Excursions on the Rhine

In the afternoon, set off on the Grands Crus Wine Route, including Gevrey-Chambertin and the Clos de Vougeot, with a visit of the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot. As early as the 12th century, monks from the Citeaux abbey built winegrowing outbuildings in the middle of the vines. The main building strongly influenced by the Renaissance style was added in the 16th century. The Clos Vougeot remains the symbol of more than 1000 years of Burgundy history. The journey continues to a wine estate for a tasting* of Burgundy wines. Here you will discover a traditional vineyard, visit the cellars that hold barrels and bottles, then take part in a commented tasting of the famous wines from the region. Return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended for this excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

We’ll leave by coach to learn more about the seven varieties of grapes found in the region of Alsace. As we travel the wine route, we’ll pass through charming villages decorated with half-timbered homes, stone fountains, and antique wine presses. Our itinerary  includes Riquewihr, listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages; Ribeauvillé, the City of Fiddlers; and Kaysersberg, where Albert Schweitzer was born. Be on the lookout for white storks! They can be found perched on roofs in their large nests, floating across the sky, or walking in fields. We’ll stop at a local wine cellar for a tasting of Alsatian wines, especially the famous whites.* Lunch is included during the tour (except beverages). After lunch, we’ll set off to Colmar. You'll have a brief guided tour of the city's center, including historical sites such as the Unterlinden Museum, “Little Venice,” Saint Martin’s Church, the Pfister House, and the Koïfhus. Afterwards, enjoy some free time at the various Christmas markets.

We’ll return to the ship by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate and can change according to the order of visits.
• This coach tour includes stops with free time on your own.
• Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes.
• Lunch included, except for beverages.
• *Alcohol can be dangerous to your health. Please drink in moderation.

We’ll leave on foot for a tour of Speyer. Located on the left bank of the Rhine River, Speyer’s Romanesque cathedral can be spotted from miles away.  Enjoy a visit of the cathedral’s interior with your tour guide. In 1981, UNESCO accepted the cathedral on its list of World Heritage Sites. Begun in the 1020s, its expansion continued well into the 11th century. The Cathedral was the burial place of the German emperors for almost 300 years. Speyer itself was the seat of the Holy Roman Empire’s high court from 1527 to 1689. The cathedral was built using lovely red sandstone taken from quarries near the Palatinate Forest. Your next stop will be the Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Church), a late Baroque-style, Protestant church. We’ll then head to the old Jewish courtyard to visit the Mikveh, a bath used for ritual washing. It is decorated with rich Romanesque ornamentation that was painted in the Middle Ages. It is the oldest bath of this type in Germany. After our tour, enjoy some free time before returning at your own pace to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We’ll leave by coach for Colmar. You'll have a brief guided tour of the city's center, including historical sites such as the Unterlinden Museum, “Little Venice,” Saint Martin’s Church, the Pfister House, and the Koïfhus. After, we’ll continue along the Alsatian Wine Route. Lunch is included during the tour (except beverages). We’ll stop in Obernai, known as the “condensed version of Alsace.”  The belfry, town hall, the Six Bucket Well, Saint Odile’s fountain, and the Wheat Hall are all spectacular sites to visit.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate and can change according to the order of visits.
• This coach tour includes stops with free time on your own.
• Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes.
• Lunch included, except for beverages.
• *Alcohol can be dangerous to your health. Please drink in moderation.
• INCLUDED in SBS cruise.

