French Vistas and the Romantic Rhine

This rollicking tour of France gets the festivities started in Paris and keeps the entertainment coming for 16 fun-filled days. Good food, great wine, and memorable activities are all part of the package on our most in-depth holiday to France. After painting the town rouge in Paris, at a renowned Cabaret venue, head toward the northern coastline for a touching visit of the Normandy Beaches as well as a visit to the fairytale setting of the Abbey of Mont St. Michel.

Delight in the moat-surrounded Chenonceau Castle, the reds and whites of Bordeaux, and the sparkling blue waters from the west coast to the French Riviera. Stroll through perfect medieval towns, the pilgrimage site of Lourdes and along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Top this off with the lavender-hued countryside of Provence and a private cruise on the Rhone. Will you have an absolute ball on this encompassing tour of France? The answer is oui!

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which begins in Switzerland and visits France, Germany, and Holland. Board your Avalon Suite Ship in Basel, then head for Breisach, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. Here you’ll find the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg and stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. Sail to the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, then pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge - the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water.

At the conclusion of your Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in colourful Amsterdam. Spend free time discovering world-famous museums, and an abundance of restaurants in the vibrant, modern capital of Holland.

Your Fly, Tour & Cruise Package Includes:

• $1000 flight credit
• 16 day La France guided holiday with Globus, Paris return
• Includes 15 nights superior accommodation, 21 meals, select activities including a private cruise on the Rhone River plus more
• 2 nights accommodation in Basel
• 7 night Rhine River cruise onboard Avalon Expression, Basel to Amsterdam
• Includes 20 meals, select sightseeing, Wi-Fi onboard ship plus more
• Select private transfers
• Port charges & prepaid gratuities onboard your cruise

Pricing is based on per person twin share for travel 01 – 25 October 2022

LA FRANCE ITINERARY:

DAY 1:   ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE

Welcome to Paris! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome drink.

DAY 2:   PARIS

PARIS Free time this morning followed by guided sightseeing that features the Arc de Triomphe, les Champs-Elysees, and a visit to the the Courtyard of Les Invalides. This evening, enjoy dinner and cabaret at the famous Lido. (B,D)

DAY 3:   PARIS-CAEN. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY BEACHES

CAEN Visit the Memorial Museum for Peace. NORMANDY BEACHES See the Mulberry Harbour remains at Arromanches, then visit Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery and Memorial with the Monument to the Brave. (B,D) 236 mi / 380 km

DAY 4:   CAEN-MONT ST. MICHEL-SAINT-MALO

MONT ST. MICHEL Guided visit of the abbey. SAINT-MALO Orientation ride on the Little Train. Free time late afternoon and evening. (B) 124 mi / 200 km

DAY 5:   SAINT-MALO-ESSE-ANGERS-LOIRE VALLEY

ESSE Visit La Roche-aux-Fees. ANGERS Orientation tour. Free time to browse before continuing to the Loire Valley. (B) 267 mi / 430 km

DAY 6:   LOIRE VALLEY-CHENONCEAU CASTLE-BORDEAUX

CHENONCEAU Visit the castle of Catherine de Medici. BORDEAUX Walking tour. Dinner at the Brasserie Bordelaise restaurant. (B,D) 280 mi / 450 km

DAY 7:   BORDEAUX

BORDEAUX Wine tasting in the countryside. Free time this afternoon. (B,D)

DAY 8:   BORDEAUX-ARCACHON-DUNE DU PILAT-BIARRITZ

ARCACHON Free time to browse. DUNE DU PILAT See the tallest sand dune in Europe. BIARRITZ Free time this afternoon and evening. (B) 174 mi / 280 km

DAY 9:   BIARRITZ-LOURDES-CARCASSONNE

LOURDES Visit St. Bernadette's grotto en route to Carcassonne. (B,D) 267 mi / 430 km

DAY 10:   CARCASSONNE-AIX-EN-PROVENCE

CARCASSONNE Walking tour by the ancient battlements. AIX-EN-PROVENCE Orientation walk along Cours Mirabeau and free time to explore. (B) 186 mi / 300 km

DAY 11:   AIX-EN-PROVENCE-GRASSE-FRENCH RIVIERA

GRASSE Visit the Fragonard Usine Historique. Scenic drive along the Mediterranean coast. NICE Drive along the Promenade des Anglais. (B) 130 mi / 210 km

DAY 12:   FRENCH RIVIERA

FRENCH RIVIERA Free day. (B) ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME on the French Riviera with an excursion to Saint-Paul de Vence. This and many more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyAccount. Get local maps and tips for free time on your G

DAY 13:   FRENCH RIVIERA-ORANGE-LYON

ORANGE Visit the Roman Theatre en route to Lyon. (B,D) 298 mi / 480 km

DAY 14:   LYON-DIJON

LYON Private cruise on the Rhone and Saone Rivers with a Local Guide. Free time to walk through the Old Town. DIJON Orientation walk and free time. (B) 124 mi / 200 km

DAY 15:   DIJON-PARIS

DIJON High-speed TGV train ride to Paris. PARIS Free time this afternoon and evening. (B) 199 mi / 320 km

DAY 16:   PARIS

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

RHINE RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY:

DAY 1:   BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zurich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board. EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

DAY 2:   BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest Visit the Adventure centre 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 an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR: DISCOVERY - Visit a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. EVENING CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)

DAY 3:   STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Grand Cathedral and La Petite 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 its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You may also choose to join a Guided 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, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city centre. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ (B,L,D)

DAY 4:   MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Castle Walls, and the World's Biggest Wine Barrel ACTIVE - Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Hike up Philosophers' Way for an inspiring view of the city below, OR: CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the "World's Largest Wine Barrel," OR: CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MAINZ (B,L,D)

DAY 5:   RUDESHEIM-RHINE GORGE

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country ACTIVE - Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim, 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. Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail 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 Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ (B,L,D)

DAY 6:   COLOGNE

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland 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 Kolsch pale lager-locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)

DAY 7:   AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

Canals of colourful Amsterdam ACTIVE - Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR: CLASSIC - Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's "Golden Age.". During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens-with more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colourful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (B,L,D)

DAY 8:   AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Prices listed are per person in Australian/New Zealand Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on a Category E cabin category.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 24 November 2021 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Air credit is applicable on airline of choice, subject to availability and subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.

Booking terms & conditions for cruise portion: Offer valid for new 2022 bookings made up to 31/03/22 or until sold out. Available on all cabin types excluding Avalon/Royal Suites. This offer cannot combined with any other offer. Second passenger must pay their own compulsory port charges and gratuities. All care is taken to promote correct pricing at time of printing, is dependent upon availability and will be confirmed at time of reservation. Non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $750pp/per cruise required within 7 days of booking to secure reservation. Final payment deadline will be confirmed at time of booking. Offers can be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. For full terms and conditions visit the Avalon Waterways website.