Speak to an agent for more information.

Call us toll free at:
(800) - 543 - 4504
(888) - 863 - 1212

or

from outside the US at:
01 (845) 623 - 6279

Email us at:
sales@eurorivercruises.com

Find us on Facebook!  

Grand European Explorer
26 Nights Cruise from Basel to Giurgiu, 2 Nights Hotel Bucharest (or reverse)

Basel to Bucharest (or reverse) - 29 days	For further assistance call 1-800-526-8539
Ship - River Countess
	Ask about our Travel Insurance

Detailed Itinerary: Basel to Bucharest

Day 1: Basel (Embarkation)

Arrive at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg where you will be transferred to the ship. (D)

Day 2: Strasbourg

Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise

Awaken in the beautiful Alsatian port town of Strasbourg. Situated half-way between Paris and Prague, Strasbourg is known as the “Crossroads of Europe.” It is home to a magnificent, single-spired Gothic cathedral, Notre Dame, and beautiful half-timbered houses; it is also the seat of the European Parliament. See Strasbourg in the way it has been seen through the centuries—on a canal cruise. Petite France, the picturesque old quarter with its timber-frame houses adorned with flower boxes, is a highlight of your tour. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Gala)

Day 3: Nierstein (Heidelberg or Nierstein)

Featured Excursions:Choice of exclusive Nierstein village walking tour and wine tasting -OR- three-quarter-day tour of Heidelberg

A motorcoach takes you to Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved Medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Heidelberg is home to Germany’s oldest university and is forever immortalized by Sigmund Romberg’s operetta, The Student Prince. Your tour takes you to the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle, where you will be guided through the castle’s courtyard. Continue your tour in downtown Heidelberg and through Old Town. After the tour, you will have free time to wander along one of Germany’s longest pedestrian streets. Enjoy the bustling squares lined with cafés, or simply take in the serene atmosphere of this truly charming town.

Or opt to spend the day exploring the Rhine village of Nierstein with an exclusive guided walk and wine tasting. The old Riesling vineyards on a thousand hills and more than 1,500 hours of sunshine a year have earned this area the nickname “German Tuscany.” (BB, L, D)

Note: Lunch is not included with Heidelberg tour.

Day 4: Cruising the Main River, Miltenberg

Featured Excursion: Miltenberg walking tour

Begin your day with scenic sailing along the beautiful Main River. You'll arrive in charming and romantic Miltenberg, the “Pearl of the Main River,” at noon. The town is protected by its old walls and two gates—one facing east, and another facing west. Enjoy a walking tour of this Medieval town that seems to leap from the pages of a German fairytale, seeing Miltenberg's 14th- and 15th-century half-timbered, gabled houses; the famed Crooked House; and the venerable Royal Inn, which has been a working hotel since the 17th century. (BB, L, D)

Day 5: Cruising the Main River, Würzburg

Featured Excursion:Würzburg Residenz visit

Enjoy a tranquil morning of scenic sailing through the Franconian countryside on the Main River. Arrive in Würzburg in the early afternoon and set off on a visit to Würzburg Residenz, an immaculate example of Baroque architecture and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This grand palace was built and decorated in the 18th century by an international team of architects, sculptors, stucco-workers, and painters. Particularly noteworthy is Tiepolo’s ceiling fresco - the largest in the world. Enjoy the magnificent garden, one of the most expansive and beautiful in Europe. (BB, L, D)

Day 6: Schweinfurt (Rothenburg)

Featured Excursion: Rothenburg city tour

After a morning of scenic cruising, enjoy a guided tour of picturesque Rothenburg, a well-preserved Medieval walled town. Then venture on your own to see even more of the treasures this gem of a time-capsule has to offer—like the extraordinary 15th-century altarpiece in St. Jacob’s Church that was carved by Tilman Riemenschneider, Germany’s Gothic contemporary of Michelangelo. Or explore the Christmas world of Käthe Wohlfahrt’s museum, which is enchanting any time of the year. (BB, L, D)

Day 7: Bamberg

Featured Excursion: Bamberg city tour

Awaken in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg. Bamberg has one of Europe’s largest intact Old Town centers, and like Rome, the city is built on seven hills- only here, a church tops each hill. Your city tour takes you past the Imperial Cathedral of St. Peter and St. George; the four-winged New Residence; the Town Hall, which is lapped by the Regnitz River; and “Little Venice,” an area of colorful fishermen’s houses from the 19th century. Enjoy leisure time in the city at the conclusion of your tour. In the late afternoon, you will cruise the peaceful, meandering Main River. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

Day 8: Nuremberg

Enjoy a day at leisure in the exquisite Medieval walled town of Nuremberg.

