Compare Europe's Rivers & Castles by AMA Waterways vs 5 Different Rivers: The Rhine, Neckar, Main, Moselle, and Saar by CroisiEurope
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| Trip |
3.5 | Average
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 4,939 | $ 2,386 |
| Price Per Day | $ 617 | $ 265 |
| Highlights |
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CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
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| Trip Style | River cruise | River cruise |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
12 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
Begin your vacation in Paris before taking a high-speed TGV train into Luxembourg, where you will board your ship. Visit Trier, the oldest city in Germany, and continue through the Mosel River Valley, admiring its steep hillsides sheathed in endless vineyards. Visit the German villages of Bernkastel and Cochem and experience the dramatic scenery of the Rhine River Gorge, dotted with picturesque fortresses and castle ruins. Along the Main River, stop at medieval towns before cruising through the Main-Danube Canal to historic Nuremberg. Conclude your journey with two nights in Prague. |
From Remich to Strasbourg, cruise along 5 rivers and discover the beauty of the romantic Rhine valley, the Neckar, the Main, the Moselle and the Saar which will unveil their cultural and historical treasures. Admire the landscapes this cruise has to offer and visit iconic cities such as Cochem, Frankfurt, Trier and Luxembourg. Tradition, art and viticulture, each of these cities will tell you its own story. |
Day 1: Arrive In Paris, France
Arrive in Paris and check-in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Walk through the city’s enchanting streets, drop by a charming sidewalk café or visit one of many world class museums.
Day 2: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Today, you’ll visit Notre Dame and then enjoy some free time to explore the “City of Light.” Afterwards, you’ll see some of the most famous sights on a panoramic city tour, followed by a photo stop at Champs de Mars for views of the Eiffel Tower.
Day 3: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day to explore the romantic “City of Light.” Stroll along the Champs Elysées, lined with boutiques and cafes, or go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair.
Day 4: Paris – Luxembourg – Embarkation
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Bid au revoir to Paris as you board your TGV high-speed train that will whisk you away and into Luxembourg, one of Europe’s last independent duchies. You will have a guided walking tour of Luxembourg as well as a stop at the American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting place of General George Patton, before boarding the ship. Tonight, gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. The ship departs very late tonight for Germany.
Day 5: Trier, Germany – Bernkastel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast a guided walking tour of Trier—Germany’s oldest city—will introduce you to its rich Roman past. You will see Trier Cathedral, the Basilica of Constantine and the Porta Nigra gate that dates back to 179 A.D. Continue on to Bernkastel, strategically located in the middle of the Mosel Valley’s wine-producing region, an area that’s been cultivating wine for over 500 years. A guided walking tour through the old town center this afternoon will take you past many medieval and Renaissance buildings. You will also enjoy a winery visit and sample several regional vintages. Your ship departs later this evening and cruises overnight.
Day 6: Koblenz – Rhine River Gorge – Rüdesheim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, enjoy a guided tour of Cochem that takes you to the spectacular hilltop Reichsburg Castle, offering fantastic views of the river valley below. Or, opt to take a walking tour of Koblenz and explore its charming town square and quaint shops. Return to the ship for a scenic afternoon cruise along the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine, with castle ruins, fortresses and the legendary Lorelei Rock. We arrive in Rüdesheim this evening and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or you may choose to join us for some Rüdesheimer Coffee. The ship moors overnight in Rüdesheim.
Day 7: Mainz – Heidelberg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, depart Rüdesheim and cruise to beautiful Mainz, arriving after lunch. Your guided walking tour includes a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, home to two copies of the world’s first printed Bible as well as centuries-old manuscripts and printing presses. You may also choose to see the famed Chagall windows, which depict scriptural scenes in stunning blue. As an alternative to Mainz, you can travel by motor coach to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town, where you will take a tour of the old town and visit the red-walled castle with its Great Vat (a 49,000-gallon wine cask) as well as enjoy beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and city below. Later this afternoon, the ship departs Mainz and cruises overnight to Wertheim.
Day 8: Wertheim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Welcome to Wertheim, a quaint German town known for its intricate glassworks and charming medieval architecture. You have your choice of one of three excursions today. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic city center, a scenic guided bike tour along the Main River, or a visit to local bakery for a pretzel-making demonstration and tasting. Your ship cruises to Würzburg this evening.
