Your European vacation begins with a Monograms® vacation package in Lake Como and Lucerne, with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas. Your Local Host® is on hand to assist you with sightseeing, free-time recommendations, and any other assistance you need during your stay in Lake Como and Lucerne. In Como, an included guided walking tour features the charming historic district, the Gothic-style Town Hall, and the impressive Duomo. Enjoy a guided walking tour, including the Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, Jesuit Church, and an excursion to Mount Pilatus.

Embark on your Rhine River cruise through France, Germany, and Holland. Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll find the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with ancient murals and the fascinating astronomical clock. Stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then 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. Last stop in Germany is Cologne—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic-style architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral.

At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colorful Amsterdam. See the treasures of this 700-year-old city on an included canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.

Included Features:

Day 1 Lake Como: Welcome to Italy

Day 2 Lake Como: Guided walking tour

Day 3 Lake Como: Boat ride on Lake Como to Bellagio

Day 4 Lake Como-Lucerne: Transfer by High Speed Train (First Class); guided walking tour in Lucerne, with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge

Day 5 Lucerne, Mount Pilatus-Basel (Embarkation): Excursion to Mount Pilatus (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); transfer to Basel to join your ship; onboard welcome reception

Day 6 Breisach: Choice of excursion to Black Forest or visit to Badischer Winzerkeller or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 7 Strasbourg: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Mainz: Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, or hike up Philosophers' Way, or visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz

Day 9 Rüdesheim-Rhine Gorge-Koblenz: Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge; free time in Koblenz

Day 10 Cologne: Choice of 'Cologne Highlights' walking tour or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 11 Amsterdam: Choice of canal cruise or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 12 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning

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