Day 9: Roth (Nuremberg), cruising the Main-Danube Canal

Featured Excursions: Choice of Nuremberg city tour -OR- Nuremberg WWII historical tour with Documentation Center visit

Embark on a panoramic tour of Nuremberg. Birthplace of Albrecht Dürer and famous for its pocket watches, the city also held the astounding War Crimes Trials after WWII. Discover the sights of Nuremberg during a panoramic tour. Or turn back the pages of history with a guided tour of the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the actual site of the Nazi party rallies, and home to the permanent exhibition “Fascination and Terror.” You’ll also visit the newly opened Nuremberg Trials Memoriam which includes Courtroom 600, venue of the Nuremberg Trials that were so instrumental in forging our current ideals of international criminal law. In the afternoon, you'll sail along the most scenic parts of the Main-Danube Canal, a marvel of modern engineering. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Gala)

Note: Courtroom 600 is an active court. Visitors will only be permitted to see the courtroom during trial breaks.

Day 10: Regensburg

Featured Excursion: Regensburg walking tour

Regensburg, one of the finest Medieval towns in Europe, captures 2,000 years of living history with outstanding manmade monuments like the 12th-century Stone Bridge and the towering Gothic cathedral. Your walking tour takes you past the architectural treasures of Old Town as well as the Cathedral of St. Peter with its magnificent 14th-century stained glass windows. Genuine Bavarian hospitality adds to the vibrant mix of art and culture in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. (BB, L, D)

Day 11: Deggendorf (Theresienthal), Passau

Featured Excursion: Exclusive Bavarian Forest horse-drawn carriage ride and Theresienthal visit

After enjoying an exclusive scenic horse-drawn carriage ride through an authentic village in the Bavarian Forest and enjoying homebaked bread fresh from the oven, you will head for the world-famous glass manufacturer, Theresienthal. Here you will experience the fine art of crystal glassmaking firsthand during a workshop where you will learn all the various steps involved, as well as the extraordinary history of Theresienthal, once the purveyor of the finest crystal to the royal houses of Europe and the Russian czars. Spend your afternoon taking a scenic stroll or bike ride along the Danube and through the small town of Deggendorf. (BB, L, D)

Day 12: Passau

Featured Excursions: Passau walking tour and St. Stephan’s organ concert

Passau boasts a delightful layer of Italian style on top of quintessential German foundations. Explore the well-preserved town on your guided walking tour. Then visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ, to hear a magnificent organ recital. (BB, L, D)

Note: Concert not available before May 2, after October 31, 2012, or on Sundays.

Day 13: Melk, cruising the Wachau Valley

Featured Excursion: Melk Abbey

Today you’ll tour Melk’s 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube. The views from the terrace are spectacular, but the splendid frescos, marble, and gilded plaster work of its interior will be the true highlight of your visit. Then set sail along the scenic, vineyard-rich Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape and one of the most beautiful river valleys in Europe. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)

Day 14: Vienna

Featured Excursions: Choice of Vienna city tour and National Library visit -OR- “See Vienna as the Viennese Do” on an exclusive waltzing discovery of Viennese daily life

There can be no exploration of the Danube without a visit to Vienna, which is a city both steeped in history and on the cusp of current trends. Your panoramic city tour showcases all the imperial Habsburg grandeur of the stately Ringstrasse, taking you past the Rathaus (City Hall), Parliament, the Hofburg (Imperial Palace), and the State Opera, among other sights. Leaving the motorcoach, you will start a walking tour through the Hofburg grounds, culminating at the magnificent Baroque State Hall of the Austrian National Library, which is said to be the most beautiful library room in the world. For a more intimate look at this stunning city, “See Vienna as the Viennese Do,” walking and riding the subway to discover the daily life of the Viennese in the historic town center. Top off your tour with a stop at a traditional Viennese coffee house. (BB, L, D)

Note: On Mondays, Mozarthaus will be substituted for the National Library.

