fbpx

Romance of the Alsace

Program Overview

Discover the winelands along the Rhine, Moselle, and Saar rivers on a unique itinerary that includes a 7-night river cruise and 3 nights in Strasbourg, France. The terraced vineyards that rise up from these romantic rivers produce some of the finest wines in the world—from the Rhine Valley’s Rheingau to France’s Alsace.  Explore 8 historical port cities—Cologne, Boppard, Koblenz, Cochem, Traben-Trarbach, Bernkastel, Trier, and Saarburg—with excursions to vineyards along the way. Extend your experience with the Switzerland Pre-Program and/or the Netherlands Post-Program options.

Program Details

May 20 to 31, 2024 (Amadeus Brilliant)
From $3,595 plus air View Terms & Conditions
  • Cruise the Lorelei Passage along the eastern banks of the Rhine River to see St. Goarshausen, Loreley Rock, and Pfalzgrafenstein Castle—which appears as a stone ship in the middle of the Rhine.  
  • Enjoy a walking tour through the medieval city of Boppard to see such landmarks as Market Square, the Church of St. Severus, and the Electors Castle. 
  • Cruise the narrow Moselle River Valley, known for its abundance of terraced vineyards clinging to riverbanks. 
  • Admire the Art Nouveau architecture of Traben-Trarbach, formerly one of the world's great wine-trading centers. 
  • Experience a wine-tasting session on a guided tour of Bernkastel-Kues. 
  • Discover the splendor of Luxembourg City with visits to such historical sites as the Old Town with its Palace of the Grand Dukes. 
  • Explore the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Strasbourg, France, capital of the Alsace region. 
  • Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-designated La Petite France in Strasbourg, where medieval houses line cobblestone lanes and 13th-century bridges span idyllic canals.

Day 1 - Depart Home City 

Day 2 - Strasbourg, France

Day 3 -  Strasbourg

Day 4 - Strasbourg/Colmar

Day 5 - Saarbrücken, Germany/Grevenmacher, Luxembourg/Embark Amadeus Brilliant

Day 6 - Grevenmacher/Luxembourg City

Day 7 - Saarlouis/Saarburg, Germany

Day 8 - Trier

Day 9 - Bernkastel-Kues/Traben-Trarbach

Day 10 - Cochem

Day 11 - Lorelei Passage/Boppard/Koblenz

Day 12 - Cologne/Disembark Amadeus Brilliant/Return to Home City

Amadeus Brilliant
Exclusively Chartered
Deluxe River Boat 

The elegant and meticulously crafted Amadeus Brilliant, newly renovated in 2020, features all the comforts of a refined and traditional hotel. The English‑speaking, international crew provides warm hospitality. The Amadeus fleet has earned the “Green Globe Certificate” of environmental sustainability. The 76 stylish staterooms and suites are among the most spacious of any European river boat (107 to 236 square feet). Suites include a private balcony, and select staterooms feature a unique floor-to‑ceiling window that lowers to French-balcony height at the touch of a button. Accommodations have two twin beds or one queen bed, individual climate control, sitting area, private bathroom with shower, and a minibar.

Switzerland Pre-Program Option  

Enhance your main trip with an extension filled with wine and delicacy tasting opportunities. Stroll through Bern and visit the Baroque building Kornhaus, a former granary first built in the 15th century and now is an inviting restaurant. Enjoy a full-day excursion through the Montreux, Chillon, and Lavaux vineyards and taste delectable wines and local delicatessen at the Domaine Croix Duplex. Visit Chillon Castle, first built as a Roman outpost and was a prison during the Renaissance and Mannerism periods. Explore Gruyeres, known best for its iconic cheese-making and its beautiful medieval town center. Spend three nights at the Hotel Angleterre & Residence in the picturesque town of Lausanne.

