Rhine & Moselle Discovery

Discover Roman Trier. Taste Moselle Rieslings. Enjoy scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO Site, passing iconic Lorelei Rock. Stroll through quaint Mainz and see an original Gutenberg Bible in the Gutenberg Museum. Visit Speyer and its landmark cathedral, the burial place of eight emperors. Explore Strasbourg, the cultural center of Frances Alsace region. Vineyard-flanked slopes and historic cities make this 8-day journey irresistible.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Trier, Germany

Arrive in Trier today and transfer to your ship. One of Germanys most treasured cities for its rich history, Trier was once the regional capital of the Holy Roman Empire. After Emperor Constantine the Great had a vision of Christ, he and his mother Helena built great churches and cathedrals here. A few still stand, the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral of Trier among them. The 20,000-seat amphitheater, the Roman Bridge and the massive Porta Nigra, the ancient city gate, are further relics of that time. Today, Trier is a picturesque town surrounded by forests and vineyards, known also as a vibrant university town.

Day 2: 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, Trier Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady. Lunch is served on board 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.

Day 3: 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.

Day 4: 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.

Day 5: 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.

Day 6: 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.

Day 7: 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.

Day 8: 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