Start your 14-day European vacation in Paris before taking a high-speed TGV train to Luxembourg, where you board your ship. Visit Trier, the oldest city in Germany, and continue through the meandering Mosel River Valley, its steep hillsides covered with vineyards. Visit the German villages of Bernkastel and Cochem and experience the dramatic scenery of the Rhine River Gorge, dotted with picturesque fortresses and castle ruins. Along the Main River, stop at medieval towns seemingly untouched by time before cruising through the Main-Danube Canal to historic Nuremberg. Conclude with two nights in beautiful Prague.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Paris and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure.
Day 2: Exploring Paris, France
1 Breakfast
Enjoy Paris' famous sights during this morning's guided tour. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, see the spectacular Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, Paris Opéra, Madeleine church, Champs d'Elysées and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. In the evening there is an optional “Parisian Cabaret Dinner Show,” one of the most popular attractions the city offers.
Day 3: Free day in Paris, France
1 Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day to explore the amazing "City of Lights," where romance fills the air. Stroll along the boutique- and cafe-lined Champs Elysées, or venture to the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the World's Fair of 1889.There are two optional tours to choose from as well, “Seine Cruise & Eiffel Tower” and "Montmartre & Illuminations.”
Bid au revoir to Paris as you board your TGV high-speed train to Metz, then transfer to Luxembourg, one of Europe’s last independent duchies. Join a guided walking tour of Luxembourg and stop at the American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting place of Gen. George Patton, before boarding the ship. Tonight gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. The ship departs very late tonight for Germany.
After breakfast, a guided walking tour of Trier, Germany’s oldest city introduces you to its rich Roman past. See the Roman Baths, Trier Cathedral, Basilica of Constantine and the Porta Nigra gate that dates back to 180 A.D. Continue on to Bernkastel, strategically located in the middle of the Mosel wine-producing region, an area that has been cultivating wine for over 500 years. A guided walking tour through the old town center this afternoon takes you past many medieval and Renaissance buildings. Also enjoy a winery visit to sample several different regional vintages. The ship departs later this evening and cruises overnight.
Today, the ship makes a brief stop in Alken, where you have a choice of two excursions – Cochem or Koblenz. In Cochem, take a guided tour of the spectacular hilltop Reichsburg Castle, which offers fascinating views of the river valley. Alternatively, travel to Koblenz, a historic wine-growing town, where you can see the Four Towers, the Church of Our Lady, and hear the story behind the Schängel Fountain and City Hall. Return to the ship for a scenic afternoon cruise along the most beautiful part of the Rhine, with ruined castles and fortresses and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rüdesheim this evening and visit the Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum after dinner. The ship moors overnight in in Rüdesheim.
The ship departs Rüdesheim this morning and cruises to beautiful Mainz, arriving after lunch. Your guided walking tour includes a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, home to two copies of the world’s first printed Bible and centuries-old manuscripts and printing presses. Alternatively, travel by motor coach to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town. Visit the red-walled castle and see its Great Vat (a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask), and also enjoy gorgeous views of the Neckar Valley and city below. Later this afternoon, the ship departs Mainz and cruises overnight to Wertheim.
This afternoon your ship arrives in Wertheim, where you can join a guided walking tour and spend free time to explore on your own. Reboard the ship this evening and cruise overnight to Wurzburg.
This morning, take a guided tour of Würzburg, showing you all of the major sights, or visit the Residenz Palace and gardens, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s best examples of Baroque architecture. This afternoon, take an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg for a walking tour and free time to explore on your own. A famous shop dedicated solely to Christmas is located here, offering handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and other seasonal wares. The ship cruises to Kitzingen, arriving this evening. The local Aulic Council and Wine Queen escort you to Germany’s oldest wine cellar to sample regional wines. Later tonight, the ship sails to Bamberg.
After arriving this afternoon in enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, take a guided walking tour of this medieval gem. Admire the town’s breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and the serpentine streets lined with lovely houses and 18th-century mansions. Also sample some of Bamberg’s famous smoked beer. This evening, your ship cruises to Nuremberg.
Day 11: Nuremberg, Germany / Prague, Czech Republic - Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, leave the ship and take a guided tour of historic Nuremberg. See Gothic churches, the zeppelin field where Hitler held his infamous Nazi Party Rallies, and the Justice Palace courtroom where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. You also have some free time on your own before transferring to Prague.
Day 12: Exploring Prague, Czech Republic
1 Breakfast
This morning's sightseeing tour certainly demonstrates why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000 year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before crossing the famous Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The day is yours to spend as you wish. This evening, an optional “Folklore Dinner Show” provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and traditions
Day 13: Depart Prague / Return Home
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Prague and transfer to the airport for flights home.
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Category E
Piano Deck, 170 square feet, cozy sitting area, fixed window and private bath.
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Category D
Piano Deck, 170 square feet, cozy sitting area, fixed window and private bathroom.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.