Waterways of Holland and Belgium
Cruising between Amsterdam and Bruges
From the fascinating city of Amsterdam, 'Serenité' cruises to the Ijsselmeer and calls at Muiden with its impressive moated castle. Continuing on Holland's most idyllic small river, the Vecht, cruise past Utrecht to the famous cheese town of Gouda. Continue to Rotterdam, Europe's largest seaport. After an interesting cruise to Willemstad, a charming old fortified town, cross into Belgium to visit the great historic and cultural Flemish cities of Antwerp and Bruges.
NOTE: Itinerary operates in reverse direction.

From Paris to Chablis
Cruising between Paris and Auxerre
After an unforgettable sightseeing cruise through Paris, 'Serenité' cruises along the River Seine for a visit to Fontainebleau, a residence of French kings since the 12th century. On this itinerary, also visit magnificent Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte with its beautiful gardens designed by le Nôtre and the town of Melun, situated in the famous Brie region. Continue cruising onto the River Yonne and visit Sens with its great Cathédrale St-Etienne, one of the first gothic churches in France. From the small village of Joigny, take an excursion into the famous wine district of Chablis for a private wine tasting. At Auxerre, the final mooring, there is a guided tour to learn about the history of the fascinating old town with its three fabulous churches.
NOTE: Itinerary operates in reverse direction.

Along the River Marne to the Champagne Region
Cruising from Paris to Chalon-en-Champagne
After an unforgettable evening cruise through Paris past the floodlit monuments, continue on the River Marne to Meaux, the capital of the Brie region. After a walking tour of the town that includes a visit to the cathedral's beautiful herb garden, there is a tasting of the famous cheese. 'Serenité' continues cruising along the scenic Marne where many vineyard-covered hills line the riverbanks. Visit the city of Reims, capital of the Champagne region. The cathedral here was the coronation place of French kings and contains beautiful stained glass windows by Chagall. Then cruise to Épernay for a champagne tasting at the famous house of Moët & Chandon. A final cruise past more charming villages of the region with opportunities for cycling along the cruise route.

Through Alsace-Lorraine on the Rhine-Marne Canal
Cruising between Nancy and Strasbourg
Art, culture, gourmet food and excellent wines are the hallmarks of cruises through the Alsace Lorraine region. Begin in the art nouveau town of Nancy, the historic capital of Lorraine. Along the way, visit the Baccarat crystal museum and see the magnificent stained glass windows by Marc Chagall in Sarrebourg. Experience the counter-balanced barge lift at Arzviller, which is unique in Europe, en route to the Alsatian town of Saverne. Taste the famous Alsace wines at a private vintner on an excursion along the Alsatian wine road. In the final port of Strasbourg, 'Serenité' cruises past the European Parliament buildings to moor close to the town center for visits to the famous cathedral and the charming medieval "Petite France" district.
NOTE: Itinerary operates in reverse direction.

From France to the Rhine and Neckar
Cruising from Strasbourg to Stuttgart, departing on September
In Strasbourg, visit the famous cathedral and charming medieval "Petite France" riverside quarter. Cruise on the mighty River Rhine and on to the River Neckar for a visit to the university town of Heidelberg. Continue along the meandering River with its numerous castles and fortresses. Visit well-groomed cities such as Bad Wimpfen (with its 16th- and 18th-century half-timbered houses), the Hohenstaufen Family's palace and Heilbronn (with its gothic basilica and the 16th-century town hall that houses a spectacular astronomical clock). Visit the "Swabian Versailles" of Ludwigsburg, a unique baroque Palace and park, before continuing to Stuttgart. Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, is beautifully situated among rolling hills and home to world-famous manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz.

Through Franconia on the River Main and Main-Danube Canal
Cruising from Aschaffenburg to Nuremberg, departing October
Cruise the River Main, meandering through beautiful scenery and past cities laden with history. In Aschaffenburg, 'Serenité' moors at the foot of the impressive Johannisburg Castle, which towers above the river. Cruise to Miltenberg with its picturesque market square and half-timbered houses, continuing to Wertheim and Karlstadt to admire the vineyard-covered hills. Visit the prince-bishop's residence at Würzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany's best preserved walled town. At Bamberg, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, see the imperial cathedral and ancestral homes of the Franconian emperors. Continue on the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia, to visit the 15th-century house of Albrecht Dürer and the charming town center that is world famous for its "Christkindl Market" each December.

Through Bavaria on the Main-Danube Canal and the River Danube
Cruising between Nuremberg and Passau
'Serenité' moors in Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia, where there is a walking tour. Cruise on the Main-Danube Canal, which was carefully carved into the beautiful scenery of the Altmühl Valley, past many small villages such as medieval Berching situated on the former Salt Road. In Riedenburg, known as the pearl of the Altmühl Valley, visit the Crystal Museum with its collection of semi-precious & precious stones and minerals. From Kelheim, where the Canal rejoins the River Danube, see the spectacular gorge at Weltenburg and visit Bavaria's oldest Benedictine Abbey to taste the famous "Abbey-brewed" beer. At Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see the 13th-century cathedral and the Museum of the Princes of Thurn and Taxis. Just outside Regensburg, visit the Walhalla Hall of Fame commissioned by Bavarian King Ludwig I in the early 19th century. 'Serenité' continues cruising the scenic riverscapes to Passau, situated on the confluence of the three rivers (the Danube, the Ill and the Ilz) near the Austrian border. In Passau, there is time to view the medieval fortifications, stoll the charming streets and visit the magnificent cathedral which houses Europe's largest church organ with 17,774 pipes and 233 registers.
NOTE: Itinerary operates in reverse direction.