Day 1: (Sat.)
Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam.
Day 2: Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation). (Sun.)
Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland's capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (D)
Day 3: Amsterdam. (Mon.)
There is no better way to see the city than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's "Golden Age." There is plenty of free time to explore on your own. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions of how to make the most of your stay. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Schoonhoven - Rotterdam - Dordrecht. Excursion to Kinderdijk. (Tue.) Schoonhoven, nicknamed "Zilverstad," is renowned for its silver, and is the home of the International School of Silver. There's time to explore on your own and maybe visit the Gold, Silver & Clock Museum. Next, sail to Rotterdam, a bustling city that was leveled by German bombs in WWII and now boasts the world's busiest PORT. Sitting between two branches of the Rhine, charming Dordrecht inspired many painters in the 17th and 18th centuries. From here, an excursion takes you to KINDERDIJK with its picturesque row of windmills. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Cologne, Germany. (Wed.)
Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany's largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of the magnificent gothic cathedral dominate the river skyline. The Germano-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés, and shops. Try a Kölsch, the favorite local beer, and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original "eau de cologne." (B,L,D)
Day 6: Koblenz. (Thu.)
Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The DEUTSCHES ECK, located on a tongue of land where the two rivers converge, holds an impressive equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. The Moselle River is some 312-miles long, rising in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and entering Germany at Trier. The entire Moselle Valley is famous for its beautiful and tranquil scenery. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Bernkastel. (Fri.)
In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKET PLACE. Wine growers in this area look after Germany's largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region's varietals. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Trier. (Sat.)
The venerable Episcopal city of Trier is the oldest in Germany and, some claim, even older than Rome! A house on the marketplace bears the inscription, "Trier was standing 1,300 years before Rome." The famous PORTA NIGRA is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and still gives access to the town center. Trier's most famous son was socialist revolutionary Karl Marx. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Schengen - Excursion to Luxembourg. (Sun.)
This morning your ship docks at Schengen, Luxembourg, where the Schengen Agreement was signed and the Schengen Visa was born. A short motorcoach ride takes you to Luxembourg, the capital of the Grand Duchy of the same name. The city boasts a large array of historical and cultural sights, which come to life as you visit the city with your Local Guide. This afternoon, relax on board while your ship cruises slowly down the Moselle, or choose from a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Cochem. (Mon.)
Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here the views of the little town of Cochem nestled down below and of the river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim - Mainz. (Tue.)
The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town and SIEGFRIED'S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! A SPECIAL TREAT is planned before you have free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. Situated on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany's largest and most important wine market. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and you'll visit the GUTENBERG MUSEUM. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Speyer. Excursion to Heidelberg. (Wed.)
This morning your ship docks in Speyer, an old imperial city boasting a Romanesque cathedral with six imposing towers and the finest and largest crypt in Germany. Four Holy Roman Emperors and four German kings are buried in the impressive Royal Vault. From here you can choose to take a full-day or half-day excursion to Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town. The ruins of the imposing red sandstone CASTLE tower above the city. Of particular interest is the GIANT VAT, an 18th-century wine cask holding 49,000 gallons! (B,L,D)
Day 13: Strasbourg, France. (Thu.)
Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights are the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with the statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available today. (B,L,D)
Day 14: Breisach, Germany. Excursion to the Black Forest. (Fri.)
Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border is the gateway to Germany's BLACK FOREST region, an area of unrivaled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. Surely the most well-known products from this region are Black Forest ham and Black Forest cherry cake. (B,L,D)
Day 15: Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation). (Sat.)
Homebound flights should not leave Zürich Airport before 10 am. (B) |
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