Europe Italy Tour Packages

This intimate voyage along the waterways of Holland and the legendary Rhine and Mosel rivers provides a panoramic sweep of some of Europe's most beautiful cities, scenic countryside, and cultural attractions.

Embark the 78-passenger Rembrandt in Amsterdam and enjoy the cultural highlights of the city, including the Rijksmuseum and the delightful Aalsmeer Flower Auction. From Amsterdam, crisscross the calm waterways and canals that link the little-known towns and villages of Holland, passing through countryside that is a lush carpet of emerald green. Along the way, experience the authentic character of Hoorn, Kampen, Giethoorn, Zutphen, and Arnhem.

At Düsseldorf in Germany, spend time at leisure exploring the city's lively Old Town and upscale boutiques before sailing for medieval Cologne. Here, tour the great Cologne Cathedral on a walking tour that leads you into the Altstadt with its Gothic Rathaus.

Next, cruise through the pastoral landscapes that border the great Rhine River en route to Koblenz. From our dock, enjoy an afternoon stroll before continuing to the quaint village of Cochem on the Mosel River. While here, tour Reichsburg Castle, which towers above the Mosel and imbues the triumvirate of castle, town, and surrounding vineyards with an almost fairy-tale ambience. As we sail the Mosel, experience some of the most idyllic scenery in all of Europe.

Our visit to the quaint village of Bernkastel-Kues introduces us to its famous half-timbered homes, filigree fountain railing in the market square, and artistic weather vanes that grace the gables of the traditional houses. Then it's on to Trier, founded in 16 B.C. by the Emperor Augustus; it is a treasure trove of Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, and rococo architecture.

From nearby Grevenmacher, transfer to Luxembourg for a tour of Europe's "Gilbraltar of the North" -- so named because it is one of the world's most protected cities. Visit Old Town's beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady and bustling Place D'Armes, and see the American military cemetery at Hamm before returning to the ship. We'll dock in Thionville, France, for an overland tour to the interesting fortifications of the Maginot Line -- a defensive belt in northeastern France built to repel German invasion during World War II.

Cruising south, we then arrive at Metz, the largest city in northern Lorraine, famous for its parks and gardens. At Cathedral St. Etienne, see the Chagall windows and the famous Silbermann organ. Nancy, the medieval city in Lorraine that was once the seat of power for the Dukes of Lorraine, is our final port of call. Here, we visit Place Stanislas, an elegant square with golden wrought-iron gates and magnificent architecture.

Our deluxe riverboat, the 78-passenger Rembrandt, is perfect for this trip, giving us access to places outside the reach of conventional tourism where time stands still.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 — Depart USA
Day 2 — Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Embark)
Day 3 — Amsterdam
Day 4 — Amsterdam/Hoorn
Day 5 — Kampen (for Giethoorn)
Day 6 — Zutphen (for Kröller-Müller Musem)
Day 7 — Arnhem/Cruising the Rhine River/Düsseldorf , Germany
Day 8 — Düsseldorf/Cologne
Day 9 — Cologne/Koblenz
Day 10 — Cruising Mosel Rive/Cochem
Day 11 — Bernkastel-Kues
Day 12 — Trier
Day 13 — Grevenmacher (for Luxembourg)/Thionville, France
Day 14 — Thionville (for Maginot Line)/Metz
Day 15 — Nancy
Day 16 — Nancy (Disembark)/Return to U.S.A.

Day 1 — Depart USA
Note: Scroll down to see the reverse itinerary for this journey at the bottom of this page.

Arrive in Amsterdam this morning and transfer to our exclusively chartered riverboat, the all-new, 78-passenger Rembrandt. Enjoy a light buffet lunch and a leisurely dinner on board this evening, followed by a cruise among Amsterdam's canals, which wind throughout the city under a canopy of trees.

Explore this quintessential Dutch city today on a walking tour that begins in the old city, which lies within a crescent-shaped ring of concentric canals dating from the 17th century. As you stroll along tree-lined canals bordered by 17th- and 18th-century buildings, absorb the eclectic blend of old and new that makes Amsterdam one of Europe's most enticing capitals. Following lunch in the city, continue on to the Rijksmuseum, which houses outstanding works by Vermeer and one of the world's most exquisite Rembrandt collections. Return to the Rembrandt after your day in Amsterdam, and enjoy the captain's gala welcome reception and dinner this evening.

While the Netherlands is famous for many cultural contributions, among its biggest claims to fame are its floral attractions. You will have an opportunity this morning to discover why the Netherlands is often thought of as the world's flower capital, visiting the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, which is the largest floral auction in the world. Take in the riot of color and enjoy the fragrance of thousands of blooms as you explore the grounds and exhibits.

