German Rivers

• A delight for the eyes
• Cultural diversity of the five founding rivers
• Visit of Heidelberg
• Visit of Mainz
• Tour of Frankfurt
• Rüdesheim Music Museum and Wine Tasting
• Guided tour of Reichburg Castle and Cochem
• Tour of Trier

Day 1: Strasbourg

Boarding between 6.00 and 7.00pm in Strasbourg, rue du Havre. We settle into our cabins, then enjoy a welcome cocktail whilst being presented to the crew. Departure of the cruise. An evening’s dancing on board. Sailing during the night.

 

Day 2: Mannheim, Heidelberg, Eberbach (The Rhine and the Neckar)

Stop in Mannheim in the morning for a visit of Heidelberg. Continuation towards Eberbach on the most beautiful section of the Neckar.

 

Excursion common for both packages: We’ll leave from Mannheim by coach and head towards Heidelberg. This cosmopolitan, friendly, and vibrant city is made up of 15 distinct neighborhoods and is particularly attractive to families, students, business people, and researchers. Its high quality of life comes through to visitors, who feel genuinely at home here. We’ll begin with a visit to the outside of Heidelberg Castle, where you’ll be able to see the Renaissance ruins and parts of its restoration. The castle has a history that is almost as old as the city itself. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, enjoy an amazing view over Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the valley. Don’t miss seeing the Heidelberg Tun. Built in 1751 by Prince Elector Karl Theodor, it housed the wine paid as taxes by the wine growers in the region. Legend has it that the permanently intoxicated court jester who guarded the cask, Perkeo, died after mistakenly drinking a simple glass of water. You can also enjoy a stroll through the castle gardens, once considered a masterpiece of their time. Built upon several terraces, they were made up of many flower beds, mazes, sculptures, heated greenhouse with orange trees, large ponds, waterfalls, and a man-made grotto. We’ll then head for the Neckarmünzplatz, on the banks of the Necker River, and continue with a guided tour of the old city. We’ll pass by the Church of the Holy Spirit, the most famous church in Heidelberg, whose steeple dominates the town. And then you can take advantage of some free time to wander through the streets and shops before returning to the coach. Return on board.

 

Day 3: Eberbach, Mainz, Frankfurt (The Rhine and the Main)

Cruise towards Mainz, a large industrial city, situated at the confluence of the Main and the Rhine. We will make a short stop to explore the city with our hostess. Free time and back on board. Departure of the boat for Frankfurt. Arrival in Frankfurt in the evening.

 

Day 4: Frankfurt, Aschaffenburg (The Main)

This morning take one of the excursions proposed. Departure of the cruise on the most beautiful section of the Main to Aschaffenburg, nicknamed "Nice Bavaroise″ by King Ludwig I of Bavaria. We arrive in the evening.

 

Classic option: The excursion to Frankfurt will begin with a panoramic tour of the city by coach. Frankfurt am Main is a dynamic and international city with Germany’s most imposing skyline. Under the skyscrapers, you’ll find cozy pubs; and at the heart of the bustling city center, you’ll find sites full of history. Frankfurt also has an unrivalled museum scene featuring masterpieces spanning nine centuries of European art. We’ll leave the coach behind to visit the city on foot. After passing in front of the dominant Frankfurt Cathedral, we’ll discover the old city and the Römerberg, the seat of the city’s government since the 15th century. Formerly called the Samstagsberg, it has been the site of markets and fairs, tournaments and festivals, executions, imperial elections and coronations. Here you'll also find a plaque commemorating the book burning by the National Socialists in 1933. After our tour, enjoy some free time before returning to the ship on foot.

 

Discovery option (at a supplement): Frankfurt is the largest financial center in continental Europe, earning it the nickname "Mainhatten." During a panoramic tour of the city, you’ll be able to admire the huge skyscrapers housing the headquarters of many international banks which create the city's famous skyline. We’ll ascend the Main Tower, the most well-known skyscraper in the city, built entirely with a blue glass exterior. From over 656 feet up, you’ll be able to take in the glorious views of the city spread out below.

 

Day 5: Aschaffenburg, Rüdesheim (The Rhine)

Departure of the boat early in the morning. We will be sailing up the Main to Mainz to get onto the Rhine. We arrive in Rüdesheim late afternoon. Enjoy today’s excursion and return for dinner on board. Free evening in the celebrated Drosselgasse, known throughout the world for its atmosphere, its restaurants and its bands.

 

Excursion common for both packages: You will start the visit with a tour and commentary of the Rüdesheim vineyards by mini-train, during which you will discover the famous vineyards already cultivated in the Roman period. During this tour, the history of winemaking in the region will be explained and you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Rüdesheim and the Rhine. The train will then stop right before the historical Bassenheimer Hof cellar, a seigneurial residence from the 16th century, where we’ll indulge in a wine-tasting. A winemaker from the Störzel family cellar will guide you through a tasting of three different wines, from the driest to the sweetest, all the while telling you about the history of the cellar and winemaking in the Rüdesheim region, complete with local stories. Afterwards, our visit will continue on to the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments located 100m away from the cellar in an old building from the 15th century. The "Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett" is the first German museum dedicated to self-playing musical instruments, which holds an impressive collection of no less than 350 mechanical musical instruments dating back to the 18th century to the 20th, all spread out on more than 4000 ft². This is a vast collection, dating back three centuries, of fascinating musical instruments that function like computers, ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion. Tools and machines for the production of organ pipes, cardboard sheet music, rolls of sheet music and perforated disks are also on display in the collection. Whatever their age, museum visitors always take great pleasure in discovering this special music, the techniques from the past and how these instruments work. After visiting the Museum, you will have some free time to stroll through the streets of Rüdesheim ambling down the famous Drosselgasse, before making your own way back to the boat.

