A Cruise Through Four Exquisite European Valleys (port-to-port cruise)

Possible transfer to Eberbach by coach.(2) Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner on board. Enjoy a free evening. In the evening, enjoy a walk through this charming medieval city overflowing with half-timbered homes, ancient fountains, and impressive strongholds.

We'll spend the morning cruising on the Neckar River past vast vineyards, typical villages, and delightful small cities, including Hirschhorn, Neckarsteinach, and Neckargemünd. We'll reach Heidelberg with its famous castle above at the beginning of the afternoon. Optional CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: Heidelberg. We'll set out for Heidelberg, the heart of German Romanticism, by coach. Meeting up with our tour guides at Heidelberg Castle, we'll learn about the history of these magnificent, pink-sandstone ruins. The castle has a history that is almost as old as the city itself. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, enjoy the amazing view of Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the valley. On a clear day, you can see forever...or at least to Mannheim. Also enjoy a stroll through the castle gardens, once considered a masterpiece of their time. Our guides will then bring you to the older section of the city to see the fascinating Church of the Holy Spirit, which has changed denominations more than ten times throughout its history.

We'll remain in Heidelberg for the night.

We’ll spend the morning cruising to Rüdesheim. We'll cruise on the Neckar to Mannheim and then the Rhine to Rüdesheim, passing historic cities along the way, such as Mainz and Bingen. We'll arrive in Rüdesheim midafternoon. Optional excursions:

- CLASSIC: Tourist train, wine tasting, and Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet in Rüdesheim. First, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the local vineyards on a tourist train. Then, we’ll participate in a wine tasting in the historic rooms of the Bassenheimer Hof. Afterwards, we’ll head to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum, located in a lovely, 15th-century building. This museum holds a collection of fascinating musical instruments ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion.

- DISCOVERY: Hike through the vineyards in Rüdesheim. You'll walk to the center of Rüdesheim to take a charming gondola lift to the imposing Niederwald Monument. From there, you’ll have a great view of the small city, the vineyards, and the Rhine. You'll continue hiking through the vineyards to the Abbey of St. Hildegard, built in the early 20th century. You’ll be free to visit the abbey on your own and return to the ship on foot through the vineyards.

In the evening, the famous Drosselgasse with its numerous cafés, bars, and music awaits you.

This morning, we’ll pass through the beautiful and romantic Rhine Valley and then the Moselle. Majestic castles, mysterious ruins, and famous vineyards dot the countryside known for its legendary German royalty and fabled Lorelei Rock. We’ll arrive in Koblenz in the early afternoon.

Optional CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: A guided tour of Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Located at the crossroads of the Rhine and Moselle regions and surrounded by several mountain peaks, Koblenz is a rich mosaic of culture and history. We’ll take the funicular railway up the hill to visit the historic castle, where we'll have a magnificent view across the city and valleys. You’ll immediately understand the strategic importance of this fortress throughout history, as the lands stretch as far as the eye can see.

Enjoy a free evening. We'll remain in port overnight.

We'll spend the morning cruising to Cochem. We'll glide by idyllic scenes contrasting cities and countryside. We’ll arrive in Cochem in the early afternoon. Strolling through Cochem is an undeniable pleasure. Its historic streets, small squares, and superb houses with colorful facades line the banks of the Moselle.

Optional excursions:

- CLASSIC: Guided tour of Reichsburg Castle. You’ll be transferred to Reichsburg Castle on a mini-bus. The Imperial Castle sits on a mighty crag over the Moselle River. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this magnificent building that dates back to the year 1000. After being destroyed by the French in the 17th century, it was rebuilt from scratch in a Neo-Gothic style by a local German businessman. After a visit to the castle, enjoy some free time in the city. Take a stroll through the narrow, winding streets and enjoy the ambiance full of lovely half-timbered homes with slate roofs and the historic square near the town hall.

- DISCOVERY: Panoramic urban hike through Cochem. Walk along the Moselle River before crossing the bridge to stroll on the small, picturesque streets lined with half-timbered homes in the old part of town. Here, you'll run across Saint Martin's Church, the Kapuzinerkloster—a former Capuchin monastery—and the marketplace. Next, you'll leave the city limits and arrive in the natural calm of the forest by following a footpath leading to the castle with a magnificent view of Cochem and the river below. As you return down the hill to the upper city, you'll hike through Am Tummelchen, which has a great view of the castle.

We'll spend the day cruising on the Moselle to Trier, arriving in the evening. Time seems to stand still on the Moselle River, where each new bend reveals something more outstanding than the last. Sit back, relax, and take in the timeless beauty of this legendary river, discovering each marvel as it appears. We'll remain in Trier for the night.

Optional excursions:

- CLASSIC: A guided tour of Trier. Discover the Roman vestiges and heritage in Trier, the splendid view the city offers of the Moselle, and its magnificent landscape. Trier is known for its well-preserved Roman and medieval buildings, but it is also home to some impressive churches as well. We’ll have a look at the amphitheater, the imperial baths, the Roman basilica, and the Porta Nigra, one of the best-preserved Roman city gates. We’ll return on board the ship in Saarburg. Relax this afternoon as we cruise on the Moselle and Saar Rivers. The Saarschleife, or Great Bend, is one of the top tourist destinations in the region. We'll reach this intriguing destination nestled within a deep green forest near the small city of Mettlach in the afternoon.

- DISCOVERY: Treetop Walk Saarschleife. See the Saarschleife from a different angle. We will leave by coach for Mettlach. When we arrive, take a hike through the treetop walk and discover the beauty of the surroundings from 137 feet above (42 m.). See the longest river bend in Germany from this breathtaking observation point.

We'll continue cruising to Saarbrücken.

Tonight we’ll enjoy our gala dinner on board.

Enjoybreakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Possible transfer by coach to Strasbourg.(2)