Reflections on the Rhine (Southbound) 2026 - 10 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Basel

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Reflections on the Rhine (Southbound) 2026

10 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Basel



Tour Description:

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers takes you across Germany and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent Rhine River cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. Cruise on its famous canals along the elegant grachten–the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city dating back to the “Golden Age.” Next discover the beautiful cities of Nijmegen and Arnhem. Visit Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture—and see its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns.

Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—offering the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cruise to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Frankfurt for a guided walk or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. Here, you’ll find unrivaled natural beauty in the area best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

Map for Reflections on the Rhine (Southbound) 2026 - 10 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Basel
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Dates & Pricing

Saturday 16 May 26 — Tuesday 26 May 26Starting at $5,696Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Thursday 04 Jun 26 — Sunday 14 Jun 26Starting at $5,596Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 07 Jul 26 — Friday 17 Jul 26Starting at $4,896Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 09 Aug 26 — Wednesday 19 Aug 26Starting at $4,896Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Thursday 01 Oct 26 — Sunday 11 Oct 26Starting at $5,496Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Notes:
•In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
•Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
•Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

ITINERARY

Day 1
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. This afternoon, you may join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

Day 2
AMSTERDAM Canals of Captivating Amsterdam Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR: CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age." This afternoon, choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available or take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s vibrant streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO NIJMEGEN
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Day 3
NIJMEGEN Wildlife and WWII Valor ACTIVE Explore the beautiful landscape of lush fields and blue water on a bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Nijmegen— the oldest town in the Netherlands. Learn how this city was first built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and see the archaeological Roman-era ruins in the city that was also damaged in WWII. During lunchtime, enjoy a brief cruise to Arnhem ARNHEM WWII Valor and Medieval Castle CLASSIC This afternoon, discover Arnhem, a key site during WWII’s Operation Market Garden, and enjoy a Guided Tour featuring the city’s historical highlights and war memorials, followed by a tasting of herb and vegetable products at a medieval castle, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE
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Day 4
COLOGNE, GERMANY Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Discover the people and true spirit of one of Cologne's hippest and most creative districts on this fascinating Guided Walking Tour through the Belgian Quarter, OR: CLASSIC Learn all about the 5,000-year history and production process behind “Brown Gold”—chocolate—on this fun hands-on Guided Tour and Tasting at Cologne’s incredible Chocolate Museum, OR: CLASSIC 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! Later, local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM
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Day 5
RHINE GORGE–RÜDESHEIM Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country En route to Rüdesheim, 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. ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR: ACTIVE Take an open-air cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument. Ride or walk back down through the vineyards; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR: CLASSIC Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
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Day 6
FRANKFURT Charm in Frankfurt ACTIVE Enjoy a biking experience in the city of Frankfurt with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Frankfurt to see the city’s cultural landmarks and gleaming financial headquarters combined with the cozy ambience of quaint neighborhoods. Spend free time this afternoon exploring Frankfurt on your own. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER
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Day 7
SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG Castle Walls and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Speyer, see its imperial Cathedral, one of the largest and most significant Romanesque edifices in Germany, OR: CLASSIC 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.” EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
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Day 8
STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC 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. Choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France—or visit Alsace’s wine country today. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
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Day 9
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST Winemaking and Wonderful Woods of the Black Forest CLASSIC 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 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. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
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Day 10
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am

Accommodations

AmsterdamZurich
Westcord Jakarta
Superior First-Class



Javakade 766 Amsterdam Netherlands

A unique sustainable hotel in Amsterdam, where two worlds connect. At the former location where ships left for Jakarta, lies a green oasis in the centre of the city. Hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms with a Indonesian influenced style. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at Café Jakarta or get a drink at the Malabar. Be pampered in luxury and relax in our wellness and swimming pool with views towards the river IJ.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.