Europe River Cruise
Trip summary statistics
Limited DatesNovember – December Only
7days
Christmastime Cruise on the Rhine
Frankfurt, Europe River Cruise, Rhine River Cruise, Speyer, Kehl, Breisach, Basel, Lucerne, Zurich
Sail the scenic Rhine for 4 nights, drifting by picturesque villages adorned with Christmas magic.
Revel in the enchanting festive spirit of Speyer, Strasbourg, and their Christmas markets
Savor wines at Badischer Winzerkeller, with options to explore Colmar or the Black Forest.
Unwind during an overnight stay in Lucerne, Switzerland’s beautiful lakeside gem.
Consult your Cruise Expert to find the ideal time to cruise from November to December.
* Please note: USD per person, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.
A travel experience like no other
This sample itinerary was created by experts and is meant to inspire your next trip. It is ready to be customized to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and departing whenever you choose.
FrankfurtGet In and Get Some Rest
- Airport - Private Transfer
- Meet & Greet
- Germany Welcome Package
- Independent Discovery of Frankfurt
- Self-Guided: A Taste of Frankfurt
Europe River Cruise to Frankfurt to Rhine River CruiseAll Aboard!
- 1/2 Day Panoramic City Tour with Christmas Markets (4 hrs) - Private
- Private Port Transfer
- Frankfurt - Embarkation
- Avalon Waterways Amenities & Inclusions
Speyer to Rhine River CruiseFestive Fun
- Speyer. Excursion to Heidelberg
Kehl to Rhine River CruiseAdvent Adventures
- Kehl. Excursion to Strasbourg, France
Breisach to Rhine River CruiseYuletide Cheer
- Breisach, Germany. Excursion to Black Forest
Basel to LucerneGourmet Delights
- Basel - Disembarkation
- Basel to Lucerne (1 hr) - Private
- Switzerland Welcome Package
- Meet & Greet
- Walking Tour with Chocolate & Cheese Tasting (3 hrs) - Private
Lucerne to ZurichUntil Next Time…
- Lucerne to Zurich (45 mins) - Private
FRANKFURT
Get In and Get Some Rest
A private transfer between your hotel and Frankfurt Airport is provided.
For your added comfort, an English speaking assistant will be waiting for you at the hotel lobby. Your representative will help you to check in and walk you through the welcome package documents, your itinerary and answer your questions.
A Welcome Package with a copy of your itinerary, tickets (if relevant), and any other information that we deem you may find useful, will be provided to you in destination.
Take some time at leisure for a self-guided stroll through Frankfurt, a former Coronation city of the German Emperors. Within your final trip documents, you’ll receive a supplemental composition which showcases our suggestions for a self-guided stroll through Frankfurt, as recommended by Kensington Tours Destination Experts.
Deciding where to dine in any foreign city can be a bit challenging. To assist, you’ll receive a supplemental composition within your final trip documents, showcasing our restaurant suggestions for Frankfurt, as selected by Kensington Tours Destination Experts.
Where you’ll be staying
Comfort Double Room
EUROPE RIVER CRUISE TO FRANKFURT TO RHINE RIVER CRUISE
All Aboard!
Enjoy the festive aura of Frankfurt with a private-guided panoramic city tour of Old and New Frankfurt, followed by a discovery of the city's renowned Christmas Market. You'll be introduced to the most interesting sights of this former Coronation city, including the historic heart of the medieval Roemer, the home of Frankfurt's city hall for over 600 years, flanked by the soaring Frankfurt Cathedral in all its Gothic splendor. The 15th century Old St. Nicolas Church along with the red-brick St. Paul's Church are also in the immediate vicinity. Walk over Roemer Square and in Old Sachsenhausen see the Goethe House, birth place of this great poet, before spotting the old Opera House, and the banking quarter with the European Central Bank. Admire the old central plaza Hauptwache, the towers of the former city wall, and spot one of the largest rail stations in Europe. To wrap up with some yuletide cheer, continue with a visit of the historic Frankfurt Christmas Market, one of the oldest in all of Germany. Accompanied by the scent of roasted almonds under the wonderful twinkling Christmas tree, all of your senses will be delighted as you meander the market, peruse the stalls, interact with vendors, and perhaps even buy a festive keepsake to bring home.
