2013 - APT Europe River Cruising

Day 7. Cochem, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. Today you'll disembark in the German town of Cochem, possibly the prettiest town in the beautiful Moselle Valley. Explore the town on either walking tour or a guided bicycle ride. Afterwards, enjoy a visit to Reichsburg Cochem, a castle that's perched on a hill overlooking the town. Take in the beautiful sweeping views out over the river then return to your ship before it sets off cruising back up the Moselle River, a winding and picturesque waterway. Absorb the scenery of the spectacular Moselle Valley as you pass landscapes of lush vineyards and rolling hills. Day 8. Rüdesheim, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. Today cruise through the Rhine Gorge on what is known as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. On arrival in Rüdesheim, perhaps board the Winzerexpress mini-train and travel to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum for a tour. Alternatively, take a ride in a gondola for views over the Rhine Valley, or visit a local winery where you'll enjoy a tour and tasting. BLD Day 9. Speyer. Disembark your ship this morning for a brief sightseeing tour of Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities. Afterwards, travel to Europe's largest private technology museum, the Technik Museum Speyer, which is spread over more than 30,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space and features more than 3,000 exhibits from all different areas of technological history. Day 10. Breisach, Freedom of Choice Inclusions. Today in Breisach, choose from two options. The first, an excursion to the Black Forest in Germany, will take you by coach through a lovely scenic forested area, past a number of lakes as well as several brilliant examples of rural German architecture. You'll also visit a quaint little cuckoo clock factory before returning to your ship. Your second option is a trip to the medieval city of Colmar, located on the Alsatian Wine Route. During a tour here, see half-timbered framed houses; the German-influenced old quarter; the Launch River and more. You'll also enjoy a wine cellar visit and wine tasting. With both groups back on board, your ship departs for Switzerland. BLD CROSS THE STUNNING SWISS ALPS Day 11. Basel, Disembark, Lyon, Embark Ship. Disembark the MS AMACELLO for the last time in Basel, set at the crossroads of Germany, Switzerland and France. Long an important university, banking and trade centre, Basel's past is still evident in its medieval town hall and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. After a tour, travel to the medieval cheese- making town of Gruyères. On arrival, visit a cheese factory for a tour and a tasting of the delicious, richly-flavoured cheese that makes the town so famous. After, continue to Lake Geneva, where you'll stop to absorb some truly breathtaking views. Later, arrive in Lyon and board APT's MS AMADAGIO. Seven Night Stay: APT's luxurious Aria River Ship – the MS AMADAGIO. Cruise Europe's Three Most Beautiful Rivers Amsterdam North Sea NETHERLANDS Rhine River Cologne BELGIUM Paris BLD 7 Versailles 3 Coach Cruise 7 MS AMACELLO 7 MS AMADAGIO No. of nights stay Freedom of Choice InclusionsTM Included Sightseeing 7 / Saône River Trévoux FRANCE Tournon Viviers Rhône River Avignon Arles Vienne Lyon Grignan Les Baux de Provence PROVENCE 3 Monte Carlo MONACO Marseille BLD CRUISING THE RHÔNE AND SAÔNE Day 12. Lyon, Freedom of Choice Inclusions, Trévoux. Today presents you with the unique opportunity to experience Lyon, considered to be the gastronomic centre of France. Perhaps take a city tour or enjoy a cooking demonstration, showcasing the fine art of preparing French cuisine. After lunch, your ship will cruise along the pretty Saône River and you'll enjoy an onboard demonstration of silk-making. On arrival in the historic town of Trévoux, a tour includes a private walk through the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall). Day 13. Trévoux, Beaujolais Region, Vienne. This morning's tour will take you through the Beaujolais wine region, the Pays d'Or or 'land of the golden stones' – named for the ochre limestone of its homes and castles. After visiting the medieval hilltop village of Oingt, head to Pascal Gayot's Domaine de la Logère, a family-owned and run winery. Here, a member of the family will take you on a tour, explain the history of the winery, introduce you to the age-old traditions they employ and host a wine tasting. Afterwards, return to your ship, which will cruise onto the Rhône River, heading for Vienne. Day 14. Vienne, Freedom of Choice BD Inclusions, Tournon. Set between the famed regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne's strong Roman history is highlighted by its well-preserved ruins. After breakfast, take a mini-train tour, during which you'll see the Roman Temple of Augustus and the medieval churches of St Andre-Le-Bas and Abbey St Cannes Nice Mediterranean Sea Cochem Moselle River Rüdesheim Koblenz 14 River Cruising Colmar Basel Gruyères SWITZERLAND Swiss Alps Lake Geneva Rhine River Speyer Black Forest Breisach GERMANY SEASONAL CRUISING Spring Time Cruising March – May Autumn Colours September – mid-November Christmas Markets November & December See pages 46-47 for details. Pierre. Alternatively, travel to Chateau de Rousillion, an imposing castle, for a tour of the interior courtyard and its rooms. After, enjoy a pottery demonstration then return to your ship for lunch. With both groups back on board, cruise to Tournon and Tain L'Hermitage, towns that face each other across the Rhône. Day 15. Tournon, Freedom of Choice BLD Inclusions, Viviers. This morning, visit a local vineyard on Hermitage hill for a walk among the vines as a specialist explains the wines of the region. After a wine tasting, return to your ship. Alternatively, travel by coach into the Ardèche Mountains and on to Boucieu-le-Roi. Here, enjoy a tour of a family-run goat farm, followed by the chance to sample goat's cheese. Then, after re-boarding your ship for lunch, you'll set out for Viviers. After dinner enjoy a 'ghost walk' through the largely abandoned medieval town or stay on board for a nougat-making demonstration. CRUISE THROUGH PROVENCE Day 16. Viviers, Grignan, BLD Avignon, Freedom of Choice Touring. Today begins with a trip to Grignan, perched upon a hill and surrounded by lavender fields. Here, visit a truffle farm for an insight into this unique industry. Head out with the dogs in search of truffles then enjoy a tasting of these delicacies. After, cruise to Avignon, where you may like to take a tour through the narrow streets and elegant squares to the Palace of the Popes. Alternatively, visit the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct, before time at leisure in Uzès. www.aptouring.com.au BLD BLD BLD 83 RHINE, RHÔNE & MOSELLE TREASURES CRUISING P L A T I R I N E E U M S S

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