Day 9: Würzburg – Kitzingen
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning’s guided tour of Würzburg will show you all of the city’s major sights, or you may prefer to visit the Residenz Palace and gardens, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The next stop is Kitzingen this afternoon where the town’s Historic Court Council and honorary Wine Queen will escort you to one of Germany’s oldest wine cellar to sample regional wines. You may either cruise to Kitzingen, or get there via a guided bike ride through the Franconian countryside. Later tonight, the ship sails towards Bamberg.
Day 10: Bamberg
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Arrive this afternoon in enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will have one of three ways to explore. The first is a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions, as well as sample some of Bamberg’s famous smoked beer. The second is a guided bike tour along the Main River, and the third is a Bamberg Specialties tasting where you will enjoy smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla, a local favorite whose recipe dates back to 1427. This evening, we continue cruising towards Nuremberg.
Day 11: Nuremberg – Disembarkation – Prague, Czech Republic
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will discover the Bavarian city of Nuremberg. Often associated with WWII and gingerbread making during the holidays, Nuremberg has a rich medieval heritage that is woven perfectly into its modern day presence. You will see Gothic churches, the Zeppelin Field where Hitler once held his massive Nazi Party Rallies, and Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. You will also have some free time to explore the city’s romantic corners and charming shops, and have lunch on your own before transferring to the epically beautiful city of Prague.
Day 12: Prague
Meals: Breakfast
Your morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see Rudolfinum, the National Museum, Wenceslas Square and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. Next, visit the 1,000 year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church and the statue of Jan Husek. The rest of the day is at your leisure, perhaps to enjoy yourself in one of the city’s many charming cafés.
Day 13: Depart Prague
Meals: Breakfast
Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight.
Day 1 STRASBOURG
You’ll board our ship at 5 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Our ship will cast off at 6:00 p.m. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing as we cruise through the night.
Day 2 MANNHEIM - HEIDELBERG(4)
We’ll spend the morning cruising the Neckar River to Heidelberg. This afternoon, join us for an excursion to see Heidelberg and its castle. Known as the most romantic city in Germany, it has inspired many the painter and poet by its beauty. We’ll visit the partially ruined, red sandstone castle that sits majestically above the city, overlooking the Neckar River. Up to the Thirty Years’ War, Heidelberg boasted one of the most notable ensembles of buildings in the Holy Roman Empire. While time has taken its toll, this castle’s fame lives on to this day. The giant wine barrel is one of the most popular attractions. Built in a cellar in 1591, it held about 34,342 gallons of wine collected from the Palatinate in payment of taxes. The facade of the Friedrich Building, displaying the perfect gallery of portraits from the royal line, is also a must-see. After our visit, we’ll go to the historical center of the city to take in many of sites. Enjoy some free time before returning on board in Heidelberg. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.
Day 2 MANNHEIM - HEIDELBERG(4)
We’ll spend the morning cruising the Neckar River to Heidelberg. This afternoon, join us for an excursion to see Heidelberg and its castle. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.
Day 3 HEIDELBERG(4) - MAINZ - FRANKFURT
We’ll spend the morning cruising the Neckar and Rhine Rivers. We’ll arrive in Mainz in the early afternoon. Join us for a tour of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum(5). We’ll see some of the most remarkable buildings, including the 1000-year-old Mainz Cathedral, located near the city center, and its picturesque streets in the old city. We’ll also visit the Gutenberg Museum(5), the world-famous museum of book printing which houses two copies of the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed with movable type in the West. After we return on board, we’ll begin to cruise to Frankfurt. Join us for an evening of entertainment. We’ll arrive in Frankfurt during the night.
Day 3 HEIDELBERG(4) - MAINZ - FRANKFURT
We’ll spend the morning cruising the Neckar and Rhine Rivers. We’ll arrive in Mainz in the early afternoon. Join us for a tour of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum(5). After we return on board, we’ll begin to cruise to Frankfurt. Join us for an evening of entertainment. We’ll arrive in Frankfurt during the night.
Day 4 FRANKFURT - RÜDESHEIM(3)
This morning, we’ll set off for a guided tour of Frankfurt. A panoramic tour by coach will give you a great overview of the main buildings and monuments found in the city. After, we'll continue our tour on foot. Among the sites we'll see are the Emperor’s Cathedral, the center of the old quarter, and the Römerberg. Enjoy some free time before returning to the ship.After we return on board, we’ll begin to cruise to Rüdesheim. On our way, we’ll pass the cities of Mainz, Wiesbaden, and Eltville am Rhein before arriving in Rüdesheim at the end of the afternoon.Join us for a tour of Rüdesheim. First, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the local vineyards on a tourist train. Then, we participate in a wine tasting in the historic rooms of the Bassenheimer Hof. We’ll then head to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, located in a lovely, 15th-century building. This museum holds a collection of fascinating musical instruments ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion.The famous Drosselgasse with its numerous cafés, bars, and music awaits you tonight!
