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River Cruises |
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The Rhine, Main & Danube River Cruise
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Cologne – Andernach – Loreley Rock – Ruedesheim – Aschaffenburg – Wertheim – Wuerzburg – Schweinfurt – Bamberg – Nuremberg – Riedenburg – Regensburg – Passau – Munich |
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Take advantage of this beautiful 3-River-Cruise starting in Cologne on the legendary Rhine through which Richard Wagner became famous for his opera Nibelungen, known as The Ring and where Lohengrin the Knight of the Swan appeared at the food of one of the numerous castles crowning hills, near the enchanting Loreley Rock. Enjoy spectacular scenery while cruising on the charming Main with its course of many windings, gliding along medieval villages by way of Franconia's wellknown wine-growing district and explore some of Germany's most beautiful and historic cities with its well-preserved architecture of the Middle Ages line the banks of the blue Danube, finally with Passau as its best! You will extend this cruise with two more nights in Bavaria's capital Munich and participate in an unforgettable excursion into the Bavarian Alps to visit King Ludwig's fairy-tale Castle Neuschwanstein and picturesque Oberammergau, home of the world-known Passion Play. So, just join us on this memorable River cruise and for its sightseeings to experience Old Germany, available only from Panoramica! |
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| | DAY 01 Cologne
A warm welcome awaits you upon arrival Cologne Airport by your Tour Director following transfer to your hotel. - Early afternoon participate in a city sightseeing tour of Cologne, capital of the Rhineland. See its Gothic Town Hall of the 14th century with parts of Italian Renaissance, its imposing square tower St. Martin with four smaller towers like a fortress in Romanesque style, watch the lively Rhine river quays and visit Cologne's landmark, the almost 800-years old mighty Gothic Cathedral. Among other treasures see its magnificent shrine, a masterpiece of the 12th century, impressive Apostles statues, the famous Gerokreuz, a crucifix even of the 10th century and beautiful stainedglass windows. - Nearby, spend some free time in the pedestrian zone with numerous shops, boutiques, department stores and outside-cafes before we return to our hotel in time for a welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: D. (1 overnight at Hotel Queens). | | | | | | DAY 02 Cologne – Bonn – Andernach
After a good breakfast at your hotel the morning is yours to do as you please. Around noon transfer to embarking station where you board your floating hotel MPS Esmeralda for your Rhine, Main&Danube river cruise. - Soon enjoy the beautiful riverside upstream scenery as you pass Germany's former capital Bonn, stretches of deep forest of the Westerwald region and its differentshaped Siebengebirge, a mountain range of seven volcanic hills overlooking the Rhine at the foot of summer resort Koenigswinter. - During the evening arrive at Andernach, an old Rhine river town with a fortified gateway, castle ruins and a Parish church of the 13th century. - After dinner tonight on board your Tour Director takes you on an easy orientation walk.
Meals and overnight on board.
| | | | | | DAY 03 Koblenz – Loreley Rock – Ruedesheim
During the morning you depart Andernach and cruise through scenic Rhine valleys by way of 2.000-years old city Koblenz, dominated by its imposing Citadel Ehrenbreitstein where the Moselle river is flowing into the Rhine. Your ship is gliding further upstream passing now the Rhine most scenic landscape like St. Goarshausen with its fortress Rheinfels and legendary Loreley Rock, where mermaids are said to have lured sailors to their death. Arriving Ruedesheim, truly one of the most picturesque Rhine river towns in time for dinner following by a walk through charming Drosselgasse, a quaint alley lined with halftimbered houses and inviting wine bars.
Meals and overnight on board.
| | | | | | DAY 04 Frankfurt – Aschaffenburg
This morning route bends around the town of Bingen and Mainz, Germany's largest wine market and leads here into the Main river, gliding through the cosmopolitan city of Frankfurt. You pass its old town center with a good view to its skyscrapers, headquarters of the leading German banks. - Byway of Offenbach, Germany's capital of leather goods we soon arrive the old town of Aschaffenburg, right at the food of the wooded Spessart hills and dominated by a mighty 17th century palace of Renaissance style. - Following dinner join your Tour Director again on an easy orientation walk through this lovely city.
Meals and overnight on board.
| | | | | | DAY 05 Miltenberg –Wertheim
Today experience some exciting sluices en route while your ship is raised up several times to achieve the required water level. You pass small town Miltenberg in Lower Bavaria andwill viewmost beautiful half-timbered homes along the quay. - Later this afternoon arrive at Baden-Wuerttemberg's pleasant town Wertheim where the rivers Main and Tauber meet. - A sightseeing tour will show you the beauty of this medieval town as we stop at the market place to see its quaint burgher houses and the Engelsbrunnen, a remarkable 16th century Renaissance fountain. You visit the town's church of Gothic style and see the Renaissance monument of the Count of Ysenburg, a notable tomb of the 16th century. Nearby, walk up some steps to the castle ruins and enjoy from here a splendid view over the town. - Be invited now for refreshment or a glass of wine at the Castle-Cafe before we return to our floating hotel for dinner.
