Cruising the Waterways of Germany

Before the advent of cars and trains, the waterways of Europe were its commercial highways. Goods and people were transported from area to area by boat. As a result of this trade, villages and towns grew along the riverbanks and prospered. Cruising these waterways allows you to enjoy these villages, towns and the countryside close up.

For over one thousand years, the great rivers of Europe – the Seine, the Rhine, the Danube and more - have been the travel and trade routes of choice. To this day, great castles, magnificent cathedrals, and elegant cities tempt travelers to step ashore from river cruises. Stroll the picturesque villages of Bordeaux and Burgundy, glory in the tulip fields of Holland, and explore the great museums and palaces of the Russian Czars. Wherever rivers lead, we allow you to enjoy the best of Europe from a delightful and unique perspective.

Bellow you have a sample description of a cruse from the whole variation of cruses available. For more information please contact Varsovia Travel.

Europe's Heartland Cruise

Three nights in Paris, a seven-night cruise from Trier to Nuremberg aboard the ms ‘Symphony’ plus two nights in Prague

14 days • Air, land & cruise
13 days • Paris/Prague

Your Travel Value Includes

• Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Paris on day 2 and Prague on day 14 when we willissue the airline tickets
• Three nights hotel accommodation in Paris including buffet breakfast daily
• Transfer from Paris to the ship in Trier
• Seven nights deluxe cruise accommodation in outside cabin with hotel-style beds
• Superb dining with all meals included on cruise
• Quality wines with dinner
• Cocktail Reception and Welcome Dinner
• Captain’s Gala Dinner
• Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
• Special highlights including folklore performances, wine tasting, lectures, theme dinners, local festivities and on board music performances
• Services of a professional Cruise Manager throughout your cruise
• Nightly piano music on board
• On board amenities including fitness center, physician, massage and beauty salon, souvenir shop and Club Lounge
• All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking only on the Sun Deck)
• Transfer from the ship in Prague to the hotel
• Two nights hotel accommodation in Prague including buffet breakfast daily
• All local taxes
• Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Itinerary

Day 1, Wed. DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight to Paris.

Day 2, Thu. ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE.
Arrive in Paris and transfer to your hotel. Start exploring the town during the balance of the day.

Day 3, Fri. PARIS.
This morning’s guided sightseeing tour will take you to spectacular Notre Dame. You will also see the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore, shop or relax. (B)

Day 4, Sat. PARIS.
A full free day to enjoy this extraordinary metropolis. Shop for perfume and fancy fashion accessories, visit one of the many fine museums and art galleries, stroll through the magnificent parks. Paris has much to offer for every taste and style. (B)

Day 5, Sun. PARIS / TRIER, GERMANY.
Enjoy more free time in Paris this morning. After lunch drive through the scenic French countryside to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, and board your deluxe river cruise ship. Explore charming Trier with its Roman monuments, imperial baths, Porta Nigra gate and amphitheater and perhaps taste the famous Moselle wines. Tonight gather on board for a Gala Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Trier. (B,D)

Day 6, Mon. TRIER / BERNKASTEL / ZELL.
This morning, cruise through the Moselle Valley to the charming village of Bernkastel. Take a guided walk through the old town center with its many Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Then, sail through scenic wine-growing areas to Zell, a delightful town famous for its wine, "Zeller Schwarze Katz." Before dinner, a dance group will perform on board. Tonight’s festive Zell celebration with wine tasting and a local band is a highlight of your cruise. (B,L,D)

Day 7, Tue. ZELL / COCHEM / KOBLENZ.
The ship departs very early this morning, gliding down the winding Moselle River to Cochem. Here, a tour will take you to hilltop Reichsburg Castle, which offers views of the river valley. There is free time to shop in town before departing for Koblenz. Late this afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of this historic hub of trade. After dinner, join your cruise manager for an evening outing in Koblenz. (B,L,D)

Day 8, Wed. RÜDESHEIM.
This morning, be on deck to see the most famous part of the Rhine River. View castle after castle, and the infamous Lorelei Rock. Today’s scenic cruise takes you to Rüdesheim. Tour the town and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Return to the ship via the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants. An overnight cruise takes you past Frankfurt into the Main River. (B,L,D)

Day 9, Thu. MILTENBERG / WERTHEIM.
Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a guided morning walking tour of this old Franconian town. Shop for souvenirs before a motorcoach takes you to charming Wertheim where you can browse in the market square before boarding the ship. The rest of the day, cruise through the sunny valleys of the meandering Main. Tonight, dress up for the Captain’s Dinner which is followed by the entertaining Crew Show. (B,L,D)

Day 10, Fri. WÜRZBURG.
After a morning filled with beautiful Main river scenery, you’ll be romanced by Würzburg. Surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards, the city is the capital of Lower Franconia, a center of wine and trade. During your morning tour visit the major sights including the magnificent Residential Palace. Your afternoon cruise takes you past charming Volkach and through the Franconian wine region. After dinner, join your fellow travelers in the lounge to listen to an enchanting medieval music performance. Cruise overnight to Bamberg. (B,L,D)

Day 11, Sat. BAMBERG.
This morning, enter the Main-Danube Canal at enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided tour of this medieval gem. Marvel at the Old Town Hall, which straddles the river, and the city’s serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th century mansions. From here, a motorcoach will take you through the picturesque countryside to rejoin your ship further up river. Continue along the Main-Danube Canal to ancient Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. (B,L,D)

Day 12, Sun. NUREMBERG / PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC.
Disembark after breakfast and continue to Prague and your hotel. Your afternoon is free to explore the "Golden City" on your own. (B)

Day 13, Mon. PRAGUE.
Morning sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities. See thousand year-old Hradcany Castle, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto and many other major sights. The afternoon and evening are free to mix with the locals at Wenceslaus Square, shop for souvenirs or enjoy one of the charming cafés or restaurants. (B)

Day 14, Tue. DEPART PRAGUE.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Extra nights are available if you wish to extend your stay in Europe. (B)