Day 15: Vienna

Enjoy a day exploring magnificent Vienna at your leisure.

Day 16: Vienna

Featured Excursions: Choice of Vienna city tour and National Library visit -OR- exclusive “Vienna, City of Arts” tour

Capture Vienna’s imperial history during a tour that takes you along the stately Ringstrasse. Stroll through the Hofburg grounds to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and visit the beautiful Austrian National Library. Or opt to explore “Vienna, City of Arts” on an exclusive art historian-guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the world’s finest temples to art. (BB, L, D)

Note: On Mondays, substitute Mozarthaus for the National Library and Liechtenstein Palais for the Museum of Fine Arts.

Day 17: Bratislava

Featured Excursion: Bratislava city tour

Admire Bratislava’s eclectic collection of Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco architecture on your tour through Old Town that will take you from Medieval Michael’s Gate to Rococo Mirbach Palace and countless other highlights. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Gala)

Day 18: Budapest

Featured Excursion:Choice of Budapest city tour -OR- Budapest walking discovery with Parliament visit

Savor the beauty of Buda and Pest on opposite sides of the Danube with a panoramic coach tour that shows all the key highlights of this gorgeous city. Or join a walking tour discovering the Hungarian Parliament building and Market Hall, and then visit Váci Utca, the main shopping street. (BB, L, D)

Note: Parliament may be closed for official business without prior notice. Market Hall is closed on Sundays.

Day 19: Budapest, cruising the Danube River

Enjoy the morning at leisure in beautiful Budapest before cruising the lovely Danube. (BB, L, D)

Day 20: Vukovar (Osijek)

Featured Excursions:Tour of Osijek, home-hosted lunch, and school visit

Tour Osijek and experience Croatian life while meeting students during a school visit, and then enjoy a home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family. (BB, L, D)

Note: School visit not available during school holidays.

Day 21: Belgrade

Featured Excursion: Belgrade city tour

Enjoy a panoramic drive through Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe. You’ll see Kalemegdan Fortress, St. Sava Cathedral, and then you’ll visit Tito’s Memorial, exploring the contrast of old and new that makes up this capital city. (BB, L, D)

Day 22: Kostolac (Viminacium)

Featured Excursion: Exclusive visit to Viminacium archeological site

Resident archeologists bring the historic grandeur of the excavations at Viminacium alive on an exclusive visit. The former Roman city boasted villas, thermal baths, a mausoleum, and even an amphitheater. (BB, L, D)

Day 23: Donji Milanovac, cruising the Iron Gates

Enjoy a morning stroll around Donji Milanovac, an authentic Serbian village. Then relax onboard as you cruise the spectacular Iron Gates, an 80-mile sequence of gorges cut through the Carpathian Mountains by the mighty Danube. This is one of the most dramatic natural displays of beauty in Europe. (BB, L, D)

Day 24: Vidin (Belogradchik)

Featured Excursions: Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik rock formations

Vidin is rich in both geologic and cultural history. Join in a children’s dance group’s performance of a folkloric dance in traditional dress. Later, visit the legendary Medieval Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik, one of the natural wonders of Bulgaria. (BB, L, D)

Day 25: Rousse (Varna or Rusensky countryside)

Featured Excursion: Choice of full-day excursion to Varna -OR- half-day Ivanovo and Basarbovo monasteries and Rusensky Lom Nature Park

Visit Varna’s Archeological Museum, home to the oldest gold treasure in the world, and savor hearty Bulgarian cuisine. Or take in the regions’s unique countryside on a half-day tour including the rock-hewn cave churches of Ivanovo and Basarbovo, and Rusensky Lom Nature Park. (BB, L, D)

Day 26: Rousse

Enjoy leisure time exploring Rousse, Bulgaria’s fourth-largest city. Walk along the lively pedestrian zone, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

Day 27: Giurgiu (Disembarkation), transfer to Bucharest

Featured Excursions: Choice of Bucharest city tour and choice of People’s Palace visit -OR- Village Museum

After disembarking the ship, enjoy a city tour of Bucharest before visiting the People’s Palace, one of the largest buildings in the world. Or stroll through the open-air Village Museum, a collection of 50 buildings that represent Romania’s traditional rural architecture-the embodiment of the small-is-beautiful ethos. (BB, L)

Day 28: Bucharest

Enjoy a full day at leisure exploring the city called the “Paris of the East.” (BB)

Day 29: Bucharest

Transfer to the Bucharest Otopeni Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Istanbul. (CB/BB)

*********

Detailed Itinerary: Bucharest to Basel

Day 1: Bucharest

Arrive at Bucharest Otopeni Airport where you will be transferred to the hotel.

