The Rhine & Moselle 2011

Day 1 Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation)
(Sat.) Welcome to Amsterdam! 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. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)

Day 2 Amsterdam–Volendam. Excursion to Edam
(Sun.) 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.” North of Amsterdam and situated on the IJsselmeer is the town of Volendam, a unique open harbor with a maze of fishermen’s houses built on poles. The small, timbered church dates back to 1658. Continue to Edam, whose cheese of the same name has become famous worldwide and where cheese markets are still held in the summer months. The old town center, especially the Kwakelsteeg, still has lovely characteristic Waterland houses. Rejoin your ship, and this evening, cruise across the IJsselmeer, the former Zuider Zee. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Cruising the Gelderse IJssel–Arnhem
(Mon.) This morning, relax on board while you cruise a branch of the Rhine known as the “Gelderse IJssel,” which flows from just east of Arnhem into the IJselmeer. In the afternoon, dock in Arnhem, where the choice of activity is yours: either join a guided sightseeing tour of the city or visit the AIRBORNE MUSEUM HARTENSTEIN, a hotel during WWII that served as the headquarters of the British 1st Airborne Division during the famous Battle of Arnhem. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Cologne, Germany
(Tue.) 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 5 Koblenz
(Wed.) Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The Deutsches Eck, located on a tongue of land where the two rivers converge, holds an impressive equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. The Moselle River 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 6 Bernkastel
(Thu.) 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. Visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region’s varietals. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Trier
(Fri.) The venerable Episcopal city of Trier is the oldest in Germany and, some claim, even older than Rome! A house on the marketplace bears the inscription, “Trier was standing 1,300 years before Rome.” The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and still gives access to the town center. Trier’s most famous son was socialist revolutionary Karl Marx. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Remich
Excursion to Luxembourg. (Sat.) A short motorcoach ride takes you to Luxembourg, the capital of the Grand Duchy of the same name. The city boasts a large array of historical and cultural sights, which come to life as you visit the city with your Local Guide. This afternoon, relax on board while your ship cruises slowly down the Moselle, or join us for an optional excursion to the museum of General Patton, who gained fame during the Battle of the Bulge. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Cochem
(Sun.) Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here, views of the little town of Cochem 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 10 Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim
(Mon.) 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. Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town and SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! A SPECIAL TREAT is planned, then free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. (B,L,D)

Day 11 Mainz. Excursion to Heidelberg
(Tue.) This morning your ship docks in Mainz, Germany’s largest and most important wine market. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and you’ll visit the GUTENBERG MUSEUM. From here, a half-day excursion takes you to Heidelberg, of Student Prince fame and Germany’s oldest university town. Take pictures of the ruins of the imposing red sandstone castle towering above the city and enjoy free time to explore. (B,L,D)

Day 12 Strasbourg, France
(Wed.) Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights are the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with the statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available today. (B,L,D)

Day 13 Breisach, Germany. Excursion to the Black Forest
(Thu.) Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border is the gateway to Germany’s BLACK FOREST region, an area of unrivaled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. Surely the most well-known products from this region are Black Forest ham and Black Forest cherry cake. (B,L,D)

Day 14 Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)
(Fri.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave Zürich Airport before 10 am. (B)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 13-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• AMSTERDAM: Welcome reception; canal cruise
• VOLENDAM: Orientation
• EDAM: Guided sightseeing
• ARNHEM: Choice of guided sightseeing or visit Airborne Museum Hartenstein
• COLOGNE: Guided sightseeing
• KOBLENZ: Guided walk, see the Deutsches Eck
• BERNKASTEL: Guided walk, local marketplace; visit a wine cellar
• TRIER: Guided sightseeing, see the Porta Nigra
• LUXEMBOURG: Guided sightseeing
• COCHEM: Visit Reichsburg Castle
• RHINE GORGE: Cruise through the gorge
• RÜDESHEIM: Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; special treat
• MAINZ: Visit the Gutenberg Museum
• HEIDELBERG: Take pictures of the castle
• STRASBOURG: Guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral
• BREISACH: Excursion to the Black Forest

This exciting river cruise vacation has it all! Begin in Amsterdam with a cruise through the city’s enchanting canals. Then, head north to explore the unique harbor town of Volendam, Edam with its world-famous cheeses, and Arnhem, where you can choose between guided sightseeing and a visit of the WWII Airborne Museum Hartenstein. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Cologne and Strasbourg, see the Deutsches Eck at Koblenz, the Roman ruins at Trier, Reichsburg Castle above charming Cochem, and the unique Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim. Also, visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, sail past the legendary Lorelei rock and through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, sample the area’s celebrated wines in Bernkastel, and enjoy excursions to majestic Heidelberg and to Germany’s legendary Black Forest.

• 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

Cabin onboard Avalon Affinity

Extra nights per person in Amsterdam:
in single room $315, in twin room $190

Extra nights per person in Zürich:
in single room $130, in twin room $88

• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $182 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.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• 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.