Itinerary

Travelers will receive an email from Gavel International approximately 3-4 weeks prior to departure with information about how to register for your selected excursions. A separate email will then be sent which will include information on how to get the A-O Trips App and the AvalonGO App, both will be needed. The A-O Trips App will have a basic agenda on it for planning purposes. The AvalonGO App will included Daily Newsletters with the official agenda and times. The Daily Newsletters will post for the next day.

*These excursions have limited availability. Early sign up is encouraged.

Day 0

Depart US for overnight flight to Amsterdam, Netherlands

Day 1 – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Arrive Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) and transfer by coach to the port dock
Walking tours of the city center of Amsterdam (sign-up on ship only)
Light Lunch onboard Avalon Ship (12:00pm - 1:30pm)
Must be on board ship by 4:30pm
Mandatory safety briefing
Group Welcome Dinner onboard Avalon Ship
Overnight sailing to Nijmegen, Netherlands

Day 2 – Nijmegen, Netherlands

Breakfast onboard Avalon Ship
Included morning excursions in Nijmegen
- The Bridge Too Far: Airbourne Museum Hatenstein OR Groesbeek and the Freedom Museum (depending on your group #)*
- Krooler-Muller Museum: A World of Art & Nature*
- Nijmegen Walking Tour
- Nature on Two Wheels: The Ooijpolder Natural Reserve* Weather Permitting
Lunch on own or onboard Avalon Ship
Must be on ship by 5:15pm
Group Dinner onboard Avalon Ship
Overnight sailing to Bonn, Germany
- Groups 7, 8, 15 & 16 – this will be sailing to Cologne

Day 3 – Bonn, Germany (Groups 7, 8, 15 & 16 – this will be a day in Cologne – see day 6)

Breakfast onboard Avalon Ship
Included morning excursions in Bonn
- Wonders of Bonn
- Highlights of Bonn with Beethoven House*
- Bruhl Castle OR Drachenburg Castle (depending on your group #)*
- Biking along the river with Adventure Host* Weather Permitting
Lunch on own or onboard Avalon Ship
Optional evening excursion in Bonn (not available for groups 7, 8, 15 & 16)
- Chef for a Day: German Specialties*
Group Dinner onboard Avalon Ship or on own in Bonn
Must be on ship by 11:15pm (12:15pm for groups 7, 8, 15 & 16)
Overnight sailing to Rudesheim, Germany

Day 4 – Rudesheim, Germany

Breakfast onboard Avalon Ship
Morning sailing through the Rhine Gorge
Lunch onboard Avalon Ship
Included afternoon excursions in Rudesheim
- Holy Wines in Rudesheim: Visit to Hildegard Abbey*
- Hiking Rudesheim with your local guide & Rudesheim Coffee*
- Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Intrument Museum & Rudesheim Coffee
- Rudesheim Cable Car Experience & Rudesheim Coffee*
Group Sky Deck Dinner onboard Avalon Ship
Must be on ship by 10:45pm
Overnight sailing to Ludwigshafen, Germany

Day 5 – Ludwigshafen (Heidelberg) & Mainz, Germany

Breakfast onboard Avalon Ship
Drop off in Ludwigshafen – Included excursions in Heidelberg
- Philosophers’ Way in Heidelberg with your Adventure Host*
- Views & Brews in Heidelberg*
- Heidelberg & its Magnificent Castle Ruins
Light Lunch onboard Avalon Ship (for those who stay onboard)
Lunch on own for those on excursions in Heidelberg
Ship to dock in Mainz
Included afternoon excursion in Mainz (for those who stayed onboard)
- Mainz & its Gutenberg Museum*
Must be on ship by 6:15pm
Group Dinner onboard Avalon Ship
Overnight sailing to Cologne, Germany (sailing to Bonn for groups 7, 8, 15 & 16)

Day 6 – Cologne, Germany (Groups 7, 8, 15 and 16 – this will be a day in Bonn – see day 3)

Breakfast onboard Avalon Ship
Included morning excursions in Cologne (afternoon excursions for groups 7, 8,15 & 16)
- Cologne Chocolate Museum with Tasting*
- Biking in Cologne with your Adventure Host* Weather Permitting
- Highlights of Cologne with Beer and a Bite*
Lunch on own or onboard Avalon Ship
Must be on ship by 12:15pm (8:15pm for groups 7, 8, 15 & 16)
Afternoon sailing to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Group Dinner onboard Avalon Ship
Overnight sailing to Amsterdam, Netherlands continues

Day 7 – Amsterdam, Netherlands (Group 3 & 4 - this will be Day 8)

Breakfast onboard Avalon Ship
Optional excursions in Amsterdam
- Netherlands on two Wheels: Into the Dutch Countryside*
- Medieval Muiderslot Castle
- Kayak Adventure on the Canals of Amsterdam*
- Zaanse Schans, the Symbols of Holland & Volendam
Lunch on own or onboard Avalon Ship
Group Canal Cruise ending at the Maritime Museum
Offsite: Group Dinner at the Maritime Museum, Amsterdam
Overnight at dock in Amsterdam

Day 8 – Amsterdam, Netherlands (Group 3 & 4 - this will be Day 7)

Breakfast onboard Avalon Ship
Optional excursions in Amsterdam
- Netherlands on two Wheels: Into the Dutch Countryside*
- Medieval Muiderslot Castle
- Kayak Adventure on the Canals of Amsterdam*
- Zaanse Schans, the Symbols of Holland & Volendam
Lunch on own or onboard Avalon Ship
Optional afternoon excursion in Amsterdam
- Bites & Highlights Walking Tour of Amsterdam*
Group Dinner onboard Avalon Ship or on own in Amsterdam
Overnight at dock in Amsterdam

Day 9

Breakfast onboard Avalon Ship
Disembarkation and early AM departures from ship to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) airport for flights home to the US.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE IN AMSTERDAM
Tours of the Anne Frank House are not being offered by Avalon or A-O Trips. Tickets for the Anne Frank House can only be purchased via their official website! Every Tuesday at 10:00 AM all tickets become available for the week - six weeks later. If there are no tickets available on the selected date, they are sold out. There is no waiting list for tickets.

Please note: there are many invalid tickets offered online. There are also commercial parties that offer Anne Frank House tours. These tours do not include access to the Anne Frank House.

Official Website for tickets: https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/tickets/choose-your-ticket/

Please note that they do not refund or reschedule tickets, click here for visit conditions.

Itinerary - AO Trips