Castles along the Rhine

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enquire now 8 Days From NZD $4,799 pp twinshare
 Cruise
 Terms & Conditions apply

Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses and get an insider’s look at one of the only castles on the Rhine that has never been destroyed, Marksburg Castle. Visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg; stroll through the fairytale town of Rüdesheim; and taste delightful white wines in the villages where the grapes are grown.

Generations Family Program (select sailings): Share the enchantment of this region with the special young people in your life. These cruises not only feature unique, fun-filled adventures for families to enjoy together, they’re also packed with culturally and historically significant experiences designed to spark creativity and lifelong learning.

ITINERARY 

Basel to Amsterdam OR Amsterdam to Basel 

Note: The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.

DAY 1: Basel (Embark)

Arrive at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Important Note: Uniworld’s airport services and transfers to the ship will take place on the Switzerland side of the Basel-Mulhouse Airport. Be sure to enter Customs on the Switzerland side, as guests cannot return to the Switzerland side after they have exited the airport from the France side.

DAY 2: Breisach (Freiburg)

Breisach is your gateway to the Alsatian wine road and your launching point for an excursion along the celebrated Route des Vins, which hugs the foothills of the Vosges mountain range, or a city tour of Freiburg.

Featured Excursion:
Alsatian villages
Alsatian villages (Generations)*
*Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

This morning, enjoy leisure time as you sail the scenic Upper Rhine to Breisach.

A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

DAY 3: Kehl (Strasbourg)

See Strasbourg on foot with an insightful local expert, where this historic town with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, giant stork nests and impossible-to-resist pastry shops will win your heart. Kehl, directly across the river from Strasbourg, will be your ship’s base while you explore the Alsatian capital. If you’re feeling adventurous, take advantage of Uniworld’s bicycles or Nordic walking sticks and explore the banks of the river.

Featured Excursion:
Strasbourg panoramic tour with cathedral and Old Town walk
Canals, cobblestones and cathedrals (Generations)*
*Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

You have the entire afternoon to see more of Strasbourg on your own

DAY 4: Mannheim (Speyer)

Speyer—“spire” in English—is well named, since the four red towers of the Romanesque cathedral dominate the Old Town.

Featured Excursion:
Speyer climbing forest (Generations)*
Submarines & space shuttles (Generations)*
Choice of Mannheim vineyard tour and tasting or Private Doktorenhof vinegar estate visit and tasting (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences)*
*Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences support sustainable tourism, offering our guests opportunities to directly impact the communities we explore in a positive way.
*Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

DAY 5: Rüdesheim, Boppard

Experience Germany’s fabled Rhine River in the towns of Rüdesheim and Boppard. Enjoy a private tasting of estate-grown Rieslings at Castle Vollrads, take a stroll through beautiful Boppard, or hike through some of the most beautiful landscapes that line the Rhine.

Featured Excursion:
Cable car climb to Niederwald Heights (Generations)*
Fairytale Rheinstein Castle (Generations)*
Boppard stroll with ice cream stop (Generations)*
Choice of Castle Vollrads wine tasting or Rüdesheim wine village and panoramas of Niederwald Monument or Boppard village stroll or “Let’s Go” Rhine hiking
*Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

This morning, you’ll cruise out of Rüdesheim and into the sublimely beautiful and romantic Upper Middle Rhine Valley.

DAY 6: Boppard, Koblenz

Get to know Koblenz, a historic town with a colorful past and eclectic architecture, and enjoy a visit to the stunningly medieval Marksburg Castle. As you come upon picture-perfect Koblenz, you’ll sail past Deutsches Eck (German Corner) with its historic monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I.

Featured Excursion:
“Let’s Go” bike the castles
Koblenz scavenger hunt (Generations)*
Medieval Marksburg (Generations)*
Choice of Koblenz walking tour or Marksburg Castle visit
*Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

DAY 7: Cologne

History buffs will enjoy an expertly led tour through Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its Renaissance façade. Wander through the city’s historical center and take in its charming atmosphere, narrow alleyways flanked by old houses and countless breweries. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you’ll also have ample free time to explore on your own.

Featured Excursion:
Cologne walking tour
Gothic cathedrals, gargoyles and chocolate (Generations)*
*Only available on sailings that belong to the Generations Program.

In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

DAY 8: Amsterdam (Disembark)

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for your flight home. Alternatively, you may continue your adventure with our optional post-cruise Amsterdam extension.

INCLUSIONS 

DINING

  • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
  • 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
  • Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
  • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water

EXCURSIONS

  • 6 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
  • Guided “Let’s Go” program
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
  • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks

ACCOMMODATIONS

  • 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the exquisite S.S. Antoinette, the regal River Queen or the elegant River Empress
  • Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
  • Free Internet and Wi-Fi access

EXPERIENCES

  • 4 countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland
  • 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
  • Captivating onboard local entertainment
  • Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture
  • Group Transfers are included on arrival and departure days (please see terms and conditions for transfer guidelines)
  • Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour

Images courtesy of The Travel Corporation 

UNI

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