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Uniworld River Cruises, Legendary Rhine & Moselle, Cruise Vacation Package
Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights
Priced From: $ 3289 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: Oct, Apr - Jul, Sep - Nov
Ship: River Queen
From: Amsterdam to Basel
The story of the Rhine is the story of Europe
The cities along the Rhine River are steeped in 2,000 years of history. From ancient Roman time, the gorgeous Rhine River Valley, one of nature’s true works of art, has been an inspiration to all who journey here. Julius Caesar built the Rhine’s first bridges. The Rhine inspired Wagner’s thunderous operas, and some of Turner’s great paintings.
Discover the legends of the Rhine
Traverse through the colorful canals of The Netherlands before joining the legends of history as you sail through this fabled river valley. Cruise past some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery, where fairy tale castles and historic sites greet you at every turn. Listen for the maiden Lorelei singing as you sail past the famous Lorelei Rock high above the Rhine, but don’t let her enchant you too much as there is so much more to see and do.
Enchanting Moselle: home of famous Rieslings and ancient Romans
Sail the meandering and romantic Moselle River, the Rhine’s breathtaking tributary. Be enchanted by a scenery of sylvan woods, ancient Roman ruins, medieval villages, and vineyards where vines cling bravely to spectacularly steep slopes. Indulge in the Moselle’s vintages of full-bodied, fruity Rieslings as you pay homage to one of Europe’s most charming river valleys, the Moselle.
Travel through five amazing countries—Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, France and the Netherlands—along two beautiful rivers, and through countless canals, all rich in UNESCO?World Heritage Sites. And all along the way gain an intimate insight into the history and cultures that have shaped these regions over the centuries.
Who will enjoy this cruise: There’s something on this cruise for everyone, from art aficionados to students of history, to nature lovers and connoisseurs of food and wine – museums, castles, grand architecture, fairy tale villages, spectacular nature, delicate chocolates and full-bodied Rieslings.
Itinerary
 DAY 1: Depart Home Gateway City to Amsterdam
DAY 2: Amsterdam (embark)
Arrive in Amsterdam where you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)
DAY 3: Amsterdam
Featured Excursion: Amsterdam city tour and Rijksmuseum
Your panoramic Amsterdam tour takes you through the canal-lined streets to view Mint Tower, Dam Square, the Royal Palace and Museum Square. Visit the renowned Rijksmuseum, which holds the most important collection of Dutch paintings in the world, including Rembrandt’s Night Watch. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner)
DAY 4: Cologne
Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour and cathedral visit
Start right at the pier for a guided walking tour of Cologne, the art capital of the Rhine. Old Town’s narrow streets lead to the cathedral, the city’s most famous landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit inside features the Shrine of the Three Magi and the beautiful glass windows that survived WWII. (BB, L, D) Note: On Sundays and Catholic holidays, guided tours inside the cathedral will not be possible.
DAY 5: Koblenz
Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour
Irresistible Optional Tour: Enjoy a visit to Marksburg Castle with wine tasting
Arrive in Koblenz, situated on the beautiful corner at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Your guided walking tour will highlight the appeal of Koblenz – its romantic narrow streets and historical squares, the picturesque alleyways and fountains in the old quarter and the 12th-century churches of St. Florin and Our Lady. (BB, L, D)
DAY 6: Cochem
Featured Excursion: Visit to Reichsburg Castle and wine tasting hosted by the village vintners at their private estates
Cochem is an architectural gem typical of the Moselle region. Your guide takes you through Cochem’s narrow alleys with its lovingly restored half-timbered houses, and also up to gothic Reichsburg Castle. To top it off, we take you to local vintners who proudly present their treasures at a their private wine estates. (BB, L, D)
DAY 7: Trier
Featured Excursion: Trier panoramic city tour
Trier is the site of one of the oldest Roman outposts along the Moselle and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A panoramic view from Petrisberg Mountain is the perfect introduction to your guided tour. You’ll drive by the ruins of the Roman Imperial Baths, and visit Constantine’s throne room. See the well-preserved fortified Roman gate called Porta Nigra. (BB, L, D)
DAY 8: Wasserbillig (Luxembourg), Trier
Featured Excursion: Luxembourg and World War II Cemetery
Our half-day excursion starts with a panoramic drive to the independent sovereign state of Luxembourg. Your guided tour includes Our Lady Cathedral, the Archduke’s Place and a visit to a World War II cemetery, the resting place of General Patton. (BB, L, D)
DAY 9: Bernkastel
Featured Excursion: Walking tour and wine experience
Your day in Bernkastel—with more than 500 years of wine-making history—includes a tour of Old Town, where you’ll see many of the famous half-timbered houses, the Slate Tower and the Market Square—one of the most picturesque in Germany. Cap the morning off with a wine tasting of the area’s fine Rieslings. Sit back and enjoy the vistas of the meandering Moselle while cruising in the afternoon. (BB, L, D)
DAY 10: Scenic Cruising Moselle and Romantic Rhine, Rüdesheim
Featured Excursion: Gondola ride to Niederwald Monument
Irresistible Optional Tour: Rüdesheim evening with dinner and entertainment
In the morning as you sail to Rüdesheim, you’ll enter the most beautiful section of the Rhine River Valley, the scenic 40 miles of the Middle Rhine Valley, a classified UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its vine-filled slopes, its 40 or so castles strung like pearls along the river banks, and the famous Lorelei Rock, this is the perfect example of the romantic Rhine. While in Rüdesheim, a celebrated wine town, you’ll enjoy a gondola ride to the Niederwald Monument, commemorating the unification of Germany (BB, L, D)
DAY 11: Speyer
Featured Excursion: Speyer walking tour
Irresistible Optional Tour: Half-day tour of Heidelberg with lunch
Enjoy a walking tour to the Old Town and the grand Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the final resting place of German emperors. (BB, L, D)
DAY 12: Strasbourg
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise
Irresistible Optional Tour: Hot air balloon ride, or Haute Königsburg Castle
See Strasbourg in the way it has been seen through the centuries—on a canal cruise. In addition to viewing the town’s covered bridges and medieval watchtowers, you’ll see Petite France, a picturesque district that seems as if it has been lifted from the pages of a fairy tale. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
DAY 13: Breisach (Colmar), Basel
Featured Excursion: Half-day tour of Colmar
Colmar is so quaint you may feel you’re on a film set. Follow your guide through its cobblestone streets, which are lined with brightly colored half-timbered houses, and see the well-preserved canal quarter, known as Petite Venice. (BB, L, D)
DAY 14: Basel (disembark), transfer to airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport in Basel for your flight home, or extend your stay to Lucerne!
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the Uniworld River Cruise vacation planner to be contacted by Our Uniworld, Europe River Cruise vacation specialist.
Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446- 5252
11/09
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