As we cruise from Luxembourg to Basel, Switzerland, expand your imagination in fairytale villages— enchanting Cochem where folklore and history come alive in every street, and in well-preserved Bernkastel with its medieval Market Square and half-timbered houses. Whimsical fantasies abound at Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and at the Palace Gardens of Schwetzingen, a cultural heritage site of European significance with more than 100 sculptures scattered throughout its surprising landscape. Blend German heritage with Italian in Trier, with its Roman Imperial Baths and the Porta Nigra; and with French heritage in Strasbourg, and you have the most splendid journey!
COUNTRIES: France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland
RIVERS: Rhine, Moselle
Day 1 – Home to Paris
Be sure to be well-rested today, as tonight we’ll board our overnight flight to Paris, France (a 7 hour time difference). Your R&J Tour Director is there to assist you throughout your entire trip.
Day 2 – Paris
Today we arrive in Paris after our overnight flight and check into our hotel. Catch up on some rest or take some leisure time of your own to explore around our hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel (or similar) (3 Nights)
Day 3 – Paris
Following a wonderful breakfast in France, enjoy a morning tour of Paris, taking in all its iconic sites, including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde. We’ll pass the magnificent Opera Garnier, the legendary Louvre and, on the Left Bank, the Sorbonne University and the Pantheon.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 – Paris
Today visit Montmartre, long known as the city’s premier artist’s enclave. For easy access to Montmartre, we’ll hop aboard the funicular railroad that ascends the hill. Montmartre’s most recognizable landmark is the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur, the highest point in the city. After our visit to Montmartre, we’ll be taken on an illumination tour.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 – Paris to Luxembourg (Embarkation)
Bid au revoir to Paris as we board our TGV high-speed train that will whisk us away to Luxembourg, one of Europe’s last independent duchies. Enjoy a guided walking tour as well as a stop at the American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting place of General George Patton, before boarding our luxury ship. Enjoy meeting our fellow passengers & exploring the AmaDante. The ship departs very late tonight for Germany.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Ship: AmaDante (7 Nights)
Day 6 – Trier, Germany – Bernkastel
Trier, Germany’s oldest city, has often been referred to as the second Rome. Be guided to the Roman Imperial Baths, the Porta Nigra and Emperor Constantine’s Throne Room. During the afternoon, sail to Bernkastel, strategically located in the middle of the Moselle Valley’s wine-producing region. Walk through the colorful Old Town center and past many medieval buildings before enjoying a wine tasting at a local winery. For those who prefer to be more active, trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Cochem to Lahnstein
History comes to life in Cochem with its half-timbered houses and Reichsburg Castle. Join a guided tour through the castle, and then walk through its Old Town. For those wishing to have a more active exploration of the area, you can go on a guided hike to the castle. Or for a different adventure, explore the Bundesbank Bunker to get a closer look at this mysterious Cold War-era bank vault. Later in the day, we’ll sail along the Moselle, taking in the fascinating scenery before arriving in Lahnstein where we’ll enjoy a visit to Lahneck Castle.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Rhine Gorge to Rudesheim
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, and afterwards be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Ludwigshafen
Today you have a choice of several excursions, depending on your interest. Visit Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Alternatively, relive a bygone era on an excursion to the glorious Schwetzingen Palace and Gardens. Tour this splendid palace and wander through its gardens with more than 100 sculptures and an assortment of whimsical buildings. The Apollotempel houses a statue of the ancient Greek god of light and the arts, playing the lyre; and the most spectacular, the Türkischer Garten with a mosque, are a few of the many highlights you will see. For those seeking a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour along the Neckar River to the medieval town of Ladenburg.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, has flavors of both France and Germany which we’ll get to discover. Enjoy a panoramic bus tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République followed by a walking tour through its iconic “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. We’ll also see the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. The active adventurer can join a guided Old Town bike tour, which also takes you through the Parc de l’Orangerie.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Breisach to Basel, Switzerland
Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” You also have the choice to go on a hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions; or cycle through the scenic countryside.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – (Disembark) Basel to Home
Today we’ll disembark after our final onboard breakfast. Our flight home awaits us as we share fond memories of our wonderful Rhine and Moselle cruise with our fellow travelers before heading home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
PLEASE CALL FOR CABIN PRICING & AVAILABILITY!
RT Airfare, 24 Meals, Activities as stated, Shore excursions included! All Gratuities on & off board are included!
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
TOUR & CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- 7 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with French balconies) with a desk and sitting area
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access onboard
- Entertainment-On-Demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed internet access, movies, a music library and English language TV stations
- Bottled water replenished daily
- Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
- Whirlpool, walking track, fitness room, massage services and hair salon
- Daily entertainment including cultural performances
- All onboard meals, snacks, soft drinks, wine & beer included in a variety of dining venues
- Immersive tours in every destination