2013 - APT Europe River Cruising

11 Day Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle Paris to Amsterdam 3 Nights Paris | 7 Night River Cruise from Remich to Amsterdam France | Belgium | Luxembourg | Germany | Netherlands 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 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 at Leisure. With a full day at leisure today, you may like to go strolling along the boutique-lined 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 one of the many artists along the Seine River. Day 5. Bernkastel. Enjoy a pleasant morning cruising along 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. This afternoon, you'll arrive in the charming town of Bernkastel, which is overlooked by ruins of Castle Landshut. Strategically located in the heart of the Moselle Valley, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history and features a medieval marketplace, half-timbered homes with steep gables and beautiful town squares with fountains dating back centuries. Here today, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour followed by a visit to a vineyard. Then learn about the wines of the region during a wine tasting with a local vintner. Day 6. Cochem, Koblenz. 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. 8 Day (EUAPR08) guests arrive in Luxembourg and are transferred to Remich. In, Remich, board your river ship and tonight enjoy the Captain's Gala Welcome Dinner on board. Seven Night Stay: an Aria River Ship. 114 BD Today, disembark and travel to Cochem, which is known for its cosy wine taverns and colourful riverside promenades. Here, you may like to embark on a guided bike tour of the town. Alternatively, a walking tour includes a visit to the fairytale-style Reichsburg Cochem. Explore the castle's Baroque and Renaissance-furnished interior and learn about its enduring history. Then take your time to enjoy lovely views of the Moselle River, afforded by the castle's spectacular position, perched on hill more than 100 metres above the river. After the tour, re-board your ship and enjoy an afternoon of picturesque cruising along the Moselle River to Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. BLD Day 7. Koblenz. This morning, enjoy a tour of Koblenz, a historic 2,000 year-old wine- producing city. See the Four Towers, the Church of Our Lady and hear the story behind the Schängel Fountain and City Hall. Afterwards, re-board your ship for lunch as it cruises through the Rhine Gorge, along what is considered the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. As you cruise, keep a watch for the ancient castles and castle ruins dotted about the steep vineyard covered slopes. BLD BLD Day 8. Mainz & Rüdesheim 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 museum's of printing in the world, the Gutenberg is home to such artefacts as the world's first printed bible. Then travel to Rüdesheim, a picture-perfect Rhine Valley wine town. Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting with a local vintner before free time to further explore the town. Alternatively, journey to the ancient university town of Heidelberg to tour the town's old quarter and monumental red-walled Heidelberg Castle, where you'll enjoy views of the Neckar Valley and see the Great Vat, a 49,000 gallon, 18th-century wine cask. After both groups then enjoy dinner on board, this evening in Rüdesheim, visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, home to Germany's most impressive collection of automated musical instruments. BLD THROUGH 5 COUNTRIES TRAVEL

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