Day 2: Bucharest

Enjoy a full day at leisure exploring the city called the “Paris of the East.” (BB)

Day 3: Bucharest, transfer to Giurgiu (Embarkation)

Featured Excursions: Bucharest city tour and choice of People’s Palace visit -OR- Village Museum

Enjoy a city tour of Bucharest before visiting the People’s Palace, one of the largest buildings in the world. Or stroll through the open-air Village Museum, a collection of 50 buildings that represent Romania’s traditional rural architecture—the embodiment of the small-is-beautiful ethos. Afterward, hop aboard your ship in nearby Giurgiu (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Gala)

Day 4: Rousse (Varna or Rusensky countryside)

Featured Excursion: Choice of full-day excursion to Varna -OR- half-day Ivanovo and Basarbovo monasteries and Rusensky Lom Nature Park

Visit Varna’s Archeological Museum, home to the oldest gold treasure in the world, and savor hearty Bulgarian cuisine. Or take in the regions’s unique countryside on a half-day tour including the rock-hewn cave churches of Ivanovo and Basarbovo, and Rusensky Lom Nature Park. (BB, L, D)

Day 5: Rousse

Enjoy leisure time exploring Rousse, Bulgaria’s fourth-largest city. Walk along the lively pedestrian zone, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture. (BB, L, D)

Day 6: Vidin (Belogradchik)

Featured Excursions: Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik rock formations

Vidin is rich in both geologic and cultural history. Join in a children’s dance group’s performance of a folkloric dance in traditional dress. Later, visit the legendary Medieval Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik, one of the natural wonders of Bulgaria. (BB, L, D)

Day 7: Cruising the Iron Gates, Donji Milanovac, Kostolac

Relax onboard as you cruise the spectacular Iron Gates, an 80-mile sequence of gorges cut through the Carpathian Mountains by the mighty Danube. This is one of the most dramatic natural displays of beauty in Europe. Then enjoy a stroll around Donji Milanovac, an authentic Serbian village. (BB, L, D)

Day 8: Kostolac (Viminacium), Belgrade

Featured Excursion: Exclusive visit to Viminacium archeological site

Resident archeologists bring the historic grandeur of the excavations at Viminacium alive during your exclusive visit. This former Roman city boasted villas, thermal baths, a mausoleum, and even an amphitheater. (BB, L, D)

Day 9: Belgrade

Enjoy a panoramic drive through Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe. You’ll see Kalemegdan Fortress and St. Sava Cathedral, and visit Tito’s Memorial, exploring the contrast of old and new that makes up this capital city. (BB, L, D)

Day 10: Vukovar (Osijek)

Featured Excursions:Tour of Osijek with home-hosted lunch and school visit

Tour Osijek and experience Croatian life while meeting students during a school visit, and then enjoy a home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family. (BB, L, D)

Note: School visit not available during school holidays.

Day 11: Cruising the Danube River, Budapest

Spend a relaxing day onboard enjoying scenic sailing as the ship winds its way through Hungary toward the "Queen of the Danube": Budapest. In the evening, you can set out to explore the charms of Budapest's nightlife. (BB, L, D)

Day 12: Budapest

Featured Excursion:Choice of Budapest city tour -OR- Budapest walking discovery with Parliament visit

Savor the beauty of Buda and Pest on opposite sides of the Danube with a panoramic coach tour that shows all the key highlights of this gorgeous city. Or join a walking tour discovering the Hungarian Parliament building and Market Hall, and then visit Váci Utca, the main shopping street. (BB, L, D)

Note: Parliament may be closed for official business without prior notice. Market Hall is closed on Sundays.

