Windmills Vineyards & Paris

Day 1 Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)
Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland�s capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Dinner)

Day 2 Amsterdam
There is no better way to see the city than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam�s �Golden Age.� Afterward, your river cruise vessel sets sail for Cologne. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Cologne, Germany
Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany�s largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of the magnificent gothic cathedral dominate the river skyline, and the Germano-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, caf�s, and shops. Try a K�lsch, the favorite local beer, and shop for a bottle of �4711,� the original eau de cologne. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 R�desheim�Rhine Gorge�Koblenz
R�desheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine tour and SIEGFIRED�S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there�s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblez is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The Deutsches Eck, located on a tongue of land where the two rivers converge, holds an impressive equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Map

Day 5 Cochem
Today we sail up the Moselle River, which rises in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and enters Germany at Trier. Visit Cochem�s REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here the views of the little town nestled down below and of the river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Bernkastel
In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKET PLACE. Wine growers in this area look after Germany�s largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region�s varietals. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Trier�Remich, Luxembourg
The venerable Episcopal city of Trier is the oldest in Germany and, some claim, even older than Rome! A house on the marketplace bears the inscription, �Trier was standing 1,300 years before Rome.� The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town center. Trier�s most famous son was socialist revolutionary Karl Marx. This afternoon, cruise to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Remich (Disembarkation)�Paris, France
After breakfast, transfer to Metz to board the HIGH-SPEED TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Paris. (Breakfast)

Day 9 Paris
Paris� famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Op�ra, Madeleine, Champs Elys�es, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife including some of the world�s most famous cabarets. (Breakfast)

Day 10 Paris
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Highlights & Sightseeing

CRUISE:
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Remich in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds

AMSTERDAM:
Welcome reception; canal cruise

COLOGNE:
Guided sightseeing

R�DESHEIM:
Siegfried�s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

RHINE GORGE:
Cruise through the gorge

COCHEM:
Visit Reichsburg Castle

BERNKASTEL:
Guided walk, local marketplace; visit a wine cellar

TRIER:
Guided sightseeing, see the Porta Nigra

METZ�PARIS:
By high-speed train

PARIS:
Guided sightseeing

Meals
Full buffet breakfast in Paris; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a welcome reception, Captain�s reception, and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe�s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements

Hotels
PARIS Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF)

Notes:
In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
In the rare event that the high-speed train is unavailable, alternative arrangements will be made.
Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.

Avalon Luminary
Cruising on the Avalon Luminary is the ideal way to experience the majesty, extensive history and fascinating culture of some of Europe's oldest cities along the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers. Built in 2010, the Avalon Luminary is one of the latest additions to the Avalon fleet, and holds a maximum of just 138 passengers. Visit multiple countries and cities and unpack only once, so you spend your time experiencing and enjoying Europe rather than dealing with the logistics of travel. Enjoy a highly personalized cruise experience, spacious deluxe staterooms and suites, contemporary d�cor, and popular onboard amenities, including a large Sky Deck with deck chairs and whirlpool, multiple lounges and a bar, Internet corner, fitness center, hair salon, and elevator.

Always Included
It's about you. You are the reason we've used our 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships.

Panoramic windows throughout every ship.
Spacious designs provide personal space.
Included shore excursions with Local Guide.
Headsets for shore excursions.
Complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Personalized room options & excursions.
Highest-quality craftsmanship.
Premium coffees, cappuccinos and lattes.
Coffee self-serve beverage station.
A lounge serving premium spirit cocktails.
Maintain your routine in the fitness center.
The Comfort Collection by AvalonSM.
Premium L'Occitane bath amenities.
Daily early- and late-riser breakfast.
Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
Complimentary juices with breakfast.
Made-to-order egg station at breakfast.
Complimentary soft drinks with lunch.
Chef-inspired regional recipes.
Four-course dinners with open seating.
Choice of appetizers, soups & salads.
Nightly option of entree, dessert or cheese.
Complimentary regional wines at dinner.
Free soft drinks or beer with dinner.
Night Fare served at 10:30 p.m.
Remarkable service through the cruise.
English-speaking crew.
Non-smoking interior.
Large bathrooms - showers w/ glass doors.
Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels.
Spacious 3-door closets for ample storage.
And, much more.

Optional Excursions

Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.