The Netherlands Post-Program Option 

The historic heart of Amsterdam, laced with tree-shaded canals and stately 16th- and 17th‑century merchant houses, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the perfect introduction to your voyage along the Rhine, Saar, and Moselle rivers. Visit the world‑class Rijksmuseum and cruise the beautiful Amsterdam Canal. Enjoy a full‑day excursion to quaint Edam, world famous for its cheese, and historic Hoorn, one of the great seafaring towns of the Golden Age. Accommodations are for three nights in the Doubletree Centraal Station Amsterdam Hotel.

The Pre- and Post-Program Options are available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation. 

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

We'll contact you. No obligation.

Reserve My Spot

Program Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 Depart home city | Strasbourg, France

Depart home city. Arrive in Strasbourg, Alsace’s capital city and the seat of the European Parliament, and transfer to the first-class Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île Hotel.

Day 3 Strasbourg

Explore UNESCO-inscribed Strasbourg on a walking tour in Place de la Cathedral to admire the Gothic Notre‑Dame Cathedral. See the magnificent Astronomical Clock, displaying the 12 apostles. Stroll through charming La Petite France where medieval houses line cobblestone lanes and 13th‑century bridges span serene canals. Enjoy
the Welcome Reception this evening.

Day 4 Strasbourg | Colmar

Drive along the Alsace region’s renowned wine route past picturesque villages and lush vineyards. Visit a local winery for a tasting. Then, venture into storybook Colmar for lunch and a walking tour—following the steps of Bartholdi, designer of the Statue of Liberty—to see notable city sites.

Day 5 Saarbrücken, Germany | Grevenmacher, Luxembourg |Embark

Explore Saarbrücken on a tour of the historic city center to see the Baroque Ludwig’s Church, the Collegiate Church of St. Arnual and the restored Saabrücken Castle. After lunch in town, transfer
to embark the deluxe Amadeus Brilliant. Attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception.

Day 6 Grevenmacher | Luxembourg City

Take a guided tour of Vianden Castle, one of
the largest and most astounding feudal residences of the Roman and Gothic periods, and explore the beautiful grounds. Drive to Luxembourg City for lunch and discover its historic center on a walking city tour to see many notable sites. Take in the stunning views on the Corniche walkway—known as the “most beautiful balcony of Europe.”

Day 7 Saarlouis | Saarburg, Germany

Enjoy a walking tour of Saarlouis, located on
the Saar River near the French border. Then, cruise to Saarburg, an idyllic town surrounded by forests and Saar Valley wine vineyards. On an evening walking tour, see the waterfall located in the center of the picturesque “Little Venice” village.

Day 8 Trier

Tour the UNESCO‑inscribed Roman sights of Trier, the oldest city in Germany. See the second-century Porta Nigra, the Basilica of Constantine, St. Peter’s Fountain and the Imperial Baths.

Day 9 Bernkastel-Kues | Traben-Trarbach

Stroll through charming Bernkastel-Kues, known for its medieval marketplace and gabled houses, followed by a wine tasting. Then, cruise to the
Art Nouveau city of Traben-Trarbach, once a great wine trading center, for a walking tour and wine tasting in one of its many wine cellars.

Day 10 Cochem

Cruise the romantic Moselle River to Cochem, with its millennia-old wine culture. Stroll the charming town on a tour of its narrow, cobbled streets and visit the imperial Reichsburg Castle.

Day 11 Lorelei Passage | Boppard | Koblenz

Cruise the splendor of UNESCO-inscribed Upper Middle Rhine Valley through Lorelei Passage.
Stop in former Roman settlement of Boppard to see ancient Roman remains at the Archaeological Park. Cruise to Koblenz, and take a walking tour
to view distinctive Romanesque architecture and the impressive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Enjoy
the Captain’s Farewell Dinner this evening.

Day 12 Cologne | Disembark | Return to Home City

After breakfast, disembark and begin city tour
of Cologne (depending on flight time). Transfer
to Cologne Airport for your return flight home.