When the River Gets Low, the Singles Travel International Adventure Gets Better!

Did Avalon Waterways have to make some itinerary changes along the way? Yes.

Did the Moselle River deliver incredible stops and scenery? Yes

Did Avalon do an amazing job adapting and keeping our adventure on track? Absolutely.

Did our Singles Travel International members have an incredible time? Without a doubt!

And really, isn’t that what travel is all about? Sometimes the best stories come from the things that weren’t on the original itinerary.

Our journey began in beautiful Zürich, Switzerland, before we boarded a coach and headed to Basel, where we spent our first night. We had an afternoon on our own to explore this lovely town. The next day we boarded a Motorcoach and headed to Strausburg, Switzerland, a highlight for many of the members. We had an included excursion and a little free time, including lunch. From there we hopped back on the Motorcoach and headed to Remich, Luxembourg. From there, we were able to board the Avalon Imagery II for our cruise through some of Europe’s most picturesque towns and cities. Mother Nature may have had her own ideas about the Rhine River, but Avalon quickly adjusted our itinerary—and those changes brought us a few unexpected surprises along the way.

One of the biggest was Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, which became another true highlight for many of our members. It’s beautiful history and amazing sites were a first for so many of us. The stop at the Luxembourg American Cemetery allowed us to pay our respects to the many servicemen that gave their lives for our freedom. Sometimes a Plan B turns out to be a pretty fantastic Plan A!

Charming Towns, Castles & Cobblestones

As we traveled along the Moselle River, it seemed as though every town was determined to out-charm the one before it.

 

Strasbourg and Luxembourg City welcomed us with its beautiful churches, medieval buildings and blend of multicultural influences. Then came the storybook German towns of Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem, and Koln where colorful buildings, winding streets, vineyards, cathedrals and castles made us feel as though we had stepped directly into a European postcard.

And, of course, there was shopping.

Lots of shopping.

Every little town seemed to have another boutique, specialty shop, local delicacy or souvenir calling our names. Apparently, cobblestone streets are excellent exercise—especially when you’re carrying shopping bags!

Exploring Our Way

Avalon provided wonderful local guides for the included excursions, bringing the history, culture and stories of each destination to life.

Our members could also choose optional experiences based on their own interests and activity levels. Some headed out on hikes, others sampled regional wines, and some discovered that cheese tasting absolutely counts as cultural immersion. We firmly believe calories consumed while learning about another culture are educational calories.

Life Aboard the Avalon Imagery II

As wonderful as the destinations were, the crew aboard the Avalon Imagery II and our very own Singles travel International Concierge, Linda deserves a very special mention.

Having both the on board staff PLUS our personal Concierge made this trip so special.

Our Concierge, Linda, made sure we had everything we needed—and then some! She kept us informed about every itinerary change, allowing us to sit back, relax and enjoy our vacation without a worry.

Whether we wanted something to do, someone to talk to or simply a quiet moment to relax, Linda was always there to help make it happen. Thanks to her thoughtful attention and care, we could focus on enjoying the journey, knowing everything else was being handled.

The Avalon staff seemed to anticipate our every need—including a few needs we didn’t even know we had yet! From the dining room and bar to housekeeping and the behind-the-scenes crew, their warmth, professionalism and attention to detail made the ship feel like home.

Of course, traveling with Singles Travel International adds another layer to the experience.

Our Concierge Linda, arranged Happy Hours (when not on the ship), daily Breakfast Club and daily activities which gave everyone opportunities to connect, laugh and share the adventure together. Friendships formed over breakfast, stories were exchanged over cocktails, and more than a few laughs were shared throughout the journey.

And then there was the dancing.

A couple of nights, our members took over the dance floor—and let’s just say there were a few people in our group who had been keeping some serious dance moves a secret! Who knew?

That’s one of the things that makes traveling with Singles Travel International so special. You can arrive on your own, but before long you’re sharing meals, excursions, laughs, cocktails and dance floors with new friends.

You may be traveling solo, but you are never traveling alone.

Amsterdam: The Perfect Finale

Our adventure concluded with two nights in Amsterdam, and what a way to finish!

We experienced the city from one of its best vantage points—its famous canals. Cruising past narrow canal houses, historic bridges and neighborhoods gave us an up-close look at one of Europe’s most fascinating cities.

Some members also chose an optional excursion to see the iconic Dutch windmills, adding one more quintessential Netherlands experience to an already memorable journey.

Between our excursions, there was time to wander Amsterdam’s streets, explore its neighborhoods, shop, people-watch and simply soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful and wonderfully unique city.

Sometimes the Detour Becomes the Story

Was this exactly the river cruise that appeared on paper before we left home?

No.

It was better in a different way.

Travel teaches us that we can’t control Mother Nature, river levels or every twist in an itinerary. What matters is how those unexpected moments are handled—and Avalon Waterways handled them beautifully.

We gained destinations we hadn’t expected, experienced charming towns along the Rhine and Moselle, tasted wine and cheese, climbed hills, explored castles and cobblestone streets, shopped our way through Europe, danced a few nights away and made memories with a wonderful group of travelers.

And in the end, that’s what a great journey is really about.

It’s not simply checking destinations off a list.

It’s about the people you meet, the stories you collect, the unexpected turns along the way—and adding another unforgettable chapter to your story.

Until the next adventure…wherever the journey takes us!

Feeling inspired by this journey? We’d love to welcome you into our community for singles over 50. First‑time members may unlock $150 off by completing our welcome pop‑up. Click here Singles Travel International.