Immerse yourself in German and French culture on this fabulous Europe river cruise holiday along the Seine and Rhine Rivers. Revel in the romance and splendor of this magical journey on two of Europe’s most legendary waterways.
You’ll start your European holiday with a 3-night stay in Lake Como and 1 night stay in Lucerne, with a special excursion up Mount Pilatus (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility) for spectacular Swiss Alpine panoramas. In Como, an included guided walking tour features the charming historic district, the Gothic Town Hall, the impressive Duomo, and a boat ride on the lake. In Lucerne, your guided walking tour includes the Lion Monument, the Chapel Bridge, and a special highlight excursion to Swiss Alps.
Next, transfer to Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty. Strasbourg, France, located on the French-German border, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city best known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral, comes alive on a guided walk. Continue to Amsterdam, the modern capital of Holland. You’ll sail from Paris to Vernon with your choice of two included excursions—a guided visit to master impressionist Claude Monet’s home and gardens at Giverny, or a guided tour of the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” You’ll sail through the picturesque and historic landscapes of Normandy, with the choice to visit the historic sites of the famed WWII landing beaches, and moving monuments to Allied forces, or you may explore the farming region for a “Taste of Normandy.”
In Rouen, site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom, take a guided walk through the medieval quarter and visit the Gothic Rouen Cathedral—once the tallest building in the world. From Conflans, join in an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Auvers-Sur-Oise—inspired setting for several famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh—or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. Your Seine River cruise returns to Paris with more time to explore the romantic city. Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour to see its iconic landmarks, including the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more, or take a tour focused on WWII and visit the museum of Les Invalides.
Traveller Notes
Departure July 3rd will operate the itinerary on the Seine in a revised order: Day 1 to 12 as per regular program, Day 13 Paris, Day 14 Conflans, Day 15 Les Andelys-Rouen, Day 16 Caudebec, Day 17 Caudebec. Normandy excursions, Day 18 Vernon, Day 19 Paris