Romance of the Rhine & Mosel (2012)

Depart the U.S. today on your flight to Brussels, Belgium.

Arrive today in Brussels. A Grand Circle representative will meet you at the airport and assist with your transfer to the pier in Antwerp, where you’ll embark your river ship. Those who arrive early in the day will have a light lunch onboard, and the balance of the day is at leisure to relax after your overseas flight or do some exploring on your own.

Located on the banks of the Schelde River, Antwerp is Belgium’s major port and has been commercially important in European trade since the eleventh century. In spite of damage suffered during both World Wars, Antwerp remains a city of beautiful historic architecture dating from the 16th century.

In the early evening, gather for an introductory briefing about your ship. Whenever you have leisure time at a port along your journey, you’ll receive a ship’s briefing about the port area and town prior to arrival so you can make the best use of your free time. These are called “Port Talks.”

After your briefing, get better acquainted with your Program Director and traveling companions over dinner.

After breakfast, attend an orientation briefing. Your Program Director will go over the details of your upcoming trip and answer any questions you may have. Then set off on a walking tour of this great city. You'll explore Antwerp's well-preserved Old Town, built around the Grote Markt (Town Square), and graced by the lovely old Town Hall and beautiful Guild Houses. Marvel at the elegant spires of the Cathedral of Our Lady, and stroll along the Meir, Antwerp's main shopping street, lined with wonderfully elaborate historic buildings.

Your afternoon is free to further discover the city on your own. You may want to visit the house of the great painter Peter Paul Rubens. He purchased a 16th-century house off the Meir when he returned from Italy in 1608 and transformed it into one of the most elegant Renaissance-Baroque houses in the Low Countries. Today it is a museum, housing many of Rubens' finest works, as well as works by some of his contemporaries. Or you could visit the Steen, the small stone castle that stands at the entrance to the city. Begun as part of a 13th-century fortification, the castle has served as a prison and today houses the National Navigation Museum. Or explore the Jewish District, which has contributed to Antwerp's rich heritage since before the 13th century.

Later, return to your ship and enjoy a chocolate demonstration, followed by a discussion about the European Union, which is based in Antwerp. Then, gather on deck to celebrate the start of your river journey as you set sail.

You'll be officially welcomed onboard and you'll meet the ship's crew at the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner. We cruise to Willemstad, where we dock for the night.

Your morning is at leisure in Willemstad to relax or explore on your own. Or, if you choose the optional Delta Works tour, you'll ride by motorcoach to see a restoration project known worldwide for its hydro-engineering, begun after flooding had devastated Holland. Originally, the province was a collection of islands—easy prey to the sea. Now the islands are connected and protected by a series of dams, dikes, and bridges. The destructive tides that flooded the islands in 1953 and claimed the lives of 1,800 people are still remembered by the inhabitants of Zeeland. Since then, the gigantic Delta Works have prevented a recurrence. This tour shows you several of the ingenious technical achievements designed over the past 35 years, giving you an impressive idea of how the Dutch have claimed, reclaimed, and protected their homeland from the threat of the sea. You'll rejoin the ship in Willemstad.

After lunch, disembark and walk to Kinderdijk, where you'll see 19 windmills built around 1740. Holland, of course, is known for its windmills, and nowhere will you find more than near this little village. These sturdy windmills have been well preserved, and in 1997 were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You have time to stroll around the site and take pictures of these signature attractions of Holland, which are supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation.

After breakfast, you'll join your Program Director for a walking tour of 2,000-year-old Nijmegen—the Netherlands' oldest city. Located in the eastern part of the country near the German border, Nijmegen was built on seven hills overlooking the Waal River near its confluence with the Rhine. Site of an important battle during World War II, the city was heavily damaged and almost completely rebuilt. The town center was remarkably unscathed, however, and provides a striking contrast to the newer architecture that surrounds it. You'll have the rest of the morning to explore this historic city on your own.

