Christmas Wonderland River Cruise Dec 08

Day by Day Itinerary
 

Here's a lovely cruise through the heartlands of Holland and Germany, including time on the storied Rhine river and the beautiful Mosel.

You'll travel through beautiful scenery and visit lovely towns redolent with history on your Holland and Germany River Cruise.

Day 1 (Saturday 29 November 2008 - or sooner) :  Leave the US

You should leave the US today or earlier, so as to arrive in Trier on Sunday (or sooner) in time for the start of the Christmas Wonderland Cruise.

You might also prefer to fly to Frankfurt and take a train on to Trier, or to Luxemburg and take a taxi.

See below for the dates if you chose the Paris pre-cruise extension or skip down to the Sunday 30 Nov entry if you're not also doing the Paris extension.

Optional Pre-cruise extension to Paris Day 1 (Wednesday 26 November)  :  Leave the US

If you've chosen to enjoy the Paris extension prior to the start of the cruise, then you should fly to Paris today (or sooner).

Optional Pre-cruise extension to Paris Day 2 (Thursday 27 November)  :  Arrive in Paris - Thanksgiving Day

You'll arrive into Paris today (or sooner) and check into your hotel, the lovely Paris Hilton, where you'll stay for the next three nights.

Oh - and Happy Thanksgiving.  For sure, you're treating yourself to a vacation for which you'll be most thankful.

Optional Pre-cruise extension to Paris Day 3 (Friday 28 November)  :  Paris

After breakfast, enjoy Paris’ famous sights during this morning's guided tour.

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, pass the Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées and much more.

The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own.

Included meals :  Breakfast

Optional Pre-cruise extension to Paris Day 4 (Saturday 29 November)  :  Paris

A full day in the "City of Lights" is free for you to enjoy.

Stroll through the Jardin de Tuilleries and along the Seine, gaze at impressionist masterpieces at Musée D'Orsay, or visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair.

And, this evening, Paris at night sparkles with possibilities for every taste.

Included meals :  Breakfast

Optional Pre-cruise extension to Paris Day 5 (Sunday 30 November)  :  Travel via Luxemburg to Trier

This morning, drive through the French countryside of Champagne to Luxemburg, one of the last of the independent duchies which once made up western and central Europe.  In today’s international politics and banking, the Grand Duchy’s role still plays an important role.

There is free time for lunch and a guided city tour before continuing to Trier and boarding the ship. Explore the town’s Christmas markets before gathering on board for a Welcome Dinner.

Tonight meet your fellow passengers at the Captain's Cocktail Reception and Welcome Dinner.

Included meals :  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 2 (Sunday 30 November) :  Arrive in Trier, board the Amadagio

If you're not taking the pre-cruise extension in Paris, you should arrange to arrive into Trier today.

Perhaps spend some time exploring Trier - the oldest city in Germany.  And, for sure, visit the town’s Christmas markets before gathering on board for the Captain's Cocktail Reception and Welcome Dinner.

Included Meals :  Dinner

Day 3 (Monday 1 December) :  Trier, then cruising to Bernkastel

This morning, enjoy a tour of Trier, which has been the home to six Roman emperors.

After lunch, arrive in Bernkastel for a city tour. Situated in the heart of the Mosel wine region, this medieval village has been called the "international town of vine and wine."

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 (Tuesday 2 December) :  Cochem and Boppard

We've sailed overnight from Bernkastel, and changed from the Mosel to the Rhine rivers, arriving into Cochem this morning.

After breakfast, we'll have an excursion to Cochem, where a guided tour of the hilltop Reichsburg Castle offers stunning views of the river valley.

This afternoon, we cruise to the formerly free imperial city of Boppard at a point where the Rhine makes a big U-turn.  The evening is free for you to explore Boppard as you wish.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 (Wednesday 3 December) :  Mainz or Heidelberg - Frankfurt

You have two choices for your touring today.  Either disembark for a trip to Mainz or travel by motorcoach to Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town.

In Heidelberg you would visit the red-walled Castle, the Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask, and enjoy the beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. Then there is a walking tour of old Heidelberg and free time for lunch on your own before returning to Mainz.

If you choose the Mainz option, your guided walking tour of this beautiful town includes the famous Gutenberg Museum, home of the world's first printed bible.

In the afternoon, arrive in Frankfurt, the bustling metropolis on the Main River.  You'll have time to visit its Christmas Market if you wish, we stay in port until 1am.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 (Thursday 4 December) :  Koblenz - Cologne

We've reversed direction and have now sailed down the Rhine back to picturesque, Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine Rivers.

This morning's walking tour will take you through its cozy lanes and alleyways where you'll see the many cultural monuments and historical buildings.

After lunch, you’ll cruise on to Cologne where the evening is free to explore the Christmas markets. You will also be minutes away from Old Town, the perfect place to enjoy an after dinner Kölsch, Cologne’s local beer.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 (Friday 5 December) :  Cologne - Düsseldorf

This morning's tour of Cologne includes a visit to the fabled 13th-century Gothic cathedral.

During lunch, cruise on to Düsseldorf, where your afternoon tour will take you to Burgplatz with its Old Castle Tower, Markplatz and its Town Hall, and the sophisticated shopping on Kings Avenue.

The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore the Christmas markets, where you will find an assortment of unique children's toys, tinsel angels, dolls and gingerbread.

We cruise overnight to Amsterdam.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 (Saturday 6 December) :  Amsterdam

We arrive into Amsterdam at lunchtime.

This afternoon, enjoy a city tour followed by a guided cruise through the city's historic canals.

Your last evening is free to explore the 700 year-old European capital with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, restaurants, lively marketplace and exciting nightlife.

Perhaps, visit one of the city's renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 (Sunday 7 December) :  Cruise ends in Amsterdam

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your vacation any which way you choose.

Some of you will choose to fly today to Budapest to join the Christmas Markets tour along the Danube, and enjoy a $200 discount off this second cruise.

Included Meals: Breakfast