Last July, Sarah – part of our Australian Sales team – ticked off Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery on the Rhine – a bucket list cruise for her. Unlike a classic river cruise, Active & Discovery itineraries are special for their diverse range of excursions.
While there were many highlights, the Discovery excursions really set this itinerary apart – most notably the culinary walks. Available in Strasbourg, Dusseldorf and Amsterdam, these culinary walks allow guests to eat and walk their way through towns with a local guide. On them, you’ll learn about the history, admire the architecture, whilst also stopping by hole-in-the-wall eateries where you will learn about and taste the local specialties.
Here is a sneak peek of things you’ll be eating and drinking along the Rhine, complete with some of my suggestions on what you should try.
Switzerland
You won’t spend much time in Switzerland on this itinerary, but you will embark or disembark in Basel. This means you can add pre- and/or post-accommodation in nearby Lucerne or Zürich. In my case, it was Zürich – a perfect choice given it is home to the Lindt Museum. The Swiss are renowned for exceptional time keeping, a sound financial sector and the stunning Swiss Alps with their mountain peaks and glacial fed lakes. They are also extraordinarily good at making chocolate and the Lindt Museum is a great place to find out why. If you don’t want to pay for a tour, you can still get your chocolate fix at the museum shop or onsite café.
The Swiss are also well known for their cheese and while fondue is a great option for couples and groups. raclette caters for the solo traveller too. Stop by the Raclette Factory at Rindermarkt to find out why.
Raclette is considered a national dish which is also popular in bordering alpine countries. It is made of semi-hard melted cheese served on top of boiled potatoes with a side of pickles and pickled onions. It sounds simple – and it is – but it’s also delicious. Go traditional or change it up by choosing a different cheese or side. It’s also worth noting that the raclette served at the Raclette Factory is gluten and lactose free, too.
Black Forest, Germany
On a Rhine river cruise, you will spend most of your time in Germany. The towns and cities you visit depend on the itinerary you choose; however, each Avalon Rhine cruise includes a visit to the Black Forest region. For those with a sweet tooth, it comes as no surprise that you’ll get to try Black Forest cake while there.
Made from layers of cream, cherries and light chocolate sponge, this cake’s unique inclusion is kirschwasser – a local cherry brandy. An authentic Black Forest cake will have it drizzled over the sponge layers and added to the cherry filling.
For those who join the full-day guided tour to visit the Vogtsbauernohf open-air museum, you’ll be served a piece of cake after lunch. But not until you’ve had the opportunity to work up an appetite by participating in a traditional butter churning demonstration first.
Strasbourg, France
Located in France, the beautiful city of Strasbourg sits right on the border of Germany. It’s here that you will start to understand how many times the border between France and Germany has changed over the centuries. As a result, the cuisine showcases the influence of both countries.
Strasbourg was the first of three culinary walks available to us on our cruise. We took in the notable sites of the city (like the cathedral and La Petite France district) whilst tasting our way through history. We stuffed our faces with German-style pretzels and beer (fun fact: Kronenberg brewery was founded in Strasbourg in 1664), got our fix of soft French cheeses, meats and macarons, and tried the local gingerbread (a favourite during the lead up to Christmas).
And as if that wasn’t enough, we finished the tour sipping local Gewürztraminer and Riesling and eating flammkuchen – a thin, crispy, pizza-like flatbread topped with creme fraiche and bacon.
Heidelberg, Germany
When it comes to the Rhine region, people often think about wine. Strasbourg proved to us that the Rieslings are as good as their reputation, however Heidelberg proved there is something for beer lovers as well. While Bavaria has more breweries than any other region in Germany, cities like Heidelberg, Düsseldorf and Cologne are worth noting for their local brews.
In Heidelberg, Avalon provides an option for you to learn the art of German beer making and join a guided tour of four breweries in, and around, the Old Town. Given the city is home to Germany’s oldest university, it seemed fitting that the tour culminated in a hearty meal at a German fraternity house. Pork knuckle, schnitzel, bratwurst, pretzels and sauerkraut were all on the menu, accompanied by even more beer. There were some very full stomachs and sleepy people wandering happily back to the ship that afternoon.
Rüdesheim, Germany
Regardless of the excursions included, the standout of any Rhine cruise is sailing through the Rhine Gorge. This is accompanied by excellent commentary on the many castles dotted along the river from your knowledgeable Cruise Director.
On our itinerary we sailed in the morning and skipped the small town of Rüdesheim. The reason for this was logistical as we had a private reception at Rheinstein Castle the night prior and a classical concert the night following. However, our crew made sure we didn’t miss out on the famous Rüdesheimer Kaffee, or ‘coffee’.
Rüdesheimer coffee is a sweet, strong and highly alcoholic drink which originated in the 1950’s. Made from sugar cubes, local Asbach brandy and coffee, it’s topped with vanilla sugar cream and chocolate flakes. Our crew brought us up their version of the special treat to the Sky Deck whilst we sailed through the Gorge. While delicious, beware that the alcohol and coffee combination packs a punch.
Düsseldorf, Germany
Cologne is a stop on Avalon’s classic Romantic Rhine itinerary. On the Active & Discovery itinerary, you’ll spend time in Düsseldorf instead. We did another culinary walk through the Old Town and ended up with a drink in hand at a local beer hall. Düsseldorf is known for its dark, bitter but delicious, copper-coloured ‘Altbier’ or ‘Old beer’, while Cologne is known for its light, pale and crisp Kölsch.
Beer wasn’t the only thing we tried – a range of uniquely flavoured local mustards was also up for tasting. When we arrived at our last stop, our local guide showed us how to use these mustards to make our own devilled eggs. Despite loving my food and being a big fan of eggs, I had never been excited by the concept of a devilled egg; let alone thought to make one myself. The beauty of a tour like this is that even the well-travelled and well-fed can find delightful surprises and things they want to try again when they get home.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Known for its maze of canals, bicycles and narrow houses, Amsterdam offers plenty to do. Our culinary walk here was an optional excursion rather than an included one but well worth the extra expense.
Run largely through the trendy Jordaan district, we enjoyed more food than on any of the others. We tried chocolate from Jordino chocolaterie, battered fish and bitterballen with beer, Gouda and Edam cheeses, and poffertjes (mini-Dutch pancakes).
However, what one must really try while in the Netherlands is pickled herring, the country’s national dish.
Despite my own Dutch heritage, I’m not particularly fond of this local dish – a raw, deboned, pickled fish from the North Sea – but you’d be remiss not to try it. Being a climate conscious country, it comes as no surprise that its favourite fish is also one of the most environmentally sustainable. Whether you like it or not, you can’t say you’ve truly tasted all that the Netherlands has to offer without giving it a go.
On Ship
Culinary walks and ports aside, and regardless of whether you choose an Active & Discovery or classic Rhine itinerary, Avalon Waterways will always give the foodies plenty to talk about with the food onboard. If you have dietary requirements, you’ll be well looked after. One lovely couple I met had chosen Avalon Waterways specifically because they catered well to vegans.
You will never be hungry with gourmet meals, regional beer and wine at mealtimes, and a generous Happy Hour included each day. And to fill in the minor gaps between mealtimes are daily afternoon teas, and snacks, coffee and tea available 24/7 in the Club Lounge.
What could a foodie not love about cruising the Rhine with Avalon Waterways?