Day 13: Bratislava

Featured Excursion: Bratislava city tour

Admire Bratislava’s eclectic collection of Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco architecture on your tour through Old Town that will take you from Medieval Michael’s Gate to Rococo Mirbach Palace and countless other highlights. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

Day 14: Vienna

Featured Excursions: Choice of Vienna city tour and National Library visit -OR- exclusive “Vienna, City of Arts” tour

Capture Vienna’s imperial history during a tour that takes you along the stately Ringstrasse. Stroll through the Hofburg grounds to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and visit the beautiful Austrian National Library. Or opt to explore “Vienna, City of Arts” on an exclusive art historian-guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the world’s finest temples to art. (BB, L, D)

Note: On Mondays, substitute Mozarthaus for the National Library and Liechtenstein Palais for the Museum of Fine Arts.

Day 15: Vienna

Enjoy a day at leisure.

Day 16: Vienna

Featured Excursions: Choice of Vienna city tour and National Library visit -OR- exclusive  “See Vienna as the Viennese Do” on a waltzing discovery of Viennese daily life

There can be no exploration of the Danube without a visit to Vienna, which is a city both steeped in history and on the cusp of current trends. Your panoramic city tour showcases all the imperial Habsburg grandeur of the stately Ringstrasse, taking you past the Rathaus (City Hall), Parliament, the Hofburg (Imperial Palace), and the State Opera, among other sights. Leaving the motorcoach, you will start a walking tour through the Hofburg grounds, culminating at the magnificent Baroque State Hall of the Austrian National Library, which is said to be the most beautiful library room in the world. For a more intimate look at this stunning city, “See Vienna as the Viennese Do” walking and riding the subway to discover the daily life of the Viennese in the historic town center. Top off your tour with a stop at a traditional Viennese coffee house. (BB, L, D)

Note: On Mondays, Mozarthaus will be substituted for the National Library.

Day 17: Cruising the Wachau Valley, Melk

Featured Excursion: Melk Abbey

Today you’ll cruise the scenic, vineyard-rich Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape representing one of the most beautiful river valleys in Europe. Then tour Melk’s 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube. The views from the terrace are spectacular, but the splendid frescos, marble, and gilded plaster work of its interior will be the true highlight of your visit. (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Gala)

Day 18: Passau

Featured Excursions: Passau walking tour and St. Stephan’s organ concert

Passau boasts a delightful layer of Italian style on top of quintessential German foundations. Explore the well-preserved town on your guided walking tour. Then visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ, to hear a magnificent organ recital. (BB, L, D)

Note: Concert not available before May 2, after October 31, 2012, or on Sundays.

Day 19: Deggendorf (Theresienthal)

Featured Excursion: Exclusive Bavarian Forest horse-drawn carriage ride and Theresienthal visit

After enjoying an exclusive scenic horse-drawn carriage ride through an authentic village in the Bavarian Forest and enjoying homebaked bread fresh from the oven, you will head for the world-famous glass manufacturer, Theresienthal. Here you will experience the fine art of crystal glassmaking firsthand during a workshop where you will learn all the various steps involved, as well as the extraordinary history of Theresienthal, once the purveyor of the finest crystal to the royal houses of Europe and the Russian czars. Spend your afternoon taking a scenic stroll or bike ride along the Danube and through the small town of Deggendorf. (BB, L, D)

Day 20: Regensburg

Featured Excursion: Regensburg walking tour

Regensburg, one of the finest Medieval towns in Europe, captures 2,000 years of living history with outstanding manmade monuments like the 12th-century Stone Bridge and the towering Gothic cathedral. Your walking tour takes you past the architectural treasures of Old Town as well as the Cathedral of St. Peter with its magnificent 14th-century stained glass windows. Genuine Bavarian hospitality adds to the vibrant mix of art and culture in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. (BB, L, D)

Day 21: Cruising the Main-Danube Canal, Nuremberg

Featured Excursions:Choice of Nuremberg city tour -OR- visit Nuremberg WWII historical tour with Documentation Center

After cruising the most scenic parts of the Main-Danube Canal, a marvel of modern engineering, visit Nuremberg, an archetypal Medieval German city encircled by mighty defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Birthplace of Albrecht Dürer and famous for its pocket watches, the city also held the astounding War Crimes Trials after WWII. Discover the sights of Nuremberg during a panoramic tour. Or turn back the pages of history with a guided tour of the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the actual site of the Nazi party rallies, and home to the permanent exhibition “Fascination and Terror.” You’ll also visit the newly opened Nuremberg Trials Memoriam which includes Courtroom 600, venue of the Nuremberg Trials that were so instrumental in forging our current ideals of international criminal law. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

Note: Courtroom 600 is an active court. Visitors will only be permitted to see the courtroom during trial breaks.

