German Grandeur for Beer Enthusiasts (Westbound)

See the grandeur of Germany on a European river cruise through its most picturesque destinations along the Main and Rhine Rivers. For beer enthusiasts, a knowledgeable Beer Expert joins your cruise to host lectures, beer tasting, and food-and-beer-pairings for an authentic German and France river cruise experience.Embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® in Nuremberg, and sail to Bamberg for a guided walking tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties. In the afternoon, enjoy a hop garden tour while tasting also a local beer. Your enchanting river cruise continues to Würzburg—the “Pearl of the Romantic Road.” From here sail to Frankfurt, where you may join a guided sightseeing tour of the city, or visit the nearby town of Seligenstadt. Later enjoy a local beer tour.

On your way to Rüdesheim, you’ll sail through the picturesque views of the Rhine Gorge. Then cruise to Strasbourg and join a guided city tour of the sights, such as the stunning stained glass of its Gothic cathedral, the astronomical clock, and La Petite France district. Your scenic cruise through Europe includes a stop in Breisach to visit Germany’s beautiful Black Forest region. Choose a visit to a local winery in Breisach, or a day trip to the Black Forest’s Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum. You’ll find much more to explore your way on this grand river cruise on the Rhine and Main Rivers. Conclude your cruise in Basel, Switzerland, with memories of this adventure through many of Europe’s most beautiful destinations to last a lifetime.

Leaving from: Nuremberg

Cruise ship: Avalon Tranquility II

Visiting: Nuremberg • Bamberg • Würzburg • Miltenberg •

Avalon Waterways

Avalon's suite ships in Europe and Southeast Asia boast wall-to-wall windows that transform cabins into open-air balconies, and there are also river-facing beds to make the most of passing views.

The line’s Active & Discovery sailings have optional action-packed experiences alongside traditional shore tours.

Avalon Waterways also offers short-break cruises of three and four nights.

128

Passengers

Crew

2015

Launched

2022t

Tonnage

110m

Length

13kts

Speed

Decks

EUR

Currency

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Nuremberg, Germany

Day 2

Bamberg, Germany

Day 3

Würzburg, Germany

Day 4

Miltenberg, Germany

Day 5

Frankfurt, Germany

Day 6

Boppard, Germany

Day 7

Strasbourg, France

Day 8

Breisach, Germany

Day 9

Basel, Switzerland

Day 1

Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg is a medieval city located in northern Bavaria in Germany. It is Bavaria's second largest city and is noted for its iconic red roofed buildings and medieval architecture. The imperial Castle overlooks Nuremberg and was one of the most important fortifications of the Roman Empire. For more significant cultural history, the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, one of the largest cultural history museums in the German speaking world, offers visitors exhibitions from Prehistoric all the way to present day. Walking tours around the city offer an enjoyable and active way to learn of Nuremberg’s history and culture. Through Old Town, discover fountains, wells, churches, and art treasures, as well as learning of the colourful past and cosmopolitan present of the city and its people. Nuremberg is also home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, where visitors can purchase traditional handmade decorations and enjoy the famous gingerbread, mulled wine, and grilled sausage from over one hundred and eighty wooden stalls.

Day 2

Bamberg, Germany

Bamberg is a German town located over a landscape of seven hills and the confluence of Regnitz and Main rivers. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre with Old Town home to structures dating back to the 11th century. An iconic landmark to visit in Bamberg is the town hall Altes Rathaus, located on an island in the Regnitz and covered in murals. Bamberg Cathedral, with its four towers and numerous stone carvings, is a striking example of Romanesque architecture. Head to the Market Gardeners District and visit the historical houses where centuries ago the town gardeners would grow and export produce such as onions, seeds and liquorice. In the town centre and heart of Little Venice, the rivers and arched bridges connecting the island city are reminiscent of Venice, with a lively atmosphere and modern shops set in historical surroundings. After a day shopping, head to one of the many Brewery pubs for some popular German beer. Bamberg is famous for its beer and is where its name originated from, with the town being populated by nine traditional breweries.

