| DAY 1, DEPART USA/CANADA
Board your overnight flight to Paris, France
DAY 2, ARRIVE PARIS, FRANCE
Arrive in Paris and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Day 3, PARIS. Enjoy Paris’ famous sights during your morning guided tour. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, see the unique Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, La Madeleine, Les Champs Elysées and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. In the evening join our optional Parisian Cabaret Tour, one of the most popular entertainments the city offers. (B) DAY 3, PARIS
Enjoy Paris’ famous sights during your morning guided tour. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, see the unique Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, La Madeleine, Les Champs Elysées and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. In the evening join our optional Parisian Cabaret Tour, one of the most popular entertainments the city offers. (B) DAY 4, PARIS
Enjoy a full free day to explore the amazing “City of Light,” where romance fills the air. Stroll along Les Champs Elysées, the boutique-lined boulevards, or see the Eiffel Tower, built for the World’s Fair of 1889. Paris at night offers unlimited possibilities for every taste. (B) DAY 5, PARIS – LUXEMBOURG – EMBARKATION
Bid “Au Revoir” to Paris as you board your TGV high-speed train to Metz. Then transfer to Luxembourg, one of the last independent duchies that made up Western and Central Europe. You will have a guided tour of Luxembourg before transferring to the ship. Tonight, gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. (B,D) DAY 6, TRIER – BERNKASTEL
After breakfast, arrive in the charming village of Trier, Germany’s oldest city, for a guided tour which will introduce you to the city’s rich Roman past. On your guided tour, you will see the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths, Basilica of Constantine and the Porta Nigra gate, dating back to 180 A.D. Continue to Bernkastel. Strategically located in the middle of the Mosel wine-producing region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Late this afternoon, enjoy a vineyard visit and walking tour. Your will also enjoy a wine tasting, where you will sample several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. After dinner, take a guided walking tour through the old town center with its many medieval and Renaissance buildings. (B,L,D) DAY 7, COCHEM – KOBLENZ – RHINE CASTLES – RÜDESHEIM
Today, decide between an excursion to Cochem or to Koblenz. In Cochem, you will take a guided tour of the spectacular hilltop Reichsburg Castle, which offers fascinating views of the river valley. In the alternative, travel to Koblenz, an historic wine-growing town at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine rivers. See the Four Towers, the Church of Our Lady, and hear the story behind the Schängel Fountain and City Hall. Later, enjoy scenic cruising along the most beautiful and famous part of the Rhine, seeing castle after castle and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rüdesheim and visit the Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum after dinner. The ship moors overnight in Rüdesheim. (B,L,D) DAY 8, MAINZ – HEIDELBERG – FRANKFURT
Today, take a guided walking tour of beautiful Mainz and see the famous Gutenberg Museum, home of the world’s first printed bible. Then enjoy a lunchtime cruise to Frankfurt, where you will have a walking tour of the city’s medieval section. In the alternative, travel by motor coach to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town. Visit the red-walled Castle, enjoy gorgeous views of the Neckar Valley below, and see the Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask. Later this afternoon, return to Frankfurt. (B,L,D) DAY 9, MILTENBERG – WERTHEIM
Arrive in Miltenberg for a walking tour of this delightful old Franconian town with its narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. During lunch, the ship will cruise to Freudenberg. A motor coach tour will take you to Wertheim, where you will have free time to explore the town on your own or before boarding your ship for an overnight cruise to Würzburg. A guided bicycle tour from Freudenberg to Wertheim is also available (capacity controlled). (B,L,D) DAY 10, WÜRZBURG – KITZINGEN
During your guided tour of Würzburg, you will see the major sights, including the Residenz Palace and gardens, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of Europe’s foremost examples of baroque architecture and design. This afternoon take an optional tour along the Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg. Still surrounded by its walls, towers, gates, timber framed buildings and ancient churches, enjoy a walking tour of this marvelous town, followed by free time. One of the most famous shops dedicated to the Christmas season is located here, complete with hand-made German Christmas ornaments. Or join our Würzburg to Kitzingen bike tour (capacity controlled). This evening, the Aulic Council and Wine Queens will welcome you at the pier and escort you to Germany’s oldest wine cellar. Enjoy several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. (B,L,D) DAY 11, BAMBERG
Arrive this afternoon in enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided walking tour of this medieval gem. Marvel at the breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and the city’s serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. You will also sample some of Bamberg’s famous smoked beer. As an alternative to the walking tour, a guided bike tour is available (capacity controlled). This evening, cruise to ancient Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. (B,L,D) DAY 12, NUREMBERG – PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
After breakfast, disembark the ship and enjoy a guided morning tour of the historic city of Nuremberg with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant impressive walls. See the famous Zeppelin Field where Hitler held his infamous Nazi Party Rallies, and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. You will have some free time to explore the town on your own before transferring to Prague. (B) DAY 13, PRAGUE
This morning’s sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000 year-old Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus, before walking over to Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The balance of the day is at your leisure; perhaps visit the Wenceslas Square or enjoy yourself in one of the charming cafes. This evening, an optional Folklore Dinner Show provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and traditions (B) DAY 14, DEPART PRAGUE
Bid farewell to Prague and transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B) | |