2014 - APT Europe River Cruising Preview

13 Day Europe's Rivers & Castles Paris to Prague 3 Nights Paris | 7 Night River Cruise from Remich to Nuremberg | 2 Nights Prague 5 TH TR C R AV O O E U U L N G TR H IE S France | Belgium | Luxembourg | Germany | Czech Republic See the picturesque towns and villages that are nestled along the banks of the Moselle River TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR FLEET ONLINE www.aptouring.com.au/Aria Day 1. Arrive Paris. On arrival, be met at the airport in Paris and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is then yours at leisure to explore or relax. Three Night Stay: Pullman Paris Montparnasse. Day 2. Paris. This morning see the sights of Paris during a guided tour, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, Avenue des Champs Élysées and more. The rest of the day is then at leisure. This evening, perhaps attend an optional cabaret show (own expense). B Day 3. Paris. With a full day at leisure today, you may like to go strolling along boutiquelined boulevards or ascend to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Perhaps sip coffee in the Latin Quarter, wander the famous Rue Mouffetard, or chat with the artists along the Seine River. B Day 4. Paris, Luxembourg, Remich. After breakfast, travel by high-speed train into the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of the world's smallest countries. On arrival in the city of Luxembourg, enjoy a tour. In Remich, board your river ship and tonight enjoy the Captain's Gala elcome Dinner on board. W Seven Night Stay: a luxurious Aria River Ship.BD Day 5. Trier, Bernkastel. Enjoy a pleasant morning cruising along the Moselle River, a winding and picturesque waterway. Having 38 entered Germany, you'll arrive in Trier and enjoy a tour that includes the Roman Baths and the Roman Amphitheatre. Then continue along the Moselle to Bernkastel, a charming town overlooked by ruins of Castle Landshut. Bernkastel features a medieval marketplace, half-timbered homes with steep gables and beautiful town squares with fountains dating back centuries. Enjoy a vineyard visit, walking tour and a wine tasting. After dinner, take a walking tour through the old town centre with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. BLD Day 6. Cochem OR Koblenz, Rüdesheim. Today, perhaps travel to Cochem, a town known for its cosy wine taverns and colourful riverside promenades. Enjoy a tour here including a visit to the fairytale-style Reichsburg Cochem, a towering castle overlooking the Moselle River. Alternatively, explore Koblenz, a historic 2,000 year-old wine-producing city, and take a guided walking tour. Then re-board your ship and cruise through the Rhine Gorge along the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. As you cruise, keep a watch for the ancient castles and ruins dotted about the steep vineyard-covered slopes. Arrive in Rüdesheim and tour Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, home to Germany's most impressive collection of automated musical instruments. BLD Day 7. Mainz OR Heidelberg. After breakfast this morning, you'll disembark your ship in Mainz. Here, choose from two different sightseeing options. Perhaps take a guided tour of historic Mainz and visit the Gutenberg Museum. As one of the oldest museums of printing in the world, the Gutenberg is home to such artefacts as the world's first printed bible. Alternatively, choose to travel from Mainz to the ancient university town of Heidelberg to tour the town's old quarter and monumental red-walled Heidelberg Castle. There, enjoy views of the Neckar Valley and see the Great Vat, a 49,000 gallon, 18th-century wine cask. BLD Day 8. Wertheim. This morning your ship travels to the charming medieval town of Wertheim, located where the rivers Main and Tauber meet. Disembark and enjoy time at leisure to explore or perhaps join a guided bicycle tour. Reboard the ship this evening and cruise overnight to Würzburg. BLD Day 9. Würzburg, Kitzingen. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Würzburg this morning, and visit its renowned Residential Palace, regarded as one of the finest palaces in Europe. Later, enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps explore more of the city, or set off on a guided bicycle ride from Würzburg to Kitzingen. Alternatively, you may choose to embark on an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled town along the Romantic Road (own expense). After dinner back on board, disembark in Kitzingen this evening and enjoy a unique wine tasting event. The local Aulic Council and Wine Queen will escort you to Germany's oldest wine cellar to sample regional wines. BLD Day 10. Bamberg. Today you'll disembark your ship after breakfast and travel to World

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