Experience Holland, Germany, Luxembourg, and France on this fantastic river cruise vacation. Begin in Amsterdam with an exciting cruise through its intricate network of canals. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Cologne, with its famous cathedral, and Trier, where you’ll see the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement. Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in pretty Rüdesheim, cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, enjoy the magnificent views from Reichsburg Castle above the charming town of Cochem, and visit a local wine cellar in Bernkastel. From Metz, travel via high-speed train to Paris for guided sightseeing, two overnights, and the conclusion of your amazing vacation.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation). 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 at 6 pm. (D)
Day #2 Amsterdam–Volendam. 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.” Cruise out of Amsterdam heading northward to Volendam on the Ijsselmeer, a picturesque little fishing town with a unique open harbor and a small timbered church dating back to 1658. Visit a nearby WINDMILL before setting sail for Cologne. (B,L,D)
Day #3 Cologne, Germany. 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, and 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 #4 Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge–Koblenz. Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine tour and SIEGFIRED’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. 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. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblez 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. (B,L,D)
Day #5 Cochem. Today we sail up the Moselle River, which rises in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and enters Germany at Trier. Visit Cochem’s 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 #6 Bernkastel. In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved halftimbered 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 #7 Trier–Remich, Luxembourg. 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 it still gives access to the town center. Trier’s most famous son was socialist revolutionary Karl Marx. This afternoon, cruise to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. (B,L,D)
Day #8 Remich (Disembarkation)–Metz–Paris, France. After breakfast, transfer to Metz to board the HIGH-SPEED TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Paris. (B)
Day #9 Paris. 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, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, 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 #10 Paris. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
Paris Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe Paris (SF)