Castles Along the Rhine (Amsterdam to Basel) 2009
Speak to a friendly River Cruise Specialist, call 1-800-342-0019
Itinerary
This tour really lives up to its name with castles, castles, and more spectacular castles. Gracing the shores of the middle Rhine Valley are more medieval castles than in any other river valley in the world. The fairytale castles combine with the breathtaking landscape of terraced vineyards and old-world towns, will leave you awestruck.
Artists, musicians, writers, and poets from all over Europe have immortalized the Rhine's unadulterated natural beauty in their songs, art, stories, and poetry. Byron, Dumas, Hugo, and Heine celebrated it in their writing. Beethoven, Schuman, Brahms, Schubert, and Wagner idolized it in their music, and Turner captured it in his paintings.
And even today, the Rhine continues to inspire those who visit - especially Germany's upper middle Rhine Valley, spanning approximately 40 miles between Koblenz and Rudesheim. This area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you travel along the Rhine, each bend and twist affords new surprises that are certain to inspire you the way countless others have been inspired for centuries.
Who will enjoy this cruise: Romantics, history buffs, wine connoisseurs and nature lovers will rejoice in medieval wine towns, glorious castles, majestic cathedrals, world-class cities, and the romantic Rhine's glorious natural beauty.
Day 1: Depart Home Gateway City to Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam (embark)
Arrive in Amsterdam where you�ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)
Day 3: Cologne
You'll meet up with your guide on the pier and begin your walking tour. Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town, passing by tiny squares and little churches as you make your way to the cathedral, the city's most famous landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It took 632 years for German's largest cathedral to be completed, and it is one of the most important gothic churches in Europe. A visit inside features the Shrine of the Three Magi and the beautiful glass windows that survived WWII. (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour and cathedral visit
Day 4: Cologne and Koblenz
Arrive in Koblenz, situated on the beautiful corner at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Your guided walking tour will highlight the appeal of Koblenz � its romantic narrow streets and historical squares, the picturesque alleyways and fountains in the old quarter and the 12th-century churches of St. Florin and Our Lady. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour
Day 5: Koblenz and Rudesheim
Departing in the morning from Koblenz to R�desheim, you'll sail along one of the most beautiful sections of the Rhine, the scenic 40 miles of the upper Middle Rhine Valley declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With its vine-filled slopes, its more than 40 castles strung like pearls along the riverbank's ledges, and the famous Lorelei Rock, the gorge is the perfect embodiment of the romantic Rhine.R�desheim has a long history dating back to Roman times, and is considered one of the most charming of the Rhine Valley ports of call. The town is famous for, among other things, its long avenue of shops and wine bars, the Drosselgasse. Enjoy the first part of the afternoon exploring the town on your own, and then join us for a visit to the prestigious Castle Vollrads. It is perfectly situated in the vineyard-covered hills, and is ranked as one of the world�s top wine estates for its Rheingau Rieslings. Join us for a unique wine tasting at the castle. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Castle Vollrads wine tasting
Day 6: Speyer
Your guided walking tour through Speyer reveals a medieval town with a grand heritage and a compact historical center dominated by the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its basilica laid out in the form of a Latin cross, and including four towers and two domes. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Speyer walking tour
Day 7: Strasbourg
See Strasbourg in the way it has been seen through the centuries�on a canal cruise. In addition to viewing the town�s covered bridges, medieval watchtowers and modern building that houses the European Parliament, you will see �Petite France,� a picturesque district that seems as if it has been lifted from the pages of a fairy tale. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise
Day 8: Strasbourg, Breisach (Colmar)
Leaving Strasburg we head for a famous road, the Alsatian wine route, which hugs the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. Charming villages and lush vineyards, producing great white wines, line this winding scenic route. Stops in the Medieval town of Colmar and the picturesque village of Riquewihr are included. Experience the charm of medieval Colmar in its historic center and the picturesque timber-framed houses in the village of Riquewihr. (BB, Captain�s Farewell Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Full-day tour along the Alsatian Wine Road
Day 9: Basel (disembark), transfer to airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport in Basel for your flight home.
Questions? call 1-800-342-0019
What's Included
Port Charges:
Port Charges: $98 (Basel to Amsterdam), $98 (Amsterdam to Basel)
Single Cabin Disclaimer:
A limited number of singles may be available in certain categories on certain vessels for an additional supplement. Please inquire.
Pricing Categories for Itinerary is as follows:
| Cat2 | Category 2 |
| Cat3 | Category 1 |
Questions? call 1-800-342-0019
1-800-342-0019
1-281-269-2600
Mon-Fri 8am-10pm ET
Sat-Sun 10am-6pm ET
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