Jul 19 Strasbourg, France Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is also the seat of the Council of Europe and the
European Parliament. On an included excursion, our local guide shows us the medieval gothic cathedral, the charming La Petite France district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with the statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Brewery. Afterwards, you may wish to explore the Alsace wine region on an optional excursion.
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Jul 20 Excursion to Heidelberg, Germany – Mainz
Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town of Student Prince fame, a world famous love musical. The ruins of the imposing Heidelberg Castle, built of red sandstone, tower above the city. Of particular interest is the Giant Vat, an 18th-century wine cask holding 49,000 gallons!
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Jul 21 Mainz – Rüdesheim
Situated on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany’s largest and most important wine market. The Old Town has many interesting shops, tea rooms and restaurants, and a fountain on the Schillerplatz is decorated with scenes of the famous carnival held here every year. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here, and you’ll visit the Gutenberg museum. The pretty little town of Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Museum is a real surprise! Enjoy a special treat, then there’s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and perhaps sample some of the fine Rhine wines produced in this area.
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Jul 22 Koblenz
Downstream from Rüdesheim is the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of river dotted every mile with castles. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties
lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region.
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Jul 23 Cologne
Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany’s largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of Cologne’s magnificent gothic cathedral – which took more than 600 years to build –
dominate the river skyline. The Germano-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés and shops. The favorite local beer here is Kölsch.
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Jul 24 Amsterdam, Holland
Amsterdam is sophisticated and modern with 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 ambience. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. 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.”