This delightful European river cruise through France and Germany combines with a fantastic Monograms holiday package in Paris and London. Your adventure begins with two overnights in Nice on the French Riviera, before travelling to Port-Saint-Louis to board your Avalon Suite Ship. A Master of Wine will accompany you on your river cruise in France with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
You’ll sail into the peaceful Camargue area, and visit Arles. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world—and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. See charming Viviers, medieval Tournon and, Vienne. In Lyon, take a guided tour to Beaujolais and the following day to Chardonnay, where you will have the opportunity to taste local wines. Cruise to Mâcon for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Transfer to Basel and embark on a mesmerising Rhine River cruise. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Strasbourg, Koblenz, and Cologne, as well as an excursion to the Black Forest and to Heidelberg—Germany’s oldest university town. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of river dotted every mile with castles. Enjoy fascinating sightseeing in Mainz, Rüdesheim, and Cologne before arriving in Amsterdam for a scenic canal cruise.
Next transfer to Paris by high-speed train for your Monograms holiday package. Your 3-night stay in the “City of Lights” includes guided sightseeing and a Seine River cruise. Travel via high-speed train from Paris to London for a 3-night stay in this dynamic city. See such traditional sights as Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, and visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, the iconic cathedral where Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married. Take photographs of the iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and the Shard. With plenty of free time to explore Paris and London on your own, your Monograms Local Host® is always on hand to point you in the right directions for culture, cuisine, and everything in between.