Or, you can join an optional tour to the Kroller-Muller Museum. Situated in the heart of Hoge Veluwe National Park, this museum houses world-renowned works of art by artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Fernand Léger. Grassy plains, sand dunes and dense forests compose the stunning and diverse surroundings that envelop the museum grounds. Adding to the natural beauty of the landscape, the sprawling sculpture garden—one of the largest in Europe—displays stunning statues along a winding path perfect for strolling.

Later, a silversmith will come aboard the ship to teach you about his craft. After the demonstration, you'll have lunch onboard, and then you can relax as you sail to the next port-of-call.

Please note: The May 5, May 10, May 24, May 30, June 13, June 27, July 2, July 16, August 13 & September 10 departures will include the Floriade World Horticultural Exposition. This will take place in the afternoon instead of the optional Kroller-Muller Museum tour.

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Bonn, Germany. Founded by the Romans, Bonn was the provisional capital of West Germany from the years following World War II until Germany's reunification in 1990. Today, Bonn is home to numerous museums and gardens, and a large student population who live near the University of Bonn's campus. The rest of your afternoon is at leisure to explore Bonn on your own.

Or you can join an optional excursion to the Augustusburg Palace. Located in Brühl, a small town on the edge of the Naturpark Kottenforst-Ville nature reserve, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Schloss Augustusburg, a horseshoe-shaped palace widely considered to be a masterpiece of Rococo architecture. Built in the 18th century for Clemens August of Wittelsbach, the powerful Archbishop of Cologne, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was used by the German government until 1994 to receive special guests of state.

Disembark this morning for a tour of Reichsburg Castle, believed to have been originally constructed some time in the eleventh century. In 1151, it was occupied by King Konrad III of Germany, who converted it into a seat of imperial power. It served that role for several centuries until it was burned to the ground by King Louis XIV of France in 1689 during the War of the Palatine Succession. The castle remained derelict and in a state of detritus until 1868 when it was purchased by Louis Ravene, a Berlin entrepreneur. Mr. Ravene renovated it in the Neo-Gothic architectural style, and, as was the style for wealthy individuals at the time, converted the castle into a summer home for himself and his family. In 1978, ownership of the castle fell into the hands of the city of Cochem, which has since opened it to the public.

Your minivan will take you on a scenic ascent from the river valley to the top of the rocky hill on which the castle sits. The medieval exterior contrasts dramatically with the elegantly appointed interior, featuring many nooks and crannies you’ll explore during today’s included tour.

Then return to your ship and relax during a leisurely afternoon of sailing.

Join us in the lounge this evening for after-dinner entertainment.

This morning, join your Program Director for a stroll around Bernkastel, one of the prettiest towns in the Mosel Valley. Actually, Bernkastel is two towns; its sister town, Kues, sits on the opposite bank of the Mosel. Then, you'll visit one of Bernkastel's most famous wineries to sample some of its vintages.

After lunch, relax and enjoy the scenery as you continue sailing along the Mosel Riverand your Captain explains the sophisticated nautical equipment onboard. This evening after dinner onboard, immerse yourself in the local ambiance as you enjoy onboard entertainment.

After breakfast, join us for a tour of Trier. There were settlements here in the third millennium before Christ, and the Roman Emperor Augustus founded a thriving city here in 15 BC.

During your tour, you’ll visit the imposing Porta Nigra (“Black Gate”), a towering Roman gateway built around AD 200. This is the largest surviving city gate from ancient Roman times, and for the empire it served not only as a means of protection, but also as a symbol of strength and power.

You’ll also visit the pedestrian-only Market Square, one of the most magnificent squares in all of Germany. Here you can admire the central fountain, built in 1595. You can take some free time on your own here at the market, or join us in seeing the massive basilica, built by Constantine in AD 310, and St. Peter’s Cathedral. Parts of this impressive cathedral date to the fifth century. St. Peter’s and the nearby Church of Our Lady represent one of the largest early Christian examples of dual church buildings.

After returning to the ship for lunch, the balance of your day is at leisure. You can use our shuttle service to revisit this delightful town and then set out to explore it on your own. You may want to visit the Frankenturm (Tower of Franco), built in the twelfth century. This “tower” is typical of the fortified stone houses built by wealthy merchants during the Romanesque period. Named for its 14th-century resident, Franko von Senheim, the tower contains the medieval family’s living quarters.

