Castles Along the Rhine (Basel to Amsterdam)

 •  7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the stylish River Ambassador
 •  All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
 •  A children's menu available during dinners onboard with free sodas at lunch and dinner
 •  A special children's walking tour in Koblenz with funny characters, a special scavenger hunt, and an ice cream treat
 •  Complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks during dinner; bottled water in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffees and teas
 •  A visit to the Technik Museum in Speyer with more than 3,000 exhibits including walk-in exhibits of aircrafts and a German submarine
 •  A visit to the unique Siegfried Mechanical Music Museum in Rudesheim, showcasing one of the world's best collections of mechanical musical instruments
 •  A visit to the Chocolate Factory Museum in Cologne
 •  A cooking class onboard with the pastry chef where the kids can make their own desserts
 •  A special ship tour for the children and their family members with the Captain
 •  Games and movies - a playroom with a PlayStation is available throughout the cruise
 •  Complimentary use of bicycles
 •  German language classes onboard
 •  Chess and Shuffleboard on Sun Deck
 •  Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners
 •  Epicurean Adventurer Program
 •  An optional excursion to Europa-Park will be offered for purchase onboard. Europa-Park is Germany's most popular theme park and is located in Rust, Germany. Click here to view more information on the Europa Theme Park , in PDF format. (The excursion will depart from Strasbourg.)

 

 •  7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the stylish River Ambassador
 •  All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
 •  A children's menu available during dinners onboard with free sodas at lunch and dinner
 •  A special children's walking tour in Koblenz with funny characters, a special scavenger hunt, and an ice cream treat
 •  Complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks during dinner; bottled water in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffees and teas
 •  A visit to the Technik Museum in Speyer with more than 3,000 exhibits including walk-in exhibits of aircrafts and a German submarine
 •  A visit to the unique Siegfried Mechanical Music Museum in Rudesheim, showcasing one of the world's best collections of mechanical musical instruments
 •  A visit to the Chocolate Factory Museum in Cologne
 •  A cooking class onboard with the pastry chef where the kids can make their own desserts
 •  A special ship tour for the children and their family members with the Captain
 •  Games and movies - a playroom with a PlayStation is available throughout the cruise
 •  Complimentary use of bicycles
 •  German language classes onboard
 •  Chess and Shuffleboard on Sun Deck
 •  Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners
 •  Epicurean Adventurer Program
 •  An optional excursion to Europa-Park will be offered for purchase onboard. Europa-Park is Germany's most popular theme park and is located in Rust, Germany. Click here to view more information on the Europa Theme Park , in PDF format. (The excursion will depart from Strasbourg.)

Day 1: Depart home gateway city to Basel


Day 2: Basel
Arrive at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg where you'll be transferred to the ship. (D)

Day 3: Breisach (Colmar), Strasbourg Let your fairytale begin
Featured Excursion: Full-day tour along the Alsatian Wine Road
You'll start your fairytale adventure from Medieval Breisach, the gateway to the Black Forest, and you'll cross the Rhine and head for the Alsatian Wine Road, which hugs the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. Charming villages, pastoral landscapes, and lush vineyards producing great white wines line this winding scenic route. You'll visit enchanting Colmar with its winding old streets, architectural treasures dating from the Middle Ages, St. Martin's Church, which is made of pink stone, and its little Venice quarter. You'll also see the picturesque timber-framed houses in the village of Riquewihr. Today, children will discover that history is more than museums, but lives within the very streets that they will walk. (BB, Captain's Welcome Dinner)

Day 4: Strasbourg The "Crossroads of Europe"
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise
Situated halfway between Paris and Prague, is the Alsatian town of Strasbourg, known as the "Crossroads of Europe." A blend of French and German architecture, cuisine, and language makes this town a true delight and one in which everyone will enjoy. View Strasbourg in the way it has been seen through the centuries-on a canal cruise. In addition to viewing the town's covered bridges, Medieval watchtowers, magnificent Gothic cathedral, beautiful half-timbered houses, old tanners' district, and the modern building that houses the European Parliament, you will see Petite France, the picturesque district that seems as if it has been lifted from the pages of a fairytale. (BB, L, D)

Day 5: Speyer Spark creativity and imagination at the Technik Museum
Featured Excursion: Speyer walking tour and Technik Museum
Your guided walking tour through Speyer reveals a Medieval town with a grand heritage and a compact historic center dominated by the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe-a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its basilica laid out in the form of a Latin cross, including four towers and two domes, this is a marvel to behold. You'll then be taken to the Technik Museum with your guide where you'll have a chance to explore over 3000 different exhibits, with many of the exhibits offering the opportunity to participate and interact, so you feel as if you are actually reliving the history yourself. Walk onboard a giant Antonov AN-22 transport plane, a Boeing 747 jumbo jet, and a huge selection of jet fighters and helicopters, as well as go aboard a German submarine. (BB, L, D)