Meet your private driver and vehicle for a port transfer.
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship is ready for boarding.
Your extraordinary Avalon Waterways river cruise is packed with world-class inclusions and thoughtful amenities designed to make your journey as seamless as it is unforgettable. Enjoy all-inclusive dining with fresh, regionally inspired cuisine, paired with complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. Choose from a variety of immersive shore excursions, whether you prefer guided sightseeing, active adventures, or hands-on cultural experiences. Stay connected with complimentary wifi and unwind in an inviting, elegantly designed onboard setting. Wellness-focused travelers can take advantage of a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga classes, and an open-air Sky Deck with whirlpool access, all while enjoying healthy menu options crafted with fresh ingredients.
Avalon Waterways’ exceptional onboard amenities further enhance your voyage. Savor handcrafted cocktails and locally inspired dishes in sophisticated lounges and restaurants. Bask in panoramic river views from the spacious Sky Deck or indulge in relaxation with a soothing onboard massage. In the evenings, enjoy regionally themed entertainment, live music, and special performances that bring your destinations to life. For explorers, complimentary bicycles and Active Discovery excursions offer unique ways to experience each port of call. With Avalon, every detail is designed for a personalized and enriching river cruise experience.
Where you’ll be staying
Panorama Suite (P)
SPEYER
Festive Fun
This morning, take a shared tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the 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.
Where you’ll be staying
Panorama Suite (P)
KEHL
Advent Adventures
Come along for shared 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. 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. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
Where you’ll be staying
Panorama Suite (P)
BREISACH
Yuletide Cheer
Today, Join a shared guided tour through storybook Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past countless historic buildings and monuments, OR: Join a shared guided tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.
Where you’ll be staying
Panorama Suite (P)
BASEL TO LUCERNE
Gourmet Delights
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Enjoy a transfer from Basel to Lucerne by private vehicle with an English speaking driver.
A Welcome Package with a copy of your itinerary, tickets (if relevant), and any other information that we deem you may find useful, will be provided to you in destination.
An English-speaking representative will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby for your added comfort. The representative will assist in checking in and walk you through the welcome package documents, your itinerary and answer your questions.
Delve into Lucerne's rich history and gastronomy, as you wander ancient streets and iconic landmarks, led by an expert English-speaking guide. Commence with a leisurely stroll across the iconic 14th-century Chapel Bridge, offering panoramic views of the city's picturesque waterfront. Traverse the city's historic streets and encounter the macabre Dance of Death paintings adorning the Mill Bridge. Discover the remnants of the ancient Musegg Wall, a testament to Lucerne's medieval past, and marvel at the imposing architecture of the stately Town Hall, where suits of armor evoke the spirit of the Middle Ages. Continue your exploration to the poignant Lion Monument, a touching tribute to the Swiss guards who sacrificed their lives during the French revolution. Witness their bravery immortalized in stone, a solemn reminder of Switzerland's rich history. But the highlight of your tour awaits at a local artisan shop, where you'll indulge in the delights of Swiss chocolate and cheese specialties. Savor the rich flavors and creamy textures of these handcrafted delicacies and discover why they are renowned worldwide.
Where you’ll be staying
Double Room Hillside
LUCERNE TO ZURICH
Until Next Time…
Meet your private driver and settle in for a transfer by private vehicle from Lucerne to Zurich. Approximate transfer time is 45 minutes.
