Festive Time on the Rhine!
Nov. 25 - Dec. 2, 2025

With Avalon you will have a start to end river cruise experience like no other. You'll notice the difference the minute you step onboard. Spaces are more inviting, views more epic, and experiences deeper. Plus, we've included all the key elements of a cruise vacation, leaving you with a wealth of choices to personalize your trip. So welcome to Avalon Waterways - we can't wait to see you on board!

Lock in your 2023 cruise rate now with a $250 deposit per person and receive $750 OFF PER PERSON + FREE GRATUITIES! Sail aboard the Avalon View from Amsterdam down the Rhine River, Germany to Basel, Switzerland!

Experience Authentic Christmas Markets!
Skate at the foot of Heidelberg Castle!

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this delightful winter cruise on the Rhine River, which takes you across Germany—and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its Gothic architecture—will be an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. While you’re there, why not try a locally-brewed Kölsch beer? Pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine river cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum, or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle towering magnificently over the city. In Strasbourg, France, you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. The city’s Christmas market is one of the oldest and finest in Europe. Stop in Breisach, Germany, located on the French-German border, 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. At every stop, you’ll experience the magical charm of this time of year, with the towns decked out in festive lights and décor, and the Christmas markets waiting to be explored.