Day 6: Rüdesheim Amusing and fun a musical museum to captivate everyone
Featured Excursion: Siegfrieds Museum of Mechanical Instruments, and Castle Vollrads Estate and wine tasting
Rüdesheim has a long history dating back to Roman times and is considered one of the most charming of the Rhine Valley towns. It's also home to one of the most enchanting museums, Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Music Instruments. You'll take the mini-train to the museum, where you'll enjoy one of the largest and most beautiful collections, stretching from the 18th to the 20th century with approximately 350 self-playing instruments - from a delicate musical box to a gigantic piano-orchestration. andlt;brandgt;andlt;brandgt;Later in the day, you'll be taken to Castle Vollrads built on top of roman ruins and surrounded by an idyllic pond. Castles Vollrads is one of the oldest Wine Estates in the world, dating back as early as 1211. Its charming location in the midst of the beautiful countryside is surrounded by easy walking paths, a nature trail through the vineyards, and the Castle Vollrads forest which is a nature reserve. While here, adults will be treated to some of the best Rieslings this region has to offer. (BB, L, D)andlt;brandgt;

Day 7: Cruising the UNESCO Rhine, Koblenz Castles, legends, and myths along the Rhine
Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour with scavenger hunt adventure and onboard culinary presentation and tasting
By now, you will feel as if you have been transported back to the Middle Ages with all of your visits to medieval towns and villages. And today will certainly add even more intrigue to your trip through time as you cruise along the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage-designated middle Rhine Valley. Listen to your Cruise Manager as she shares insight into the myths and legends of this area as you pass more than 40 castles and the famous Lorelei Rock. andlt;brandgt;andlt;brandgt;You'll arrive in Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, where you'll see fortress walls and towers, castles and palaces, monuments and parks all of which offer a glowing picture of the town's eventful history. You'll discover this history on your guided tour as you wander through narrow streets and picturesque alleyways, and past historic monuments and Medieval churches, such as St Florin's Church and Our Lady's Church, as well as beautifully restored historic house fronts and fountains in the old quarter. You'll want to look for the "Schängel," a bronze statue of an impish figure, blowing water out of his mouth. This prankish character has been adopted by the people of Koblenz as their town mascot - which will tell you something about the character of the town's residents, and while in Koblenz, you'll get to experience it first hand while you people watch as many of the town's residents dress up in costumes during the summer months for added entertainment and amusement for everyone to enjoy. Also while wandering through the town, you'll be sent on a special scavenger hunt; however, this isn't your typical scavenger hunt. You'll be given a task while in town, such as visiting one of the local bakeries or butchers to buy something.andamp; Then when you are back onboard the ship, you'll share your finds and collaborate on special meal in which everyone will enjoy together. (BB, L, D)andlt;brandgt;

Day 8: Cologne Chocolate from Bean to Bar
Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour, Cologne Cathedral visit, and Chocolate Museum
Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town with your guide, passing by tiny squares and little churches as you make your way to Cologne Cathedral, the city's most famous landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It took 632 years for Germany's largest cathedral to be completed, and it is one of the most important Gothic churches in Europe. A visit inside features the Shrine of the Three Magi and the beautiful stained glass windows that survived WWII. By now, you will have worked up an appetite, and you'll be ready for your next stop, the Cologne's Chocolate Museum. While here, you'll enjoy an interactive experience in which you'll learn about the entire production process from bean to the actual chocolate bar. And of course no visit to the Chocolate Museum is complete without indulging in a tasty treat or two, such as dipping a wafer into a chocolate fountain filled with hot liquid chocolate. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)

Day 9: Depart Amsterdam
Disembark the ship and transfer to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in exciting Amsterdam.

Don't miss our current specials: Save up to $900 per Couple on Select Holiday River Cruises SAVE $900 per couple on select 2010 Holiday river cruises Pay in full at time of booking by April 30, 2010 to SAVE up to $900 per couple ($450 per person) off cruise or cruise & air rates on suites or category 1 and 2 staterooms. This offer is available on the following itineraries: Rhine Holiday Markets (2010) Danube Holiday Markets (2010) Rhine & Main Holiday Markets (2010) European Holiday Markets (2010) SAVE $600 per couple on select 2010 Holiday river cruises Pay in full at time of booking by April 30, 2010 to SAVE up to $600 per couple ($300 per person) off cruise or cruise & air rates on suites or category 3, 4, and 5 staterooms. This offer is available on the following itineraries: Rhine Holiday Markets (2010) Danube Holiday Markets (2010) Rhine & Main Holiday Markets (2010) European Holiday Markets (2010) Young Travelers Save 50% off Young travelers (between ages of 4 – 18) SAVE 50% off cruise only when accompanied by an adult on select itineraries and departure dates. Offer is available on the Paris & Normandy cruise as well as Castles Along the Rhine itinerary.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
7/10/2010 - 7/19/2010	$2,399
8/7/2010 - 8/16/2010	$2,399
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Save up to $900 per Couple on Select Holiday River Cruises

Young Travelers Save 50% off

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