Meals and overnight on board. | | | | | | DAY 06 Karlstadt –Wuerzburg
You spend this wonderful morning cruising along the lovely wooded hills of Spessart, also called the „Woodpecker Forest”, winding through deep valleys and meadowland to Karlstadt with a brief stop to walk this charming little Bavarian town and visit its old brewery to be invited for a beer or two. - After this leisurely break continue through the Lower Franconian wine district and arrive during the early evening the university city of Wuerzburg, beautiful situated in the Main basin of vineyards and famous for its Baroque buildings, erected by the former Prince-Bishops.
Meals and overnight on board. | | | | | | DAY 07 Wuerzburg – Franconia – Schweinfurt
Join a city tour of beautiful Wuerzburg this morning and see first its old town center and the domed Baroque church Neumuenster of the 18th century with its Franconian patron St. Kilian and other statues, masterpieces by the famous German wood-carver Riemenschneider.
You will visit see The Residenz, one of Germany's biggest Baroque palaces, completed in 1745 and seat of the Prince-Bishops. See the grand staircase with splendid fresco and the Imperial Hall illustrating the city's history. Before you return passWuerzburg's 15th century bridge Main-Bruecke, beautiful adorned with several statues of saints. - Around noon continue with your cruise further upstream by way of Ochsenfurt and other little villages of the Main Valley, an excellent wine-growing area on limestone slopes. - Then we arrive the former Imperial City of Schweinfurt, known for its remarkable Town Hall, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture.
Meals and overnight on board. | | | | | | DAY 08 Bamberg –Nuremberg
A relaxing morning cruise takes you through quaint valleys dotted with pastureland to the old cathedral city of Bamberg. - During a sightseeing you visit the Domplatz and its medieval commanding Gothic Cathedral of the 13th century. See the Knight of Bamberg, a statue of the same century and tomb of the Hungarian King Stephen, another masterpiece of the early 16th century by Riemenschneider. Admire the 17th century Town Hall balanced on one the bridge's pier heads. - A short motorcoach excursion will lead you to Castle Weissenstein, an outstanding example of Baroque architecture with a great staircase, a grotto decoration in Rococo style and a Painting Gallery. - Later and during the afternoon return to your floating hotel and leave Bamberg on an evening and night cruise gliding now on the Main-Danube canal with its 16 locks while your ship is temporary sailing above streets and buildings.
Meals and overnight on board. | | | | | | DAY 09 Nuremberg – Riedenburg
Following breakfast your motor-coach takes you on a city tour of ancient Nuremberg, famous for its ginger bread, tasty sausages, but also scene of the International Military Tribunal in 1945.- You visit the old town quarter and its restored 15th century Albrecht Duerer Haus, the Church of our Lady, buildings of the new and old Town Hall and its Schoener Brunnen, a most beautiful 14th century Gothic fountain. - Time is yours to browse around before we continue our journey to small town Riedenburg, dominated by its Castle Eggersberg with a late evening arrival.
Meals and overnight on board. | | | | | | DAY 10 Riedenburg – Regensburg
The morning cruise takes you first to Kelheim in Bavaria, confluence area of the Main canal, Altmuehl river and Danube, site of the Liberation Monument, a huge rotunda with a number of victory statues. - Around your lunch time arrive at medieval town Regensburg. - Your sightseeing will give you a good view of the city from a 12th century stone bridge, a masterpiece of ancient architecture while crossing the Danube river. - See also the market square Alter Kormarkt with a Romanesque Tower and the Ducal Palace before we walk over to the old Town Hall, view burgher houses of the nobility and Germany's oldest Sausage Restaurant. - After a break a short excursion takes you to Walhalla, the German Temple of Fame, built by the Bavarian King Ludwig I in 1842. Fromits terrace enjoy a panoramic view before we return in time for dinner.
Meals and overnight on board. | | | | | | DAY 11 Regensburg – Passau
An early morning departure winds along the Bavarian hills and woods, passing quaint market towns and the confluence of Munich's charming river Isar. During the afternoon be on Sun Deck as you arrive at Passau, one of Germany's most picturesque cities with a marvelous setting at the junction of three rivers. - A sightseeing tour of this unique Bavarian town, crowned by a stronghold on a wooded hill will show you first the majestic Cathedral, built in Baroque style during the 17th century. - After this delightful church visit we cross the Danube and drive up the castle hill of Georgsberg to see its powerful fortress Veste Oberhaus of the 13th century. - From the restaurant terrace or from the observation tower enjoy amagnificent panorama shows you peninsula Passau, beautiful situated between the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz with its redroofed buildings in a typical Italian style. - Later, return to your floating hotel and join this evening your captain for a festive farewell dinner.
