6 Day Classical Rhine Cruise - Lüftner Luxury river Cruises in Germany Europe

A voyage up “Old Father Rhine”, probably Europe’s most important waterway, from Amsterdam on the North Sea to Basel – gateway to the Swiss Alps. We travel through four of Europe’s most important countries (Holland,
Germany, France and Switzerland), see incomparable cities (Amsterdam, Cologne, Strasbourg, and Basle), and enjoy diverse landscapes such as the cruise across Holland’s Ijsselmeer and along the Lorelei stretch of the
Rhine with its wealth of mythological associations. The cruise on the Moselle seeing the steep vineyards on either side of it as far as Cochem is a special highlight of this voyage.

INCLUDED FEATURES

7-night cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom
superb dining with all meals included during your cruise
coffee and tea after lunch and dinner
quality red & white wines from Europe’s great wine regions with every dinner onboard the ship
welcome cocktail, Welcome Dinner & Captain’s Gala Dinner
daily onboard music performances by the on-board musicians
services of an experienced, multilingual cruise director
programs and features which are marked as “included” in the itinerary
especially selected music program ashore and on board
non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun-Deck)
port taxes and local taxes
the modern wireless audiosystem “Quietvox” for all excursions during the cruise

NOT INCLUDED

excursions (please ask for our excursion packages)
tips
insurances
personal expenses

CANCELLATION POLICY

121 days or more - 20%
120 - 90 days - 30%
89 - 60 days - 50%
59 - 30 days - 70%
29 - 0 days - 100%
Cancellations must be made in writing.

CLASSICAL RHINE
DAILY PROGRAM AMSTERDAM-BASEL

Day 1
You embark on the vessel in the late afternoon. Our tour manager will then welcome you with a cocktail before the welcome dinner on board. Later this evening you can enjoy a typical folklore group on board.The ship remains moored overnight in Amsterdam.

Day 2
After a substantial breakfast absorb Amsterdam’s most important sights on our Amsterdam sightseeing tour (€ 40), or get to know this interesting and lively city better in your own time and way. On the drive through the capital of the Netherlands you will see its most important buildings and monuments and you will get interesting background information. Also you can enjoy the most popular attraction of The Netherlands – a cruise through the canals of the city. the Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12 century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds. Today, the city has one of the largest historic centres in Europe, with about 7000 registered historic buildings. The ship leaves Amsterdam during lunch and crosses over the "Ijsselmeer" to the little fishing town of Volendam where it docks in the afternoon.
You can join an excursion throught the “Holland Waterland”(€ 35), with a visit of Volendam and Edam, that also includes a visit of a local cheese farm. Before dinner, the cruise continues to Germany.

Day 3
After lunch you will dock in Düsseldorf, the center of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region. Undeniably, this is a city of remarkable contrasts. Just minutes away from the super-chic boutiques of the spacious, tree-lined Königsallee, smoke-filled beer houses and tapas bars thrive in narrow old streets. And in the lush meadows along the Rhine, sheep graze within sight of the ultramodern office buildings of the "Hafen", the city’s recently redeveloped river port. After a short stop in Düsseldorf the cruise continues to Cologne. But you can also join a city tour that includes both cities, Düsseldorf and Cologne (€ 40). After visiting Düsseldorf, the tour takes you through the former settlement of Colonia (dating back 2,000 years), which was founded on the orders of the Roman Emperor Claudius. On the drive round you’ll see the most important sights of Cologne’s old quarter, in the centre of the city, including the cathedral, town hall, the Guerzenich, the city walls and gate, churches and
historic squares. From the bank of the Rhine you’ll enjoy a view of the whole of the old quarter, and then go into the cathedral, Germany’s largest and the city’s emblem. Its art treasures include a shrine with the relics of the Magi. The vessel stays in Cologne until midnight.

Day 4
Spend the morning enjoying the scenery along the Rhine. Arrive in Cochem after lunch and take a walking tour (€ 30) of this quaint village. See its medieval town gate and marketplace, then visit a winery and taste some local vintages. Return to your ship for dinner and an evening departure.

Day 5
Wake up in Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. A walking tour (€ 15) shows you the highlights of the city. Situated in the picturesque landscape of the Rhine and Moselle and surrounded by four low mountain ranges is the 2000-year-old town. Its abundance of cultural monuments and historic buildings, its cosy lanes and narrow alleyways, the relaxed and happy atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a friendly town where its guests feel right at home. This afternoon you sail through the glorious Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing charming villages, many castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Before dinner, the vessel arrives in the picturesque Rüdesheim, where you can spend a pleasant evening in the city’s Drosselgasse, a pedestrian-only street lined with shops and pubs. You may join a walking tour of the town (€ 20), with a visit to Siegfried’s Music Museum, where you can see all kinds of mechanical instruments from barrel organs and music boxes to horn gramophones. The ship sails from Ruedesheim in the late evening.

Day 6
In the morning the vessel is docked in Mannheim that is situated at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Neckar. The city is unusual among German cities in that its central area is laid out in a grid pattern (called Quadrate, squares), much like many North American cities. Accordingly, its nickname is Quadratestadt (German: for "town of the squares"). The main route through the squares leads to an enormous 18th-century palace. This former seat of the Electors of the Palatinate now houses the University of Mannheim. This morning you can choose between a city tour of Mannheim (€ 30) and an city tour of Heidelberg (€ 35). Heidelberg, home to Germany’s oldest university, was founded in 1386. A guided tour features imposing Heidelberg Castle,
a red sandstone ruin overlooking the Neckar River. Continue with a walking tour through the Old Town and marketplace. Return aboard for lunch and afternoon cruising to Speyer. In 2011, Speyer will simultaneously celebrate three anniversaries of extraordinary significance: (1) 950 years since the consecration of the Cathedral, (2) 900 years since the coronation of Emperor Henry V and (3) 900 years since the conveyance of certain rights to Speyer’s citizens, marking the first step in Speyer’s elevation into a Free Imperial City. The Diocese as well as the City of Speyer and the Historical Museum of the Palatinate will honor this threefold Salian Year 2011 with numerous events and a big exhibition, “The Salian Dynasty”. You can see the city during a guided city walk (€ 15), that also includes a visit of the cathedral. In the evening the vessel sails towards France. On the second-last evening of your Danube cruise, the captain will be delighted to welcome you to the Captain’s Gala Dinner. The ship’s indefatigable orchestra will make the final evening one to treasure, with tunes and rhythms to suite all tastes.

Day 7
After breakfast, take a guided tour (€ 35) of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and enjoy a guided visit inside the city’s famed cathedral. With its monumental cathedral featuring carvings as delicate as any piece of lacework, Strasbourg is one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Thanks to the richness and sheer density of its heritage sites, the entire city centre has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Strasbourg is definitely well worth a visit, to discover its history, its cuisine and its unique atmosphere. Join our excursion “Alsace and wine” (€ 45) in the afternoon, and get to known the a picturesque landscape, romantic wine villages and parts of the famous wine route in the Alsace. In a local winery you can also try some of the wines during an
included wine tasting. In the evening you will leave the city for the last part of this cruise.

Day 8
Arrival in Basel in the morning. Disembarkation after breakfast. End of the program.