Overview
Features
Itinerary
Overview (Return to top)
Begin in Holland's colorful capital, Amsterdam, with a canal boat tour past stately homes and 16th-century merchant houses. Then cruise to Cologne for guided sightseeing. Stop in Coblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, and continue up the Moselle to Trier. Enjoy a visit to Reichsburg Castle, towering high above Cochem, and a walking tour of Bernkastel. Sail past the famous Rock of the Lorelei through the dramatic Rhine Gorge to Rodesheim for a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and a chance to try the region's famous Riesling wines. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Worms and Strasbourg, as well as excursions to Heidelberg's red-walled castle of "Student Prince" fame and Germany's Black Forest before ending your cruise in Basel, Switzerland.
Priced from $3,295 plus air
Avalon Waterways
For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Fisher-Nickell Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-1370
Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402
Features (Return to top)
- Services of a professional Cruise Director
- Airport transfers for air-inclusive
- Sightseeing with local guides
- Breakfast daily, 13 lunches and 14 dinners with wine included
- Fourteen-night deluxe cruise from Amsterdam to Basel in outside staterooms
- Nightly piano music on board
- Service from an English-speaking staff
- On-board exercise room and a whirlpool
- Dining room with open seating and one sitting at mealtimes
- Coffee and tea available throughout the day
- The Sky Deck is fitted with shade systems which are lowered and guaranteed to be back in position immediately after passing under a bridge
- Internet services are available at an extra charge
- Non-smoking interior throughout the ship
Cabin amenities include: individual climate control, telephone, color TV, radio, mini-bar, safe, hair dryer, and modern bathroom with shower. Beds may be configured as twins or one queen. All rooms are non-smoking.
Itinerary (Return to top)
Day 1
U.S.-Amsterdam
Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam.
Day 2
Amsterdam, Holland
Welcome to Amsterdam! The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. This afternoon the crew of your vessel waits to welcome you on board. [D]
Day 3
Amsterdam
There is no better way to see the city than by Canal Boat. There is plenty of free time to explore on your own. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions on how to make the most of your stay. [B, L, D]
Day 4
Dordrecht-Rotterdam
Excursion to The Hague. Sitting on the Rhine, Dordrecht inspired many painters in the 17th and 18th centuries. Nearby is Kinderdijk with its windmills. Rotterdam is a bustling city that was leveled by German bombs in WWII, and now boasts the world's busiest port. The Hague is the political capital of The Netherlands and in recent years the city has attained importance as the seat of the International Court of Law. [B, L, D]
Day 5
Arnhem
One of the major tragedies of World War II was the Battle of Arnhem, featured vividly in the Airborne Museum Hartenstein and the inspiration for the movie A Bridge Too Far. [B, L, D]
Day 6
Cologne, Germany
Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany's largest cities. The Germano-Roman Museum, located next to the cathedral, is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, caf‚s and shops.
Day 7
Coblenz-Cochem
Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Coblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The entire Moselle Valley is famous for its beautiful and tranquil scenery. [B, L, D]
Day 8
Cochem
Reichsburg Castle, can be seen from afar and sits on the top of a conical hill covered in vines. While cruising the peaceful river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine growing region, most notably the Riesling grape. [B, L, D]
Day 9
Trier-Bernkastel
The venerable Episcopal city of Trier is the oldest in Germany. The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement. Trier's most famous son was the socialist revolutionary, Karl Marx. [B, L, D]
Day 10
Bernkastel
In the middle of the Moselle region is the village of Bernkastel with its well preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful Market Place. Wine growers in the area look after Germany's largest expanse of vineyards. [B, L, D]
Day 11
Rhine Gorge-Rodesheim-Mainz
The dramatic Rhine Gorge is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary Rock of Lorelei. In Rdesheim visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Situated on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany's largest and most important wine market. [B, L, D]
Day 12
Mainz-Worms
Mainz' charming Old Town is waiting to be explored. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and the Gutenberg Museum is well worth a visit. Worms, like Mainz and Speyer, was an imperial residence with a legendary past. [B, L, D]
Day 13
Worms-Excursion to Heidelberg
It was in Worms that the reformer martin Luther attended the Imperial Diet of Worms. Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university town. The ruins of the imposing red sandstone castle tower above the city. Of particular interest is the Giant Vat, an 18th -century wine cask holding 49,000 gallons!
Day 14
Strasbourg, France
Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. Noteworthy sights are the Gothic Cathedral, the La Petite France district, Place Kleber and Place Gutenberg. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available today. [B, L, D]
Day 15
Breisach, Germany
Excursion to the Black Forest. Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border, Breisach is a charming little medieval town. Breisach is the gateway to Germany's Black Forest Region, an area of unrivalled natural beauty. [B, L, D]
Day 16
Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation)
Homebound flights should not leave Zurich Airport before 10 a.m. [B]
