Reflections from the Rhine: My Journey with Avalon & the ACTA River Cruise Summit

This is why I love River Cruising - November

This November, I had the incredible opportunity to join fellow Canadian travel advisors on the ACTA River Cruise Summit, hosted aboard Avalon Waterways’ Avalon Panorama. It was a week filled with learning, connection, and the kind of experiences that remind me why I fell in love with river cruising in the first place.

From our first glimpse of Zurich to the final farewell, each day revealed something new - historic towns, Christmas markets, and the peaceful rhythm of life along the Rhine.

Preparing for the Journey

Before departure, I shared a behind-the-scenes look at how I prepared and what I packed for a late November river cruise. Packing for this type of trip is a little different - the ships are cozy, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the weather can vary from mild to chilly.

In my Packing for a River Cruise video, I walk through my essentials, including versatile layers, my favourite heated vest, and a few small but practical items that make travel smoother. If you’re planning your own European river cruise, this is a great place to start.

I packed quite lite on this trip as I knew I would be navigating commuter trains along the way - but normally I would pack a standard size checked luggage.

Watch the packing video here: 

Before We Set Sail

The journey began in Canada, where I met several other advisors en route to Europe. During our layover in Toronto, the excitement really started to build. By the time we landed in Zurich, everyone was buzzing with anticipation for the week ahead.

Watch my travel day video here:

After arriving in Switzerland, my roommate and I took the train into Zurich and dropped off our bags before heading straight for the city’s Christmas market. It was everything you dream of - wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and the smell of roasted chestnuts in the air.

Watch the Zurich arrival reel here: 

Embarkation in Basel

The next morning, we caught the train to Basel. We had some time to explore this cute city and have lunch with friends.

Watch my travel day video here:

Afterwards we headed back to the train station to catch our transfer to the ship. There’s something unforgettable about that first look at your river ship: the open-air windows, the cozy lounges, and the welcoming crew ready to make you feel at home.

Embarkation day included orientation sessions, a safety briefing, and a festive welcome dinner. That evening, as the ship glided away from Basel, I stood on deck watching the city lights fade - the perfect start to our Rhine River adventure.

Watch my embarkation-day video here: 

Discovering the Rhine

Over the following days, we explored some of the Rhine’s most enchanting destinations.

Our first stop was Strasbourg, a city that blends French and German influences beautifully. Today was a cold day - unseasonably cold at -6 Celcius (21 degrees F). We walked through Petite France with its timbered houses and canals, visited the square around the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and soaked up the festive atmosphere. We were just a few days early to see the Christmas markets - we could see them setting up the stalls, but non of them were open.

Evening Star Tip: If you want to make sure that all of the Christmas Markets are open on your river cruise trip, make sure you start after the beginning of Advent which is the traditional opening day for many markets.

Watch my Strasbourg reel here:

In Heidelberg, we wandered cobblestone streets and visited the famous castle ruins overlooking the Neckar River. It’s one of Germany’s oldest university towns and full of charm and history. This was one of my favourite stops, the castle is beautiful, and the streets were charming and beautiful. It was foggy when we arrived, which just added to the atmosphere!

Watch my Heidelberg reel here: 

Next came Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. I loved the relaxed pace of this stop - strolling through Old Town, soaking up the scenery, and returning to the ship for a quiet afternoon to recharge.

Watch my Koblenz reel here: 

Then we arrived in Rüdesheim, one of the highlights of the trip. We arrived in the early evening and we were able to experience a preview of "Avalon After Dark". We were able to stroll into town and enjoy a local bar with some drinks and festivities.

Watch my Rudesheim Evening Video:

The next morning was.... a bit more of a difficult wake up. I had signed up for a hiking trip through the vineyards. It was absolutely beautiful and we were rewarded with Rudesheimer coffee at the end. We also had time to explore the markets with a later departure. However, I was absolutely re-thinking my life choices that morning!

Watch my Rüdesheim reel here:

The next stop on our trip, was the town of Speyer, a historic German town known for its UNESCO-listed cathedral. I chose to spend this day onboard instead - filming a ship tour, enjoying the peaceful scenery, and appreciating the slower rhythm that makes river cruising so special. I'll post the ship tour here once I have it completed, but in the meantime, check out the room tours I also filmed:

Avalon Deluxe Stateroom:

Avalon Panorama Suite:

Avalon Royal Suite:

Our final excursion took us to Colmar, France - a true fairytale come to life. With its half-timbered houses, canals, and twinkling decorations, Colmar felt like the perfect finale to the week. I can't believe how pretty this town is - it was so, so beautiful - though I will admit it was quite busy....

Watch my Colmar reel here: 

Life Onboard Avalon Panorama

When we weren’t exploring, life onboard was relaxed, inspiring, and filled with opportunities to learn. In between excursions, we attended professional development sessions hosted by ACTA, Avalon Waterways, Manulife, and Air Canada. These sessions covered everything from travel insurance insights and air travel tips to new product updates and advisor success strategies.

It was the perfect balance - time to explore, time to connect, and time to grow as travel professionals, though sometimes it was easy to get distracted......

Mornings often began with coffee and river views, followed by lively discussions in the lounge and delicious meals featuring fresh, regional ingredients. Avalon’s Panorama Suites are designed for comfort and connection to the scenery - beds face the river, the rooms are bright and spacious, and the atmosphere is beautifully calm.

Farewell to the Rhine

Our final morning arrived all too soon. After one last breakfast and a few heartfelt goodbyes, I packed my suitcase and took one more look at the river that had carried us through so many wonderful places.

Travel days home are always reflective - a chance to think about what stood out and what you’ll carry forward. For me, it was the reminder that travel is as much about people as it is about places.

Stay Tuned for a Big Surprise in January!

The ACTA River Cruise Summit was more than just a professional development trip. It was an opportunity to see, firsthand, what makes Avalon Waterways so special - the attention to detail, the inviting atmosphere, and the effortless way each day unfolds.

Plus stay tuned for January for a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT coming from Evening Star Travel - just in time to coincide with my 10th anniversary.

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Europe by river, now is the perfect time to start planning. I’d love to help you find the cruise that matches your interests and travel style.

Join my newsletter to follow my future adventures and receive updates, travel tips, and inspiration straight from the rivers of Europe.

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To book your next dream vacation - when the time is right to travel - reach out to me through email at Alicia@EveningStarTravel.ca, or by calling 587 772 2525. I am located in Sherwood Park, Alberta (a suburb of Edmonton), and am a Travel Advisor specializing in River Cruising, Beach Escapes, and Custom Vacations. I am the owner/operator of Evening Star Travel, and I book travel for clients all across Canada.