Trip Details - AO Trips

Welcome to your once in a lifetime exclusive Rhine River cruise experience! You will enjoy an 8-night sailing onboard a privately chartered Avalon Waterways cruise ship through one of Europe’s most legendary rivers. Avalon is well-known for its superior service, fine cuisine and breathtaking sundeck views.  Auto-Owners has chartered two ships that will follow each other throughout your Rhine River adventure to give you an exclusive A-O Trips experience.  The sister ships will port together giving you another opportunity to catch up with old friends or meet new ones!

The Rhine River meanders through a landscape dotted with castles, vineyards, and medieval towns. Our journey along this fabled waterway will leisurely take you to the best sites the Rhine has to offer. There will be port activities for our travelers varying interests, energy and fitness levels.  From action-packed experiences and interactive discoveries to traditional sightseeing, you can tailor your port experience to suit your interests and pace.

We will begin our Rhine River cruise experience with embarkation in Amsterdam.  After a restful overnight sail, we will port in Nijmegen, Holland.  Not only have the Romans left visible traces everywhere from back when Nijmegen was one of their administrative and economic centers, but the city center is filled with lively squares, parks, shopping and an abundance of cafés and restaurants.  Our next stop along the Rhine is Bonn Germany.  Bonn is much more than just the former capital of Germany as it enjoys a widespread reputation as a city of the arts. The birthplace of Beethoven, Bonn embodies the joy of classical music.

You will awaken to passage through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—a UNESCO World Heritage site of stunning natural beauty.  Take in the 360-degree views from the Avalon’s Skydeck while your cruise director guides you through the 40 miles stretch of medieval castles and towns that dot the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.  Later in the day we will port in the German winemaking town of Rudesheim.  Hike or cable car to the Niederwalddenmal monument for breathtaking views of the town and Rhine river.  After exploring the narrow-cobbled lanes and half-timbered houses, enjoy a local Riesling or the famous Rudesheim coffee. 

The following day the ship will port in Ludwigshafen.  From this port you can reach the quintessential German town of Heidelberg.  The Heidelberg Castle along with the Old Bridge are among the most impressive sights to be found in Germany.  There will also be options to explore the city of Mainz during this day.  It’s known for its old town, with half-timbered houses and medieval market squares.

Our last stop in Germany is Cologne. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cologne Cathedral is likely to leave you speechless as it’s a world-class religious landmark and hub of the metropolis on the Rhine. There are 2,000 years of history in Cologne, and visitors here will find everything from Roman towers to Gothic churches to fine examples of modern architecture. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the Chocolate Museum and visit to the gift shop.  Cologne also offers unique shopping in which you will be sure to find the perfect memento from your trip.

Our trip concludes with two nights aboard the ship in Amsterdam.  From port, you can easily walk to explore all this amazing city has to offer.  Enjoy the historic buildings, beautiful museums and pleasant ambiance. Go for a boat tour on the canals, stroll through Vondelpark, and go shopping in the city.  Amsterdam has the world’s highest museum density and is home to cultural treasures like the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and Rijksmuseum with its world-famous “The Night Watch’’ by Rembrandt.  Nearby you can experience a fishing village known for its authentic Dutch character and see beautiful windmills along the Dutch countryside.

Start planning now to join us in 2024 as you won’t want to miss all that the Rhine River and Amsterdam have to offer!