Uniworld, Rhine Discovery, River Cruise Vacation Package
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Priced From: $2,099 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: May, Jul, Oct, Nov
Ship: River Countess
From: Nuremberg
Discover the inescapable romantic spirit of the Rhine, with ancient castles and grand palaces, half-timbered houses, medieval towns, famous wines, and robust beers as you sail along two incredible rivers—the romantic Rhine and the peaceful, meandering Main.
Experience 1,000 years of history in Aschaffenburg, nicknamed the Bavarian Nice. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg. Visit Heidelberg and admire the most famous Renaissance castle in Europe. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwald monument while in Rüdesheim. Marvel at the world’s largest ceiling fresco ceiling while at the Würzburg Residenz and taste the wonderful fruity Franconian wines in its cellar below. And take a canal cruise through Strasbourg, with its half-timbered houses and quaint canals.
Discover the romance of the Rhine and tranquil charm of the Main as you cruise this enchanting part of Europe.
Who will enjoy this cruise: Connoisseurs of fine German wines, hearty regional dishes, and exquisite desserts—epicurean adventurers! History buffs, fans of diverse architecture, and anyone wanting to step into the land of fairytales.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Depart Home Gateway City to Nuremberg
DAY 2: Nuremberg (embark)
Arrive in Nuremberg where you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)
DAY 3: Bamberg
Featured Excursion: Bamberg walking tour
Awake in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg in the morning. Endowed with one of Europe’s largest intact Old Town centers, you will see the imperial cathedral, the four-winged New Residence, the Town Hall lapped by the River Regnitz and the fisherman’s village, “Little Venice,” on your walking tour. During the afternoon, enjoy the lush scenery of the meandering Main River as you sail to Würzburg. (BB, L, D)
DAY 4: Würzburg
Featured Excursion: Würzburg Residenz and wine tasting
Visit Germany’s immaculate example of baroque architecture, the stunning Würzburg Residenz, dating back to 1744 and another breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent baroque palace with its magnificent gardens, is one of the largest and most beautiful in Germany. It was built and decorated in the 18th century by an international team of architects and painters, including Tiepolo, sculptors and stucco-workers. Your tour will be capped off with a tasting of fabulous Franconian wines in the historical Residenz cellar. (BB, L, D)
DAY 5: Miltenberg, Aschaffenburg
Featured Excursion: Miltenberg walking tour and Aschaffenburg Old Town stroll
Miltenberg, nestled tightly below wooded hills on a bend of the Main River, enjoys a wonderfully photogenic setting. Explore the “Pearl of the Main River” with your local guide. See the half-timbered houses that give the town its fairy tale feel, along with the Crooked House and the famous Royal Inn which has been preparing meals without interruption since the 15th century. Relax this afternoon as we cruise the peaceful Main River before docking right in the heart of Aschaffenburg. King Ludwig I called it his “Bavarian Nice” due to its Mediterranean flair. The imposing landmark, the mighty castle “Schloss Johannisburg” and the “Pompeiianum” – a Roman villa rebuilt on plans discovered in Pompeii – are only two of the many examples of the long and rich history of this town which we will discover during our guided Old Town stroll. (BB, L, D)
DAY 6: Rüdesheim
Featured Excursion: Gondola ride to Niederwald Heights
Irresistible Optional Tour: Dinner, wine and entertainment at a local restaurant in Rüdesheim
Rüdesheim is one of the most scenic wine towns of the Rhine Valley. Board a mini-train for the short trip to the Niederwald Gondola. During the ride and once on top, you will be stunned by scenic vistas of Rüdesheim, the vineyards of the Rheingau and the Niederwald monument, a symbol of German unity, perched on top of the heights. (BB, L, D)
DAY 7: Speyer (Heidelberg)
Featured Excursion: Full-day tour of Heidelberg
Heidelberg, home of Germany’s oldest university and forever immortalized by Sigmund Romberg’s operetta The Student Prince, is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Your tour of Heidelberg takes you to the romantic ruins of the courtyard of Heidelberg Castle and through Old Town. (BB, D)
DAY 8: Strasbourg
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise
Situated halfway between Paris and Prague, the Alsatian town of Strasbourg is known as the “Crossroads of Europe.” It is home to a magnificent gothic cathedral, beautiful half-timbered houses and also the seat of the European Parliament. See Strasbourg in the way it has been seen through the centuries—on a canal cruise. You’ll also see Petite France, the picturesque old quarter that seems as if it has been lifted from the pages of a fairy tale with its timberland houses adorned with flower boxes. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
DAY 9: Basel (disembark), transfer to airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to Basel airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in lovely 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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