Windmills, Vineyards & Paris 2011 (Paris to Amsterdam)

Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France
(Mon.) Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!

Day 2 Paris
(Tue.) Paris’ famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabarets. (B)

Day 3 Paris–Metz–Remich, Luxembourg (Embarkation)
(Wed.) This morning, board a HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey to Metz. From here we drive to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where your river cruise vessel is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)

Day 4 Trier, Germany
(Thu.) This venerable Episcopal city on the Moselle River is the oldest in Germany and, some claim, even older than Rome! The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and it still gives access to the town center. The Moselle is some 312-miles long, rising in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and entering Germany at Trier. The entire Moselle Valley is famous for its beautiful and tranquil scenery. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Bernkastel
(Fri.) In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKETPLACE. Wine growers in this area look after Germany’s largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Before dinner, visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region’s varietals. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Zell–Cochem
(Sat.) Enjoy a few hours of free time in the charming town of Zell before continuing to Cochem. Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here the views of the little town nestled down below and of the river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge
(Sun.) Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town and SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there’s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. Downstream from RÜdesheim, the dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Cologne, Germany
(Mon.) Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany’s largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of the magnificent gothic cathedral dominate the river skyline. The Germano-Roman Museum, next to the cathedral, is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés, and shops. Try a Kölsch, the favorite local beer, and shop for a bottle of 4711, the original “eau de cologne.” (B,L,D)

Day 9 Arnhem, Holland–Dordrecht. Excursion to Kinderdijk
(Tue.) One of the major tragedies of World War II was the Battle of Arnhem, featured vividly in the AIRBORNE MUSEUM HARTENSTEIN and the inspiration for the movie A Bridge Too Far. This afternoon we cruise to charming Dordrecht, situated between two branches of the Rhine and the inspiration for many painters in the 17th and 18th centuries. From here, enjoy an excursion to nearby KINDERDIJK with its picturesque row of windmills. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Ghent, Belgium
(Wed.) In a unique way, Ghent, the “diamond” of Flanders, has managed to preserve its medieval charm and power while keeping up with the times. A Local Guide will proudly point out that the city center alone is a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success, and take you into ST. BAAF’S CATHEDRAL. From here, an optional excursion to fascinating Bruges, with its criss-crossed canals and charming old patrician houses, is available. (B,L,D)

Day 11 Middelburg, Holland–Veere–Delta Works
(Thu.) It is certain that Middelburg was originally built as a stronghold to protect the population of Zeeland from the water and enemies. Later, it became a prosperous merchant city that spent great wealth on the construction of important buildings such as the town hall. The eye-catching high tower of the town hall dominates the charming town of Veere, which was once an important wool-trading center. Take your photos before continuing to one of the most complex engineering projects, the DELTA WORKS, located nearby. After the flood of 1953, during which more than 1,800 people drowned in one night, the Delta Plan was born to prevent another disaster of this magnitude. The final defense in the battle against the water is the storm flood barrier, almost six-miles long and considered a technical miracle. The project took 30 years to complete. (B,L,D)

Day 12 Amsterdam
(Fri.) Holland’s capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. There is no better way to see the city than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” There is plenty of free time to explore on your own. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions of how to make the most of your stay. (B,L,D)

Day 13 Amsterdam (Disembarkation)
(Sat.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 10-night cruise from Remich to Amsterdam in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• PARIS: Guided sightseeing
• PARIS–METZ: By high-speed TGV train
• REMICH: Welcome reception
• TRIER: Guided sightseeing, see the Porta Nigra
• BERNKASTEL: Guided walk, local marketplace; visit a wine cellar
• COCHEM: Visit Reichsburg Castle
• RÜDESHEIM: Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; special target
• RHINE GORGE: Cruise through the gorge
• COLOGNE: Guided sightseeing
• ARNHEM: Guided sightseeing, visit Airborne Museum Hartenstein
• DORDRECHT: Excursion to Kinderdijk
• GHENT: Guided walk, visit St. Baaf’s Cathedral
• MIDDELBURG: Guided sightseeing
• VEERE: Orientation; visit the Delta Works
• AMSTERDAM: Canal cruise

Experience France, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, and Holland on this fantastic river cruise vacation. Your adventure starts with two overnights and guided sightseeing in Paris, the incomparable “City of Light.” Take the high-speed TGV train from Paris to Metz, then travel to Remich, Luxembourg, to board your river vessel. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Trier, Cologne, and Middelburg, cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, take pictures of the famous windmills at Kinderdijk, and visit the Delta Works in Veere. Also visit a local wine cellar in Bernkastel, Reichsburg Castle in Cochem, and Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in the pretty wine village of Rüdesheim. In Arnhem, take a guided tour that features the Airborne Museum Hartenstein, visit St. Baaf’s Cathedral in Ghent, and explore Amsterdam on a cruise through its fascinating system of canals.

• Full buffet breakfast (B) in Paris; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; complimentary regional wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day
• Deluxe cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• Services of a professional Cruise Director
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
• Sightseeing with Local Guides
• Headsets for all guided shore excursions
• Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges, where applicable

Paris: Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF)
Cruising: Cabin onboard Avalon Luminary

Extra nights per person in Paris:
Departure May 6: in single room $530, in twin room $270
Departure June 12 & October 2: in single room $600, in twin room $308
Departure June 24: in single room $600, in twin room $308
Departure July 31: in single room $470, in twin room $240
Departure August 12: in single room $470, in twin room $240

Extra nights per person in Amsterdam:
Departures May 6 & June 24: in single room $315, in twin room $190
Departures June 12 & October 2: in single room $315, in twin room $190
Departure July 31: in single room $265, in twin room $160
Departure August 12: in single room $265, in twin room $160

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $140 per person are not included in the prices shown above.
• In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.
• In the rare event that the high-speed TGV train is unavailable, alternative arrangements will be made.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.