Detailed Itinerary Europe's Rivers & Castles (Wine Cruise)

CRUISE YEAR

7-night Cruise


Day 1

EMBARKATION – LUXEMBOURG CITY, LUXEMBOURG
Board your ship in Luxembourg for your Europe’s Rivers & Castles cruise. (B,D)

Day 2

TRABEN-TRARBACH, GERMANY
Traben Trarbach is your gateway to fascinating Bernkastel. Walk through Bernkastel’s colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided tour that also includes a winery visit and tasting. Alternatively, stay in Traben-Trarbach, a prominent wine trading center at the turn of the century, and join a guided walking tour to learn more about its history. Your tour concludes with a tasting of local wines. If you prefer a more active tour, join our guide on a cycling excursion through town. You may also join a guided hike up to the Grevenburg Castle ruins and through the village's vineyards, with a tasting of local wines awaiting at the end of the trail. (B,L,D)

Traben-Trarbach

Day 3

COCHEM – KOBLENZ, GERMANY
Head to fairytale Cochem and visit Reichsburg Castle followed by a walking tour. As an alternative, hike to Reichsburg Castle and enjoy a visit inside, or pedal through the charming town on a guided bike tour. Later in the day, sit out on your balcony or go up on the Sun Deck to marvel at the beautiful views as we cruise to Koblenz. There, you can join a guided evening walk through the charming historic town, perhaps stopping for photos at the Augenroller (eye roller) of Koblenz. (B,L,D)

Cochem

Day 4

RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM
Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue or allow yourself to be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards above the Rhine River. (B,L,D)

Rhine Gorge

Day 5

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)

Wertheim

Day 6

WÜRZBURG
Enjoy a city tour of Würzburg, a bursting with Baroque splendor. Or visit Würzburg’s Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. Or stretch your legs while hiking to Würzburg Castle. Alternatively, go on a full-day excursion to Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved walled town located on the Romantic Road. Later in the afternoon, you will have a unique opportunity to visit Juliusspital wine estate – one of Germany’s largest wine estates. You will have a unique opportunity to visit their historic cellar and taste some of the best wine in Germany. (B,L,D)

Würzburg

Day 7

BAMBERG
Head to Bamberg, which has been referred to as “Franconian Rome” as, like Rome, it was built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church graces each one. Bamberg’s medieval and Baroque architecture has withstood the test of time and, as such, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem where you’ll see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions, and afterwards, indulge in the town’s famous smoked beer, Rauchbier. Or, indulge in the culinary specialties of Bamberg, including licorice root, Hornla pastries, traditional German sausage and smoked beer. As a more invigorating alternative, pedal from Eltmann to Bamberg, meeting the ship there later in the day. (B,L,D)

Bamberg

Day 8

NUREMBERG – DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Nuremberg as you prepare for your journey home. (B)

Day 1

EMBARKATION – NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Board the ship in Nuremberg for your Europe’s Rivers & Castles cruise. (D)

Day 2

BAMBERG
Bamberg has been referred to as “Franconian Rome” as, like Rome, it was built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church graces each one. Bamberg’s medieval and Baroque architecture has withstood the test of time and, as such, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem where you’ll see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions, and afterwards, indulge in the town’s famous smoked beer, Rauchbier. Alternatively, enjoy a bike tour through Bamberg and follow your knowledgeable guide along the river to the enchanting winemaking town of Eltmann. (B,L,D)

Bamberg

Day 3

WÜRZBURG
This afternoon, you may choose from a city tour of Würzburg, a city bursting with Baroque splendor; a visit to Würzburg’s Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo; or an active hike to the Würzburg castle. Each of these excursions concludes with a visit to the unique and historic Juliusspital wine estate, where you can sample some of the best wine in Germany. Alternatively, you can venture to Rothenburg and enjoy a walking tour of this charming town situated on the Romantic Road. Following your tour, enjoy some free time to discover the local shops, including one of the most famous shops dedicated to the Christmas season, brimming with handmade German Christmas ornaments. (B,L,D)

Würzburg

Day 4

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)

Wertheim

Day 5

RÜDESHEIM – RHINE GORGE – LAHNSTEIN
Arrive in Rüdesheim, where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or take a ride over the vineyards of Rüdesheim in a gondola to the Niederwald Monument, and then afterwards be treated to a wine tasting. You may also hike through a Rüdesheim vineyard. Another choice today is to take a guided bike tour along the Rhine Valley, riding between the Rheingau hills and the Rhine River. Later in the day, set sail towards Lahnstein through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles. Cap the day off with a visit to Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)

Rüdesheim

Day 6

COCHEM
Wake up in fairytale Cochem and visit the Reichsburg Castle followed by a walking tour. You may also opt to take a guided bike tour along the captivating Moselle River or a hike to Reichsburg Castle. (B,L,D)

Cochem

Day 7

WASSERBILLIG
Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Moselle to Wasserbilig. From here, you can visit Trier, Germany’s oldest city, renowned for its rich ancient Roman past, and referred to as the “Rome of the North” or “Second Rome” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Join a guided tour of the city, including the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths and Basilica of Constantine. You also have the choice of a bike tour through the historic city center and along the Moselle River. Alternatively, you can enjoy walking tour of Luxembourg, followed by a tasting at a local establishment where you can sample a few of Luxembourg’s famed wines. The most popular among them is Riesling, although crémant has gained popularity among local vintners. (B,L,D)

Wasserbillig

Day 8

LUXEMBOURG – DISEMBARKATION
Bid au revoir to Luxembourg as you prepare for your journey home.

Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.

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