Avalon Waterways, Active & Discovery on the Rhine (Southbound) from Amsterdam, September 12, 2023

Cruising from: Amsterdam, Netherlands;

Departure Date: 12 September, 2023;

Cruise Line: Avalon Waterways;

Cruise Ship: Expression;

Duration: 8 days;

Ports of Call: Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Arnhem, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Mainz, Frankfurt;

Day 0 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam has a rich history and famous Amsterdam residents include the diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Beside many parks, open spaces, and squares throughout the city, Amsterdam is famous for De Wallen, the red-light district. It is an unusual city to explore.

Day 1 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam has a rich history and famous Amsterdam residents include the diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Beside many parks, open spaces, and squares throughout the city, Amsterdam is famous for De Wallen, the red-light district. It is an unusual city to explore.

Day 2 Arnhem, Netherlands

Arnhem, located on the right bank of the Lower Rhine, is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands. Places of interest are the Netherlands Open Air Museum, Hoge Veluwe National Park, The Bronbeek Museum, and The Royal Burgers' Zoo, the splendid family attraction noted for its colonies of chimpanzees and gorillas. Arnhem is an ideal spot from which to explore the Netherlands.

Day 3 Dusseldorf, Germany

Dusseldorf is a university town and a center of art and fashion. This old electoral capital is also a city of wide streets lined by elegant shops, with a ring of parks and gardens encircling its vibrant downtown area. As an important cultural center, Dusseldorf has dozens of museums and in excess of 100 art galleries. Dusseldorf has a well-to-do reputation underpinned by its chic shopping street Konigsallee and the revitalised harbour where the big names in architecture have contributed buildings.

Day 4 Cologne, Germany

Cologne is fourth largest city in Germany and largest city of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia. One of the key inland ports of Europe, it is the historic, cultural, and economic capital of the Rhineland. Cologne is famous for its 12 great Romanesque churches - especially the magnificent Cologne Cathedral - all an easy walk from the historic Old Town. Its university is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. Among its attractions are Roman remains, medieval churches, Baroque palaces, and museums that reflect such diverse subjects and the various products for which it is known: fragrances, mustard, and chocolate.

Day 5 Koblenz, Germany

Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine where it is joined by the Moselle. The main sights are the old castle of Ehrenbreitstein, which dominates the right bank of the wide Rhine, and Fort Konstantin, strategically located in the heart of the old city, with views over both rivers. One of the newer tourist attractions in the city, the Koblenz Cable Car takes visitors on a thrilling aerial journey to Ehrenbreitstein castle

Day 6 Mainz, Germany

Mainz is located on the Rhine river at its confluence with the Main river, opposite Wiesbaden on the border with Hesse. This is a city of rich cultural heritage and one of the best places to experience the past is restored Old Town with magnificent Mainz Dom, cathedral with Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque styles all on display. Mainz is famous for its university, its Roman heritage, its status as a media hub and regional capital, and winegrowing tradition. Three most defining features are the Romanesque cathedral, the Gutenberg printing press and the Rhineland carnival.

Day 7 Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt is a metropolis and the fifth-largest city of Germany. Frankfurt has also long been an important center for cultural and tourism activities. Its huge trade fair complex, Messe Frankfurt, hosts important events such as the Frankfurt Book Fair (the world's most important publishing event). Frankfurt is an unexpectedly traditional and charming city, with half-timbered buildings in medieval Altstadt (old town), cosy apple-wine taverns serving hearty regional food, neighbourhoods filled with outdoor cafes, boutiques and street art, and beautiful parks, gardens and riverside paths.