A Cruise Through Four Exquisite European Valleys (port-to-port cruise)

Spend the morning cruising on the Saar River. The Saarschleife, or Great Bend, is one of the top tourist destinations in the region. You will reach this intriguing location, nestled within a deep green forest near the small city of Mettlach, in the afternoon. Continue cruising to Saarburg. Free time for the remainder of the afternoon. Remain in port overnight.

Spend the morning cruising on the Saar and Moselle Rivers towards Trier. Arrive at the end of the morning.
Proposed excursions:
CLASSIC: A guided tour of Trier. Discover the Roman vestiges and heritagein 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. You will have a look at the amphitheatre, the imperial baths, the Roman basilica, and the Porta Nigra, one of the best-preserved Roman city gates.
DISCOVERY: Treetop Walk Saarschleife. See the Saarschleife from a different angle. Leave by coach for Mettlach. When you arrive, you will take a hike through the treetop walk and discover the beauty of the surroundings from 137 feet above (42m.). See the longest river bend in Germany from this breathtaking observation point.
Return on board the ship and cruise to Cochem overnight.

Spend the morning cruising the Moselle River to Cochem. Sit back and watch the scenery roll by as you cruise through deep valleys and past lively cities and picturesque villages. Arrive in Cochem in the early afternoon. Strolling through Cochem is an undeniable pleasure. Its historic streets, small squares, and superb houses with colourful facades line the banks of the Moselle.  
Proposed excursions:
CLASSIC: Guided tour of Reichsburg Castle. You will be transferred to Reichsburg Castle on a minibus. The Imperial Castle sits on a mighty crag over the Moselle River. Take a guided tour of this magnificent building that dates back to the year 1000. After being destroyed by the French in the 17thcentury, it was rebuilt from scratch in a Neo-Gothic style by a local German businessman. After a visit to the castle, spend some free time in the city. Take a stroll through the narrow, winding streets and experience the ambiance full of lovely half-timbered homes with slate roofs and the historic square near the town hall.
DISCOVERY: Panoramic urban hike through Cochem. Walk along the Moselle River before crossing the bridge to stroll on the small, picturesque streets lined with half-timbered homes in the old part of town. Here, you will run across Saint Martin’s Church, the Kapuzinerkloster—a former Capuchin monastery—and the marketplace. Next, you’ll leave the city limits and arrive in the natural calm of the forest by following a footpath leading to the castle with a magnificent view of Cochem and the river below. As you return down the hill to the upper city, you will hike through Am Tummelchen, which has a great view of the castle. Evening at leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Spend the morning cruising to Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. You will glide by idyllic scenes contrasting cities and countryside. Arrive at the beginning of the afternoon.
Proposed excursion:
CLASSIC / DISCOVERY: A guided tour of Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Located at the crossroads of the Rhine and Moselle regions and surrounded by several mountain peaks, Koblenz is a rich mosaic of culture and history. Take the funicular railway up the hill to visit the historic castle, where you will have a magnificent view across the city and valleys. You’ll immediately understand the strategic importance of this fortress throughout history, as the lands stretch as far as the eye can see. Evening at leisure. The ship will remain in port overnight.

This morning, you will 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. Arrive in Rüdesheim in the early afternoon.
Proposed excursions:
CLASSIC: Tourist train, wine tasting, and Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet in Rüdesheim. First, we’ll take a guided tour of the local vineyards on a tourist train. Then, participate in a wine tasting in the historic rooms of the Bassenheimer Hof. Afterwards, head to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum, 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.
DISCOVERY: Hike through the vineyards in Rüdesheim. You’ll walk to the center of Rüdesheim to take a charming gondola lift to the imposing Niederwald Monument. From there, you’ll have a great view of the small city, the vineyards, and the Rhine. You’ll continue hiking through the vineyards to the Abbey of St. Hildegard, built in the early 20th century. You will be free to visit the abbey on your own and return to the ship on foot through the vineyards.
In the evening, the famous Drosselgasse with its numerous cafés, bars, and music awaits you. Your ship will cruise towards Heidelberg overnight.

Arrive in Mannheim during the morning.
Proposed excursion:
CLASSIC / DISCOVERY: Heidelberg. You will set out for Heidelberg, the heart of German Romanticism, by coach. Meeting up with your tour guides at Heidelberg Castle, you will learn about the history of these magnificent, pink-sandstone ruins. The castle has a history that is almost as old as the city itself. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, take in the amazing view of Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the valley. On a clear day, you can see forever…or at least to Mannheim. Also take a stroll through the castle gardens, once considered a masterpiece of their time. Your guides will then bring you to the older section of the city to see the fascinating Church of the Holy Spirit, which has changed denominations more than ten times throughout its history. Return on board in Heidelberg and begin cruising to Eberbach. Once you arrive, take a walk through this charming medieval city overflowing with half-timbered homes, ancient fountains, and impressive strongholds. Tonight is your festive gala evening. The ship will remain in port overnight.

Breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.

*Possible transfer by coach to Strasbourg. Transfers on request at an additional charge. Transfers guaranteed for a minimum of 20 passengers

• Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day
• Onboard drinks included on board (except for drinks from the special lists)
• Double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom
• Assistance from onboard multi-lingual crew
• Welcome cocktail
• Onboard entertainment
• Gala Dinner
• All port fees
• Pre-Paid Classic Sightseeing Package

• Drinks from the special lists, or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers
• Cancellation and luggage insurance
• Transfers to/from departure/arrival points
• Personal expenses