12 DAYS PARIS TO SWISS ALPS - RIVER CRUISING

Explore Paris & sail the Rhine - Paris to Zürich

Pay your respects at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Discover ancient Roman Trier. Taste exquisite Moselle Rieslings and visit the wine town of Bernkastel-Kues. Catch breathtaking views of the Rhine from the vantage point of Lorelei Rock. Visit Heidelberg, reknowned for its university, and Worms, site of a dramatic Protestant Reformation event. Vineyard-flanked slopes and historic cities, along with hotel stays in Paris and Zürich, make this 12-day cruisetour irresistible.

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River-Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 — Paris, France

Arrive in Paris, the romantic capital of France. Transfer from the Charles de Gaulle airport to your hotel for a 2-night stay.* After check-in, enjoy free time to explore this exciting city, or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and get oriented.

Day 2 — Paris, France

Today’s tour begins with a drive along the Seine River, past the city’s glorious landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the world-famous Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. You will also drive along the Champs-Élysées past the Arc de Triomphe. The remainder of the day is yours to experience more of this timeless city: visit a museum or explore Montmartre. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. (B)

Day 3 — Luxembourg City and Trier, Germany

Today, transfer to Trier, Germany. En route, see the city of Luxembourg on a guided tour and visit the Luxembourg American Cemetery to pay homage to the many Americans who lost their lives during the WWII Battle of the Bulge. Continue on to Trier and embark your ship. Dinner is served aboard. (B, D)

Day 4 — Trier, Germany

Enjoy a morning tour of Trier, Germany’s oldest city, set on the banks of the Moselle River. See the wonderfully preserved Roman Porta Nigra, Trier Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady. Lunch is served aboard as we depart. Enjoy scenic cruising along the Moselle this afternoon. We dock in Bernkastel around dinnertime. After your evening meal you can take a walk through the town’s cobblestone streets, or join an optional wine-tasting excursion in this famous wine region. (B, L, D)

Day 5 — Cochem, Germany

Disembark in the quaint town of Cochem for a tour of this stunning medieval town and its millennium-old Reichsburg Castle perched on a hill. You will also visit the scenic Moselle wine country, where some of the finest Rieslings in the world are produced along terraced slopes. During your tour, you will delve into a wine-making history that dates back nearly 2,000 years to Roman times. Stop at a local winery for a tour and tasting before returning to your ship for Moselle cruising this afternoon. (B, L, D)

Day 6 — Sankt Goar, Germany

As you pass through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stop in Sankt Goar. The sleepy town is overlooked by the famous 13th-century ruins of Rheinfels Castle, the largest castle on the Rhine. From here, you will ascend to the top of riverside Lorelei Rock, named for the fabled figure who once lured sailors to her shores with her siren song. Enjoy splendid views of the river and valley from its heights. This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising along the Middle Rhine. (B, L, D)

Day 7 — Mainz, Germany

Arrive in Mainz today in the heart of the Rhine wine region. Visit one of the Upper Rhine’s most dramatic cathedrals here, Mainz Cathedral with its six towers reaching to the heavens. You will also browse the Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to the inventor of movable type and book printing. The collection includes many beautiful books and fascinating printing technologies, including a replica of Gutenberg’s workshop. (B, L, D)

Day 8 — Speyer, Germany

Explore the quiet German town of Speyer, on the west bank of the Rhine. Visit its stunning Romanesque imperial cathedral, considered a pivotal structure in the evolution of European architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the burial place of eight emperors including some of the most famous Holy Roman Emperors. Stroll Speyer’s charming, shop-lined main street and see the impressive clock tower of its Altpörtel, the Old Town Gate. (B, L, D)

Day 9 — Strasbourg, France

Visit Strasbourg today, the cultural center of France’s Alsace region. Thanks to its location at the border of France and Germany, it boasts a convivial mix of cultural influences. See its well preserved Old Town, or Petit France, enclosed on all sides by the little Ill River. Stroll the cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and intersected by picturesque canals, pausing to visit the cathedral. Indulging in Alsatian café culture is central to any visit here. You might join an excursion to sample Alsatian wine. (B, L, D)

Day 10 — Basel and Zürich, Switzerland

Disembark in Basel, a fascinating blend of modern and traditional with a thriving arts scene. Get acquainted with its Market Square of guild houses and Gothic, Renaissance and baroque splendor. Then continue by coach to Zürich, beautifully set on its namesake lake. The nation’s largest city, it is often cited as one of Europe’s most livable places. (B)

Day 11 — Zürich, Switzerland

Discover Zürich during a city walk and lake cruise. As you explore, the distant snowcapped Alps tower across the lake and cast their reflection in the glassy waters. You will see the twin-spired Grossmünster church, founded by Charlemagne, with its stained-glass windows by Augusto Giacometti. Across the Limatt River, admire the Fraumünster, with its distinctive green spire. Marc Chagall created five windows of the abbey’s choir. After your walk, embark a boat for a scenic tour on Lake Zürich. (B)

Day 12 — Zürich, Switzerland

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the Zürich airport for your return flight. (B)

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The following meals are included: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner