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Day 1,
Thu. DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight to Berlin.
Day 2,
Fri. ARRIVE IN BERLIN, GERMANY.
Arrive in Berlin and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the
day is free to relax or to begin discovering this exciting city.
Day 3,
Sat. BERLIN.
See the highlights of Berlin this morning on a city sightseeing
tour. Visit the Pergamon Museum and see the Kurfürstendamm,
Brandenburg Gate and much more. This once divided city is now a
center of culture. There are many marvelous museums, galleries and
theatres. This afternoon is free to explore on your own. (B)
Day 4,
Sun. BERLIN / NUREMBERG.
Enjoy a free morning in Berlin. This afternoon drive through the
pastoral countryside to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia.
Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. (B,D)
Day 5,
Mon. BAMBERG.
This morning start cruising along the Main-Danube Canal, which
straddles the Franconian Alps between Kelheim on the Danube and
Bamberg on the Main River. The Canal is a truly fascinating feat
of modern engineering. From Nuremberg cruise through stair-step
locks down to enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided walking tour
of this medieval gem with its uniquely intact townscape. Marvel at
the Old Town Hall which straddles the river and the city’s
serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions.
Reboard and relax as your ship departs Bamberg in the late
afternoon and enters the Main River with its beautiful scenery of
rolling green hills and quaint towns. (B,L,D)
Day 6,
Tue. WÜRZBURG.
Depart early and cruise down the Main. Mid-morning, you enter the
central Franconian wine region, with vine clad hills and little
wine villages. Arrive in Würzburg, surrounded by sloping hills
covered with vineyards. During your tour, see the major sights,
including the magnificent Residential Palace. After dinner, join
your fellow travelers in the lounge to listen to a medieval music
performance. (B,L,D)
Day 7,
Wed. WERTHEIM / MILTENBERG.
Your ship departs Würzburg early and cruises through the sunny
valleys of the meandering Main. Stop in Wertheim, which is
renowned for fine glass. There is plenty of time to browse in the
market square. Then board a motorcoach to nearby Miltenberg for a
guided walking tour of this old Franconian town, which reveals
narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. (B,L,D)
Day 8,
Thu. RÜDESHEIM / KOBLENZ.
Bid farewell to the Main River and enter the Rhine River. After
breakfast, arrive in Rüdesheim. Here enjoy a guided tour of
fascinating Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Then
stroll through world-renown Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined
with cozy restaurants and wine taverns, as you return to the ship.
This afternoon, be on deck to see the most beautiful part of the
Rhine River and the infamous Lorelei rock. Arrive in 2000-year-old
Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers
before dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 9,
Fri. COCHEM / ZELL.
Today enter the intimate Moselle Valley and cruise past terraced
vineyards and hilltop castles to Cochem. Visit this quaint
riverside town where the old city gates and walls still stand. A
guided morning tour will take you to hilltop Reichsburg Castle,
which offers spectacular views of the river valley. Continue on to
Zell, famous for its wine “Zeller Schwarze Katz.” (B,L,D)
Day 10,
Sat. BERNKASTEL / LUXEMBOURG.
Today, admire stunning views as you cruise through the Moselle
Valley to Bernkastel. Morning arrival in this picturesque village,
strategically located in the middle of the Moselle wine-producing
region. Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine
history. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the old town center
with its many medieval and Renaissance buildings. Continue your
cruise upriver to Luxembourg, the last of the independent duchies
which once made up western and central Europe. Relax for one last
night on your deluxe cruise ship. (B,L,D)
Day 11,
Sun. LUXEMBOURG / ANTWERP, BELGIUM.
Disembark after breakfast and depart for Antwerp, with its
splendid architecture and fashionable shops. The rest of the day
is free. (B)
Day 12,
Mon. BRUSSELS EXCURSION.
After breakfast, coach to Brussels for a morning sightseeing tour.
See the ornate Baroque guild houses of Grand'Place and the famous
Manneken-Pis. There is time to do some shopping before returning
to charming Antwerp. (B)
Day 13,
Tue. BRUGES EXCURSION.
Set off today for an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage listed
city of Bruges. Marvel at the market with its Belfry, the City
Hall and the Groeninge Museum, then enjoy some free time to
explore on your own. Later this afternoon, return to Antwerp. (B)
Day 14,
Wed. ANTWERP / DEPART BRUSSELS.
Transfer to Brussels Airport for your onward flight, leaving no
earlier than 10:00 a.m. Extra nights are available if you wish to
extend your stay in Europe. (B) |
