Rhine in Flames

Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age as a result of its innovative developments in trade. Today, the city has one of the largest historic centers in Europe, with about 7,500 registered historic buildings. The street pattern is largely unchanged since the 19th century. The center consists of 90 islands, linked by 1.300 bridges. On the city tour through the Dutch metropolis, you will see the Maritime Museum, numerous canals and the Museum Quarter. As there is no better way to see the city than cruising on the water, the tour will end by a canal cruise boat trip.

Take a drive through the Dutch Polder landscape to the old fishing village of Volendam, built on the shore of the former Zuiderzee. The Volendam houses are built very close together, forming the typical neighborhoods of Volendam. Take a stroll through the old village and see people still dressed in traditional costumes.

Board your coach and drive out of Volendam and into the countryside to visit a local cheese farm. Here, you will learn how Dutch cheese is made and sample the local product. On your way back to your ship, you will enjoy a short walk through the quaint village of Edam, famous for its cheese. Given its narrow streets, continue through the village on foot and see the Carillon tower, once part of a church that was destroyed in the 19th century. Walk to the cheese weighing house and the Dam with its 18th century town hall.

The cathedral city dates back over 2,000 years and is full of history, the traces of which can be seen everywhere in the Rhine region. During the walking tour, explore the area around the cathedral all the way to the old town. As you travel through the narrow, cobbled streets, and the lively squares such as the Alter Markt or the Heumarkt, you will get a feel for life in Cologne from yesterday and today. Since its completion in 1880, the Cologne Cathedral with its two 515ft high towers has been the city's landmark, as well as the most famous architectural monument and most frequently visited sight in Germany. As your excursion concludes, we invite you to enjoy a glass of typical Kölsch (beer), which is the number one beer in Cologne and large parts of the Rhineland.

Please note: The visit of the Cologne Cathedral depends on the opening hours, Holy Masses, etc.).

From Cologne travel by coach southward to the picturesque wine town Königswinter. From there, head towards Germany’s first nature reserve, called Siebengebirge (Seven Mountains). On the top of this summit you will find the Hotel “Petersberg” where many important political discussions, such as the Afghanistan conference in 2001, took place. You can reach the summit with Germany’s oldest rack railway or on foot, where you can explore the remains of Castle “Drachenfels” (Dragon Rock) and enjoy the wonderful views into the valley “Rheintal”.In the 19th century a bizarre museum was built about halfway up the Drachenfels, where, besides other expeditions, the history of the Nibelungen is presented.

Discover one of the most pedestrian-friendly and oldest towns in Germany, with over 2,000 years of history. On our guided walk through the romantic streets between the St. Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of our Beloved Lady) you will discover the most important sights of Koblenz and the town’s landmark, the Schängel Fountain at the town hall. This tour would not be complete without a visit to the Memorial of Emperor Wilhelm at the famous German Corner where the rivers Rhine and Moselle meet. See the cable car that hovers over the Rhine, built as an attraction and ecologically friendly traffic facility for the Federal Horticultural Show in 2011. This is Germany’s first 3-rope cable car with a transport capacity of 7600 people per hour.

After a short walk through Koblenz, discover Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, situated high above the Rhine. The bottom station of the cable car, which was built especially for the International Garden Show, gives you the most fantastic view s over Koblenz and the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The fortress dates back to 1,000 AD and evolved to its present form between 1817 and 1828. Today, in addition to the Koblenz State Museum with its diverse exhibitions (e.g. on the history of technology and archaeology of the state, fortress history with over 20 exciting stations, multimedia productions and much more), the fortress also houses the Army Memorial and the Koblenz Youth Hostel.

The unique Winzerexpress train takes you from the dock of the ship to the "Siegfried Mechanical Music Cabinet" for a musical adventure with historical self-playing instruments. Continue your guided tour with a walk through the picturesque town. Explore the heart of the old town of Rüdesheim - the Drosselgasse - where wine houses and garden taverns invite you to linger. Immerse yourself in the history of the city and visit the Eagle Tower, a part of the city wall, and the fortifications from the 15th century.

Enjoy an unforgettable tram ride on the "Winzerexpress" and discover the beauty of the Rhine Valley. Visit a typical winery and taste different wines of the region. Afterwards, stroll along the famous 'Drosselgasse', which is a narrow cobblestone street, first mentioned in the 15^th century as an alley used by the Rhine boatmen to reach their homes. Here you can still find numerous half-timbered wine houses, restaurants and shops. Immerse yourself in the history of the village before returning to the ship. 

A comfortable coach will take you to Heidelberg, the world famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads also into the castle garden. From the Grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late-gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall.

Speyer, the time-honored imperial city on the Rhine, looks back on a rich and eventful past. Historic testimonies of ecclesiastical architecture, impressive facades of different building epochs, winding alleys and romantic squares characterize the face of the city today.

During the city tour enjoy a short guided tour of the Romanesque Imperial cathedral with its striking twin-towered portal, and visit to the beautiful baroque Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate of Speyer and a visit to the medieval Judenhof, one of the most important Jewish medieval sites in Germany. The Jewish community had a storied history in Speyer reaching back over 1,000 years. View the remains of the Jewish courtyard, which was the central area of the Jewish quarter and consisted of the synagogues, and a ritual bath (Mikveh).

Please note: The visit of the Cathedral depends on the opening hours, Holy Masses, etc.).

Enjoy a discovery tour through the beautiful city of Strasbourg. After a short coach trip through the city, the tour continues with a walk through the lovely, historic old part of the town and includes a visit to the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster (not possible on Sundays and public holidays, sometimes with security check). During a boat cruise on the river, discover the famous quarter, “Petite France”. This former mill and tanner district still maintains its medieval charm. Some of the beautiful, half-timbered houses on the banks of the river Ill are up to 500 years old. You will enjoy Strasbourg’s half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, the Council of Europe and all the other wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you.

Depart Strasburg and travel overland to the jewel of the German Black Forest, Freiburg, which offers the perfect combination of city experience and nature, as well as culinary delights. Freiburg was founded in 1120 as a ‘free market’ by the dukes of Zähringen hence the name. Frieburg was passed through many hands, the Habsburgs, the Swedes, the Bavarians and the French, and finaly returned to the ruling house of Baden in 1806. During the excursion, experience the centuries of Freiburg's history along with the famous 'Freiburger Bächle', or open stream system which has been flowing along the streets with crystal clear water since the middle ages. Walk through secluded alleys, across beautiful squares, past historic facades to the impressive Freiburg Cathedral, with it's beautiful 380 foot tower and one of the city's landmarks. Finally, experience the traditional Freiburg Minster Market where a wide selection of local products will tantalize the senses.