DAY 1 - May 24
EMBARKATION – NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Embark for your cruise is at 3pm in Nuremberg. Be sure to arrive a couple hours before that time. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers on board. (D)
DAY 2 - May 25
BAMBERG – SCHWEINFURT
Discover enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guided walking tour includes the Imperial Cathedral and the charming fishermen’s village known as “Little Venice” as well as taste the city's famous smoked beer, Rauchbier. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 - May 26
KITZINGEN – WÜRZBURG
Explore Kitzingen, Franconia’s wine trade center, with a city tour. Later, the Aulic (wine) Council and Wine Queen will welcome you with a special five-wine tasting in one of Germany’s oldest wine cellars. During the afternoon, you have a choice of two excursions. Join a guided bike ride from Kitzingen to Würzburg along the Main River and "Romantic Road,” or take a walking tour through Würzburg and then visit its Residenz Palace. The 300-room palace took nearly 60 years to complete and contains the world’s largest ceiling fresco, created by Venetian painter Tiepolo, as well as one of the most beautiful staircases in the world (B,L,D)
DAY 4 - May 27
WERTHEIM
Wertheim's old town center still features half-timbered houses and the Gothic architecture of the Stiftskirche, its oldest Protestant church. You may either join a guided walking tour through the historic city center or learn the art of pretzel making with a visit to a local bakery. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley or hike high above the town for a visit to the castle, one of the most picturesque ruins in Germany. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 - May 28
MAINZ – RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM – KOBLENZ
Arrive in Mainz, located at the confluence of the Main and Rhine rivers, where you have a choice of three excursions. Join a walking tour of Mainz, home to many historic treasures, including one of Germany’s most important churches, the Romanesque cathedral and the Chagall stained-glass windows depicting scriptural scenes in stunning blue, which you will get to see. Alternatively, visit Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town, where you will tour the Old Town and visit the red-walled castle with its Great Vat. For a more active adventure, cycle along the Rhine River to Rüdesheim. During the afternoon, you can participate in one of three excursions while in Rüdesheim. Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, home to one of the greatest collections of self-playing musical instruments; take a ride over the vineyards of Rüdesheim in a gondola to the Niederwald Monument; or go on a hike through the vineyards. Later in the day, set sail towards Koblenz through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles and legendary Lorelei Rock. After dinner, join a tour of Koblenz to explore its romantic narrow streets, historic squares and 12th-century churches. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 - May 29
COCHEM – ZELL
Wake up in fairytale Cochem and visit the Reichsburg Castle followed by a walking tour. As an alternative, visit one of Europe’s oldest working mustard mills where you will sample Cochem’s famous mustard. You may also opt to take a guided bike tour along the captivating Moselle River. Later cruise to Zell, famous for their Riesling and the well-known arched black cat icon, often seen on the labels of local German wines. Experience the hospitality of the citizens of Zell, including the local Wine Queen and Mayor, at an exclusive wine festival where you’ll sample local wines, sausages and more. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 - May 30
ZELL – TRIER
Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Moselle to Trier, Germany’s oldest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its rich ancient Roman past. Join a guided tour of the city, including the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths, Basilica of Constantine and the Porta Nigra Gate that dates back to 180 A.D. Alternatively, you can join a tour to discover the Secrets of the Porta Nigra; or go on a hike to Trier's amphitheater where gladiators once held contests. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 - May 31
LUXEMBOURG – DISEMBARKATION
This morning, bid farewell to your luxurious river cruise ship. (B)
EMBARKATION – NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Embark for your cruise is at 3pm in Nuremberg. Be sure to arrive a couple hours before that time. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers on board. (D)
DAY 2 - May 25
BAMBERG – SCHWEINFURT
Discover enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guided walking tour includes the Imperial Cathedral and the charming fishermen’s village known as “Little Venice” as well as taste the city's famous smoked beer, Rauchbier. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 - May 26
KITZINGEN – WÜRZBURG
