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Read More Enchanting Rhine Cruise and Oberammergau
Netherlands, Germany
• 7-night Deluxe Riverboat Cruise
• Many shore excursions included!
• 2-nights Oberammergau Passion Play
• 1 night Munich and 1 night Basel
• Chance to visit the Netherland’s Floriade Expo
This holiday begins with an overnight in Munich, and then we proceed to Oberammergau (Germany) to attend a performance of the Passion Play. The residents of this Bavarian town have been performing this emotional re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ every ten years since 1647 to thank God for sparing them the brunt of the Black Plague. There is a cast of hundreds, and the beautiful open stage is framed by magnificent alpine scenery. The play is in German but there are ongoing translations. We have the best available seating.
Then we board our Deluxe riverboat for a leisurely 7-night cruise through Switzerland, France, Germany and Holland. One of the highlights of this cruise is the opportunity to visit the Netherland’s Floriade Expo 2022. This event also takes place once every 10 years.
Our riverboat, the Deluxe MS AMALucia is an intimate ship specially built for cruising European rivers. Aboard you may relax in the lounge or on the sun deck. There is a fitness centre, pool, walking track and massage room. You will enjoy superb dining with theme dinners. Quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions are included with all lunches and dinners. The nightly entertainment features folkloric and musical performances and informative lectures. There is a choice of cabins and all have either a window, a French Balcony or Twin Balconies.
* Those joining any of our tours to Europe must be able to walk fairly long distances and climb stairs easily.
Itinerary / Excursions
We depart for Munich.
Upon arrival in Munich we will proceed on a short city tour to give us an overview of the Bavarian capital. We will see the medieval city gates, Königsplatz Square, Pinakothek Galleries, Victory Gate, Field Marshalls’ Hall, English Garden, Maximilian Boulevard and Residenz Palace. After an included lunch we transfer to our hotel with the rest of the day at leisure. This evening is our Welcome Dinner.
We drive to Oberammergau, and check in to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
We attend the Oberammergau Passion Play, performed every 10 years and involving hundreds of performers and musicians, all from the local village. The play lasts through the afternoon and evening. Dinner is served during the break.
We drive to Basel and check in to our hotel. The rest of the day is free in Switzerland’s second largest city, an important university town which features a medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18th century architecture.
We enjoy a walking tour of Basel and free time to explore before embarking our luxurious cruise ship. This evening is our Welcome Dinner.
There will be several exciting excursions to choose from today. The first is a walking tour of Riquewihr - a picturesque town renowned for its historic architecture and its Riesling wines. A second option is a walking tour of the beautiful town of Freiburg and a visit of Münster - a Gothic cathedral made of red sandstone. Or, you may cycle through the scenic countryside or go on a hike through the magical Black Forest.
The capital city of France’s Alsace region, Strasbourg, is situated on the Rhine at the German border. You can enjoy a tour here that will take you past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie (the town’s oldest park), the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique. Then, enjoy a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood, with its Gothic cathedral and famous astronomical clock. Another option is to take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
Today choose between 3 excursions. The first option is a tour to the old university town of Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled castle with its Great Vat (a 49,000-gallon wine cask). A second option is a hike up the Philosopher's Path for a panoramic view of Heidelberg. Or, ride along the River Neckar to the medieval town of Ladenburg where you can explore the shops and quaint Marktplatz. The third option is a city tour of Speyer - one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its cathedral, old churches and the medieval Altpörtel (Old Gate). We continue to Rüdesheim, where you can choose from either a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum or a Rüdesheimer Coffee excursion.
This morning we have a choice between 3 excursions: a gondola ride above the town to see the Niederwalddenkmal Statue followed by a wine tasting with a local vintner; a guided bike tour through the town and along the Rhine River; or hike through Rüdesheim’s vineyards, taking in views of the town, the Roman Bridge and Bromersburg Castle. Later, our ship cruises through the Rhine Gorge - the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, with hillsides dotted with fairy-tale castles. We arrive in Lahnstein for a visit to Lahneck Castle.
In Cologne there will be a choice of 3 excursions. The first is a walking tour that takes in the Old Town, Cathedral Square, and the city’s majestic Gothic cathedral. The second option is a Kölsch Beer and local specialties tasting, and the third is a guided bike tour along the Rhine River and through the historic Stadtgarten.
Amsterdam boasts amazing history, art and architecture, and you have a choice as to how you wish to explore it. The famous canals of Amsterdam await discovery on your city tour beginning with a scenic canal cruise. Another option is to enjoy the rare experience to visit the Netherland’s Floriade Expo featuring stunning gardens, innovative gardening exhibits, live entertainment and food stalls. The last option is a stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café.
We disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for our flight home.
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