Cruise on the legendary Rhine along its entire navigable length, from the North Sea to its headwaters in Switzerland. with a cruise through the colorful Dutch waterways and visits delightful Rüdesheim, Heidelberg and Strasbourg. This unique cruise, focuses on two of the most beautiful rivers in Europe, the Rhine and the Moselle. For even greater enjoyment, add three days in delightful Lucerne, Switzerland's most popular resort, after your cruise. Spend more time before your cruise in Amsterdam or visit Brussels and Brugge.

Explore the best destinations in the world from an intimate perspective, spending your time being there, not getting there. Unlike a bus tour where you spend more time on the bus than actually seeing the country,  River Cruises offers you fine food, great service and scenic cruising along some of the world’s great rivers. Your accommodations, shore excursions and meals are paid for before you leave. For that reason rising prices for hotels and meals are not something you have to worry about.

 Seven night cruise from Amsterdam or Zurich Avalon Waterways will take you to The upper Rhine, from Basel to Mainz, which flows mostly through a wide, flat valley bordered on the east by the woodlands of Germany's Black Forest and on the west by the Vosges Mountains of France. With nine locks above Strasbourg (an attractive overnight stop on upper river cruises), the going is slow; light industry and flat farmlands make for some of the Rhine's least interesting scenery.

The middle Rhine, from Mainz to Cologne, is by far the most scenic and most historic section. From Mainz downstream past Koblenz, practically every high outcropping is capped with an ancient castle or monastery. This is where Lohengrin, heroic knight of the swan, adventured, and where legends of the Nibelungen kings inspired Wagner's operatic tetralogy, The Ring. This is also Riesling country, and in wine villages such as Rudesheim and Lorch, narrow streets edged by leaning, halftimbered houses are filled with wine shops, boutiques, and small museums.

 Below Koblenz, the river broadens and the landscape gradually flattens again. You see small manufacturing towns along the banks and, in Bonn, elegant manor houses.

The Mosel between Koblenz and Trier combines the slow pace of the upper Rhine with the scenery and romance of the middle Rhine. Picturesque villages dot steep riverbanks that are striated with vineyards and often topped with medievel castles. Viking River cruises 15 day sailing from Basel or Antwerp 

 The Rhine River Valley in Germany is incredibly romantic. For miles and miles, the river passes through hillsides of old castles and small German towns. Each castle has its own distinct style, and sheds light on the rich history of the region. The culture is alive in the small towns, where you can see vendors selling fruit by the side of the road, and narrow streets of cobblestone with children playing outside. Closely knit homes with backyard gardens and local restaurants serving authentic cuisine complete the scene. Now, picture yourself on a boat on the river, cruising along and seeing all the sights. The air is fresh, the sun is shining, and the water sparkles below...

Dutch and Belgian waterways in springtime.  

Admire the colorful Tulip carpets and flower displays, stroll amidst Kinderdijks’ lush green countryside dotted with the world-famous windmills, taste the local cheeses and learn about the traditions of the friendly Dutch and Flemish people. In Belgium, admire famous medieval cities like Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges with their stunning architecture and traditions and sample the delicious pastries and chocolates.