Cruise to Hoorn this afternoon, and join a walking tour of this Zuider Zee town. Stroll past stately mansions, admiralty buildings, and quaint warehouses in the old harbor area, imagining a time when the towering masts of grand sailing vessels silhouetted against the sky almost blotted the sun from view. Enjoy a delicious dinner and Dutch folkloric show on board ship this evening.

Set sail from Hoorn early this morning, cruising the Ijsselmeer (formerly the Zuider Zee) to Kampen, one of the old Hanseatic League towns and your starting point for a tour of the charming village of Giethoorn. With about 2,500 residents, it is unique in the Netherlands because of its bridges, waterways, and punts (wooden boats distinctive to Giethoorn). As you cruise along shady canals bordered by beautiful gardens, peek between the trees and wooden bridges for a glimpse of picturesque 18th- and 19th-century farmhouses and cottages.

We dock in the picturesque old town of Zutphen this morning. Once a fortified town, Zutphen's most notorious siege occurred during the wars of freedom waged by the Dutch, and the most celebrated fight within its walls was the one in September 1586, during which Sir Philip Sidney was mortally wounded. From Zutphen, visit the distinguished, world-renowned Kröller-Müller Museum, which features an outstanding collection by European artists, including Fernand Léger, Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh. While here, stroll through the delightful sculpture park, where works by such artistic giants as Rodin and Giacometti are surrounded by vibrant flower beds. Rejoin the Rembrandt and sail for Arnhem.

Arnhem is a delightful Dutch city with a famous history. The site of massive airborne assaults by Allied forces during World War II, its bridge was a critical military target. But it proved to be a "bridge too far"; it was lost by the Allies. Visit this bridge during a tour of Arnhem before proceeding to the open-air folklore museum for a glimpse into Dutch history and lifestyles. Back aboard the Rembrandt, enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruise along the Rhine River to Düsseldorf, where we will overnight.

Enjoy time at leisure in Düsseldorf, perhaps stopping for a midmorning repast at one of the cafés in the pedestrian Altstadt -- one of Germany's most vital city centers. Depart Düsseldorf this afternoon, sailing the Rhine toward the beautiful city of Cologne. With its great cathedral, Roman ruins, exquisite medieval buildings, and world-class museums, Cologne is one of the jewels in Europe's crown.

Cathedral spires tower high above Germany's oldest city and its innumerable cultural and historical treasures. The largest city on the Rhine River and the fourth-largest in Germany, Cologne has been a dominant power in the Rhineland since Roman times. The city's cathedral, which took more than 600 years to build, wasn't fully completed until 1880. Discover the charm of this cosmopolitan city on a walking tour that winds among the narrow streets that fan out from the cathedral precinct. Watch pavement painters ply their art on the alleyways near the precinct, and see some of the cultural venues that lie in its shadows -- such as the famous Roman Dionysus mosaic, the medieval Overstolzenhaus, and the Gürzenich hall. Relax and enjoy the scenery this afternoon as we cruise leisurely toward Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. We'll tie up here for the night.

This morning, we'll cruise up the Mosel River to Cochem. Much narrower than the Rhine and more scenic, the Mosel winds its way in sweeping curves southwest of Koblenz toward the Vosges Mountains in France. Steep hillsides rise on both sides of the river, and vineyards cover all available space. Quiet peaceful villages and tiny hamlets line the shores. It is here in this tranquil countryside that grapes for the popular Mosel wines are grown.

As we approach Cochem, you'll see Reichsburg Castle perched high above the quaint village, surrounded by lush vineyards. You may learn more about the castle's history during an afternoon tour. Although a castle has stood on this site since the 11th century, the original was destroyed in 1689 during an attack by the French. The modern-day castle was rebuilt from the foundations of the original, and was opulently refurbished in the 19th century.

Arrive at Bernkastel-Kues in the heart of the central Mosel Valley following a leisurely morning cruise along the river. The center of the region's main wine-producing area, its cellars store more than 17 million gallons of wine. You'll have free time late this afternoon to explore the lovely town on your own. It is noted for its half-timbered homes, market square, and the artistic weather vanes that grace the gables of its houses. With the ruined castle of Landshut rising above it, the Bernkastel-Kues marketplace has become a symbol of the beautiful Mosel region.