FRANKFURT
LUME Boutique Hotel, Autograph Collection
Embracing the vibrant spirit of Frankfurt, the LUME Boutique Hotel, Autograph Collection stands as a testament to heritage and modernity intertwined within the city's pulse. Composed of four 19th-century villas, each steeped in history, this enclave marries elegance with liveliness, echoing the hotel's ethos of cultural legacy interwoven with contemporary allure. Within its historic walls, discover 133 guestrooms and suites where modern aesthetics meet a nostalgic nod to the chic ambiance of the 1950s. Step into a culinary symphony at the on-site restaurant, where French bistro classics, reimagined and infused with the essence of freshly caught sea specialties, tantalize the palate. Venture to the bar, an ode to French sophistication adorned with subtle Japanese influences, where signature cocktails beckon. Find serenity in the exclusive boutique sauna, a sanctuary cocooned within this bustling metropolis—a seamless blend of refinement and relaxation. LUME Boutique Hotel, Autograph Collection, is an ode to timeless elegance, inviting guests to partake in a refined urban escapade amid Frankfurt's vibrant city life.
RHINE RIVER CRUISE
Avalon Panorama
The Avalon Panorama led the way as the first of its kind in the industry to feature two full decks of Panorama Suites complete with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. You'll cruise in river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony in a 200-square-foot suite that's 30% larger than the industry standard. The Comfort Collection beds actually face the view, so you can stretch out and relax with the world at your feet. Retire each evening and wake each morning to a panorama of picture-postcard scenes! Exciting onboard amenities include complimentary computer use in public areas and complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access, a well-stocked library, a Fitness Center, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, shade system, whirlpool, and delightful Sky Bistro. There's no better way to take in the view than cruising in Europe in the spacious comfort of the Avalon Panorama..
LUCERNE
Art Deco Hotel Montana
Art Deco Hotel Montana is located in Lucerne in a slightly elevated location and offers charm, atmosphere, and culture. Guests of the Montana enjoy not only the incomparable ambiance of the Art Deco-style rooms but also a unique view across the lake, town, and mountains. Awarded “Hotel of the Year” by SonntagsZeitung’s hotel ratings, the property offers a tantalizing array of gastronomical choices at the on-site bars, lounges, and dining facilities. A day spa is also available at the property. The shortest funicular in the world leads in only 60 seconds from the hotel lobby directly to the lake promenade.
Made to Order
- Choose from a range of places to stay, from impeccable five-star hotels to equally outstanding boutique ones.
- Tailor your trip to include a wide variety of activities, from the must-see's to the lesser-known, local experiences, and even the exclusive ones you may not know about.
- With no fixed dates or set schedules, you can explore on your terms.
- Whether you're celebrating one of life's big moments or looking to fulfill a personal journey, we always work with you to ensure we're creating a trip-of-a-lifetime.
What's included
- A fully customized itinerary based on your interests and schedule
- 24/7 in-destination support from our local office
- Regional flights between stops in your itinerary (unless otherwise indicated)
- All accommodation stays, tours and transfers for scheduled activities are covered, unless otherwise listed in the itinerary
- A private driver for tours and transfers (in some countries our local private guides also act as your driver - your Destination Expert will discuss with you if applicable)
- Local private guides or shared tours that take you through your itinerary highlights and experiences, your final itinerary will confirm the type of tour
- A greeting at the airport or at your accommodation from one of our representatives – your expert will confirm your meet and greet location with you
- Breakfast each morning at your hotel, plus any meals indicated in the itinerary
- One suitcase and one carry-on per person for trip transfers
What's not included
- Your international airfare – please do let your expert know if you'd like to receive pricing from our Air Team
- Travel insurance, which we offer and can be purchased after you've booked your tour
- Visas (unless noted)
- Tips for services and experiences
- Lunches, dinners and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), unless specified in the itinerary
- Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
- Personal charges such as laundry, phone calls, SIM cards or room service
- Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
- Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of your itinerary
- Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, or local camera or video fees
- Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
Protect your travel
- We recommend travel protection. Between missed connections, lost or delayed luggage, or medical emergencies, you want some peace of mind that your travel investment is well protected.
- No matter who you buy from, please consider purchasing a travel protection plan before you travel. Still unsure? Consider these frequently asked questions.








