Southbound
* Indicates cruise day
* Day 1 - Welcome to the Netherlands
Tour begins: 2:00 PM, Amsterdam. A transfer is included from Amsterdam's Schiphol International Airport to the ms Swiss Jewel or the ms Swiss Emerald. Your cruise on the Moselle and Rhine rivers begins when all guests check in at 2:00 PM. Welkom aan boord! Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 2 - Amazing Amsterdam
As this most exciting of Moselle and Rhine river cruises begins, indulge yourself in all the many charms of this city of canals today. Discover Amsterdam's historic architecture on a sightseeing cruise of its 17th-century canals, and visit one of the city's engaging museums on the Museumplein. Enjoy some leisure time to explore the Netherlands' capital on your own, and join us this evening for the Captain's welcome reception and dinner. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 3 - Works of art by Mother Nature and Vincent van Gogh
Set off for Arnhem and the 5,500-hectare De Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to many endangered plant and animal species in a unique and varied landscape. In the midst of this natural glory, you'll find the inspiring Kroller Muller Museum, featuring works of such luminaries as Pablo Picasso, Georges Seurat and Vincent van Gogh - plus Europe's largest sculpture garden, showcasing the creations of such noted sculptors as Auguste Rodin and Henry Moore. Rejoin the riverboat in Rees for lunch, followed by a delightful afternoon and evening of river cruising. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 4 - The many faces of Bonn
Beethoven's birthplace, the home of musicians Robert and Clara Schumann, and the capital of Germany from 1949 to 1991, Bonn is still a center of German administration and politics. Tracing its roots back to the Romans, the city engages with history spanning ancient times to the present day. Discover it all during a sightseeing tour and a walk through Old Town; enjoy a memorable lunch in a grand hotel used to host visiting dignitaries, set in an ideal location overlooking Bonn and the Rhine. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 5 - In the shadow of Reichsburg Castle
This most engaging of Moselle and Rhine River cruises takes you to Cochem today, where stepping ashore is like stepping into the pages of a medieval fairy tale. Tour picture-perfect 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle, which looks down on the quaint market square. Explore this jewel of a town - complete with Baroque town hall and ancient town gates - breathing in its historic charm and ambiance. Honor the area's centuries-old winemaking with a tasting of the excellent locally produced wines at a family-owned winery before returning to the riverboat. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 6 - Luxembourg bound
Dock in Bernkastel this morning for a journey to the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Pay a poignant visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial; over 5,000 American casualties of the Battle of the Bulge lie buried here, as does General George S. Patton. A walking tour of Luxembourg's well-preserved old town reveals the Cathedral, Parliament, the Palace of the Grand Duke, and centuries-old battlements that are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy some special on-board entertainment by local performers this evening. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 7 - Trier and Bernkastel, a Moselle masterpiece
On an excursion to Trier, discover this ancient city during a walking tour that includes a visit to Dom St. Peter, a historic cathedral whose site dates back to Roman times. Return to charming Bernkastel, known as both the "Pearl of the Moselle" and the "international town of vines and wine." The town is celebrated not only for its wines, but also for its medieval market square surrounded by half-timbered houses, which you'll see on a walking tour, along with its castle ruins, fortress-like 14th-century church and Renaissance-era town hall. Set off to Boppard this afternoon. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 8 - To Boppard in the Middle Rhine Valley
As this most delightful of Rhine River cruises continues, explore the Middle Rhine Valley and the land of the Lorelei. During its 2,000-year history, Celts, Romans and Franconians have all called Boppard home; discover this marvelous medieval town and enjoy lunch at the Old Monastery Cellar. While your riverboat glides along the Rhine toward Worms this afternoon, you'll hear about the legend of the Lorelei, and see for yourself why this beautiful part of the river has inspired composers, writers and artists for centuries. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 9 - Heidelberg, realm of The Student Prince
A full day in the historic college town of Heidelberg, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and the setting for the famous operetta, The Student Prince, awaits you today. Take a walking tour of Heidelberg for a close-up look at the Old Town, and ride a funicular up to imposing Heidelberger Schloss, perched 300 feet above the city; view its examples of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and enjoy lunch at a Heidelberg restaurant. Perhaps you'll be as captivated by this lovely old city as America's first travel writer, Mark Twain, was when he spent three months here with his family. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 10 - Lifestyles of the rich and healthy in Baden-Baden
Arrive in Plittersdorf for an excursion to the beautiful Black Forest spa town of Baden-Baden - and proof that the elegant Belle Epoque period is still alive and well. For many generations, wealthy folks have flocked here to see and be seen, and to take the healing thermal waters for which the town is famous ('baden,' in fact, translates to 'bath' or 'bathe'). Join us for a walking tour among some of the town's treasures, ranging from the ruins of Roman baths to the ornate 250-year-old Casino, which movie star Marlene Dietrich once described as "the most beautiful casino in the world." Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 11 - A taste of France, past and present
Your exploration of the Rhine River cruises to stunning Strasbourg, France, seat of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. You'll see the Parliament buildings before stepping back in time to discover La Petite France, noted for its medieval half-timbered houses set beside lovely canals. While visiting the famous Gothic Cathedrale de Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, you'll be inspired by the graceful, expressive statuary of the Pilier des Anges [Pillar of Angels], and the magnificent stained glass windows. Spend free time this afternoon exploring the 'crossroads of Europe' as you wish. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
* Day 12 - Beguiling Basel
This lovely Swiss city on the banks of the Rhine River will engage you today during a walking tour of the Old Town, where you'll see the bright-red Rathaus, Basel's Town Hall. You can then explore more of one of Europe's most attractive and best-preserved old towns on your own, or perhaps visit one of the city's 40 museums. This evening, join the Captain for a farewell reception and dinner as this most impressive of Moselle and Rhine River cruises draws to a close. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 13 - Homeward bound
Tour ends: Basel. A transfer is included from ms Swiss Emerald or ms Swiss Jewel to Basel-Mulhouse International Airport; please allow 2 ½ hours for flight check-in. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Meals: Breakfast |
|
