based on 5 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Cruise Advisor
River View
$4,089
Balcony
$6,068
Suite
$7,751
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
8 Days
 Cruise Starts
Remich
 Cruise Finishes
Amsterdam
8 Day The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards & Castles Itinerary (Avalon)
Countries Explored: Luxembourg, Germany, Holland
Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship
Departures
Passengers
128
Crew
37
Launched
2016
Cruise Code
WRA

Overview

Explore the waterways, wine regions, and historic hills from Luxembourg to Holland. You’ll board your Avalon Suite Ship in Remich on the beautiful Moselle River. An excursion to historical Luxembourg City offers unique and dramatic views, as the town is set on two levels—high above on straddling hills and dropping into two river valleys. Enjoy a guided walk in the charming wine village of Bernkastel and taste some of the region’s best wines. Continue on the Moselle River to the picturesque town of Cochem where the Riesling grape is cultivated. Visit Reichsburg Castle, nestled among vineyards and...read more offering breathtaking views of the town and river valley below. Sail into the Rhine River to the quintessential Rhine valley town of Rüdesheim. Here visit the amazing Mechanical Musical Instruments Museum, and enjoy a stroll through the town’s famous cobblestone Drosselgasse lined with shops, restaurants, and lively taverns. Pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Your last stop in Germany is Cologne, a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic architecture. On a guided walk, see the famous twin-spired cathedral and explore the cobblestone streets of the Old City. This extraordinary European river cruise concludes with a visit to Holland’s colourful capital of Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city from a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten. Experience spectacular scenery and discover legendary cultures on your Moselle and Rhine river cruise holiday.

Itinerary

Welcome to Luxembourg! Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Luxembourg City must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. The day is yours to explore Remich - the Pearl of the Moselle - with panoramic views of surrounding forests and vineyards. Enjoy dinner on board this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN REMICH (D)

Old World Charm and World-Class Wine

  • Active: Bike in two countries along the Mosel with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Discovery: Enjoy a Wine Walk in Luxembourg's Moselle Region. Discover the way of life and the daily work in the vineyards while enjoying the unique panorama at the Scheuerberg, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Luxembourg City - with its dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture along the deep gorge terrain. This afternoon, you might take a Guided Optional Excursion to Roman Trier - the oldest city in Germany.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BERNKASTEL (B/L/D)

Castle Vines and German Wines

Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

  • Active: Head out into the fresh air and hike up to Landshut Castle with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel - with its medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber - framed houses.

Enjoy free time this afternoon, take a bike ride through the village to sample Apfelkuchen or other wonderful German desserts.

  • Discovery: Join a Wine Tasting to experience the tradition of legendary German wine making.

Tonight, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COCHEM (B/L/D)

The Charm of the Moselle Valley

  • Active: See Cochem from atop, hike up to an excellent viewpoint with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Discovery: Take part to a Guided Visit to one of the oldest mustard mills, dating back to 1810. Under the guidance of the head mustard "miller", you'll watch mustard being made using traditional skills, more than 200 years of savoir-faire and a recipe that has been passed down several generations, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Walk of Cochem through its half-timbered houses and winding streets. Visit the hilltop Reichsburg Castle with a bird's-eye - view of the Moselle Valley.

Relax on board on the Sky Deck while sailing through the Moselle Valley, famous for the beautiful wine growing villages and vineyards.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO RUDESHEIM (B/L/D)

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

  • Active: Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat, OR:
  • Discovery: Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat.

En route to Engers, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei - where the mythological siren's songs lured ill-fated sailors.

  • Discovery: Enjoy a remarkable classical music concert in a lovely baroque venue at Engers Castle, home to the Villa Musica Rhineland - Palatinate National Foundation, one of Germany's largest music institutions.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ENGERS (B/L/D)

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

  • Active: Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Discovery: Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne - with its soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral.

Spend free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager - locally brewed for over 100 years!

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)

Canals of Colourful Amsterdam

  • Classic: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of the city's "Golden Age."

During tulip season, don't miss a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens - with more than seven million flowering bulbs. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Alternatively, choose an Optional Biking Tour.

You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon by visiting one of Amsterdam's many fascinating museums or galleries. Tonight, enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Amsterdam on your own.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Life Onboard Avalon Imagery II

Avalon Imagery II
Avalon Imagery II

Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more

Our Vision. Your View.
Our Vision. Your View.

With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more

Exclusive Meets Inclusive
Exclusive Meets Inclusive

Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more

Avalon Choice
Avalon Choice

Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more

Active & Discovery
Active & Discovery

Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more

From View to Table
From View to Table

Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more

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4.6
AVG. RATING 4.6 / 5
5 Reviews
5 Star
60%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Moselle & Rhine Cruise 2 , QLD, Australia, Oct 2019
Exceptional cruise, well looked after, room, excursions, meals and staff excellent. Probably would go in a warmer time of year next trip. Met many new friends, atmosphere provided by staff and entertainer was very pleasant, looking forward to our next trip.
Enjoyable holiday 1 , WA, Australia, Jul 2016
We were really surprised how wonderful the scenery was on the Moselle river. The beautiful little German towns, with excellently restored medieval houses were a surprise to us. The boat was spacious and the staff most helpful. The trips were mainly well organised, though some elderly people found the walking a little difficult. If I had to be critical ...read more the only thing that was annoying was that we did not leave Paris until nearly 4pm to go to Luxembourg. That meant that by the time we got there it was a rush for dinner.
Beyond all expectations 2 , Australia, Aug 2014
Beyond all expectations, a wonderful ship, fantastic crew and Hendrik our tour director was the best. Poetry 2 was exquisite with great decor and was kept spotless. The only minor letdown was the hotel in Paris where there was a lack of service and long delays in getting room allocation. (After 5 pm before room was ready) What a wonderful experience, ...read more pity we could not bring the bed and pillows home. Well done Avalon and thank you for giving us such a great trip. Also a special thanks to Hannah for being so efficient and prompt in answering any enquiry we made during booking our trips.
Enjoyed this cruise immensely 1 , Australia, Jun 2014
Windmills, Vineyards and Paris. Enjoyed this cruise immensely. We are already looking forward to what we can do next. Can't really fault anything and we would recommend Avalon cruises to anyone. Value for money and you know what you are getting with no hidden costs.
We had a fantastic time on the cruise 2 , Australia, Aug 2012
A really friendly crew and cruise director helped make it a very enjoyable experience. The ship was modern and in immaculate condition. The meals were very varied and of a very high standard. We had a plentiful choice for onshore excursions each day. We enjoyed all of these, especially the bike ride along the river bank and the wine tasting in town. ...read more We will definitely travel with Global Journeys in the future!

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Avalon River Cruises (2024-25)

Embark with Avalon on your choice of over 75 cruises on 12 rivers (plus the Galápagos!) featuring 24 countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and Egypt. Discover tradition and timeless beauty on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône, and Saône—to name a few. Discover how generations of graceful traditions live on while sailing the Mekong in Southeast Asia...more or unlock the secrets of the Sphinx on the mysterious Nile in Egypt. Welcome aboard! Where shall we sail next?

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Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Avalon. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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