Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport and transfer to your hotel in Paris. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to either wander around and get a feel for the city or join the welcome walk if you want some orientation with other travelers.
Optional Activities
- Welcome walk to stretch legs and get oriented
- Day 2
Paris
This morning includes a scenic drive along the Seine where you'll see Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and Musée d'Orsay from the coach. You'll continue past the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs-Élysées. After that, your afternoon and evening are free to explore museums or check out Montmartre on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive along the Seine River past Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and Musée d'Orsay
- Drive along the Champs-Élysées past the Arc de Triomphe
Optional Activities
- Visit a museum
- Explore Montmartre
Landmarks Notre Dame Cathedral Louvre Musée d'Orsay Arc de Triomphe Champs-Élysées - Day 3
Paris to Trier
You'll head from Paris toward Trier, Germany, with a guided tour of Luxembourg along the way. The group will visit the Luxembourg American Cemetery to pay respects to those lost during the WWII Battle of the Bulge. Later you'll arrive in Trier and board your river cruise ship, with dinner served onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Served onboard)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Luxembourg
- Visit to Luxembourg American Cemetery
Landmarks Luxembourg American Cemetery - Day 4
Trier
After breakfast, explore Trier, Germany's oldest city, which sits on the Moselle River. You'll see the Roman Porta Nigra, Trier Cathedral, and the Church of Our Lady. Lunch happens onboard as the ship departs. The afternoon brings scenic river cruising, and you'll reach Bernkastel by dinnertime. An optional wine-tasting excursion is available in the evening if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Served onboard as ship departs), Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning tour of Trier including Porta Nigra, Trier Cathedral, and Church of Our Lady
- Scenic cruising along the Moselle River
Optional Activities
- Evening walk through Bernkastel's cobblestone streets
- Wine-tasting excursion in the Moselle wine region
Landmarks Porta Nigra Trier Cathedral Church of Our Lady - Day 5
Cochem
You'll disembark in Cochem to tour this medieval town and visit Reichsburg Castle, which sits on a hilltop with thousand-year-old history. The group explores the Moselle wine country with its terraced slopes, then stops at a local winery for a tour and tasting. Afterward, return to the ship for afternoon river cruising along the wine region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Cochem medieval town
- Tour of Reichsburg Castle
- Tour of Moselle wine country and local winery with tasting
Landmarks Reichsburg Castle - Day 6
Koblenz
The ship sails through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, and you'll explore Koblenz where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet. Along the way, you'll see Sankt Goar and Rhinefels Castle, the largest fortress on the Rhine, plus the famous Lorelei Rock rising from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Exploration of Koblenz
- Viewing of Rhinefels Castle
- Viewing of Lorelei Rock
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Rhinefels Castle Lorelei Rock - Day 7
Mainz
You'll arrive in Mainz, located in the heart of the Rhine wine region. The tour includes Mainz Cathedral with its six towers, then the Gutenberg Museum dedicated to the inventor of movable type and printing. You'll see beautiful books and printing technologies, including a recreation of Gutenberg's workshop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Mainz Cathedral
- Visit to Gutenberg Museum
Landmarks Mainz Cathedral Gutenberg Museum - Day 8
Speyer
On the west bank of the Rhine, you'll explore Speyer and visit its Romanesque imperial cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that played a pivotal role in European architecture and houses the burial place of eight emperors. Later, take a stroll down the charming main street to shop and see the impressive Altpörtel clock tower.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Speyer Cathedral
- Exploration of Speyer's main street and Altpörtel clock tower
Landmarks Speyer Cathedral - Day 9
Strasbourg
Strasbourg, the cultural center of France's Alsace region, is your destination today. You'll walk through the well-preserved Old Town (Petite France) with its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and canals enclosed by the Ill River. The cathedral visit is included, and you'll have time for Alsatian café culture. An optional wine-tasting excursion is available in the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Strasbourg's Old Town (Petite France)
- Visit to Strasbourg Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Alsatian wine excursion
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral - Day 10
Basel to Zürich
After disembarking, you'll explore Basel, which blends modern and traditional elements with a vibrant arts scene. Check out the Market Square with its guild houses and Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Then the coach takes you to Zurich, beautifully positioned on Lake Zurich and known as one of Europe's most livable cities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Basel's Market Square and historic architecture
Landmarks Basel Market Square - Day 11
Zürich
A city walk through Zurich is followed by a scenic lake cruise on Lake Zurich. You'll see the twin-spired Grossmünster church founded by Charlemagne with stained-glass windows by Augusto Giacometti, and the Fraumünster with its distinctive green spire featuring five windows by Marc Chagall. The snowcapped Alps reflect beautifully in the lake water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City walk of Zürich
- Visit to Grossmünster church
- Visit to Fraumünster
- Scenic tour on Lake Zürich
Landmarks Grossmünster Fraumünster Lake Zürich - Day 12
Zürich
After breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel and head to Zurich airport for your flight home, ending your time in this region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
