2026 Timeless Rivers of Europe

October 11th - 27th, 2026

Tour Hosts: Colin & Dianne Markusson

Your Itinerary AVALON CHOICE® Enjoy included sightseeing with Certified Local Guides, Guided Optional Excursions and Tours, and ample free time to explore on your own. Explore CLASSIC sights, embark on ACTIVE excursions, and make a new DISCOVERY through hands-on cultural and artistic experiences shared by local residents and experts.

ITINERARY

Meals as indicated: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner.

Day 1, Sunday October 11. Depart Canada for your overnight flight to Europe. See flight itinerary for details. (Dinner)

Day 2, Monday, October 12. After arriving in Swizterland, you will be transferred to your hotel for a 1 night stay. (Breakfast)

Day 3, Tuesday October 13. BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. After breakfast, you will be transferred to your ship. Flights into Zürich 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 (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4, Wednesday October 14. BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful 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 an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:

CLASSIC - Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.

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 KEHL. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5, Thursday October 15. KEHL. EXCURSION TO 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 center. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6, Friday October 16. MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel.

ACTIVE - Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, 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. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship after a short sailing to Rüdesheim. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7, Saturday October 17. RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country.

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; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee. En route to Koblenz, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8, Sunday October 18. 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 Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9, Monday October 19. AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND. Canals of Colorful Amsterdam.

ACTIVE - Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:

DISCOVERY - Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, 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 colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10, Tuesday October 20. AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)–PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) On to Paris. This morning, board a high-speed train for Paris to embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® and enjoy dinner onboard this evening. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11, Wednesday October 21. VERNON Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour. Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE - Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC - Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:

CLASSIC - Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.

DISCOVERY - While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration. This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. LES ANDELYS Serenity on the Seine.

ACTIVE - Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:

CLASSIC - Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12, Thursday October 22. CAUDEBEC Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine.

ACTIVE - Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC - Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.

This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13, Friday October 23. CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY. Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions.

CLASSIC - Join a Guided Tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:

CLASSIC - Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:

CLASSIC - Join “A Taste of Normandy” Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados at a local distillery. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14, Saturday October 24. ROUEN. The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France.

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:

CLASSIC - Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 15, Sunday October 25. CONFLANS. The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV.

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC - Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:

CLASSIC - Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.

Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings. EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 16, Monday October 26. PARIS. Cafés, Cathedrals, and Canvases in the City of Light. Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE - Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC - Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:

CLASSIC - Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées. Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 17, Tuesday October 27. PARIS (DISEMBARKATION). Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Canada. (Breakfast, Lunch)

ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE

2026 Timeless Rivers of Europe Tour Includes:

  • Return Flights Saskatoon/Regina between Switzerland and Paris.

  • 1 night accommodation Switzerland.

  • 14 nights aboard the Avalon Envision & Tapestry II ships with all these beautiful vessels have to offer.

  • High speed train ride from Amsterdam to Paris.

  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary B, L, D.

  • 14 Breakfasts 13 Lunches 15 Dinners.

  • Private transfers to and from the airports/hotel and ships.

  • Taxes, Tips, and ship gratuities.

  • Two Professional Tour Conductors at your service for a worry-free tour.

 PRICES:

CATEGORY P PANORAMIC STATEROOM: $15,558 CAD/PERSON (2 people sharing accommodations).

CATEGORY D DELUXE STATEROOM: $11,660 CAD/PERSON(2 people sharing accommodations).

DEPOSIT": $500/PERSON per person is required at time of booking.

Final Payment due: June 12, 2026.

Ship categories subject to availability.

 For any upgrades, please call for pricing.

 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Documents: All passengers require a valid passport valid for 6 months beyond date of return to Canada.

Medical Issues: Please contact a public health nurse or international travel clinic regarding required booster shots or medications for traveling to Europe.

Insurance: All passengers must have adequate out of country medical insurance to travel on this tour. Passengers have the option to obtain insurance at their discretion.

Tour Directors:

Colin & Dianne Markusson

Phone: 306.536.8879

Email: colin.dianne@sasktel.net

 

Lobstick Tours:

Dana Bayda Owner/Manager

Business Address: 2 - 17th Street East Prince Albert, SK. S6V 1G5

Phone: 306.763.7417 Toll Free: 1.800.665.0171 Cell: 306.960.6955

Email: dbayda@lobsticktravel.com info@lobsticktravel.com

Cancellation:

If you must cancel, contact Dana IMMEDIATELY 1.306.763.7417.

Cancellation Policy:

Over 90 days                        loss of deposit.

90 days to 60 days               35% non-refundable.

59 days to 30 days               50% non-refundable.

29 days to departure day    100% non-refundable.