Founded in 16 B.C. by the Emperor Augustus, Trier was once the residence of Diocletian, Constantine the Great, and other Roman emperors. Explore its Roman legacy and later history on an afternoon tour that takes you to many monuments and culminates at the fortresslike St. Peter's Cathedral, one of Germany's oldest churches built in the Romanesque style. Just a few steps away from the cathedral is the Hauptmarkt -- a picturesque square surrounded by beautiful Gothic, Renaissance, and rococo buildings. This evening, enjoy dinner ashore at a lovely local restaurant.

From our dock in Grevenmacher, you'll travel overland this morning to Luxembourg -- the European financial center that is home to many prestigious institutions. Your tour includes a visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery, one of 14 permanent World War II cemeteries erected on foreign soil. More than 5,000 American military dead are buried here, including 101 "unknown" soldiers and General Patton. Continue on to Old Town, stopping at the Cathedral of Our Lady and at the social epicenter of Luxembourg -- Place D'Armes, bordered by monuments to national poets Dicks and Lentz. After a leisurely lunch, you'll have time for independent sightseeing and shopping be-fore returning to the ship, now docked in Thionville.

In the areas of Germany and France we have visited the past few days, reminders of the two great wars of the 20th century are all around. Today, you'll visit the famous Maginot Line -- a powerful line of defense constructed by the French to protect its borders from its perennial enemy, Germany. When World War II began, the Maginot Line stretched from Switzerland to the Ardennes in the north, and from the Alps to the Mediterranean in the south. The greatest defect of the line was that it was too short. In May 1940, Hitler simply chose to ignore it. Today, you will visit one of the fortresses along the Maginot Line.

Then trade battlegrounds for land once trod by royalty as you arrive in Metz this afternoon. The former capital of the Carolingian kings in medieval times and now the largest city in northern Lorraine, Metz has a long and fascinating history. It was fortified by the Romans; sacked by Attila the Hun in the fifth century; prospered as a free imperial city until the 13th century; captured by the French, along with Tours and Verdun, in 1552; surrendered to the Germans in 1870; under German rule from 1871-1918; and reverted to French jurisdiction after World War I. Your tour today traces some of the city's history from Gallo-Roman times through the 20th century, and includes visits to the Gothic Cathedral of St. Etienne with its 13th-century stained-glass windows and the famous Silbermann organ. You will also see Place d'Armes, an enchanting square surrounded by 14th-century mansions and the fourth-century Church of St. Pierre aux-Nonnais, thought to be France's oldest church.

Nancy, the medieval city in Lorraine that was once the seat of power or the Dukes of Lorraine, is our final port of call. Here, you will explore the Old Town on a walking tour that includes visits to the Palais Ducal (Dukes' Palace) and Place Stanislas, an elegant square en-closed by golden wrought-iron gates. A stop at a local chocolate factory offers a demonstration and -- even better -- a taste of the results. Following the tour, you'll have ample time to explore this lovely city on your own.

After breakfast this morning, disembark the Rembrandt and transfer to the airport in Luxembourg for your return flight to the United States. Upon arrival, connect with the flight to your home city.

DEPARTURE DATES

May 27, 2003 · July 31, 2003* · August 27, 2003 · October 14, 2003* (* Denotes Reverse Itinerary)

Rates per Person
Category	Deck(s)	Description	Price
1	Main Deck	Outside Twin with two picture windows	$4,995
2	Upper Deck	Outside Twin with one large picture window	$5,495
3	Upper Deck	Outside suite with one lower double bed and interior French balcony	$7,895
Single Supplement	Main and Upper Decks	Singles available in Categories 1 and 2 only	$2,600
Rates per person are in U.S. dollars and are based on double occupancy (except where stated otherwise).

Sample Airfares
Atlanta	$227	Houston	$360	Raleigh/Durham	$146
Baltimore	$157	Kansas City	$410	Saint Louis	$319
Boston	$175	Los Angeles	$460	San Diego	$566
Chicago	$248	Miami	$197	San Francisco	$416
Cincinnati	$278	New Orleans	$272	Seattle	$416
Cleveland	$261	Philadelphia	$225	Syracuse	$228
Dallas/Ft. Worth	$306	Phoenix	$247	Washington, DC	$171
Denver	$310	Pittsburgh	$175
Detroit	$271	Portland, OR	$410

The above sample airfares are based on airline tariffs in effect October 1, 2002, and are subject to change. Please inquire about airfares from other cities.

International Air Credit: $575
Passengers electing to use this air credit are solely responsible for all air transportation.

Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm reservations. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Here's What Your Voyage Includes:
All Sightseeing and Shore Excursions

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From Amsterdam to Alsace

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