From the meandering Main to the UNESCO-designated Upper Middle Rhine Valley with its multitude of castles dotting its shores to the vineyard-clad hills of the Moselle, enjoy Europe at its most picturesque. Let the storybook villages—Wertheim and Cochem—captivate you; and Rothenburg, located on the Romantic Road enchant you. Marvel at the world's largest ceiling fresco in the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Savor the many flavors of Germany with a chance to sample the world-famous wines of the Rheingau, the hearty smoked beer of Bamberg and Rüdesheim’s famed coffee. All along the way, gain an intimate understanding of the history and culture of the places you visit.
Two iconic cities, Prague and Paris, bookend this perfect journey that combines three beautiful rivers, each of which is striking in its own unique way. From the meandering Main to the UNESCO-designated Upper Middle Rhine Valley with its multitude of castles dotting its shores to the vineyard-clad hills of the Moselle, enjoy Europe at its most picturesque. Let the storybook villages—Wertheim, Cochem and Zell—captivate you; and Rothenburg, located on the Romantic Road enchant you. Marvel at the world's largest ceiling fresco in the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Savor the many flavors of Germany with a chance to sample the world-famous wines of the Rheingau, the hearty smoked beer of Bamberg and Rüdesheim’s famed coffee. All along the way, gain an intimate understanding of the history and culture of the places you visit.
Two iconic cities, Prague and Paris, bookend this perfect journey that combines three beautiful rivers, each of which is striking in its own unique way. From the meandering Main to the UNESCO-designated Upper Middle Rhine Valley with its multitude of castles dotting its shores to the vineyard-clad hills of the Moselle, enjoy Europe at its most picturesque. Let the storybook villages—Wertheim, Cochem and Zell—captivate you; and Rothenburg, located on the Romantic Road enchant you. Marvel at the world's largest ceiling fresco in the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Savor the many flavors of Germany with a chance to sample the world-famous wines of the Rheingau, the hearty smoked beer of Bamberg. All along the way, gain an intimate understanding of the history and culture of the places you visit.
Europe's Rivers & Castles (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Day 1 | Nuremberg | EMBARKATION |
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Board the ship in Nuremberg for your Europe’s Rivers & Castles cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Bamberg | UNESCO city walking tour and smoked beer tasting |
|
Bamberg has been referred to as “Franconian Rome” as, like Rome, it was built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church graces each one. Bamberg’s medieval and Baroque architecture has withstood the test of time and, as such, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem where you’ll see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions, and afterwards, indulge in the town’s famous smoked beer, Rauchbier. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike tour through Bamberg (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Würzburg | Wurzburg walking tour and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Residenz Palace visit and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Würzburg Castle hike and wine tasting |
|
Go on an afternoon excursion to Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved walled town located on the Romantic Road. For those not going to Rothenburg, enjoy a city tour of Würzburg, a bursting with Baroque splendor. Or visit Würzburg’s Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. As an alternative to the walking tour and the palace visit, the more active guest may choose to venture high above the town for a hike to Würzburg Castle, which dominates the city. Each of the Würzburg tours ends with a visit to Juliusspital wine estate – one of Germany’s largest wine estates. Here, you will have a unique opportunity to visit their historic cellar and taste some of the best wine in Germany. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Wertheim | Walking tour |
|
| | OR Pretzel bakery visit and tasting |
|
Wertheim’s old town center still features half-timbered houses and the Gothic architecture of the Stiftskirche, its oldest Protestant church. You may either join a guided walking tour through the historic city center or learn the art of pretzel making with a visit to a local bakery. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley or hike high above the town for a visit to the castle, one of the most picturesque ruins in Germany. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Rüdesheim | Gondola ride and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet |
|
| Rhine Gorge | Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising |
|
| Lahnstein | Exclusive Burg Lahneck Castle visit |
|
Arrive in Rüdesheim, where you can take a ride over the vineyards of Rüdesheim in a gondola to the Niederwald Monument, and then be treated to a wine tasting afterwards. You may also choose to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet or hike through a Rüdesheim vineyard. Another choice today is to take a guided bike tour along the Rhine Valley, riding between the Rheingau hills and the Rhine River. Later in the day, set sail towards Lahnstein through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles. Cap the day off with an exclusive visit to Burg Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Cochem | Reichsburg Castle and walking tour |
|
| | OR Reichsburg Castle hike |
|
Wake up in fairytale Cochem and visit the Reichsburg Castle followed by a walking tour. You may also opt to hike to Reichsburg Castle or take a guided bike tour along the captivating Moselle River. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Wasserbillig | “Rome of the North” tour |
|
| | OR Luxembourg wine tasting |
|
Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Moselle to Wasserbillig, your gateway to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, renowned for its rich ancient Roman past, and referred to as the “Rome of the North” or “Second Rome” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Join a guided tour of the city, including the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths and Basilica of Constantine. Alternatively, enjoy a wine tasting at a local establishment where you can sample a few of Luxembourg’s famed wines, the most popular among them being Riesling. You also have the choice of a bike tour through the historic city center and along the Moselle River; or hike high above Trier to Petrisberg Hill. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Luxembourg | DISEMBARKATION |
|
This morning, bid farewell to your luxurious river cruise ship. (B)
Day 1 | Prague | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Prague and check into your hotel.
