Things To Do - AO Trips

Your A-O Trips team recently returned from planning your exclusive 2024 Rhine River cruise experience!

You will begin your adventure with an overnight flight from the U.S. to Amsterdam, where you will embark on your privately- chartered Avalon Waterways cruise ship – your home for the next eight nights.

Following a group welcome dinner on the ship, we will sail overnight to our first port in Nijmegen, Netherlands. You can take a biking adventure through a natural reserve, immerse yourself in the art of Van Gogh with a visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum, or learn about the history of Nijmegen’s significant role in World War II.

Our next stop along the Rhine is Bonn, Germany. Bonn, the former capital of Germany, enjoys a widespread reputation as a city of the arts and is the birthplace of Beethoven. Experience highlights of Bonn with a walking tour and visit to Beethoven House, bike along the Rhine River or visit the opulent Bruhl Castle and lavish gardens, which are ranked among the top places to visit in Germany.

After a restful overnight sail, you will awaken to passage through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of stunning natural beauty. Take in a 360-degree view from your ship’s Skydeck while your cruise director guides you through the 40-mile stretch of medieval castles and towns that dot the Upper-Middle Rhine Valley.

We will dock in the German winemaking town of Rudesheim for the afternoon. Hike or take a cable car to the Niederwald monument for breathtaking views of the town and Rhine River. After exploring the narrow, cobbled lanes and half-timbered houses, be sure to enjoy a local Riesling or the famous Rudesheim coffee.

Upon arriving in Ludwigshafen, you’ll be able to disembark for a visit to the German town of Heidelberg to view magnificent castle ruins, or go on an exhilarating trail hike. If you choose to remain on the ship, you can take a walking tour at our next port, Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum.  Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printing press over 550 years ago. In addition to seeing his reconstructed workshop, you will be able to view the world-famous Gutenberg Bible.

Our final Rhine River port will be Cologne. Another 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. There are 2,000 years of history to explore in Cologne. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the Chocolate Museum and visit to the gift shop or enjoy a bike ride with views of the city as you pedal along both sides of the river. Cologne also offers unique shopping to find the perfect memento from your trip.

Upon our arrival in Amsterdam, you will have two days to experience this exciting city and its surroundings. Visit the traditional fishing village of Volendam or Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum with well-preserved historic Dutch homes and working windmills. You can also visit Muiderslot Castle, one of Holland’s most beautiful medieval castle fortresses.

For those wanting more adventure, kayak on the Canals of Amsterdam or take a bike tour into the Dutch countryside. If you choose to remain in Amsterdam, you can participate in a Bites & Highlights walking tour. On our first evening in Amsterdam, we will enjoy a cocktail reception on a canal cruise, a quintessential Amsterdam experience, followed by a group dinner at the Maritime Museum.

We look forward to having you Experience the World With Us in 2024!