This morning, join our full-day optional tour to Luxembourg, the tiny nation whose territory comprises less than 1,000 square miles. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy located between Belgium, France, and Germany. Here, the everyday language is Letzebuergesch, which symbolizes the national identity of the people.

In addition to a city tour and the Battle of the Bulge Cemetery, you'll also enjoy lunch and free time to explore on your own.

German forces occupied Luxembourg in May of 1940, and its liberation (primarily by American troops) began in September of 1944. The Battle of the Bulge began with Hitler's desperate attack through the Ardennes to attempt to drive out the Allied forces. The resulting battle, called "the greatest American battle of the Second World War" by Winston Churchill, raged here from the 16th of December 1944 through the 28th of January 1945. Though 200 men from the 10th British Corps were killed in this action, the U.S. (8,447 killed, 46,170 wounded, 20,905 missing or imprisoned) and Germans (10,749 killed, 34,439 wounded, 32,487 missing or imprisoned) suffered tremendous losses.

In the city of Luxembourg itself, you'll see the market square, the Palais of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Please note: Luxembourg will be offered as an included tour with lunch on all September departures.

Or spend a leisurely day in Traben-Trarbach. You can go ashore with your Program Director to enjoy a walking tour of Traben and Trarbach—another set of twin towns on either side of the Mosel River. Traben, on the northern bank, was once a military site—note the two ruined fortresses above the town. If you enjoy architecture, you'll love the Art Nouveau buildings along the riverfront. The Trarbach Bridge Gate, built around 1898, is an example of Art Nouveau design elements.

Join us tonight after dinner for entertainment in the ship's lounge.

Join us on an optional excursion to one of the most beautiful castles standing on the hills that line the Rhine River, Marksburg Castle. The only 13th-century castle unchanged by war or reconstruction, it offers an unprecedented glimpse into the daily life of the time.Walking through the three towers and the connecting rooms, you will fully feel what it was like to live in a castle. You’ll climb a stone staircase leading to the romantic bed chamber (the only room heated with a stove), see the Great Hall with its enormous fireplace (large enough to grill a steer whole), and take in a commanding vista from the east bank of the Rhine as you stand atop the towers. Then make a discovery of a different nature as we stop in at a family-owned brewery. Here we will try brezel (pretzels) and home-brewed beer as we mingle with the locals at the beer garden. Please note: When the brewery is unavailable, we will go instead to the Koblenz Wine Village that was built for the 1925 German Wine Exhibition. Beautifully situated on the banks of the Rhine, the complex includes a genuine vineyard and a number of half-timbered houses collected from some of Germany's most famous wine-making areas. This optional tour features a considerable amount of uphill walking and walking on uneven surfaces.

Or, spend the day at leisure in Boppard, where you are invited to join your Program Director for a walking tour in town before lunch.

Boppard has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its importance as a cultural and historic center for the middle Rhine region. If you joined our optional Marksburg Castle & Brewerytour earlier today, you have an opportunity this afternoon to stroll this lovely town. You'll see its famous Rhine Promenade and the white towers of the Church of St. Severin.

Later, you'll be inspired as you sail the most beautiful part of the Rhine, where an imposing rock rises 440 feet above the river. Since ancient Greek mythology, there have been legends of sirens, who lure sailors to their death with sweet songs. Ancient Germanic legend places one such siren—Lorelei—here, and it is said she enticed sailors to destruction on the reef below the rock.

Set sail for Speyer.

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Speyer, a town founded by the Romans in approximately AD 50 that flourished during the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, much of Speyer was destroyed in the 17th century during the Palatine War of Succession and few remnants of its glorious past survive. One exception is the Romanesque Cathedral, which you'll explore on your tour. Built between 1030 and 1125, it set a new architectural standard for the time.

Join us this afternoon for an exclusive Discovery Series Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch with a local family. Sample coffee and fresh, homemade cake as you glimpse everyday German home life.

Please note: It is not always possible to dock in Speyer, so we sometimes dock in Worms or Germersheim. If that happens, you will be transferred to Speyer by bus and all program features will remain as scheduled.

