LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY
You have a choice of several excursions, depending on your interest. Visit Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Here you can also enjoy visiting some of the festive Christmas Markets. Alternatively, relive a bygone era on a tour of the glorious Schwetzingen Baroque Palace. Or, you may decide to visit Schwetzingen Palace Gardens with more than 100 sculptures and an assortment of whimsical buildings. The Apollotempel houses a statue of the ancient Greek god of light and the arts, playing the lyre; and the most spectacular, the Türkischer Garten with a mosque, are a few of the many highlights you will see. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim where you can or taste one of the town’s special delights, Riesling wine or Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy. (B,L,D)