Tulips to Castles - from Amsterdam to Basel
April 8 - 15, 2018
Find inspiration in the soul-stirring beauty of the fabled Rhine
Flowers tumble from baskets lining streets of half-timbered houses, and lights glint off quiet canals. A mighty river carries ships and cargo through a landscape shaped by time and history. The spires of medieval churches and castles appear around each bend in the river, and vineyards climb the verdant hillsides.
Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses and get an insider’s look at one of the only castles on the Rhine that has never been destroyed, Marksburg Castle. Visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg; stroll through the fairytale towns of Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Rüdesheim; and taste delightful white wines in the villages where the grapes are grown. Beethoven and Byron loved the romantic landscapes of the Rhine River, and the beauty that inspired them is still yours to experience.
Who will enjoy this cruise?
Those who love the picturesque and the historic will find medieval castles, splendid cathedrals and scenes that have inspired great poets, painters and composers alike.
Flowers tumble from baskets lining streets of half-timbered houses, and lights glint off quiet canals. A mighty river carries ships and cargo through a landscape shaped by time and history. The spires of medieval churches and castles appear around each bend in the river, and vineyards climb the verdant hillsides.
Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses and get an insider’s look at one of the only castles on the Rhine that has never been destroyed, Marksburg Castle. Visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg; stroll through the fairytale towns of Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Rüdesheim; and taste delightful white wines in the villages where the grapes are grown. Beethoven and Byron loved the romantic landscapes of the Rhine River, and the beauty that inspired them is still yours to experience.
Who will enjoy this cruise?
Those who love the picturesque and the historic will find medieval castles, splendid cathedrals and scenes that have inspired great poets, painters and composers alike.
Day 1 – Amsterdam (embark)
Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where you will be transferred to the ship.
Day 2 – Cologne
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Cologne walking discovery tour with choice of Cologne Cathedral OR Kölsch beer tasting or Museum Ludwig
You have an array of choices for how you wish to experience Cologne’s many treasures. Those interested in history and architecture will want to stroll with a local expert through Old Town to the city’s iconic UNESCO-listed Gothic Cologne Cathedral. For beer connoisseurs, you’ll wish to visit a brewery to taste the traditional local brew of the city, Kölsch. And for lovers of art, you won’t want to miss one of the most important contemporary museums in Europe, Museum Ludwig. Cap the day off at the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner.
Note: On Sundays and Catholic holidays, tours inside the cathedral are not allowed, but individual visits are still welcomed.
Day 3 – Koblenz, cruising the romantic Rhine River, Boppard
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Koblenz walking discovery tour OR aerial cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress or exclusive guided “Go Active” bike ride, and Marksburg Castle visit
Watch the waters of the Moselle meld with the Rhine’s as you stand at the German Corner during your discovery tour. If you prefer to see the city from above, take an aerial tram to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. For a more active exploration, bike from Boppard to Koblenz. You will also get a close-up look at Marksburg Castle. Note: The aerial tram to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is only available on cruises that depart on or after April 2.
Day 4 – Cruising the romantic Rhine River, Rudesheim
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of exclusive Castle Vollrads wine tasting OR exclusive guided “Go Active” hike from Rüdesheim to Assmanshausen, and guided Boppard village stroll
Wine connoisseurs will want to go on a private tour and Riesling tasting at Castle Vollrads. Adventurers will want to soar up to the Niederwald Heights on a gondola, followed by a hike. Then, after a cruise along the UNESCO-designated Upper Middle Rhine, stroll through quaint Boppard.
Day 5 – Germersheim (Speyer)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Speyer walking discovery tour OR exclusive Doktorenhof vinegar estate visit and tasting
Stroll through Speyer’s charming Old Town to the city’s grand cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, for a different spin on the Palatinate wine region, visit the Doktorenhof vinegar estate to sample unique aperitifs made from wine vinegars.
Day 6 – Kehl (Strasbourg)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Strasbourg by canal OR exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Strasbourg walking tour
The Alsatian town of Strasbourg boasts a UNESCO-designated city center, a grand Gothic cathedral and half-timbered houses. See the sights on a delightful canal cruise through the picturesque Petite France district, or if you wish to do as the locals do, opt for an Old Town walking tour with stops for pastries and coffee.
Day 7 – Breisach (Kayersberg and Riquewihr or Colmar)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Alsatian “Village Day” OR Colmar city tour
Breisach is your gateway to the Alsatian wine road, your launching point for one of two excursions. You can visit Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, two of the most picturesque villages in the region, sampling local delicacies and getting a feel for daily life, or take a tour of the larger town, Colmar, considered one of the most beautiful destinations along the wine road. Enjoy the festive Captain’s Farewell Reception and Gala Dinner.
