Paris to the Swiss Alps

Overview

Pay your respects at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Discover Roman Trier. Taste Moselle Rieslings and visit the wine town of Bernkastel-Kues. Enjoy scenic cruising past the town of Sankt Goar, home of the Lorelei Rock, and through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO Site. Visit fascinating Worms and the university town of Heidelberg. Vineyard-flanked slopes and historic cities, along with hotel stays in Paris and Zrich, make this 12-day cruisetour irresistible.

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

Todays tour begins with a drive along the Seine River, past the citys landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the world-famous Louvre and the Muse dOrsay. Ride along the Champs-lyses 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. (Breakfast)

Day 3 Reims, France & Trier, Germany

Today, stop in Reims for lunch and a visit to Reims Cathedral before continuing on to the Luxembourg American Cemetery to pay homage to the many Americans who lost their lives during the World War II Battle of the Bulge. Continue on to Trier and embark your ship. Dinner is served on board. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 Trier & Bernkastel, Germany

Enjoy a morning tour of Trier, Germanys oldest city, set on the banks of the Moselle River. See the wonderfully preserved Roman Porta Nigra gate, Trier Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady. Lunch is served on your ship 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 towns cobblestone streets, or join an optional wine-tasting excursion in this famous wine region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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. Visit the scenic Moselle wine country, where some of the finest Rieslings in the world are produced along terraced slopes. During your tour, 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Koblenz, Germany

Sail along the Middle Rhine today and enjoy scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore historic Koblenz and stroll through the romantic town as you witness where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet. Pass the sleepy town of Sankt Goar, home to Rhinefels Castle, the largest fortress on the Rhine, and see Lorelei Rock, named after the fabled figure who once lured sailors to her shores. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Mainz, Germany

Arrive in Mainz today in the heart of the Rhine wine region. Visit one of the Upper Rhines most dramatic cathedrals here: Mainz Cathedral, with its six towers reaching toward the heavens. 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 Gutenbergs workshop. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

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 Speyers charming, shop-lined main street and see the impressive clock tower of its Altprtel, the Old Town Gate. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Strasbourg, France

Visit Strasbourg today, the cultural center of Frances 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 Petite 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 caf culture is central to any visit here. You might join an excursion to sample Alsatian wine. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 Zrich & Basel, 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 Zrich, beautifully set on its namesake lake. The nations largest city, it is often cited as one of Europes most livable places. (Breakfast)

Day 11 Zrich, Switzerland

Discover Zrich 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. See the twin-spired Grossmnster church, founded by Charlemagne, with its stained-glass windows by Augusto Giacometti. Across the Limatt River, admire the Fraumnster, with its distinctive green spire. Marc Chagall created five windows of the abbeys choir. After your walk, embark a boat for a scenic tour on Lake Zrich. (Breakfast)

Lake cruise is available April 7October 20, 2019.

Day 12 Zrich, Switzerland

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