Departure from the boat for a panoramic coach tour of the city of Trier. Discover the Roman cultural heritage of Trier with a splendid view over the Moselle and its magnificent countryside. Trier is the oldest of German cities, founded so long ago that it is 13 years older than Rome. And Trier's age is not its only claim to glory. It is known above all for having been one of the seats of power of the Holy Roman Empire, one of the great centers of Early Christianity as well as a dynamic medieval town. Of these three periods, the city has retained some precious architectural marks. The tour continues on foot. We'll discover (exteriors ony) the Amphitheater, the tenth biggest in all of the Roman Empire which could hold up to 30,000 spectators. We'll move on to the Imperial Baths which were sumptuously arranged inside: marble on the walls, floors, mosaics, frescoes on the walls, statues. The thermae buildings form a rectangle 140m x 250 m. Continuation to the Basilica of Constantine. Since its construction in about 310, the basilica has never been out of use. From the very start, the edifice was an imposing one - 67 m long, 27 m wide and 30 m high. Over time, numerous buildings have been added. Finally, we'll discover the famous Porta Nigra which was designed as a gate as well as a monument. Even Rome today does not have an ancient building of this size in such a state of conservation. Afterwards, we'll walk round the city center, marked by the Middle Ages thanks to St Peter's Cathedral in particular (exteriors only). Its oldest parts date from 326, but the general layout of the church was considerably altered in the 10th century. You'll also be able to enjoy the atmosphere on the Hauptmarkt - the Main Market square. Highly Baroque and located in the heart of the city center, its mixture of styles will enchant you. Old timber-framed houses mingle with classical pastel-colored houses, decorated with white stucco. At the end of your guided tour, you will have some free time to stroll around the town at your own pace. Return to the boat by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Comfortable shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Transfer to Cochem castle by minibus in groups of about 25 passengers. The Reichsburg is built on a remarkable site, a steep vine-covered hill overlooking the Moselle. Guided tour of this magnificent castle dating from the year 1000, which was destroyed by French troops in the 17th century and entirely rebuilt according to old plans in a Neo-Gothic style. It is distinguished by its graceful towers topped with bell turrets. It is one of the few castles in Germany which, having been rebuilt after being destroyed, still has its original countenance today. After visiting the castle, you will have some free time in the town. The town of Cochem is interesting in itself, with its narrow winding streets, its carefully restored half-timbered houses with their slate roofs, the Town Hall square with its history-filled past, as well as ancient walls, gates and churches. Return to the boat on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• Return to the boat on foot.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave by coach from Mannheim to Heidelberg. Its unique charm comes from the harmonious combination of romanticism, dynamism, legend and modernity. We'll take a guided tour of the outsides of the Heidelberg Castle on foot. It is partially in ruins, and as such has inspired generations of painters and poets ever since the 18th century. They perceived the damaged castle as a testimony to the grandeur and decadence of human creations. Goethe, Hölderlin, Uhland and Eichendorff celebrated the landscape surrounding the castle while many others took it as a model itself. Don't miss the geometric terraces of the Palatinate gardens, once considered the "8th world wonder”. The gardens' architect, Salomon de Caus, wanted to recreate the harmony with which city, river and hills all around intertwined. After this guided tour, you will take the coach down into the Neckarmünzplatz in the old historic city center for a guided tour on foot. You will admire the Saint-Esprit Church (exterior view) and will have some free time for shopping before taking the coach back to the boat. On the way back you will go through the city center of Mannheim, where you will find the boat.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll depart on foot for a walk along the Moselle before crossing the bridge leading to the old town of Cochem. You'll get to admire the picturesque streets lined with half-timbered houses, St Martin's Church, the Capuchin Monastery and Church and the marketplace. Our path will then lead us outside the town through a wild natural reserve all the way to Cochem Castle (Reichsburg) which overlooks the whole town. From there, we'll encounter gorgeous views over Cochem and the Moselle. We'll pass by the "Tummelchen" area, offering a view on the castle, before returning to our ship via the upper part of town. 

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, Koblenz offers visitors a rich collection of cultural monuments and historic buildings. Ludwig van Beethoven's mother was born in the city, and Mozart’s family once sojourned here on a trip from Paris to London. 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 strategical importance of this fortress throughout history as the land stretches as far as the eye can see. Afterwards, enjoy some free time at the Christmas market, where the yuletide tradition has taken place for centuries. The romantic holiday market runs from the old city to the famous Deutsches Eck. Explore the city on your own before returning to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

You will set off on foot from accompanied by your guides and visit the town of Mainz. Capital of the Rhine Palatinate, Mainz was founded more than 2000 years ago by the Romans. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the top architects and sculptors created the basic shape of the town, with fine palaces and churches. Here you can admire the magnificent historic houses which have been outstandingly well-restored. Located on the banks of the Rhine opposite the confluence of the Rhine with the Main, Mainz will captivate you with its quite incomparable lifestyle, its unique charm and its openness to the world. In the company of your guide, you will be able to enter the magnificent Cathedral, whose construction began in 975 and which has left a deep mark on the history of the town. The interior of the cathedral houses some wonderful historic treasures, including tombs and funerary monuments from the 13th to the 18th centuries. You will also have the opportunity to wander up and down the colorful streets in the old town. Finally you will visit the Gutenberg Museum, the world's finest museum for printing equipment, materials and books. Born in Mainz around 1400, Johannes Gensfleisch Gutenberg himself prepared the copy of the Bible referred to as "the 42-line Bible” which was published in 1455 - the oldest printed book in the world. Out of the 46 copies still in existence, the museum has just one, along with a "Mainz Psalter”, the first ever document printed using three different colors of ink. The museum extends over five floors and provides a quite remarkable exhibition on the history of the book and written word in both Europe and the world as a whole. Return on board on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended: visit entirely on foot; streets are cobblestoned in the old town.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.