Early this morning, we dock in Strasbourg, France.

This morning you can enjoy a sightseeing tour by boat along Strasbourg's canals. Strasbourg has been strategically important since ancient times. It became a free imperial city of the German Empire in 1262, and then was occupied by France in 1681 and Germany in 1871. France recovered the city in 1919 after World War I. From your boat, you'll see the major sights (including the Palais de L'Europe where the European Parliament meets) and admire the city's remarkable Renaissance architecture.

Your boat tour concludes at the Palais Rohan in the town center. Palais Rohan, often called the "mini-Versailles," houses a gallery and three museums: an archaeological museum, a museum of the decorative arts, and a collection of European paintings. If you like, you may walk on your own from the Palais to visit the city's magnificent cathedral, one of the finest of Europe's great Gothic cathedrals, whose lofty single spire dominates the city. You'll then have free time to make your own discoveries around Strasbourg. Perhaps you'll use your included complimentary public transportation pass to explore more of the city on your own.

Or, join our optional Essence of the Black Forest tour and take a scenic journey by motorcoach into the Black Forest region. You visit the spa town of Baden-Baden, nestled in the thick, deep green forests. Baden-Baden has been renowned for its thermal baths since Roman times. You'll have a tour of the resort town; sample local Black Forest cake and coffee; and have a tasting of the mineral waters—thought by many to have restorative powers.

After breakfast, join us for an included Alsatian Highlights excursion through the famous wine region of Alsace, where the culture is a delightful blend of French and German influences. Travel through the fertile Elsass region to the wooded foothills of the Vosges Mountains and drive parts of the Route de Vin, the Alsatian Wine Road, past rolling vineyards and flower-decked villages.

Upon arrival in the quaint town of Riquewihr, your Program Director will take you on an info stroll to introduce you with the main points of interest. You may wish to explore the town’s medieval fortress, city gates, and towers. If shopping is your interest, you’ll find that the shops on the main street are cozy and inviting year-round.

On the way back to your ship, you’ll visit the Stork Park, where this lovely white bird is being re-populated into the local area. At one time, the bird was so plentiful in this region that it was considered the symbol of Alsace and was often mentioned in children’s stories. In 1900, thousands of storks could be spotted in Alsace during the warmer spring and summer months, but by the 1980s their local population had been reduced to fewer than ten. Their numbers are again increasing, and the Stork Park offers a safe refuge for this long-legged bird. On your route, you might even spot some of their nests, high atop a local home or a church roof.

Later, attend a briefing to prepare you for disembarkation a couple days from now. You'll also receive a briefing on Lucerne, Switzerland, if you have chosen to extend your trip with our optional post-trip extension. This evening, join your fellow travelers for the Captain's Farewell Dinner.

This morning enjoy a Discovery Series discussion about Switzerland & Its Traditions. Basel is Switzerland’s second-largest city—and one with a split personality. On the one hand, the city is dominated by giant, modern chemical concerns and pharmaceutical companies. On the other, a network of narrow alleys weaves together the city’s medieval architectural heritage. We’ll enjoy the excellent public transport system with a streetcar ride, followed by a walking tour. We’ll see the lively Marktplatz ("marketplace"), its colorful town hall, and the twelfth-century, red sandstone Munster ("Cathedral") among other highlights. To make it more convenient to explore on your own, you’ll receive a one-day streetcar ticket.

After lunch onboard, you’ll have the afternoon to relax onboard or explore Basel further at your own pace. For the rest of the day, you can continue to use your public transportation day pass.

With more than 30 museums, Basel is a well-known center of art and culture. Dating to 1662, the Museum of Fine Arts is considered the oldest public art museum in Europe. Inside, you can view old masters such as Hans Holbein, along with modern masters, such as Jasper Johns.

The Historical Museum, which is housed in a 14th-century church, contains a collection relating to the history of culture in Central Europe. Its most notable piece is the Lallenkonig ("Babbling King"), a crowned head with moveable tongue and eyes.

After breakfast, disembark in Basel and transfer to the airport for your flight home.