Meals and overnight on board. | | | | | | DAY 12 Passau – Munich
After breakfast on board your unforgettable river cruise of the Rhine, Main and Danube comes to an end as you disembark here in Passau for a motor-coach transfer to Munich for a two more nights stay. - Arrive the capital of Bavaria and at your hotel around noon, check-in and join your Tour Director for a welcome reception following by a city sightseeing. The tour will show you first Munich's landmark the towered Church of our Lady, the splendid Sendlinger Gate, the beautiful City Hall with its famous Glockenspiel and the most celebrated Hofbraeuhaus. You will view the palace Residenz, built during the 14th century for the former Bavarian Dukes. - See the Olympic Stadium of 1972, the Nymphenburg Palace surrounded by a lovely park and visit here the Royal Horse Carriage Museum. - The rest of the afternoon is yours to shop or browse around in Munich's pedestrian zone. Tonight you are invited for dinner at one of Munich's famous restaurants with local music and folklore entertainment.
Meals: B&D. (2 overnights at Hotel Atrium). | | | | | | DAY 13 Munich – Castle Neuschwanstein – Oberammergau
An unforgettable excursion takes you today by motorcoach into the Bavarian Alps first to small town Hohenschwangau to visit Castle Neuschwanstein. This white and dream-like fortresswas built 1869 by sketches of a theatrical decorator which explains the fairy-tale atmosphere. You will tour some of the inside rooms in Romanesque and Byzantine style, the Singershall with fine candelabra and chandeliers. - Step outside on Marienbruecke, which spans a deep gorge to enjoy a panoramic view of the Upper Bavarian mountains and its lakes. - Following a lunch break down at the village we continue our excursion to Oberammergau to see its beautiful painted burgher houses and the world-famous Passion Play Theater with a seating for about 5.000 spectators. Time here will be yours now to stroll around or visit shops before we return to our hotel in Munich. - Dinner tonight will be served at the hotel, including a drawing of valuable goods with everyone winning a present and wish this last evening in Bavaria to be the most enjoyable one of your tour!
Meals: B&D. | | | | | | DAY 14 Munich – Last day of tour
Following breakfast this morning your spectacular journey finally ends as your motor-coach takes you to the airport of Munich for your return flight. Time to say good-bye and „Auf Wiedersehen” to the old world - wishing you a happy return!
Meals: B.
Please note: This river cruise package is also available vice versa, starting in Munich and ending in Cologne!
| | | | | | Amenities of your floating hotel MPS-Esmeralda (Dutch flagship)
- 63 spacious outside cabins with wide windows, including two lower single beds, private facilities with toilet, shower, telephone, TV and air-condition.
- An elegant restaurant with panoramic windows, accommodates all guests in one comfortable seating.
- Your ship is further equipped with a cozy bar, an elevator and with a spacious Sun Deck with reclining seats to watch the scenery passing by. | | | |
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All includings* |
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- Transfers between Airport Cologne/Munich and hotels/
embarking stations.
- 3 welcome cocktails, each upon arrival Cologne/ Munich
and one on board.
- 1 accommodation in Cologne, including buffet-style
breakfast and a three-courses dinner and
- 2 accommodations in Munich,
including 2 buffet-style breakfasts and 2 three-courses
dinners, one with local entertainment,
both selected three or four-star hotel as named
or similar, including hotel tax, service charges and
baggage handling.
- 10 nights on board of MPS-Esmeralda
from Cologne to Passau (or vice versa) as per itinerary, all in
an outside twin-bedded cabin with 2 lower beds, each with
private facilities, telephone, TV and air-condition.
- On cruise up to 5 meals per day,
including captain's dinner.
- All sightseeings, excursions and entrance fees
as per itinerary:
City sightseeing in Cologne, including entrance to cathedral.
- City sightseeing in Cologne, including entrance to cathedral.
- Orientation sightseeing walk of Andernach, Ruedesheim
and Aschaffenburg.
- Sightseeing of Wertheim,
including refreshment or glass of wine.
- Orientation sightseeing walk of Karlstadt,
including beer tasting.
- City sightseeing of Wuerzburg,
including entrance to palace Residenz.
- City sightseeing of Bamberg,
including entrance to Castle Weissenstein.
- City sightseeing of Nuremberg and Regensburg,
including excursion to Walhalla.
- City sightseeing of Passau, including Fortress Oberhaus.
- City sightseeing of Munich,
including entrance to Royal Horse Carriage Museum.
- Excursion to Oberammergau and Hohenschwangau,
including entrance to Castle Neuschwanstein.
- A valuable gift to each member of tour.
- An experienced and multi-lingual Tour Director
each day throughout land.
- An English-speaking Cruise Director. |
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Hotel-, Cruise- and Land-Cost |
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