11 days -September 30 -October 10, 2009
$2995 ppdo Includes Air from LAX
Day 1: DEPART U.S.A. Your journey to the heart of Europe starts with an overnight flight from LAX or other gateway airport.
Day 2: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND. Afternoon arrival in Zurich, Switzerland. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Swiss specialtiesat the city’s famous 500-year-old Zeughaukeller Restaurant. (D) MARRIOTT COURTYARDHOTEL
Day 3: ZURICH. Zurich, situated on a lake, is Switzerland’s largest city, but with all its bustling activity it is still one of the handsomest of Swiss towns, with carefully cherished traditions. Full day at leisure, or take an optional day tour to scenic, alpine LUCERNE. After sightseeing there, enjoy a folklore luncheon with yodeling, singing, Alphorn-blowing, & flag throwing. (B)
Day 4: ZURICH-BASEL Morning is free to explore historic Old Town or vibrant Bahnhofstrasse, lined with elegant shops, banks, and restaurants. In the afternoon, transfer to Basel, Switzerland’s second largest city on the Rhine at the crossroads of France and Germany. Board your floating deluxe “hotel,” the mv Heidelberg. Settle into your spacious stateroom and lavish in the 5-star amenities of award-winning Peter Deilmann Cruises. Overnight in Basel. (B, D)
mv Heidelberg
Day 5: BREISACH, GERMANY. Depart Basel at 7 a.m. and cruise north. Following lunch, arrive in BREISACH and take a guided city walk with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, built from the 12 to
15th centuries. Then stroll over to the Fisherman Slope and up to the historical Rhine Gate. Learn about Breisach at the city’s history museum. (B,L,D)
Day 6: STRASBOURG, FRANCE. 2 a.m.-midnight. Visit the Alsatian historic district known as “Petite France.” Here, the lovely narrow streets are lined with well preserved timbered buildings. Strasbourg boasts an outstanding complex of monuments in a very compact area, which is characteristic of a medieval town. Later, visit the Gothic cathedral, and in the afternoon tour the Alsace region.(B,L,D)
Day 7: KARLSTADT, GERMANY 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Karlstadt is known as the antique district, and it offers many splendid shops. Explore the wonderful
18th-century Patrician’s Hall filled with galleries and boutiques on your city tour, and enjoy the many pubs and cafes. (B,L,D)
Day 8: RUDESHEIM-LORELEI-BRAUBACH, GERMANY. Visit the beautiful town of Rudesheim (7-11:30 a.m.) known for its excellent wines, and enjoy a guided walking tour. While cruising, pass the mighty slate rock LORELEI. Legend has it that a siren named Lorelei bewitched the hearts of sailors as they looked up to the rock. In charming BRAUBACH (3-10 p.m.), a walking tour includes a visit to medievalMarksburg Castle overlooking the Rhine. (B, L, D)
Day 9: COCHEM/KOBLENZ, GERMANY. Cochem is truly one of the prettiest towns of the Moselle Valley. Discover on a guided walking tour Cochem’s enchanting alleys with their charming, Moselle-Franconian, half-timbered houses, or sample wines at a local wine cellar. Arrive in KOBLENZ at 6 p.m.(B, L, D)
Day 10: KOBLENZ/COLOGNE, GERMANY. Enjoy magnificent views of Koblenz from the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress that is set at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers. Discover the beautiful Scallywag Fountain on Jesuit Square and the Romanesque Church of Our Lady. At 11 a.m., set sail and arrive in COLOGNEat 4 p.m.
The cathedral of Cologne, noted prominently on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a work of creative human genius, dominates the city and will be the highlight of your visit. Built in seven stages from 1280 to 1880, it is a masterpiece of early German architecture. Visit the Praetorium, once the administrative center for Roman prefects, and enjoy exploring wonderful Altstadt,old town. (B,L,D)
Day 11: COLOGNE/USA. Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S., arriving the same day. (B)