Day 3

Würzburg, Germany

Würzburg is a city in Bavaria in southern Germany. It is located on the River Main and is famous for its lavish baroque architecture and Franconian wine. The Residence Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is highly recommended. It is a well known example of Baroque architecture with its acclaimed staircase, impressive frescos and imperial hall. Other impressive sites in Würzburg include the towering fortress of Festung Marienberg, the Alt Mainbrücke old bridge, which offers ideal views of the Marienberg, Dom St. Kilian cathedral and the many churches of Würzburg including the Romanesque Neumünster. Many of these sites have their own museums for visitors to learn of the history or view unique collections. Other museums of interest are the Mineralogical Museum, exhibiting the world of minerals and stones, and the Botanical Gardens, with various greenhouses and outdoor areas to enjoy. Wine lovers will find an abundance of wineries in Würzburg, offering cellar tours and wine tasting as well as traditional Bavarian cuisines and hospitality. Enjoy wine soup, Gerupfter (cheese spread) and Sauerbraten (braised beef in wine) in a friendly traditional wine tavern.

Day 4

Miltenberg, Germany

Miltenberg is a city located in Bavaria and Southern part of Germany. Located on the banks of the river Maine the city grew from its medieval roots through Viniculture, wine trade, fishery, and general river traffic, into the established and preserved town of today. Visit the Museum Stadt Miltenberg, housed in the half timbered house called the Alte Amtskellerei (The Provost’s Office) and discover the town’s history through collections depicting culture back to the Romans. A visit to castle Miltenberg is also recommended. The castle dates back to the 11th century and is now owned by the city administration. With the castle in need of rehabilitation, the Museum Burg Miltenberg was opened to exhibit classic icons and contemporary art in a historical and significant setting. The keep of the castle, which reaches twenty seven metres high, offers picturesque views of the Main Valley below and is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy some refreshments.

Day 5

Frankfurt, Germany

Day 6

Boppard, Germany

Day 7

Strasbourg, France

Day 8

Breisach, Germany

Breisach is a town located in Southwest Germany on the French border. The town is situated in the Rhine Valley on the banks of the river Rhine and dates back over four thousand years. Breisach and its history can be experienced through the City History Museum, which houses a permanent exhibition taking you from Stone Age through the Celtic, to the Romans and Middle Ages, right up to modern day. St Stephen's Cathedral is home to the city’s famous art treasures, the wheel wells, which are housed in the neighbouring Radbrunnenturm with the forty one metre deep water well. The cathedral is also home to many other treasures including the High Altar of Master HL and wall paintings by Martin Schongauer as well as High Gothic and Roman architecture. A visit to the Blue House, the former Jewish Community Centre, is highly recommended. Now owned by the Friends of Former Jewish Community House Breisach it exhibits memorials to Breisach’s Jewish heritage.

Day 9

Basel, Switzerland

Basel is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the Swiss, French and German borders. It is located on the bend of the River Rhine and benefits from a Mediterranean climate. It is the third most populated city in Switzerland and has been the commercial hub for Swiss arts and culture since the Renaissance. In 1967 the people of Basel voted to acquire two paintings by Picasso, who was so moved by the Basel people that he donated 3 paintings and a study to the city's Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts). Visit the Augusta Raurica, one of the largest Roman archaeology parks in Switzerland, and enjoy a river crossings over the River Rhine by non-motorised ferries. During the summer months, time is spent outdoors, either swimming in the River Rhine, dining al fresco, enjoying open air concerts, cinema, street parties and festivals. Basel is home to over 20 restaurants that have won GaultMillau or Michelin awards, and boasts Switzerland's largest collection of theatre shows, including modern contemporary dance, touring and puppetry theatre.

Ship Details

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Tranquility II

Your Avalon river cruise will bring new tranquility to your traveler's soul, but you'll also find plenty of ways to excite your adventurous spirit to cruise your way! While on board, enjoy the intimate setting of the Avalon Tranquility II with two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that create river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony.

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