Day 8 – Basel (disembark), transfer to the airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, or extend your stay in Basel and Lake Lucerne. Note: Guests sailing on the S.S. Antoinette will disembark in Breisach between March and May due to lock renovations.
Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where you will be transferred to the ship.
Day 2 – Cologne
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Cologne walking discovery tour with choice of Cologne Cathedral OR Kölsch beer tasting or Museum Ludwig
You have an array of choices for how you wish to experience Cologne’s many treasures. Those interested in history and architecture will want to stroll with a local expert through Old Town to the city’s iconic UNESCO-listed Gothic Cologne Cathedral. For beer connoisseurs, you’ll wish to visit a brewery to taste the traditional local brew of the city, Kölsch. And for lovers of art, you won’t want to miss one of the most important contemporary museums in Europe, Museum Ludwig. Cap the day off at the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner.
Note: On Sundays and Catholic holidays, tours inside the cathedral are not allowed, but individual visits are still welcomed.
Day 3 – Koblenz, cruising the romantic Rhine River, Boppard
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Koblenz walking discovery tour OR aerial cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress or exclusive guided “Go Active” bike ride, and Marksburg Castle visit
Watch the waters of the Moselle meld with the Rhine’s as you stand at the German Corner during your discovery tour. If you prefer to see the city from above, take an aerial tram to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. For a more active exploration, bike from Boppard to Koblenz. You will also get a close-up look at Marksburg Castle. Note: The aerial tram to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is only available on cruises that depart on or after April 2.
Day 4 – Cruising the romantic Rhine River, Rudesheim
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of exclusive Castle Vollrads wine tasting OR exclusive guided “Go Active” hike from Rüdesheim to Assmanshausen, and guided Boppard village stroll
Wine connoisseurs will want to go on a private tour and Riesling tasting at Castle Vollrads. Adventurers will want to soar up to the Niederwald Heights on a gondola, followed by a hike. Then, after a cruise along the UNESCO-designated Upper Middle Rhine, stroll through quaint Boppard.
Day 5 – Germersheim (Speyer)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Speyer walking discovery tour OR exclusive Doktorenhof vinegar estate visit and tasting
Stroll through Speyer’s charming Old Town to the city’s grand cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, for a different spin on the Palatinate wine region, visit the Doktorenhof vinegar estate to sample unique aperitifs made from wine vinegars.
Day 6 – Kehl (Strasbourg)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Strasbourg by canal OR exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Strasbourg walking tour
The Alsatian town of Strasbourg boasts a UNESCO-designated city center, a grand Gothic cathedral and half-timbered houses. See the sights on a delightful canal cruise through the picturesque Petite France district, or if you wish to do as the locals do, opt for an Old Town walking tour with stops for pastries and coffee.
Day 7 – Breisach (Kayersberg and Riquewihr or Colmar)
FEATURED EXCURSIONS:
Choice of Alsatian “Village Day” OR Colmar city tour
Breisach is your gateway to the Alsatian wine road, your launching point for one of two excursions. You can visit Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, two of the most picturesque villages in the region, sampling local delicacies and getting a feel for daily life, or take a tour of the larger town, Colmar, considered one of the most beautiful destinations along the wine road. Enjoy the festive Captain’s Farewell Reception and Gala Dinner.
Day 8 – Basel (disembark), transfer to the airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, or extend your stay in Basel and Lake Lucerne. Note: Guests sailing on the S.S. Antoinette will disembark in Breisach between March and May due to lock renovations.
Our Just Girls rates Category 3 Was $4039 per person and now only $3469.10 Savings of $570 off per person based on double occupancy.
Early Booking Savings -This offer expires June 30th, 2017.
This combine with Delta package to Amsterdam 2 days prior to the cruise for Tulip time April 5 – 8, 2018 is just perfect!
Contact Sue Thompson for details 952-448-7716 [email protected]
Uniworld group # 21637
Early Booking Savings -This offer expires June 30th, 2017.
This combine with Delta package to Amsterdam 2 days prior to the cruise for Tulip time April 5 – 8, 2018 is just perfect!
Contact Sue Thompson for details 952-448-7716 [email protected]
Uniworld group # 21637
Hop on a bike and explore on your own. Just 13 miles between Boppard and Koblenz - nice 2 hour bike ride - meet up with the ship in the next port. Complimentary bikes.