Rhine & Moselle Splendors (Wine Cruise) (Luxembourg to Basel)

EMBARKATION – LUXEMBOURG CITY, LUXEMBOURG. Board the ship for your Rhine & Moselle Splendors Wine cruise.

WASSERBILLIG. Enjoy a guided tour of Trier, Germany’s oldest city, which has often been referred to as the second Rome. Be guided to the Roman Imperial Baths, the Porta Nigra and Emperor Constantine’s Throne Room. Or join a tasting of Luxembourg’s famed wines. Alternatively, cycle through Trier and past its incredible sites.

COCHEM – KOBLENZ. History comes to life in Cochem with its half-timbered houses and Reichsburg Castle. Join a guided tour through the castle, and then walk through its Old Town. For those wishing to have a more active exploration of the area, you can go on a guided hike to the castle. Or pedal through Cochem and along the beautiful banks of the Moselle River, taking in the picturesque gabled houses bujlt on steep narrow alleys. Later in the day, sail along the Moselle, taking in the fascinating scenery before arriving in Koblenz where you’ll enjoy an evening walk through this charming town.

RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM. Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, and afterwards be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.

LUDWIGSHAFEN. 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. Alternatively, relive a bygone era on an excursion to the glorious Schwetzingen Palace and Gardens. Tour this splendid palace and wander through its 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. For those seeking a more active adventure, hike the historic Philosopher’s Path along the Neckar River or join a guided bike tour along the Neckar River to the medieval town of Ladenburg.

STRASBOURG, FRANCE. Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, has flavors of both France and Germany which you’ll get to discover. Enjoy a walking tour through the iconic “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. You’ll also see the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. After your walking tour, taste Alsatian wines – delightful on the palate and highly praised for their fragrant aromas. The active adventurer can join a guided Old Town bike tour, which also takes you through the Parc de l’Orangerie.

BREISACH, GERMANY – BASEL, SWITZERLAND. Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate, followed by a tasting of local wines. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” You’ll also enjoy a wine tasting following your Freiburg tour. As an active choice, go on a hike through the heart of the Kaiserstuhl, a volcanic region in the Rhine plain known for its unique landscapes, vineyards and exceptional biodiversity; or cycle through the scenic countryside.

BASEL – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home.