Day 2 | Prague | “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour |
|
Discover fairytale Prague via a city tour or a hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive and vibrant cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)
Day 3 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
|
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic, so join a tasting and discover some of the very best beer in the world. (B)
Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Nuremberg |
|
Depart Prague and drive through the pastoral German countryside for a city tour of Nuremberg’s fabulous Gothic churches and impressive city walls. Later in the day, board your luxurious ship. (B,D)
Day 5 | Bamberg | UNESCO city walking tour and smoked beer tasting |
|
Bamberg has been referred to as “Franconian Rome” as, like Rome, it was built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church graces each one. Bamberg’s medieval and Baroque architecture has withstood the test of time and, as such, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem where you’ll see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions, and afterwards, indulge in the town’s famous smoked beer, Rauchbier. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike tour through Bamberg (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Würzburg | Wurzburg walking tour and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Residenz Palace visit and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Würzburg Castle hike and wine tasting |
|
Go on an afternoon excursion to Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved walled town located on the Romantic Road. For those not going to Rothenburg, enjoy a city tour of Würzburg, a bursting with Baroque splendor. Or visit Würzburg’s Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. As an alternative to the walking tour and the palace visit, the more active guest may choose to venture high above the town for a hike to Würzburg Castle, which dominates the city. Each of the Würzburg tours ends with a visit to Juliusspital wine estate – one of Germany’s largest wine estates. Here, you will have a unique opportunity to visit their historic cellar and taste some of the best wine in Germany. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Wertheim | Walking tour |
|
| | OR Pretzel bakery visit and tasting |
|
Wertheim’s old town center still features half-timbered houses and the Gothic architecture of the Stiftskirche, its oldest Protestant church. You may either join a guided walking tour through the historic city center or learn the art of pretzel making with a visit to a local bakery. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley or hike high above the town for a visit to the castle, one of the most picturesque ruins in Germany. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Rüdesheim | Gondola ride and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet |
|
| Rhine Gorge | Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising |
|
| Lahnstein | Exclusive Burg Lahneck Castle visit |
|
Arrive in Rüdesheim, where you can take a ride over the vineyards of Rüdesheim in a gondola to the Niederwald Monument, and then be treated to a wine tasting afterwards. You may also choose to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet or hike through a Rüdesheim vineyard. Another choice today is to take a guided bike tour along the Rhine Valley, riding between the Rheingau hills and the Rhine River. Later in the day, set sail towards Lahnstein through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles. Cap the day off with an exclusive visit to Burg Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Cochem | Reichsburg Castle and walking tour |
|
| | OR Reichsburg Castle hike |
|
Wake up in fairytale Cochem and visit the Reichsburg Castle followed by a walking tour. You may also opt to hike to Reichsburg Castle or take a guided bike tour along the captivating Moselle River. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Wasserbillig | “Rome of the North” tour |
|
| | OR Luxembourg wine tasting |
|
Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Moselle to Wasserbillig, your gateway to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, renowned for its rich ancient Roman past, and referred to as the “Rome of the North” or “Second Rome” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Join a guided tour of the city, including the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths and Basilica of Constantine. Alternatively, enjoy a wine tasting at a local establishment where you can sample a few of Luxembourg’s famed wines, the most popular among them being Riesling. You also have the choice of a bike tour through the historic city center and along the Moselle River; or hike high above Trier to Petrisberg Hill. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | Luxembourg | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark in Luxembourg. En route to Paris, you will stop at the American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting place of General George Patton. Later, you will enjoy a walking tour through Luxembourg before boarding a TGV high-speed train to Paris, where you will check into your hotel. (B)
Day 12 | Paris | “City of Light” tour |
|
Enjoy a tour of Paris, taking in all its iconic sites, including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde. You’ll pass the magnificent Opéra Garnier, the legendary Louvre and, on the Left Bank, the Sorbonne University and the Panthéon. (B)
Day 13 | Paris | Evening Montmartre and Illumination tour |
|
Enjoy a visit to Montmartre, long known as the city’s premier artist’s enclave. During the mid to late 1800s, artists also began calling Montmartre home. Pissarro and Jongkind were two of the first to live there. For easy access to Montmartre, you’ll hop aboard the funicular railroad that ascends the hill. Montmartre’s most recognizable landmark is the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur, constructed from 1876 to 1912. The white dome of this Roman Catholic basilica sits at the highest point in the city. After your visit to Montmartre, you’ll be taken on an illumination tour, discovering why Paris is renowned as the “City of Light.” (B)
Day 14 | Paris | Return flight home |
|
Bid au revoir to Paris as you prepare for your homeward journey. (B)
