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Experience the inescapable rich romantic spirit of the Rhine, with ancient castles and grand palaces, Medieval towns with half-timbered houses, famous Franconian wines, and robust beers, as you sail along the breathtaking Rhine and the peaceful, meandering Main.
Day 1: Depart home gateway city to Nuremberg
Day 2: Nuremberg
Arrive at Nuremberg Airport where you'll be transferred to the ship. (D)
Day 3: Bamberg
Awaken in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg, located on the Regnitz River near its confluence with the Main. Bamberg has one of Europe's largest intact Old Town centers, and like Rome, the city is built on seven hills-only here, a church tops each hill. Your walking tour takes you past the imperial cathedral, the four-winged New Residence, the Town Hall lapped by the Regnitz River, and Little Venice, an area of colorful fishermen's houses from the 19th century. During the afternoon, you'll cruise the peaceful, meandering Main River. (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Bamberg walking tour
Day 4: Würzburg
Visit Würzburg Residenz, an immaculate example of Baroque architecture and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This grand palace was built and decorated in the 18th century by an international team of architects, sculptors, stucco-workers, and painters. Particularly noteworthy is Tiepolo's ceiling fresco-the largest in the world. Enjoy the magnificent garden, one of the most expansive and beautiful in Europe. Your tour will be capped off with a private winetasting of fabulous Franconian wines in the historic Residenz cellar. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Würzburg Residenz visit and winetasting
Day 5: Miltenberg
Relax onboard during the morning as your ship travels the tranquil waters of the meandering Main River through a series of locks and past quiet Franconian hamlets. Arrive in charming and romantic Miltenberg, the “Pearl of the Main River.” The town is protected by its old walls and two gates-one facing east, and another facing west. While on your walking tour, you'll discover why this Medieval town seems to leap from the pages of a German fairytale with its 14th- and 15th-century half-timbered, gabled houses; the Crooked House; and the Royal Inn, which has been a working hotel since the 17th century. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Miltenberg walking tour
Day 6: Rüdesheim
Rüdesheim is one of the most scenic wine towns along the Rhine and itshistory dates back to Roman times, as do most of the cities along theRhine. The town is famous for, among other things, its long avenue ofshops and wine bars-known as the Drosselgasse-as well as the NiederwaldMonument commemorating the unification of Germany. As an added treattoday, you'll board a mini-train for the short trip to the NiederwaldGondola. The adventure takes off the moment your gondola rises up thehillside. During the ride and once at the top, you will be mesmerizedby the fairytale views that appear on all sides, including Rüdesheim,the vineyards of the Rheingau, and the Niederwald Monument. Perched atthe top of the Niederwald heights, the monument can be seen by all whopass through this section of the beautiful Rhine Valley. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Gondola ride to the scenic Niederwald Heights
Day 7: Speyer (Heidelberg)
From the port of Speyer, you'll take a motorcoach to Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved Medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany's Castle Road. Heidelberg is home to Germany's oldest university and is forever immortalized by Sigmund Romberg's operetta, The Student Prince. Your tour takes you past the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle, where you'll be guided through the castle's courtyard. You will also get to see the world's largest wine barrel. Continue your tour in downtown Heidelberg and through Old Town where you'll see the town's late-Gothic church. You'll have some free time to wander along one of Germany's longest pedestrian streets, enjoy bustling squares lined with cafès, or simply take in the serene atmosphere of this truly charming town. (BB, D)
Featured Excursion: Full-day tour of Heidelberg
Day 8: Strasbourg
You'll wake up in the beautiful port of the Alsatian town of Strasbourg. Situated halfway between Paris and Prague, Strasbourg is known as the “Crossroads of Europe.” It is home to a magnificent, single-spired Gothic cathedral, Notre Dame, and beautiful half-timbered houses; it is also the seat of the European Parliament. See Strasbourg in the way it has been seen through the centuries-on a canal cruise that passes Petite France, the picturesque old quarter with its timberframe houses adorned with flower boxes. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise
Day 9: Depart Basel
Disembark the ship and transfer to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg for your flight home, or extend your stay in lovely Lucerne.
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