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Tour Code: WZA
Tour Length: 9 days
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ROMANTIC RHINE
Day 1 - (Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2 - Arrive in Zurich, Switzerland. Transfer to Basel (Embarkation) (Sun.) Flights into Zurich must arrive before 3 p.m. Basel is situated on the Rhine where France, Switzerland, and Germany meet. This afternoon, the crew of your vessel waits to welcome you aboard. (D) Day 3 - Strasbourg, France. (Mon.) Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights are the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kleber, and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Beer Brewery. An optional excursion into the Alsace wine region is available. (FB,L,D) Day 4 - Excursion to Heidelberg, Germany - Mainz. (Tue.) Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university town of Student Prince fame, a world-famous love musical. The ruins of the imposing HEIDELBERG CASTLE, built of red sandstone, tower above the city. Of particular interest is the GIANT VAT, an 18th-century wine cask holding 49,000 gallons! (FB,L,D) Day 5 - Mainz - Rüdesheim (Wed.) Situated on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany's largest and most important wine market. The Old Town has many interesting shops, tea rooms, and restaurants, and a fountain on the Schillerplatz is decorated with scenes of the famous carnival held here every year. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and the GUTENBERG MUSEUM is well worth a visit. The pretty little town of Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. SIEGFRIED'S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Explore the Drosselgasse, pick up some souvenirs, and be sure to try one of the vintages in any of the little wine taverns! (FB,L,D) Day 6 - Coblenz. (Thu.) Downstream from Rüdesheim is the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of river that is dotted every mile with castles. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Coblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. (FB,L,D) Day 7 - Cologne (Fri.) Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany's largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of Cologne's magnificent Gothic cathedral - which took more than 600 years to build - dominate the river skyline. The Germano- Roman Museum, located next to the cathedral, is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés, and shops. The favorite local beer here is Kölsch. (FB,L,D) Day 8 - Amsterdam, Holland. (Sat.) Holland's capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés and restaurants, and lively marketplace has a distinct ambience. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's "Golden Age." (FB,L,D) Day 9 - Amsterdam (Disembarkation) (Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB) |