Explore Kitzingen, Franconia’s wine trade center, with a city tour. Later, the Aulic (wine) Council and Wine Queen will welcome you with a special five-wine tasting in one of Germany’s oldest wine cellars. During the afternoon, you have a choice of two excursions. Join a guided bike ride from Kitzingen to Würzburg along the Main River and "Romantic Road,” or take a walking tour through Würzburg and then visit its Residenz Palace. The 300-room palace took nearly 60 years to complete and contains the world’s largest ceiling fresco, created by Venetian painter Tiepolo, as well as one of the most beautiful staircases in the world (B,L,D)
DAY 4 - May 27
WERTHEIM
Wertheim's old town center still features half-timbered houses and the Gothic architecture of the Stiftskirche, its oldest Protestant church. You may either join a guided walking tour through the historic city center or learn the art of pretzel making with a visit to a local bakery. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley or hike high above the town for a visit to the castle, one of the most picturesque ruins in Germany. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 - May 28
MAINZ – RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM – KOBLENZ
Arrive in Mainz, located at the confluence of the Main and Rhine rivers, where you have a choice of three excursions. Join a walking tour of Mainz, home to many historic treasures, including one of Germany’s most important churches, the Romanesque cathedral and the Chagall stained-glass windows depicting scriptural scenes in stunning blue, which you will get to see. Alternatively, visit Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town, where you will tour the Old Town and visit the red-walled castle with its Great Vat. For a more active adventure, cycle along the Rhine River to Rüdesheim. During the afternoon, you can participate in one of three excursions while in Rüdesheim. Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, home to one of the greatest collections of self-playing musical instruments; take a ride over the vineyards of Rüdesheim in a gondola to the Niederwald Monument; or go on a hike through the vineyards. Later in the day, set sail towards Koblenz through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles and legendary Lorelei Rock. After dinner, join a tour of Koblenz to explore its romantic narrow streets, historic squares and 12th-century churches. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 - May 29
COCHEM – ZELL
Wake up in fairytale Cochem and visit the Reichsburg Castle followed by a walking tour. As an alternative, visit one of Europe’s oldest working mustard mills where you will sample Cochem’s famous mustard. You may also opt to take a guided bike tour along the captivating Moselle River. Later cruise to Zell, famous for their Riesling and the well-known arched black cat icon, often seen on the labels of local German wines. Experience the hospitality of the citizens of Zell, including the local Wine Queen and Mayor, at an exclusive wine festival where you’ll sample local wines, sausages and more. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 - May 30
ZELL – TRIER
Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Moselle to Trier, Germany’s oldest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its rich ancient Roman past. Join a guided tour of the city, including the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths, Basilica of Constantine and the Porta Nigra Gate that dates back to 180 A.D. Alternatively, you can join a tour to discover the Secrets of the Porta Nigra; or go on a hike to Trier's amphitheater where gladiators once held contests. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 - May 31
LUXEMBOURG – DISEMBARKATION
This morning, bid farewell to your luxurious river cruise ship. (B)
Land Itinerary (excludes hotel in Silkeborg. Confirmation for Silkeborg hotel is below)
Land Invoice
Non-smoking rooms have been reserved at all hotels. I will confirm all reservations again as we get closer to departure. Please let me know if you have any other special requests.
All of you will meet at Charles de Gaulle airport and ride together in an organized transfer to your hotel.
Silkeborg
A room at Radisson Blu Papirfabrikken Hotel has been reserved for each couple. You will pay for the room upon arrival.
Hotel details
Name: Radisson Blu Papirfabrikken Hotel
Address: Papirfabrikken 12, 8600, Silkeborg, Denmark
Phone: +45 88 822222
Check-in: May 15, 2018
Check-out: May 16, 2018
Room type: Standard guest room Bed and Breakfast BB
Land Invoice
Non-smoking rooms have been reserved at all hotels. I will confirm all reservations again as we get closer to departure. Please let me know if you have any other special requests.
All of you will meet at Charles de Gaulle airport and ride together in an organized transfer to your hotel.
Silkeborg
A room at Radisson Blu Papirfabrikken Hotel has been reserved for each couple. You will pay for the room upon arrival.
Hotel details
Name: Radisson Blu Papirfabrikken Hotel
Address: Papirfabrikken 12, 8600, Silkeborg, Denmark
Phone: +45 88 822222
Check-in: May 15, 2018
Check-out: May 16, 2018
Room type: Standard guest room Bed and Breakfast BB
Click here for a guide to many of the places you will be visiting. You can view it from your phone, download it, or print it.
Additional Resources for International Travelers
Click here for more information on how to prepare for international travel.