Day 1: Depart home gateway to Basel
Day 2: Basel
Transfer from Basel airport to ship
Day 3: Strasbourg
You�ll wake up in the beautiful port of the Alsatian town ofStrasbourg. Situated halfway between Paris and Prague, Strasbourg isknown as the �Crossroads of Europe.� It is home to a magnificent,single-spired Gothic cathedral, Notre Dame, and beautiful half-timberedhouses; it is also the seat of the European Parliament. See Strasbourgin the way ithas been seen through the centuries�on a canal cruise thatpasses Petite France, the picturesque old quarter with its timberframehouses adorned with flower boxes. (BB, L, Captain�s Farewell Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise
Day 4: Speyer
From the port of Speyer, you�ll take a motorcoach to Heidelberg, aperfectly preserved Medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valleyalong Germany�s Castle Road. Heidelberg is home to Germany�s oldestuniversity and is forever immortalized by Sigmund Romberg�s operetta,The Student Prince. Your tour takes you past the romantic ruinsof Heidelberg Castle, where you�ll be guided through the castle�scourtyard. You will also get to see the world�s largest wine barrel.Continue your tour in downtown Heidelberg and through Old Town whereyou�ll see the town�s late-Gothic church. You�ll have some free time towander along one of Germany�s longest pedestrian streets, enjoy bustlingsquares lined with caf�s, or simply take in the serene atmosphere ofthis truly charming town. (BB, D)
Featured Excursion: Full-day tour of Heidelberg
Day 5: R�desheim
R�desheim 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 R�desheim,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 6: Miltenberg
Relax onboard during the morning as your ship travels the tranquilwaters of the meandering Main River through a series of locks and pastquiet Franconian hamlets. Arrive in charming and romantic Miltenberg,the �Pearl of the Main River.� The town is protected by its old wallsand two gates�one facing east, and another facing west. While on yourwalking tour, you�ll discover why this Medieval town seems to leap fromthe pages of a German fairytale with its 14th- and 15th-centuryhalf-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 7: W�rzburg
Visit W�rzburg Residenz, an immaculate example of Baroque architectureand a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This grand palace wasbuilt and decorated in the 18th century by an international team ofarchitects, sculptors, stucco-workers, and painters. Particularlynoteworthy is Tiepolo�s ceiling fresco�the largest in the world. Enjoythe magnificent garden, one of the most expansive and beautiful inEurope. Your tour will be capped off with a private winetasting offabulous Franconian wines in the historic Residenz cellar. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: W�rzburg Residenz visit and winetasting
Day 8: Hassfurt (Bamberg)
Awaken in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg, located on theRegnitz River near its confluence with the Main. Bamberg has one ofEurope�s largest intact Old Town centers, and like Rome, the city isbuilt on seven hills�only here, a church tops each hill. Your walkingtour takes you past the imperial cathedral, the four-winged NewResidence, the Town Hall lapped by the Regnitz River, and LittleVenice, an area of colorful fishermen�s houses from the 19th century.During the afternoon, you�ll cruise the peaceful, meandering MainRiver. (BB, L, Captain�s Welcome Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Bamberg walking tour
Day 9: Nuremberg (disembark), transfer to the airport
Transfer from the ship to the Nuremberg airport for your flight home.
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