Day 1: We travel into France through Belgium and onwards to the Netherlands where we embark the beautiful AMADEUS Elegant, from 16:00hrs. Enjoy a welcome cocktail dinner this evening and be entertained with a performance from a traditional Shanty choir on board. The vessel remains moored in Amsterdam overnight.
Day 2: Amsterdam – DEP 08:30. Utrecht ARR 12:30 DEP 13:00 – Rejoin the ship
Known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system, narrow houses and iconic cultural scene, Amsterdam is one of the world’s most vibrant cities. With over 800 years of history to discover, the city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in fascinating attractions and sights. With old castles, beautiful museums, charming secret courtyards and picturesque cobbled streets the Netherland’s capital city is a feast for the eyes and you can choose to spend the morning exploring the city with a relaxing canal cruise. After the tour, travel by coach to rejoin the ship in Utrecht, in time for lunch.
Optional Excursion:
Amsterdam and Iconic Canal Cruise
Day 3 – Cologne ARR 10:30 DEP 20:00
After breakfast, relax on the sun deck and view our arrival at the stunning city of Cologne. One of Germany’s oldest and most beautiful cities there is a vast array of attractions from its famous cathedral to its numerous museums and galleries. Lined with a bustling wide promenade and criss-crossed with bridges, you will find ancient walls and medieval churches rubbing shoulders with modern quarters, narrow streets filled with traditional old houses, breweries, beer halls, cafes and shops. Enjoy time exploring the city or perhaps venture farther afield this afternoon for a more active excursion to Siebengebirge National Park and the remains of Castle "Drachenfels" (Dragon Rock).
Optional Excursions:
Cologne Walking tour and Kölsch Tasting
Siebengebirge and Drachenfels Castle ruins
Day 4: Cochem ARR 14:00 DEP 21:45
Today our ship makes a detour along the Moselle River to the most romantic part of the valley and the little town of Cochem. The magnificent Reichsburg castle which overlooks the town, dominates the landscape. Down below, the town, with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses, and numerous restaurants, is an ideal setting to taste the wines of the region and perhaps join an optional exursion to a local winery to sample some of the spectacular wines produced in this region. Back on board, dinner is served as the journey continues to Koblenz
Optional Excursions:
Cochem Walking tour and Reichsburg Castle
AMADEUS Taste: Tasting of typical Moselle wines in a local winery
Day 5: Koblenz ARR 06:30 DEP 11:00. Rüdesheim ARR 17:00 DEP 22:00
We arrive in Koblenz early this morning. Ideally situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers it’s the perfect pit stop for exploring the gorgeous scenic surrounds and rich history of this stunning region. Perhaps join this morning’s walking tour of the town or explore at leisure.
This afternoon, spend time on deck as we cruise the most beautiful section of the river - the legendary Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This area is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its unique scenic beauty and exceptional landscapes. Each bend of the river delivers something new to admire with storybook villages replete with half-timbered houses, gothic church steeples, riverbanks dotted with vineyards and fairytale castles. We arrive in the winegrowers town of Rüdesheim late afternoon. At the heart of the old town is the famous Drosselgasse a 15th century cobbled street dotted with quaint restaurants, cafes, wine bars and taverns. Choose a walking tour of the town, with a visit to the unique Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum's private collection of self-playing instruments or visit a local vineyard for a tasting of the local wines.
Optional Excursions:
Koblenz Walking Tour
Rüdesheim with Museum of Mechanical Music.
AMADEUS TASTE: Rudesheim wine tasting & Drosselgasse
Day 6 Mannheim ARR 06:00 DEP 13:00. Speyer ARR 15:30 DEP 19:30
We arrive in Mannheim, early this morning, a ‘chessboard city’ with the streets between the Neckar River and the Palace having been laid out in a strict grid formation in the 17th century. Mannheim impresses with a host of architectural treasures from its Baroque Palace, historic water tower and an Art Nouveau square. Perhaps join an optional excursion to nearby city of Heidelburg with its Castle towering majestically above the Neckar Valley. This afternoon’s mooring is in Speyer, one of the oldest cities in Germany which played a central role in the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.
Optional excursions:
Speyer Walking tour
Romantic Heidelburg with castle ruins
Day 7: Strasbourg ARR 07:30
Treading the tightrope between Germany and France, Strasbourg is a city straight out of the storybooks with the river itself forming the border of the two countries. The elegant capital of Alsace with its higgledy-piggledy, colourful houses and twisting streets offers a delightful blend of the two countries. Strasbourg Cathedral is a must-see. For 227 years, this spellbinding sandstone structure was the tallest building in the world, and it's still well worth a trip to the top of the tower offering views as far as the Black Forest.
Optional Excursions:
Strasbourg with Canal boat Tour.
Romantic Alsace and its famous wines
Day 8: Strasbourg
We disembark after breakfast this morning and travel back to Calais for our return journey home.