Drink in the beauty, history and flavor of the Rhine and Moselle river valleys’ iconic vineyards. Begin your journey with a gentle ride through Amsterdam’s legendary canals, then head to Cologne where you can whet your palate for the wines ahead by tasting Kolsch beer. As for the vineyards, you’ll soar above them by gondola or hike among the grapes in Rüdesheim and sip wines in Bernkastel as well, learning the legend of the Bernkasteler Doctor. Whatever you choose to do ashore, the stories you’re told and flavors that grace your palate will surely transform you.

OVERVIEW RIVER CRUISE:

DAY DESTINATION ACTIVITIES

1

AMSTERDAM

EMBARKATION

2

AMSTERDAM

Canal cruise

3

COLOGNE

"Holy City" walking tour and cathedral visit

OR Kölsch beer tasting

OR Cologne bike tour

4

RÜDESHEIM

Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising

Gondola ride and wine tasting

OR Vineyard hike

OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau

Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

OR Rüdesheimer coffee

5

MAINZ

City tour with Chagall windows

OR City tour with Guttenberg Museum

OR Mainz bike tour

Unique Lahneck Castle visit

6

MOSELLE VALLEY

Scenic cruising

Reichsburg Castle and walking tour

OR Cochem hike

OR Cochem bike tour

7

BERNKASTEL

Walking tour and wine tasting

OR Landshut Castle hike

OR Moselle bike tour

8

LUXEMBOURG

DISEMBARKATION

RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY DETAILS :

Day 1: AMSTERDAM

Board the ship for your Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle cruise. (D)

Day 2: AMSTERDAM

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B,L,D)

Day 3: COLOGNE

Enjoy cruising to Cologne, home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Old Market and the Heumarkt. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine. (B,L,D)

Day 4: RÜDESHEIM

Cruise along the Rhine River and take in some of the dozens of castles that line its path before reaching Rüdesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, and afterwards, be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River to admire the Rheingau. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B,L,D)

Day 5: MAINZ – LAHNSTEIN

Arrive in Mainz, located at the confluence of the Main and Rhine rivers. 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 stainedglass windows depicting scriptural scenes in stunning blue, which you will get to see. As an alternative, enjoy a walking tour of Mainz’s Old Town with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, where you will learn more about the German visionary’s inventions and have an opportunity to admire two of his original mid15th century Gutenberg Bibles. For a more active adventure, go on a guided bike tour through Mainz. Later in the day, cruise to 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)

Day 6: MOSELLE VALLEY COCHEM

Spend the morning taking in the beauty of the Moselle on this scenic stretch of the river before reaching Cochem with its halftimbered houses and Reichsburg Castle. Join a guided tour through the castle and then walk through its Old Town. For those wishing to have a more active exploration of the area, you can hike up to the Reichsburg Castle or go on a guided bike tour through Cochem. (B,L,D)

Day 7: 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. Hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century and cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike tour along the Moselle. (B,L,D)

Day 8: LUXEMBOURG

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to our crew as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)