zVineyards of the Rhine & Mosel Celebration of Wine Cruise 2013

Transfer to the Paris Est train station to board a high-speed TGV train bound for Metz. You’ll have free time in Metz to have lunch on your own. Next, you will travel by motor coach to Luxembourg, where you will enjoy a tour of the capital of the Grand Duchy and have a photo stop at the American Military Cemetery, General Patton’s burial place. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. Meals B,D

This afternoon, arrive in charming Bernkastel, where you will enjoy a vineyard visit and walking tour. Strategically located in the heart of the Mosel, the town boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Bernkastel features a medieval marketplace and half-timbered homes with steep gables and beautiful town squares with fountains dating back centuries. Above the town stand the ruins of Castle Landshut, the former summer home of the Archbishop of Trier which was destroyed by a fi re in the 17th-century. You will also enjoy wine tasting with a local vintner. Meals B,L,D

This morning, tour picturesque Cochem, located amidst the steep vineyards and wine villages of the Mosel. You will have your choice of a walking tour and guided visit to the hilltop Reichsburg Castle, featuring spectacular views of the Mosel. In the alternative, you may choose to participate in a guided bike tour (capacity controlled). This evening, cruise to Koblenz. Meals B,L,D

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Koblenz, a historic wine-producing town on the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine. See the Four Towers, the Church of Our Lady and hear the story behind the Schängel Fountain and City Hall. This afternoon continue cruising on the Rhine River, where you will see the stunning beauty of the Rhine castles and the infamous Lorelei Rock as we sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge. The ship moors overnight in Mainz.

Today, decide between two excursions: take a guided walking tour of beautiful Mainz and see the famous Gutenberg Museum, home of the world’s first printed bible. See Mainz’s Old Town, with its narrow streets, Baroque churches and half-timbered houses. After lunch, arrive in Rüdesheim, where you will enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time. In the alternative, you may choose a full day excursion to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town. Your excursion includes a walking tour of Old Heidelberg. The city is divided by the Neckar River, with the old town on one side and the new town on the other, connected by the Old Stone Bridge. This evening, all passengers have the opportunity to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. This historic museum houses one of the greatest collections of robotic and self-playing musical instruments from the 18th-20th centuries. Meals B,L,D

Arrive in Cologne this morning, where you will enjoy a walking tour of Old Town and Cathedral Square. You will visit the spectacular 13th-century gothic cathedral whose twin spires are amongst the tallest in Europe. Afterwards, you will have free time to linger in the cathedral, browse the many nearby shops or perhaps enjoy a glass of Kölsch, Cologne’s famous beer. In the alternative, enjoy a scenic bike ride through Cologne (capacity controlled). Meals B,L,D

Arrive in vibrant Amsterdam this morning. After breakfast, your tour begins with a scenic canal cruise through the city known as the “Venice of the North.” See the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous Anne Frank House. Afterwards, enjoy a panoramic motor coach tour of Amsterdam, in which you will see numerous landmarks, including the Royal Palace and a photo stop at the Rembrandt Windmill. You will then have free time to explore Dam Square and shop for souvenirs. Meals B,L,D

Your river cruise vacation ends today as you transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. Meals B