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The centerpiece of this
vacation is a leisurely-paced 7-day cruise of the Rhine
River. After winding past Holland’s picturesque
countryside, cruise through the medieval villages and
towns, past breathtaking castles and hillside vineyards
of Germany’s romantic Rhine region with stops in
Cologne, Konigswinter, Rudeshiem and Heidelberg.
Following your lovely Rhine River cruise, disembark in
Strasbourg and enjoy a leisurely walking tour of “Petite
France” the city’s Old Quarter and see the city’s
masterpiece, the stunning Cathedral of Notre Dame. Then
you’re off to travel along the Alsace Wine Route where
sunshine, dry weather and fertile soil combine to
produce seven varieties of wine including Riesling,
Pinot Blanc and Gewurztraminer. Other highlights include
a river boat ride through the winding water canals of
Amsterdam and a lesson on the art of cheese-making at a
Volendam cheese factory. You’ll explore Cologne’s
historic old town and Hohe-Strasse, a true shopper’s
paradise. A leisurely-paced walking tour of Lucerne
highlights such medieval treasures as the Lion Monument,
the covered Chapel Bridge, and the famous Water Tower. A
visit to the Bernese Oberland Mountain range in the
heart of Switzerland sets the stage for incredible views
of the Alps.
- Unpack once for a relaxing
six-night Rhine River Cruise
- Cruise along the most
beautiful part of the Rhine, typified by breathtaking
castles nestled in hillside vineyards.
- Enjoy a two night stay in Lucerne, known
as the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake".
 Day
1: Overnight Flight
Begin your Rhine River Cruise with an overnight flight
to Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam, Netherlands - Tour Begins - Board
Ship
Your tour begins in Amsterdam, land of waterways and
bicycles. Board your cruise ship this afternoon,
followed by welcome cocktails and dinner on board. This
evening take a river boat ride through the romantic
winding water canals of Amsterdam. (D)
Day 3: Amsterdam - Volendam
After breakfast you may wish to explore the many
beautiful streets of Amsterdam. This afternoon you will
discover the quaint town of Volendam. While here you
will visit a cheese factory and learn the careful art of
cheese making. On your journey back to the cruise, you
will pass by many beautiful windmills. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Amsterdam - Nijmegen - Krefeld, Germany
Your cruise continues through the picturesque Dutch
countryside to Nijmegen. Later in the day, you sail into
Germany and dock in Krefeld. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Krefeld - Cologne - Konigswinter
The romantic scenery of the Rhine River unfolds as you
cruise past the provincial capital of Dusseldorf and the
medieval town of Zons. Mid-afternoon, you arrive in
Cologne where you can explore the historic old town and
Hohe-Strasse, a true shopper's paradise. Next, cruise
past Bonn, the old university town and birthplace of
Beethoven, and arrive in Konigswinter, where you dock
for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Konigswinter - Rudesheim
After breakfast, cruise alongside Koblenz, where the
Rhine meets the Moselle River. Continue along the most
beautiful part of the Rhine, typified by breathtaking
castles nestled in hillside vineyards, and the legendary
Lorelei Rock. Your final destination for the day is
lovely Rudesheim. Enjoy leisure time to explore the
city’s medieval houses, or visit the famous Drosselgasse,
renowned for its dance halls and bands. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Rudesheim - Speyer
Sit back and relax as you enjoy a leisurely day cruising
the upper Rhine, passing breathtaking scenery and
charming towns. After lunch you will arrive in historic
Heidelberg and enjoy a sightseeing tour of this
beautiful city. After docking in Speyer, you are invited
to the "Captain's Evening". (B, L, D)
Day 8: Speyer - Strasbourg, France - Disembark Ship
Your cruise continues through Gambsheim and Iffezheim,
two of the largest locks of the Rhine. Your journey
leads you to the fascinating city of Strasbourg, where
your river cruise ends. After disembarkation, enjoy a
leisurely walking tour featuring the Old Quarter, known
as “Petite France,” and the stunning Cathedral of Notre
Dame. (B, L)
Day 9: Strasbourg - Alsace Wine Route
Today you visit three charming villages of the Alsace
wine route. First is the well-preserved medieval town of
Riquewihr, filled with vintners' houses dating back to
the 15th century. Then it's off to charming Ribeauville,
a town dominated by the ruins of three castles. Your
final stop is Kayserberg, a village offering historic
houses and castles, as well as a 16th century fortified
bridge. (B, D)
Day 10: Strasbourg - Lucerne, Switzerland
Today you travel to Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the
Lake.” This afternoon, enjoy a leisurely-paced Alstadt
(Old Town) walking tour, exploring the hidden treasures
of the city. In addition to its natural charm and
tranquility, Lucerne has more than 800 years of history.
