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.
Your European adventure begins with a visit to historic Prague, “the city of a hundred spires.” Embark upon your luxurious river cruise ship in historic Nuremberg and cruise through the Main-Danube Canal to Bamberg. Cruise the beautiful Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stopping along the way to visit charming Rüdesheim and Koblenz. In Cologne, you will visit the city’s magnificent Cathedral before concluding your vacation in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s liveliest capitals.
COUNTRIES:
Germany, NetherlandsGermany, Netherlands, Czech Republic
RIVERS:
Rhine, Main
Treasures of the Main & Rhine (Christmas)
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 |
|
Board your cruise in Nuremberg and meet your fellow passengers. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. (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. (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. In the afternoon, enjoy a special visit to the Juliusspital wine estate. Built in 1576 as a hospice for the sick and poor, it has grown into one of the largest wine estates in Germany. During the visit, 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. 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 | Wine tasting |
|
| Lahnstein | Unique Lahneck Castle visit |
|
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 three excursions.
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. During the afternoon, set sail
along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein, where you’ll
visit Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Cologne | "Holy City" walking tour, cathedral visit & Kölsch 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. 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. 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. If you prefer exploring the world with your taste buds, stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café. (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)
Day 3 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
|
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery known to have existed in 993. Pilsner Urquell was created in 1842, being the first pilsner ever made, whilst Budweiser came into being in the city of Budweis. Beer is a core part of the country’s national identity, so much so the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. The country is home to more than 100 breweries with a combination of big names and micro establishments offering a huge range of styles, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech’s beer some of the very best in the world. (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. (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. In the afternoon, enjoy a special visit to the Juliusspital wine estate. Built in 1576 as a hospice for the sick and poor, it has grown into one of the largest wine estates in Germany. During the visit, 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. 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 | Wine tasting |
|
| Lahnstein | Unique Lahneck Castle visit |
|
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 three excursions.
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. During the afternoon, set sail
along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein, where you’ll
visit Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Cologne | "Holy City" walking tour, cathedral visit & Kölsch 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. 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. 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. If you prefer exploring the world with your taste buds, stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | Amsterdam | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Bid farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homebound
flight. (B)