15-Night Spectacular Switzerland With Romantic Rhine Cruise from Zurich

ARRIVE IN ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND Welcome to Zurich! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

ZÜRICH–BIEL/BIENNE–NEUCHÂTEL–GENEVA Swiss Strolls in Geneva This morning, join an orientation walk of Zurich’s Old Town and see the Fraumünsterkirche. Depart Zurich and arrive in the picturesque town of Biel / Bienne, renowned for watch making. Enjoy some free time to explore the historic center before continuing to lakeside Neuchâtel. Time to have some lunch, stroll along the promenade, and admire the medieval castle and cathedral. Arrive in the elegant city of Geneva and take advantage of a leisurely evening to get acquainted with the city chosen to host the headquarters of many international organizations. 202 mi / 325 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT CITY SIGHTS Fall in love with Zurich with a walk through the Altstadt – its Old Town, in the historic heart of the city. See the guild houses and historic squares that span both sides of the Limmat River. Gracing the shore is the famous Fraumünsterkirche, with its signature green steeple marking the skyline above stained-glass windows designed by masters Chagall and Giacometti. (B)

GENEVA–ÉVIAN LES BAINS, FRANCE–GRUYÈRES, SWITZERLAND–BROC–GRUYÈRE AREA How Sweet it Is This morning, arrive in Evian-Les-Bains and browse the spa town famous for its mineral waters and breathtaking scenery. Arrive in Gruyères [LF] for a delicious lunch of local specialties and a traditional dessert with meringue and double crème. After lunch visit the Castle and spend time in the village. To make things even sweeter, continue to Broc and [LF] visit the Maison Cailler Swiss chocolate factory for a tasting. 90 mi / 145 kmLOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Meringue a la crème and Swiss chocolate are two perfect pleasures we can’t resist! Capture the tradition of the medieval hilltop Castle of Gruyères with the double sweetness of crème and meringue. Later sink your sweet tooth into Maison Cailler’s decadent delicacies when you visit their famous chocolate factory. (B,L,D)

GRUYÈRE AREA–GSTAAD–INTERLAKEN–GRINDELWALD Spectacular Switzerland Lots of alpine scenery to admire today, beginning with Gstaad for a stroll around the winter resort popular with celebrities. Continue to Interlaken and enjoy some free time in one of Switzerland’s oldest resorts, then take a short drive to arrive in Grindelwald for a leisurely afternoon. 87 mi / 140 kmENHANCED FREE TIMEEXPLORE MORE Grindelwald has been attracting visitors since the 18th century, a popular hub for those wishing to explore the Bernese Oberland, an area renowned for stunning scenery and unspoilt nature. During the winter months the area is a top ski destination, and Grindelwald is Switzerland’s largest ski resort.(B)

GRINDELWALD. EXCURSION TO THE JUNGFRAU The Top of Europe Prepare to be filled with wonder by today’s special treat! Join an excursion to the [LF] Jungfrau Massif with a mountain train ride to the summit. Receive your Jungfrau Passport and at the summit enjoy free time to explore the Alpine Sensation. Visit the Ice Palace, experience the Panorama 360°, have a bite of lunch, and even shop for chocolate at the world’s highest chocolate shop!GLOCAL FAVORITEEPIC RIDE An unforgettable journey to the Jungfraujoch, often called the “Top of Europe.” Disembark at Europe’s highest railway station and spend time exploring. Visit the Ice Palace where artists have created incredible ice sculptures. Enjoy 360° cinematic experience of the Jungfrau Panorama and don’t miss the chance to take the ultrafast lift to the Sphinx Observatory to get a fantastic view of the longest glacier in the Alps.(B,D)

GRINDELWALD–BERN–LUCERNE Alpine Attraction Arrive in beautiful Bern, capital city of Switzerland. Join your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour; see some of Bern’s most famous inhabitants at the Bear Park, stop at the Rose Garden for a panoramic view of the city, and stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its ornate fountains and entertaining Zytglogge (clock tower). Continue to Lucerne and enjoy free time late afternoon and evening to get acquainted with this alpine gem. 112 mi / 180 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS BärenPark (Bear Park) is home to Pyrenean brown bears (after which the town is named). This hillside habitat in Bern differs greatly from the bear pit of 1191 when Duke Berthold V vowed to name the town after the first animal his hunt found in the nearby woods. The first records of bears being kept in the city date back to 1513 when soldiers brought live bears home as spoils of war. Fast forward to the modern day as the inhumane bear pit of the 16th century has evolved into a 6,000 square-meter natural habitat alongside the Aar River. (B)

LUCERNE–BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION) Transfer from Lucerne to Basel. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,D)

BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.ACTIVE Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR: 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 in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. EVENING CRUISE TO KEHL(B,L,D)

KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France ACTIVE Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.You may also choose to join 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 MAINZ(B,L,D)

MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG Castle Walls and the World’s Biggest Wine BarrelACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, 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,” OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B,L,D)

RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee, OR:DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle and enjoy a delicious wine tasting.En route to Koblenz, 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.KOBLENZTravel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ(B,L,D)