Explore such medieval treasures as the covered Chapel
Bridge, the famous Water Tower, the Renaissance-style
Town Hall, the baroque Jesuit Church, and the Lion
Monument, carved from natural rock to commemorate the
heroic Swiss Guard. (B)
Day 11: Lucerne - Brienz - Lucerne
This morning travel to the Bernese Oberland Mountain
range in the heart of Switzerland and witness incredible
views of these impressive Alps. A special stop is made
in Brienz, the home of the original Swiss woodcarvers.
Enjoy a tour of one of the workshops and learn the
techniques used to create the famous cuckoo clocks.
Return to Lucerne and enjoy an afternoon of leisure.
Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell
dinner at one of Lucerne’s great restaurants as you
toast the end of an incredible vacation. (B, D)
Day 12: Lucerne - Zurich - Tour Ends
(B)
Stay another night - Add a post night stay in Lucerne.
Prices start at $150 per person, double.
|
Uniquely For You
Alsace Wine Route |
| The
Alsace Wine Route winds its way though
the region from north to south for 105
miles, and is a land blessed with
perfect conditions for wine production:
sunshine, dry weather and fertile soil.
This delightful route runs across
rolling hillsides, occasionally quite
steep ones, through pretty villages with
narrow streets of half-timbered houses
and flower-decked balconies. You'll
visit the medieval town of Riquewihr,
filled with vintners' houses; charming
Ribeauville with its incredible ruins of
three castles; and Kayserberg, a village
of historic homes and castles. A few
steps from the Wine Route, sign-posted
vineyard paths invite visitors to admire
a panoramic view of the wine-growing
area, and discover the work of the
winegrower and the diversity of the
grape varieties. The seven varieties of
wine produced in the region are
Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Tokay Pinot Gris,
Pinot Noir, Muscat d'Alsace, Sylvaner
and Gewurztraminer. |
Base Rates Per Person
| Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
| Jun 13 2006 |
$2249 |
$3159 from NYC |
| Aug 31 2006 |
$2149 |
$3059 from NYC |
| Aug 31 2006 |
$2149 |
$3059 from NYC |
| Sep 11 2006 |
$2249 |
$2839 from NYC |
| Sep 30 2006 |
$2249 |
$2839 from NYC |
*Tour
prices are based on double occupancy and are subject to
change. Please call for triple or child
occupancy rates. Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
12 days, 24 meals
10 Buffet Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Day 2 - 7 - Croisieurope River Cruises
Day 8, 9 - Hilton or Sofitel Hotel, Strasbourg,
France
Day 10, 11 - Grand Hotel Europe or Hotel Astoria,
Lucerne, Switzerland
On some dates alternate hotels may be used
NOTES:
- Triple accommodations are not
available on this tour. Single cabins are limited.
- On day 2, embarkation is
between 5:00-6:00 p.m.; on day 8, disembarkation is normally
between 3:00-4:00p.m.
- Ports of call are subject to
change based on pier availability. Speyer may be replaced by
Mannheim or Karlsruhe on some departure dates.
- Due to flight schedules, you
may require an early morning departure from the hotel on the
last day (day 12). Return flights should not be booked prior to
11:00 a.m. on the last day of your tour.
- Lunch and dinner aboard the
river vessel do no include alcoholic beverages (ie: wine,
liqueur). However, coffee, tea and water are included at all
on-board meals.
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