I'm so excited to have booked this cruise on Avalon Waterways for July 2014 on the new Avalon Poetry II which was christened on March 2, 2014, in Dordrecht, Holland! Though I have traveled more than 1/2 the world, I have
never been to Paris or to Amsterdam; so this cruise is the cat's meow
for me! The more, the merrier, so if you're interested let me know
& I'll check availability for you! We plan to stay one additional night in
Paris before the cruise and two nights in Amsterdam at the end of the
cruise.
Day by day itinerary from Avalon's website:
Day
1: Paris, France
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital
on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!
Day
2: Paris
Known as one of the world’s most
passionate and lively cities, Paris is a delight for your senses. Your included
CITY SIGHTSEEING shows you magnificent must-see sights, including Notre Dame
Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its
ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower.
In your free time, stroll down the Champs-Elysées with its lavish cafés, or
perhaps visit the world-famous Louvre or Montmartre with its gleaming white Sacre
Coeur Basilica and bevy of artists on Place du Tertre. Paris is also well known
for its colorful nightlife that includes some of the world’s most famous
cabaret shows. All of this awaits your discovery! (Breakfast)
Day 3: Paris–Metz–Remich, Luxembourg (Embarkation)
This morning, board a HIGH-SPEED TRAIN for a swift and comfortable journey
to Metz. From here, drive to Remich in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where
your river cruise vessel is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome
reception. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4: Trier, Germany
The entire Moselle Valley is famous for its beautiful and tranquil scenery,
and at its head is Trier, Germany’s oldest city. Some say Trier is even older
than Rome and that it was populated over a thousand years before the Romans
arrived. Many Roman remains have survived, including a 20,000-seat
amphitheater; the Porta Nigra, the only surviving fortified gate from the
original Roman settlement, which still gives access to the town’s center;
imperial baths; and the Roman bridge, Germany’s oldest bridge, with stone
pilings dating from 144-152 AD—all evidence of this once-grand Roman city.
Trier also offers pleasant market squares, Germany’s oldest Christian church,
and a cornucopia of architectural styles—Roman, baroque, neo-classicism,
renaissance, and gothic. Choose from an included GUIDED CITY SIGHTSEEING or the
more history-focused “ROMAN TRIER” guided tour, followed by some free time,
giving you the opportunity to really explore this magnificent town. (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Bernkastel
In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of
Bernkastel with its fascinating narrow streets and half-timbered houses that
have stood since the Middle Ages. Enjoy an included GUIDED WALK that features
the beautiful MARKETPLACE with its renaissance-style Town Hall and the “pointed
house,” built in 1416. Wine growers in this area look after Germany’s largest
expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the
Bernkasteler Doktor. Perhaps visit the Wine Museum to learn more about the
history of the region’s wine, then, before dinner, enjoy a pleasant TASTING of
several of the region’s varietals at the Moselle Vinoteque. (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
Day 6: Cochem
This morning, arrive in Cochem, a charming and picturesque town with
half-timbered houses and winding streets full of history and legends that will
be brought to life during your included GUIDED WALK. Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE,
built in 1000 AD and furnished with renaissance and baroque furniture. Sitting
dramatically atop a conical hill covered in vines, this castle offers splendid
views of the little town nestled down below and of the river valley. Cochem is
at the heart of the Moselle wine trade and, most notably, the Riesling grape is
cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
Day 7: Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge
Pretty Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town and
SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Here
you’ll see and hear a large collection of self-playing calliopes and music
boxes from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then
there’s free time to pick up some souvenirs on the narrow, cobblestoned
Drosselgasse, where colorful flowers, open-air wine gardens, and live music add
to the festive atmosphere. Downstream from Rüdesheim is the dramatic RHINE
GORGE, the most beautiful stretch of river. Here, ancient castles stand sentry
on lofty cliffs rising 400 feet above the waters. Cruise past the legendary
rock of the Lorelei, where echoes of enchanted siren song lured unwitting
sailors to their doom. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of cruising as you head for
Cologne. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Cologne
One of Germany’s largest cities and capital of the Rhineland, Cologne
straddles both sides of the Rhine and is known for its soaring, twin-steepled
gothic cathedral. Choose between an included GUIDED CITY WALK or “JEWISH
COLOGNE.” Later, during free time, perhaps look in on the Romano-Germanic
Museum, home to a large collection of artifacts from the Roman settlement on
which modern Cologne is built—a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds
with cafés, shops, and taverns. Be sure to try a Kölsch pale lager, locally
brewed in Cologne for over a hundred years, and shop for a bottle of “4711,”
the original eau de cologne. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Volendam, Holland–Amsterdam
After breakfast this morning, arrive in Volendam, a picturesque fishing town
with a unique open harbor and a small, timbered church dating back to 1658.
Well known for its old fishing boats, distinctive small houses, drawbridges,
and canals, Volendam offers a romantic and friendly atmosphere. Outside the
small town, visit a WINDMILL and learn how these played such an important role
in the development of the country as to become a symbol of Holland. During
lunchtime, cruise to Amsterdam. Holland’s sophisticated, modern capital has a
rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant
and classic architecture, cafés and restaurants, and lively marketplace has a
distinct ambiance. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT,
cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to
Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” There is plenty of free time to explore on your own.
Maybe visit the Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank House, do some shopping, or relax at
a cozy café. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions of how to make the most
of your stay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Amsterdam (Disembarkation)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
