2023 Scenic Switzerland by Train Plus Romantic Rhine River Cruise #3

2023 SCENIC SWITZERLAND BY TRAIN PLUS ROMANTIC RHINE RIVER CRUISE

“PLANES, TRAINS & RIVER CRUISING…OH MY!!”
“…THE PLACES YOU WILL VISIT” – with NON-STOP TRAVEL

• 16 Nights / 19 Days
• Avalon Vista
• Travel to Zurich, Switzerland & Return from Amsterdam, Holland
• Escorted From Honolulu

Countries: Switzerland, Germany, France & Holland
Rivers: Rhine River

Tour Date & Manager:

June 30 – July 18, 2023 • Tour Manager: Trinh Toyofuku

FROM THE HIGHEST PEAK IN EUROPE, TRAIN THRU Switzerland’s breathtaking mountains, mountain resorts, charming old towns, & pristine lakes — Relax in 1st class Swiss trains. Overnight in Zurich, Lucerne, Lausanne, Zermatt, & St. Moritz; ONTO…THE RHINE RIVER cruising through Switzerland, Austria, Germany & to the World’s Largest Flower Market with Cheese and Beer!, and finally, Holland!

ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

Day 1 – FRIDAY, JUNE 30 – HONOLULU – Depart Honolulu 

Day 2 – SATURDAY, JULY 01 – IN TRANSIT 

Day 3 – SUNDAY, JULY 02 – ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Zurich with the help of the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D) 

Day 4 – MONDAY, JULY 03 – ZURICH–LUCERNE. Board the train for your journey from Zurich to Lucerne. Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most idyllic medieval cities, surrounded by a beautiful lake and nestled amidst snowcapped Alps. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the delights of this charming city such as the famous wooden bridge or the picturesque town centre. Alternatively, signup for an optional excursion. Distance: 37 mi/ 60 km; (B) 

Day 5 – TUESDAY, JULY 04 – LUCERNE–INTERLAKEN–GOLDENPASS PANORAMIC TRAIN TO MONTREUX–LAUSANNE. Depart Lucerne on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express. Cross Brunig Pass en route to Interlaken, and spend some time strolling through the quaint streets. From Interlaken, take the BLS Regio Express train to Zweisimmen. Continue on the Golden Pass panoramic train for your unforgettable journey to Montreux, then continue to Lausanne. Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (B) 

Day 6 – WEDNESDAY, JULY 05 – LAUSANNE–MONTREUX–TÄSCH–ZERMATT. Depart for the delightful Swiss mountain resort of Zermatt. En route, stop to visit the town of Montreux, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and surrounded by vineyards against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. Enjoy some free time or maybe join an optional guided excursion to Chill on Castle before continuing by train to Zermatt. 

Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km (B, D) 

Day 7 – THURSDAY, JULY 06 – ZERMATT. GORNERGRAT EXCURSION. An included excursion takes you to the famous Gornergrat, traveling on board Europe’s highest rack railway. The views of the Matterhorn from its summit are nothing short of spectacular. The rest of the day is at leisure in Zermatt—with a variety of interesting shops, cafés, bars, and picturesque streets to explore. (B) 

Day 8 – FRIDAY, JULY 07 – ZERMATT–GLACIER EXPRESS–ST. MORITZ. The train journey today aboard the spectacular Glacier Express is without a doubt one of the main highlights of thet our. Enjoy unforgettable views as you make your way through the unspoiled natural beauty of the Alps on the direct route from Zermatt to the world-famous mountain resort of St. Moritz. This picture-perfect town is more than just a holiday resort. It was also the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism (in 1864) and has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. Stretch your legs this evening, and admire the beautiful chalets decorated with colorful geraniums.Distance:174mi/280km (B, D) 

Day 9 – SATURDAY, JULY 08 – BERNINI EXPRESS EXCURSION TO TIRANO, ITALY. Take the Bernina Express train (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to Tirano and back for one of Europe’s most spectacular and breathtaking train rides. YOU will travel across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina, witnessing an array of beautiful mountain streams, glaciers, and alpine scenery along the way. Distance: 75 mi/ 120 km (B) 

Day 10 – SUNDAY, JULY 09 – ST. MORITZ–ZURICH. Leave St. Moritz for the journey back to Zurich. Enjoy some time at leisure and take a stroll around the city center. Perhaps indulge in some chocolate tasting, or follow the course of the river Limmat until it reaches the banks of Lake Zurich. Distance: 137 mi/ 220 km (B) 

Day 11 – MONDAY, JULY 10 – ZURICH. Enjoy a leisure day in Zurich. (B) 

Day 12 – TUESDAY, JULY 11 – ZURICH. Your Switzerland Rail Adventure ends this morning in Zurich. 

ONWARD TO BASEL …Motorcoach transfer from Zurich to Basel. WELCOME TO AVALON WATERWAYS – The Avalon Expression is Ready for Boarding. Embarkation completed by 5 pm. Time to explore the ship and enjoy your first night on board and dinner. EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (B, D) 

Day 13 – WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 – BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST: Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE: Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the Magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit a watermill + see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR: DISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach & learn about German wine making + wine tasting .OR: Join an Optional Excursion to Charming Colmar in the AM, see half-timbered medieval & early renaissance buildings. EVENING CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L, D) 

Day 14 – THURSDAY, JULY 13 – STRASBOURG, FRANCE: ACTIVE :Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC: Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock as well as the magical La Petite France District. OR join an Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, OR visit Alsace’s wine country today. ALTERNATIVELY, Enjoy free time in Strasbourg: visit a museum, or EXPLORE the city center. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ (B,L,D) 

Day 15 – FRIDAY, JULY 14 – MAINZ, GERMANY & HEIDELBERG: ACTIVE: Join your Avalon Adventure Host: Hike Philosophers’ Way -view the city below, OR CLASSIC: Join Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle: Renaissance ruins& treasures towering above the city & famed Great V at, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel, ”OR: CLASSIC: Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, Including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum: see the captivating history of printing. TONIGHT: Live entertainment onboard your ship. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B,L,D) 

Day 16 – SATURDAY, JULY 15 – RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE: ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR: DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; based on your departure enjoy a local special treat. OR Relax on the Sky Deck cruising through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz; past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors. KOBLENZ: Travel Through 2000 Years Of Monumental History; Free Time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ (B,L,D) 

DAY 17 – SUNDAY, JULY 16 – COLOGNE: Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D) 

DAY 18 – MONDAY, JULY 17 – AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND: ACTIVE: Join your Adventure Host on an early AM walk in Amsterdam, OR: CLASSIC: Explore the waterways of Amsterdam on a Canal Cruise past Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” JOIN an Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans with historic windmills & charming Dutch houses. OR an Optional Biking Tour just like the locals — to discover the countryside; Time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D) 

Day 19 – TUESDAY, JULY 18 – AMSTERDAM: (DISEMBARKATION) – HONOLULU: Your River Cruise ends with breakfast; RETURN FLIGHTS TO HONOLULU (B)