A Cruise Through Four Exquisite European Valleys (port-to-port cruise)

Possible transfer by coach to Saarbrücken.(2) Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner on board. Enjoy a free evening.

We’ll spend the morning cruising on the Saar River. The Saarschleife, or Great Bend,is one of the top tourist destinations in the region. We'll reach this intriguing location—nestled within a deep green forest near the small city of Mettlach—in the afternoon. We'll continue cruising to Saarburg. Enjoy some freetime for the rest of the afternoon. We'll remain in port overnight.

We’ll spend the morning cruising on the Saar and Moselle Rivers towards Trier. We’ll arrive at the end of the morning. Optional excursions:

- CLASSIC: A guided tour of Trier. Discover the Roman vestiges and heritagein Trier, the splendid view the city offers of the Moselle, and its magnificent landscape. Trier is known for its well-preserved Roman and medieval buildings, but it is also home to some impressive churches as well. We’ll have a look atthe amphitheater, the imperial baths, the Roman basilica, and the Porta Nigra, one of the best-preserved Roman city gates.

- DISCOVERY: Treetop Walk Saarschleife. See the Saarschleife from a different angle. We will leave by coach for Mettlach. When we arrive, take a hike through the treetop walk and discover the beauty of the surroundings from 137 feetabove (42 m.). See the longest river bend in Germany from this breathtaking observation point.

We'll return on board the ship and cruise to Cochem overnight.

We’llspend the morning cruising the Moselle River to Cochem. Sit back and watch thescenery roll by as we cruise through deep valleys and past lively cities andpicturesque villages. We’ll arrive in Cochem in the early afternoon. Strollingthrough Cochem is an undeniable pleasure. Its historic streets, small squares,and superb houses with colorful facades line the banks of the Moselle.

Optionalexcursions:

- CLASSIC: Guided tour of Reichsburg Castle. You’ll be transferred toReichsburg Castle on a mini-bus. The Imperial Castle sits on a mighty crag overthe Moselle River. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this magnificent building thatdates back to the year 1000. After being destroyed by the French in the 17thcentury, it was rebuilt from scratch in a Neo-Gothic style by a local Germanbusinessman. After a visit to the castle, enjoy some free time in the city.Take a stroll through the narrow, winding streets and enjoy the ambiance fullof lovely half-timbered homes with slate roofs and the historic square near thetown hall.

- DISCOVERY: Panoramic urban hike through Cochem. Walk along the Moselle Riverbefore crossing the bridge to stroll on the small, picturesque streets linedwith half-timbered homes in the old part of town. Here, you'll run across SaintMartin's Church, the Kapuzinerkloster—a former Capuchin monastery—and themarketplace. Next, you'll leave the city limits and arrive in the natural calmof the forest by following a footpath leading to the castle with a magnificentview of Cochem and the river below. As you return down the hill to the uppercity, you'll hike through Am Tummelchen, which has a great view of the castle.

Enjoy afree evening. We'll remain in port overnight.

We'll spend the morning cruising to Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. We'll glide by idyllic scenes contrasting cities and countryside. We'll arrive at the beginning of the afternoon.

Optional CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: A guided tour of Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Located at the crossroads of the Rhine and Moselle regions and surrounded by several mountain peaks, Koblenz is a rich mosaic of culture and history. We’ll take the funicular railway up the hill to visit the historic castle, where we'll have a magnificent view across the city and valleys. You’ll immediately understand the strategic importance of this fortress throughout history, as the lands stretch as far as the eye can see. Enjoy a free evening. We'll remain in port overnight.

Thism orning, we’ll pass through the beautiful and romantic Rhine Valley. Majestic castles, mysterious ruins, and famous vineyards dot the countryside known for its legendary German royalty and fabled Lorelei Rock. We’ll arrive in Rüdesheimin the early afternoon. Optional excursions:

- CLASSIC: Tourist train, wine tasting, and Siegfried’s Mechanical MusicCabinet in Rüdesheim. First, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the local vineyards on a tourist train. Then, we’ll participate in a wine tasting in the historic rooms of the Bassenheimer Hof. Afterwards, we’ll head to Siegfried's MechanicalMusic Cabinet Museum, located in a lovely, 15th-century building. This museum holds a collection of fascinating musical instruments ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion.

- DISCOVERY: Hike through the vineyards in Rüdesheim. You'll walk to the center of Rüdesheim to take a charming gondola lift to the imposing Niederwald Monument. From there, you’ll have a great view of the small city, the vineyards, and the Rhine. You'll continue hiking through the vineyards to the Abbey of St. Hildegard, built in the early 20th century. You’ll be free to visit the abbey on your own and return to the ship on foot through the vineyards.

In the evening, the famous Drosselgasse with its numerous cafés, bars, and music awaits you.

Our ship will cruise towards Heidelberg overnight.

We’ll arrive in Heidelberg during the morning. Optional CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: Heidelberg. We'll set out for Heidelberg, the heart of German Romanticism, by coach. Meeting up with our tour guides at Heidelberg Castle, we'll learn about the history of these magnificent, pink-sandstone ruins. The castle has a history that is almost as old as the city itself. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, enjoy the amazing view of Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the valley. On a clear day, you can see forever...or at least to Mannheim. Also enjoy a stroll through the castle gardens, once considered a masterpiece of their time. Our guides will then bring you to the older section of the city to see the fascinating Church of the Holy Spirit, which has changed denominations more than ten times throughout its history.

We’ll return on board and begin cruising to Eberbach. Once we arrive, enjoy a walk through this charming medieval city overflowing with half-timbered homes, ancient fountains, and impressive strongholds.

Tonight is our festive gala evening. We'll remain in port overnight.

Enjoybreakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Possible transfer by coach to Strasbourg.(2)