CITY: Amsterdam

Sunflowers & other Masterpieces
A visit to the Van Gogh Museum is a unique experience. The museum contains the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world. It provides the opportunity to keep track of the artist's developments, or compare his paintings to works by other artists from the 19th century in the collection. The museum also holds an extensive offer of exhibitions on various subjects from 19th century art history. Join your local expert for an introduction to Van Gogh, before you start exploring the collection at your own pace.
Approximate value: EUR �29 per person

Rembrandt & Co - A Visit to Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum
The Masterpieces of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum offer a unique way to view all the highlights of the Golden Age in one place. Discover with our local experts their interrelationships, thematically or chronologically, discover the stories and view the artworks close-up. The most famous painting at the Rijksmuseum is Rembrandt's Night Watch. A national icon that fires the imagination and is always at the centre of discussion; the painting has been successively analyzed, interpreted, praised, abused, damaged and restored; It is, in short, the focus of attention. But what makes this portrait of a group of civic guardsmen so special, apart from being the largest painting that Rembrandt ever made? What is it about, what is its background? Find your answers in this visit to the Rijksmuseum...
Approximate value: EUR �27 per person

"Klompen", Cheese and Peanut Oil - Zaanse Schans
The Zaanse Schans is a delightful old hamlet on the banks of the river Zaan with characteristic green wooden houses, charming stylized gardens, small hump-backed bridges, tradesmen's workshops, historic windmills and engaging little shops. This enchanting hamlet gives an excellent impression of how a typical Zaanse village must have looked like in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Join our local expert for a journey through times when Dutch Sailing Ships crossed the seven seas and goods from all corners of the world traded in Holland. Don't miss your chance to see a working windmill inside and admire the craftsmanship of its mechanics.
Approximate value: EUR �29 per person

Volendam - Fisherman's Village on the Former Zuiderzee
Legend has it that the Volendam coat of arms is a compliment to the beauty of the Volendam girls! No wonder that a famous singer sang the praise of this characteristic Dutch fishing village in the words: "Anyone who wants to see the real beauty of Holland, goes to Volendam". As a result of its completely insulated location, this village preserved its character for six centuries, also because of the tough vitality of the fishermen. The characteristic small houses, which together with the canals and the drawbridges form the most picturesque spots, present the visitor an atmosphere of geniality and romance.
Approximate value: EUR �29 per person

CITY: Antwerp

Brussels - Europe's Secret Capital
Brussels doesn't set out to make you love it; rather, it sits back and allows you to do the wooing. The secret is to take time getting under its skin and slowly embracing its uniquely muddled character. After all, it's the capital of Flanders, Belgium and Europe, a francophone enclave in the Flemish north of the country. The Lower Town is centered around the magnificent Grand' Place and still follows a vaguely medieval form, with its narrow, atmospheric streets. The Grand' Place itself, a wide-open cobbled medieval square of elegant guildhouses, is one of Brussels' few set-piece attractions with the Town Hall as its landmark building; its spire will be your point of reference as you weave through the Lower Town streets. The daily business of Brussels takes place here, in the many local bars and caf�s whose character and quality are the stuff of legend. South, amid the tourist shops in rue de l'Etuve, is the little statue of the urinating Manneken- Pis - the symbol of Brussels.
Approximate value: EUR �39 per person

CITY: Paris

The Artist's Quarter of Montmartre
Join our local expert on a short walking tour of the lanes and squares around Sacr� Coeur Church. Admire a spectacular view over the roofs of the City of Light and love. Listen to the stories, and admire the artwork of the artists at Place du Tertre where some of the French impressionists started their career. There is free time before your local expert provides a short orientation of the city on the way back to the hotel.
Approximate value: EUR �41 per person

Mona Lisa's Smile and the Louvre Museum
"Open to all since 1793" The Louvre Museum has embodied the concept of a truly "universal" institution. The priceless artworks housed in the Louvre are held for the benefit of present and future generations. The 35,000 works of art include such famous master pieces as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo. Our local expert will bring them to life as we have a look at the most important pieces of the various collections.
Approximate value: EUR �48 per person

An Evening at the Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge Theater is the epitome of French cabaret shows. Enjoy a dinner at the Moulin Rouge before you admire the colorful show "F�erie" featuring more than 100 artists and dancers, and more than 1000 costumes.
Approximate value: EUR �159 per person

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