 

Day 6: Rüdessheim, Cochen (The romantic Rhine and Mosel)

Departure of the boat and cruise on the romantic Rhine where we will see numerous castles situated in the famous vineyards. We will also pass the celebrated rock of the Lorelei. We will take the picturesque Mosel for our journey to Cochem, a small medieval town dominated by its castle. An evening of dancing. We moor for the night.

 

Excursion common for both packages: guided tour of the castle Reichsburg of Cochem. The Reichsburg is built on a remarkable site, a steep vine-covered hill overlooking the Moselle. Guided tour of this magnificent castle dating from the year 1000, which was destroyed by French troops in the 17th century and entirely rebuilt according to old plans in a Neo-Gothic style. It is distinguished by its graceful towers topped with bell turrets. It is one of the few castles in Germany which, having been rebuilt after being destroyed, still has its original countenance today. After visiting the castle, you will have some free time in the town. The town of Cochem is interesting in itself, with its narrow winding streets, its carefully restored half-timbered houses with their slate roofs, the Town Hall square with its history-filled past, as well as ancient walls, gates and churches. Return to the boat on foot.

 

Day 7: Bernkastel, Trier (The Mosel Valley)

Departure of the boat. Short stop in Bernkastel, the pearl of the Mosel. Continuation towards Trier. We arrive in the evening.

 

Day 8: Saarbrucken (The Mosel and the Saar)

Enjoy today’s excursion and return on board in Sarrebourg. Continuation in the direction of Saarbrücken. Sailing up the Saar through the “Saarschleife” with its magnificent wooded landscapes traversed by the meanders of the river. Arrival in Saarbrücken in the evening. Gala dinner and evening.

 

Excursion common for both packages: Departure from the boat for a panoramic coach tour of the city of Trier. Discover the Roman cultural heritage of Trier with a splendid view over the Moselle and its magnificent countryside. Trier is the oldest of German cities, founded so long ago that it is 13 years older than Rome. And Trier's age is not its only claim to glory. It is known above all for having been one of the seats of power of the Holy Roman Empire, one of the great centers of Early Christianity as well as a dynamic medieval town. Of these three periods, the city has retained some precious architectural marks. The tour continues on foot. We’ll discover (exteriors ony) the Amphitheater, the tenth biggest in all of the Roman Empire which could hold up to 30,000 spectators. We’ll move on to the Imperial Baths which were sumptuously arranged inside: marble on the walls, floors, mosaics, frescoes on the walls, statues. The thermae buildings form a rectangle 140m x 250 m. Continuation to the Basilica of Constantine. Since its construction in about 310, the basilica has never been out of use. From the very start, the edifice was an imposing one - 67 m long, 27 m wide and 30 m high. Over time, numerous buildings have been added. Finally, we’ll discover the famous Porta Nigra which was designed as a gate as well as a monument. Even Rome today does not have an ancient building of this size in such a state of conservation. Afterwards, we’ll walk round the city center, marked by the Middle Ages thanks to St Peter's Cathedral in particular (exteriors only). Its oldest parts date from 326, but the general layout of the church was considerably altered in the 10th century. You’ll also be able to enjoy the atmosphere on the Hauptmarkt – the Main Market square. Highly Baroque and located in the heart of the city center, its mixture of styles will enchant you. Old timber-framed houses mingle with classical pastel-colored houses, decorated with white stucco. At the end of your guided tour, you will have some free time to stroll around the town at your own pace. Return to the boat by coach

 

Day 9: Saarbruken

Disembark in the morning. End of our services.

 

Note: For the safety of our passengers, the captain and crew of the boat may decide to modify the navigational itinerary.

Alcohol can damage your health. Please drink in moderation.

Cruise Prices:

 

Sailing Date	Vessel Name	Main Deck		Upper Deck		Excursion Package**
		Double	Single	Doube	Single	Classic	Discovery
2017 Departures
9/29-10/07	Léonard De Vinci	$2,439	$3,089	n/a	n/a	Included	$25
2018 Departures
9/16-9/24	Léonard De Vinci	$2,539	$3,505	$2,829	$3,769	Included	**

Prices are per person and may change without notice.

Free transfer Saarbrucken to Strasbourg if booked before departure

Sailing dates may not be available at time of booking due to heavy demand

Capacity is controlled and specific cabins may not be available at time of booking.

** Free is purchased before departure

 

Reductions: 

• Child discount (2-9 years) : - 20%
• 3rd person discount in triple cabin: - 30%

 

Tour Code: DE_SNX_AIPP

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MS Leonardo de Vinci

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