Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Southbound)

4 nights from £805pp departing Friday 15th Dec 2023

This Christmastime river cruise is a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Frankfurt, Germany, then sail up the Rhine River to Basel, Switzerland, passing beautiful views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated. This one-of-a-kind Christmas river cruise through France and Germany takes you on an excursion to Heidelberg, Germany, to visit the fascinating ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city. At this time of year, an ice rink can be found at the foot of the castle and the Christmas market is spread over five...

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	15th15	DecDec	202323	Frankfurt, Germany, embark on the Avalon Visionary
FRANKFURT, GERMANY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER FRANKFURT-FESTIVE-LIGHTS.jpg
	16th16	DecDec	202323	Speyer, Germany
Speyer is a town located in southwest Germany situated beside the river Rhine. Originally founded by the Romans, it is one of the oldest settlements in Germany and is situated in the popular wine growing region of the Palatinate. A key attraction of Speyer is the Historical Museum of the Palatinate, which is one of the most celebrated culture-history museums in Germany. It features five permanent collections including Prehistory, Roman Times, Cathedral Treasury, Modern Era and Wine Museum. Not far from the museum, visitors will find the Imperial Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is considered the largest preserved Romanesque church in Europe. Originally constructed by Konrad II, this magnificent and looming building was intended to demonstrate the Lord’s religio-political claim to power against the papacy. Speyer has been producing wine since its Roman beginnings and wine tasting, festivals and events are popular all year round. The town is popular for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling as well as guided walking tours of the town. SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG HEIDELBERG-FESTIVE-CHRISTMAS-MARKET.jpg
	17th17	DecDec	202323	Strasbourg, France
STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village. Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH STRASBOURG-FESTIVE-CHRISTMAS-MARKET.jpg
	18th18	DecDec	202323	Breisach, Germany
Breisach is a town located in Southwest Germany on the French border. The town is situated in the Rhine Valley on the banks of the river Rhine and dates back over four thousand years. Breisach and its history can be experienced through the City History Museum, which houses a permanent exhibition taking you from Stone Age through the Celtic, to the Romans and Middle Ages, right up to modern day. St Stephen's Cathedral is home to the city’s famous art treasures, the wheel wells, which are housed in the neighbouring Radbrunnenturm with the forty one metre deep water well. The cathedral is also home to many other treasures including the High Altar of Master HL and wall paintings by Martin Schongauer as well as High Gothic and Roman architecture. A visit to the Blue House, the former Jewish Community Centre, is highly recommended. Now owned by the Friends of Former Jewish Community House Breisach it exhibits memorials to Breisach’s Jewish heritage. BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest DISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting. OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood. After your visit to the winery, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL BLACK-FOREST-CLOCK.jpg
	19th19	DecDec	202323	Basel, Switzerland, disembark the Avalon Visionary
Basel is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the Swiss, French and German borders. It is located on the bend of the River Rhine and benefits from a Mediterranean climate. It is the third most populated city in Switzerland and has been the commercial hub for Swiss arts and culture since the Renaissance. In 1967 the people of Basel voted to acquire two paintings by Picasso, who was so moved by the Basel people that he donated 3 paintings and a study to the city's Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts). Visit the Augusta Raurica, one of the largest Roman archaeology parks in Switzerland, and enjoy a river crossings over the River Rhine by non-motorised ferries. During the summer months, time is spent outdoors, either swimming in the River Rhine, dining al fresco, enjoying open air concerts, cinema, street parties and festivals. Basel is home to over 20 restaurants that have won GaultMillau or Michelin awards, and boasts Switzerland's largest collection of theatre shows, including modern contemporary dance, touring and puppetry theatre. BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights shouldn't leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. BASEL-FESTIVE-SUNRISE.jpg

Avalon Visionary

Launch Year

2012

Tonnage

2,022

Capacity

128

Cabins

Accessible

Sky Deck

Royal Deck

Sapphire Deck

Indigo Deck

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Panorama Suite

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
B	Panorama Suite (Sapphire Deck Aft)	£748	£748
A	Panorama Suite (Sapphire Deck Forward)	£777	£777
P	Panorama Suite (Royal Deck)	£805	£805

Room Features

Comfort Collection Beds
Luxurious mattress toppers
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
European-style duvets
Soft & firm pillows
Extra blankets
Choice of bed configuration
Nightly turn-down service
Bedside tables with reading lamps
Hairdryer
L'Occitane bath products
Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
Alarm clock
Make-up mirror
Direct-dial telephone
Bathrobes & slippers
Well-stocked minibar
Complimentary water
In-room safe
Individual climate control
Elegant, contemporary design
Large mirror in bathroom
Marble countertops in bathroom
Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony
6-person sitting area
Full shower with glass door
Writing desk and chair
Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
Sofa
Coffee table
Complimentary Wi-Fi
One Queen-Sized Bed or Two Twins
USB Ports

Royal Suite

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
S	Royal Suite	£2,746	£2,746

Room Features

Comfort Collection Beds
Luxurious mattress toppers
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
European-style duvets
Soft & firm pillows
Extra blankets
Choice of bed configuration
Nightly turn-down service
Bedside tables with reading lamps
Hairdryer
L'Occitane bath products
Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
Alarm clock
Make-up mirror
Direct-dial telephone
Bathrobes & slippers
Well-stocked minibar
Complimentary water
In-room safe
Individual climate control
Elegant, contemporary design
Large mirror in bathroom
Marble countertops in bathroom
Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony
6-person sitting area
Full shower with glass door
Writing desk and chair
Vanity and lighted makeup mirror
Sofa
Coffee table
Double sinks
Complimentary Wi-Fi
USB Ports
One King-Sized Bed or Two Twins

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Dining Room

The ship’s main venue is the Dining Room situated on the Sapphire deck. With an elegantly simple design, you can enjoy a full buffet breakfast or lunch with special options for those who wish to eat lightly, and delicious four-course dinners in the evening.

Panorama Lounge & Bistro

The Panorama Lounge & Bistro, with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows for a stunning view, offers a casual atmosphere for guests to enjoy a variety of regional and tapas-style dishes, hand-paired with local wines.

Room Service

Room service is available for Continental breakfast & beverages.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Observation Lounge

The Observation Lounge on the Royal Deck, gives guests a prime view to enjoy the premium spirits.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

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Holiday Summary

	4 nights cruising on the Rhine
	Beer, wine & soft drinks at lunch & dinner
	One complimentary shore excursion In every port
	Free Wi-Fi Included
	Exclusive special events
	Speciality wine pairing meal @ Panorama Bistro
	Bikes for passenger use
	Port Taxes and Fees
	ABTA and ATOL Protection*