Day 4 FRANKFURT - RÜDESHEIM(3)
This morning, we’ll set off for a guided tour of Frankfurt. Enjoy some free time before returning to the ship. After we return on board, we’ll begin to cruise to Rüdesheim, arriving at the end of the afternoon. Join us for a tour of Rüdesheim. The famous Drosselgasse with its numerous cafés, bars, and music awaits you tonight!
Day 5 RÜDESHEIM(3) - KOBLENZ - COCHEM
This morning, we’ll pass through the beautiful and romantic Rhine Valley. Majestic castles, mysterious ruins, and famous vineyards dot the countryside known for its legendary German royalty and fabled Lorelei Rock. We’ll arrive in Koblenz mid-morning. Once we arrive, explore the city with our host or hostess. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising the Moselle River, one of the most beautiful tributaries of the Rhine, towards Cochem. Enjoy the calm as we pass by charming villages, vineyards, and what seems like a castle on every peak. We’ll arrive in Cochem this evening.
Day 5 RÜDESHEIM(3) - KOBLENZ - COCHEM
This morning, we’ll pass through the beautiful and romantic Rhine Valley. We’ll arrive in Koblenz mid-morning. Once we arrive, explore the city with our host or hostess. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising the Moselle River. We’ll arrive in Cochem this evening.
Day 6 COCHEM - TRIER
This morning, take part in our guided tour of Cochem Castle. You’ll be transferred to Cochem Castle on a mini-bus. The Imperial Castle sits on a mighty crag over the Moselle River. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this magnificent building that dates back to 1000. After being destroyed by the French in the 17th century, it was rebuilt from scratch in a Neo-Gothic style by a local German businessman. After a visit of the castle, enjoy some free time in the city. Take a stroll through the narrow, winding streets and enjoy the ambiance full of lovely half-timbered homes with slate roofs, the historic square near the town hall, and the ancient walls, gates, and churches. We’ll return on board on foot. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Trier.
Day 6 COCHEM - TRIER
This morning, take part in our guided tour of Cochem Castle. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Trier.
Day 7 TRIER - SAARBURG
This morning, join us for a guided tour of Trier. Discover the Roman vestiges and heritage in Trier, the splendid view the city offers of the Moselle, and its magnificent landscape. Trier is known for its well-preserved Roman and medieval buildings, but it is also home to some impressive churches as well. We’ll have a look at the amphitheater, the imperial baths, the Roman basilica, and the Porta Nigra, one of the best-preserved Roman city gates. We’ll then return on board. Relax during the first part of the afternoon as we cruise on the Moselle and the Saar. We’ll arrive in Saarburg mid-afternoon. Enjoy some time on your own to discover this charming city at your own pace. Join us for an evening of entertainment.
Day 7 TRIER - SAARBURG
This morning, join us for a guided tour of Trier. We’ll then return on board. Relax during the first part of the afternoon as we cruise on the Moselle and the Saar. We’ll arrive in Saarburg mid-afternoon. Enjoy some time on your own to discover this charming city at your own pace. Join us for an evening of entertainment.
Day 8 SAARBURG - LUXEMBOURG(2)
We’ll spend the morning cruising on the Saar and the Moselle towards Remich. After arriving, join us for a guided tour of Luxembourg city. We’ll leave from Remich for Luxembourg by coach. Luxembourg is a real mix of styles and cultures. We’ll set out on a guided tour on foot to get a closer look at some of the sites, including the Place des Armes, Place de la Constitution, capital buildings, Corniche, old city, Grand Ducal Palace (exterior), and Place Guillaume II. After our tour, we'll visit a winery(1) and enjoy a tasting. You’ll discover the secrets to wine making while strolling through underground passages that seem to go on for miles. After our excursion, we'll return on board our ship. Tonight is our festive gala evening.
Day 8 SAARBURG - LUXEMBOURG(2)
We’ll spend the morning cruising on the Saar and the Moselle towards Remich. After arriving, join us for a guided tour of Luxembourg city. We'll then return to Remich for a visit to a winery(1) and a tasting. Tonight is our festive gala evening.
Day 9 LUXEMBOURG(2) - Strasbourg
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 and returning to Strasbourg by coach. End of our services.
