Vineyards of the Rhine & Mosel: Cruise Only

Arrive in charming Amsterdam. Your luxurious river cruise ship is moored near the city center. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Cocktail Reception. (D)

After breakfast, admire beautiful 17th-century homes, charming churches and 16th-century merchant houses on a guided canal boat tour. Enjoy an afternoon information briefing as you cruise towards Germany. 

Enjoy cruising to Cologne, home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Overstolzenhaus, and the Festival Hall. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine.

Cruise along the Rhine River and take in some of the dozens of castles that line its path before reaching Rüdesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, and afterward, be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee, and whipped cream.

Arrive in Mainz, located at the confluence of the Main and Rhine rivers. Join a walking tour of Mainz, home to many historic treasures, including one of Germany’s most important churches, the Romanesque cathedral and the Chagall stained-glass windows depicting scriptural scenes in stunning blue, which you will get to see. For a more active adventure, go on a guided bike tour through Mainz. Later in the day, cruise to Lahnstein through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles. Cap the day off with a visit to Lahneck Castle.

Spend the morning taking in the beauty of the Moselle on this scenic stretch of the river before reaching Cochem with its half-timbered houses and Reichsburg Castle. Join a guided tour through the castle and then walk through its Old Town. For those wishing to have a more active exploration of the area, you can go on a guided bike tour through Cochem. Or for a different adventure, tour one of Europe’s oldest working mustard mills where you will sample Cochem’s famous mustard.

Walkthrough Bernkastel's colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided tour that also includes a winery visit and tasting. Cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike tour along the Moselle and hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century. 

This morning, bid farewell to your cruise ship in and transfer to the airport for flights home