From Prague, the “City of Spires,” to the heartland of Germany along the Rhine and Main rivers and to cosmopolitan Amsterdam, you’ll get an up-close look at the magnificent castles, medieval towns and forever-inspiring cities. Experience Prague’s eclectic mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Get lost in the medieval chivalric atmosphere of Nuremberg’s Kaiserburg Castle, representative of the thousands of fortresses that dotted Germany’s landscape in the Middle Ages. Marvel at an immaculate example of Baroque architecture at the designated UNESCO World Heritage Würzburg Residenz, a reminder of life lived on a grand scale. Savor the storybook atmosphere of some of Europe’s most charming towns, Wertheim and Rüdesheim; and along the way, get swept up in the many treasures just waiting to be discovered along the Rhine and Main rivers.
From Prague, the “City of Spires,” to the heartland of Germany along the Rhine and Main rivers and to cosmopolitan Amsterdam, you’ll get an up-close look at the magnificent castles, medieval towns and forever-inspiring cities. Experience Prague’s eclectic mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Get lost in the medieval chivalric atmosphere of Nuremberg’s Kaiserburg Castle, representative of the thousands of fortresses that dotted Germany’s landscape in the Middle Ages. Marvel at an immaculate example of Baroque architecture at the designated UNESCO World Heritage Würzburg Residenz, a reminder of life lived on a grand scale. Savor the storybook atmosphere of some of Europe’s most charming towns, Wertheim and Rüdesheim; and along the way, get swept up in the many treasures just waiting to be discovered along the Rhine and Main rivers.
COUNTRIES:
Germany, NetherlandsGermany, Netherlands, Czech Republic
RIVERS:
Rhine, Danube, Main
Treasures of the Main & Rhine
At A Glance
On our 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 |
|
Embark the ship in Nuremberg for your Treasures of the Main & Rhine cruise. (D)
| Day 2 | Nuremberg | Cruise Main-Danube Canal |
|
| Bamberg | Walking tour and smoked beer tasting |
|
| | OR Bamberg Specialties tasting |
|
Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions followed by a tasting of the city’s famous smoked beer. Or indulge in the local flavors by sampling smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla pastry, a local favorite whose recipe dates back to 1427. And for those wishing to explore the town more actively, hop on a bike for a guided bike tour along the Main River and to its quirky quarters beyond the town center. In the evening, sail to the Bavarian town of Volkach, where you’ll enjoy a free evening strolling along the streets and visiting shops and cafes. (B,L,D)
| | OR Marienberg Fortress hike |
|
Visit Würzburg, nestled along the “Romantic Road” in the middle of Germany’s largest wine producing region. Join a walking tour of this beautiful city bursting with Baroque splendor. Or admire its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. As an alternative, hike up to Marienberg Fortress, dating back to the 13th century, and overlooking the Main. You may also head to picturesque Rothenburg on the “Romantic Road,” known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town. (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. As an alternative to the walking tour of Wertheim, you may choose to venture high above the town for a visit to the castle, one of the most picturesque ruins in Germany with a deep moat and impressive bulwark. The castle was partly destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in 1619, but has more recently been restored with support from the state. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley. (B,L,D)
| Day 5 | Rüdesheim | Gondola Ride and wine tasting |
|
Cruise from the meandering Main River to the captivating Rhine River en route to the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Once there, you will have a choice of two excursions. Take a peaceful ride over the vineyards on Rüdesheim’s gondola. Afterwards, wine connoisseurs will want to go on a wine tasting with a local vintner. Alternatively, visit hike through a Rüdesheim vineyard or take a bike ride through the Rheingau wine region. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Cologne | "Holy City" tour and cathedral visit |
|
Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue on to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Overstolzenhaus and the Festival Hall. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen mit apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise |
|
View Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise, taking in the magic of its iconic bridges. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Amsterdam | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Bid farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homebound
flight. (B)
| Day 1 | Prague | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore this beautiful city.
| Day 2 | Prague | “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour |
|
Discover Prague on an engaging city tour and find out why it is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See all the key highlights, including the National Museum, Wenceslas Square, the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and Old Market Square. (B)
Enjoy uninterrupted time to explore Prague and its many museums and landmarks at your leisure. Visit such sites as St. Vitus Cathedral, the Gothic resting place of numerous saints, or the Franz Kafka Museum, which houses first editions of several of the prolific author’s works. You may also see the historic fort Vyšehrad, explore the natural science and history collections at the Národní Museum or travel back through Jewish history at the Holocaust memorial in the former ghetto at Josefov. (B)
| Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Nuremberg |
|
Depart Prague after breakfast and drive through the scenic countryside to Nuremberg. Enjoy a guided city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. (B,D)
| Day 5 | Nuremberg | Cruise Main-Danube Canal |
|
| Bamberg | Walking tour and smoked beer tasting |
|
| | OR Bamberg Specialties tasting |
|
Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions followed by a tasting of the city’s famous smoked beer. Or indulge in the local flavors by sampling smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla pastry, a local favorite whose recipe dates back to 1427. And for those wishing to explore the town more actively, hop on a bike for a guided bike tour along the Main River and to its quirky quarters beyond the town center. In the evening, sail to the Bavarian town of Volkach, where you’ll enjoy a free evening strolling along the streets and visiting shops and cafes. (B,L,D)
| | OR Marienberg Fortress hike |
|
Visit Würzburg, nestled along the “Romantic Road” in the middle of Germany’s largest wine producing region. Join a walking tour of this beautiful city bursting with Baroque splendor. Or admire its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. As an alternative, hike up to Marienberg Fortress, dating back to the 13th century, and overlooking the Main. You may also head to picturesque Rothenburg on the “Romantic Road,” known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town. (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. As an alternative to the walking tour of Wertheim, you may choose to venture high above the town for a visit to the castle, one of the most picturesque ruins in Germany with a deep moat and impressive bulwark. The castle was partly destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in 1619, but has more recently been restored with support from the state. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Rüdesheim | Gondola Ride and wine tasting |
|
Cruise from the meandering Main River to the captivating Rhine River en route to the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Once there, you will have a choice of two excursions. Take a peaceful ride over the vineyards on Rüdesheim’s gondola. Afterwards, wine connoisseurs will want to go on a wine tasting with a local vintner. Alternatively, visit hike through a Rüdesheim vineyard or take a bike ride through the Rheingau wine region. (B,L,D)
| Day 9 | Cologne | "Holy City" tour and cathedral visit |
|
Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue on to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Overstolzenhaus and the Festival Hall. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen mit apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine. (B,L,D)
| Day 10 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise |
|
View Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise, taking in the magic of its iconic bridges. (B,L,D)
| Day 11 | Amsterdam | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Bid farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homebound
flight. (B)