Day 1 | Prague | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 | Prague | “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour |
|
Discover fairytale Prague via a city tour or a hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive and vibrant cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)
Day 3 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
|
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic, so join a tasting and discover some of the very best beer in the world. (B)
Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Nuremberg |
|
Depart Prague and drive through the pastoral German countryside for a city tour of Nuremberg’s fabulous Gothic churches and impressive city walls. Later in the day, board your luxurious ship. (B,D)
Day 5 | Bamberg | UNESCO city walking tour and smoked beer tasting |
|
Bamberg has been referred to as “Franconian Rome” as, like Rome, it was built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church graces each one. Bamberg’s medieval and Baroque architecture has withstood the test of time and, as such, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem where you’ll see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions, and afterwards, indulge in the town’s famous smoked beer, Rauchbier. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike tour through Bamberg (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Würzburg | Wurzburg walking tour and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Residenz Palace visit and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Würzburg Castle hike and wine tasting |
|
Go on an afternoon excursion to Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved walled town located on the Romantic Road. For those not going to Rothenburg, enjoy a city tour of Würzburg, a bursting with Baroque splendor. Or visit Würzburg’s Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. As an alternative to the walking tour and the palace visit, the more active guest may choose to venture high above the town for a hike to Würzburg Castle, which dominates the city. Each of the Würzburg tours ends with a visit to Juliusspital wine estate – one of Germany’s largest wine estates. Here, you will have a unique opportunity to visit their historic cellar and taste some of the best wine in Germany. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Wertheim | Walking tour |
|
| | OR Pretzel bakery visit and tasting |
|
Wertheim’s old town center still features half-timbered houses and the Gothic architecture of the Stiftskirche, its oldest Protestant church. You may either join a guided walking tour through the historic city center or learn the art of pretzel making with a visit to a local bakery. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley or hike high above the town for a visit to the castle, one of the most picturesque ruins in Germany. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Rüdesheim | Gondola ride and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet |
|
| Rhine Gorge | Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising |
|
| Lahnstein | Exclusive Burg Lahneck Castle visit |
|
Arrive in Rüdesheim, where you can take a ride over the vineyards of Rüdesheim in a gondola to the Niederwald Monument, and then be treated to a wine tasting afterwards. You may also choose to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet or hike through a Rüdesheim vineyard. Another choice today is to take a guided bike tour along the Rhine Valley, riding between the Rheingau hills and the Rhine River. Later in the day, set sail towards Lahnstein through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles. Cap the day off with an exclusive visit to Burg Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Cochem | Reichsburg Castle and walking tour |
|
| | OR Reichsburg Castle hike |
|
Wake up in fairytale Cochem and visit the Reichsburg Castle followed by a walking tour. You may also opt to hike to Reichsburg Castle or take a guided bike tour along the captivating Moselle River. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Wasserbillig | “Rome of the North” tour |
|
| | OR Luxembourg wine tasting |
|
Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Moselle to Wasserbillig, your gateway to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, renowned for its rich ancient Roman past, and referred to as the “Rome of the North” or “Second Rome” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Join a guided tour of the city, including the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths and Basilica of Constantine. Alternatively, enjoy a wine tasting at a local establishment where you can sample a few of Luxembourg’s famed wines, the most popular among them being Riesling. You also have the choice of a bike tour through the historic city center and along the Moselle River; or hike high above Trier to Petrisberg Hill. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | Wasserbillig | DISEMBARKATION |
|
| Luxembourg | “Grand Duchy” city tour |
|
| | “Champagne and Coronation” city tour |
|
Disembark in Luxembourg. En route to Paris, you will stop at the American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting place of General George Patton. Later, you will enjoy a walking tour through Luxembourg before transfering to Reims, where you will check into your hotel. Afterwards, join a guided tour through the city of Reims. Known as the unofficial capital of Champagne, Reims is home to the 13th-century Gothic cathedral, Notre Dame de Reims, and many impressive wine cellars. (B)
Day 12 | Reims | Route du Champagne tour (Epernay, Hautvillers and Champagne makers
of Veuve Clicquot and Moet et Chandon) |
|
Explore the history behind the drink of celebration as you enjoy a scenic drive on the Route du Champagnes. You will see some of the famous Champagne houses such as Epernay, Hautvillers and Champagne makers of Veuve-Clicquot and Moet et Chandon. (B)
Day 13 | Reims | Château le Vaux Vicomte tour |
|
Check out of your hotel in Reims. Before transferring to Paris, venture to Château le Vaux Vicomte. This 17th-century estate, commissioned by Louis XIV’s Superintendent in conjunction with an architect, painter, and landscape gardener, is considered a masterpiece and is the largest private estate listed as a Historical Monument in France. In fact, its incredible gardens were said to have inspired those of Versailles. (B)
Day 14 | Paris | Return flight home |
|
Bid au revoir to Paris as you prepare for your journey home.