Romantic Rhine 2012

Zürich to Amsterdam

Day 1 Zürich. Fly to Zürich where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship in Basel for seven nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Day 2 Strasbourg. 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. A Local Guide will show you the noteworthy sights, including the Gothic Cathedral, the lovely Petite France district, Place Kléber and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Brewery. An optional excursion into the Alsace wine region is available.

Day 3 Excursion to Heidelberg – Mainz. Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town. A photo-stop allows you to take pictures of the ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and enjoy free time to explore.

Day 4 Mainz – Rüdesheim. 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, tearooms and restaurants, and a fountain on the Schillerplatz is decorated with scenes of the famous carnival held there every year. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and you’ll visit the Gutenberg Museum. The pretty little town of Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town – here enjoy a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum as well as free time to explore the Drosselgasse.

Day 5 Rhine Gorge – Koblenz. Downstream from Rüdesheim is the dramatic Rhine Gorge, an incredibly beautiful stretch of river dotted with fairytale castles. Pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is thought the sweet songs of sirens lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000 year old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre of the Middle Rhine region.

Day 6 Cologne. 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 skyline. The Germano-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs. Alternatively, the Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés and shops.

Day 7 Amsterdam. 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 Museum. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by canal boat, cruising along elegant grachten lined by stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s ‘Golden Age’.

Day 8 Amsterdam. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.