Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Buffet breakfast (B) in Paris; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, and Captain's dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Paris Le Meridien Montparnasse (SF) or Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF)
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
Itinerary
Day 1
(Mon.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2Paris, France
(Tue.) Welcome to Paris, France's capital on the River Seine and the "City of Light," where romance fills the air!
Day 3Paris
(Wed.) Paris' famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife including some of the world's most famous cabarets. (B)
Day 4Paris-Remich, Luxembourg (Embarkation)
(Thu.) This morning, board a HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Metz. From here we drive to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where your river cruise vessel is docked. Before dinner meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D)
Day 5Trier, Germany
(Fri.) This venerable Episcopal city on the Moselle River is the oldest in Germany and, some claim, even older than Rome! The famous PORTA NIGRA is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town center. See the highlights on your included tour. The Moselle 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 6Bernkastel
(Sat.) 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 7Beilstein-Cochem
(Sun.) Beilstein is dominated by the castle of the Dukes of Metternich, famous for their political influence in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. Enjoy a few hours of free time in this charming town before continuing to Cochem. Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here the views of the little town 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 8Rhine Gorge-Rudesheim
(Mon.) 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. Rudesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town and SIEGFRIED'S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there's free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. (B,L,D)
Day 9Cologne, Germany
(Tue.) 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, cafes, and shops. Try a Kolsch, the favorite local beer, and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original "eau de cologne." (B,L,D)
Day 10Arnhem, Holland-Dordrecht. Excursion to Kinderdijk
(Wed.) One of the major tragedies of World War II was the Battle of Arnhem, featured vividly in the AIRBORNE MUSEUM HARTENSTEIN and the inspiration for the movie A Bridge Too Far. This afternoon we cruise to charming Dordrecht, situated between two branches of the Rhine and the inspiration for many painters in the 17th and 18th centuries. From here, enjoy an excursion to nearby KINDERDIJK with its picturesque row of windmills. (B,L,D)
Day 11Ghent, Belgium
(Thu.) In a unique way, Ghent, the "diamond" of Flanders, has managed to preserve its medieval charm and power while keeping up with the times. A Local Guide will proudly point out that the city center alone is a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success, and take you into ST. BAAF'S CATHEDRAL. From here, an optional excursion to fascinating Bruges, with its criss-crossed canals and charming old patrician houses, is available. (B,L,D)
Day 12Middelburg, Holland-Veere-Delta Works
(Fri.) It is certain that Middelburg was originally built as a stronghold to protect the population of Zeeland from the water and enemies. Later, it became a prosperous merchant city that spent great wealth on the construction of important buildings such as the town hall. The eye-catching high tower of the town hall dominates the charming town of Veere, which was once an important wool-trading center. Take your photos before continuing to one of the most complex engineering projects, the DELTA WORKS, located nearby. After the flood of 1953, during which more than 1,800 people drowned in one night, the Delta Plan was born to prevent another disaster of this magnitude. The final defense in the battle against the water is the storm flood barrier, almost six-miles long and considered a technical miracle. The project took 30 years to complete. (B,L,D)
Day 13Amsterdam
(Sat.) 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. 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 14Amsterdam (Disembarkation)
(Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