Day 22: Nuremberg

Enjoy a day at leisure.

Day 23: Bamberg

Featured Excursion: Bamberg city tour

Awaken in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg. Bamberg has one of Europe’s largest intact Old Town centers, and like Rome, the city is built on seven hills—only here, a church tops each hill. Your city tour takes you past the Imperial Cathedral of St. Peter and St. George; the four-winged New Residence; the Town Hall which is lapped by the Regnitz River; and “Little Venice,” an area of colorful fishermen’s houses from the 19th century. In the late afternoon, you will cruise the peaceful, meandering Main River. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Gala)

Day 24: Würzburg (Rothenburg)

Featured Excursion: Rothenburg city tour

After a morning of scenic cruising, enjoy a guided tour of picturesque Rothenburg, a well-preserved Medieval walled town. Then venture off on your own to see even more of the treasures this gem of a time-capsule has to offer—like the extraordinary 15th-century altarpiece in St. Jacob’s Church that was carved by Tilman Riemenschneider, Germany’s Gothic contemporary of Michelangelo. Or explore the Christmas world of Käthe Wohlfahrt’s museum, which is enchanting any time of the year. (BB, L, D)

Day 25: Würzburg, cruising the Main River

Featured Excursion: Würzburg Residenz visit

Visit Würzburg Residenz, an immaculate example of Baroque architecture and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This grand palace was built and decorated in the 18th century by an international team of architects, sculptors, stucco-workers, and painters. Particularly noteworthy is Tiepolo’s ceiling fresco—the largest in the world. Enjoy the magnificent garden, one of the most expansive and beautiful in Europe. Then enjoy an afternoon of scenic sailing on the Main River through the Franconian countryside.(BB, L, D)

Day 26: Miltenberg, cruising the Main River

Featured Excursion: Miltenberg walking tour

Awaken in charming and romantic Miltenberg, the “Pearl of the Main River.” The town is protected by its old walls and two gates-one facing east, and another facing west. Take a walking tour of this Medieval town that seems to leap from the pages of a German fairytale, enjoying its 14th- and 15th-century gabled, half-timbered houses; the famed Crooked House; and the venerable Royal Inn, which has been a working hotel since the 17th century. (BB, L, D)

Day 27: Nierstein (Nierstein or Heidelberg)

Featured Excursions: Choice of exclusive Nierstein village walking tour and wine tasting -OR- three-quarter-day tour of Heidelberg

A motorcoach takes you to Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved Medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Heidelberg is home to Germany’s oldest university and was immortalized in Sigmund Romberg’s operetta, The Student Prince. Your tour takes you through the romantic courtyard of Heidelberg Castle and into downtown Heidelberg through Old Town. After the tour, you will have free time to wander along one of Germany’s longest pedestrian streets. Enjoy the bustling squares lined with cafés, or simply take in the serene atmosphere of this truly charming town. Or opt to spend the day exploring the Rhine village of Nierstein, enjoying an exclusive guided walk and wine tasting. The area is a hidden wine champion of Germany, with Riesling vineyards on 1,000 hills and more than 1,500 hours of sunshine a year earning it the nickname “German Tuscany.” (BB, L, D)

Note:  Lunch is not included with Heidelberg tour.

Day 28: Strasbourg

Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise

You will wake up in the beautiful Alsatian port town of Strasbourg. Situated half-way between Paris and Prague, Strasbourg is known as the “Crossroads of Europe.” It is home to a magnificent single-spire Gothic cathedral, Notre Dame, and beautiful half-timbered houses; it is also the seat of the European Parliament. See Strasbourg in the way it has been seen through the centuries—on a canal cruise. Petite France, the picturesque old quarter with its timber-frame houses adorned with flower boxes, is a highlight of your tour. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

Day 29: Depart Basel (Disembarkation)

Disembark the ship and transfer to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg for your flight home, or extend your stay in lovely Prague. (CB/BB)

Please Note:

• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

* For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the cruise operator and the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.