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Sail on the romantic Rhine River and experience some of North and Western Europe’s most charming cities on this memorable 12-day cruise-and-tour journey through five countries. Discover Paris, France’s Champagne region and medieval Bruges before boarding a deluxe cruise ship in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. From there, waft along the glorious Rhine to visit grand cities and half-timbered towns such as Cologne and Rüdesheim before concluding in picturebook Strasbourg, with its exquisite UNESCO-listed Grande-Île.
Itinerary at a glance
Begin your vacation by boarding your international flight in the US bound for Paris, France’s capital.
Upon arrival at Paris international airport, meet your guide and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your city hotel. After checking in, enjoy the rest of the day to relax and get acquainted with what’s sometimes dubbed the “City of Light.” Bisected by the River Seine and laced with tree-lined boulevards, elegant bridges, and world-famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, the city is also known for its sidewalk cafes, top-notch restaurants, and sophisticated atmosphere. Tonight, meet and sit down to dinner with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant.
Included: Dinner
This morning, drive south through countryside to Fontainebleau, home to the opulent Chateau of Fontainebleau*. Once a hunting residence of French kings, this royal chateau displays a variety of architectural styles, sumptuous décor, and priceless period furnishings. Learn how it was the setting for the signing of the 1814 Treaty of Fontainebleau: the agreement that sent Napoleon into exile. After admiring the palace, continue to Montmartre, the bohemian district of Paris’s 18th arrondissement. Take in its major sights, including the Moulin Rouge cabaret and Basilica of the Sacred Heart, better known as the Sacre Coeur.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch
After breakfast, depart for Champagne—the legendary region known for the sparkling white wine that bears its name. Along the way, admire France’s vine-coated landscapes, rolling farmland, and sleepy villages, and on arrival, enjoy a tour of Champagne before visiting one of its cellars for a Champagne Tasting*. Discover the processes involved in harvesting and producing this iconic wine, and enjoy some tastings. After lunch travel to Metz, a lovely French city at the confluence of the Moselle and Seille rivers, and near the tri-meeting point of France, Germany, and Luxembourg. Check into your hotel for one night and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
3,000-year-old Metz boasts a charming mix of architectural styles and cultural influences. Take a city tour of Metz to admire its 13th-century Cathedral and other sights such as the Gare de Metz Ville railway station. Next, continue to Luxembourg, the capital of the tiny nation of Luxembourg bordered by Belgium, France and Germany. After touring the Old Town, travel onward to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the de-facto capital of the European Union. After dinner at a local restaurant, check in to your hotel.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Following breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Brussels, seeing the Grand Place, City Hall, guild houses, and the legendary “Manneken Pis” statue. Later, journey to UNESCO-protected, 13th-century Bruges, nicknamed the “Venice of the North,” and one of Europe’s most enchanting cities, to stroll around its cobbled lanes and romantic canals. From here, travel to Amsterdam—the canal-woven capital of the Netherlands—and board your Rhine River cruise ship in the early evening. After settling into your cabin, meet your captain and crew for a Welcome Cocktail Reception before dinner, and afterward, join our Canal Boat Tour of Amsterdam*, absorbing lovely views of the canals and historical city center.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
After breakfast, take a morning tour of Amsterdam and a Diamond Producer*. Visit the Riecker Windmill and see how Amsterdam’s diamonds are cut and valued in its “Diamond District.” Delve into the floating Bloemenmarkt flower market before lunch back at the ship and an excursion to the Keukenhof Gardens*, the world-famous flower garden. If your cruise falls outside the Keukenhof’s season, enjoy an excursion to Volendam and Zaanse Schans*. At the Keukenhof, stroll freely around the gorgeous displays of blooming Dutch tulips—which will be at their colorful best for travelers on our first tour departure—and admire the other spectacular flower beds, themed gardens, flower shows and wonderful views over the tulip fields from the rear of the park. Alternatively, our excursion to the fishing village of Volendam includes a visit to a cheese factory to see how local Gouda cheese is made, and time at Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum of windmills, barns, houses, and clogs. Tonight, cruise through the night to Cologne.
Included: Breakfast on cruise, Lunch, Dinner
Relax as your ship cruises this morning, perhaps absorbing the views from the deck and enjoying the on-board amenities. This afternoon is free for you to spend as you wish. After your ship docks in Cologne after lunch, you may wish to take a stroll around Cologne’s historical Old Town on your own to see its churches and perhaps enjoy coffee or a round of souvenir-shopping. Later, your ship will set off for Rudesheim.
Included: Breakfast on cruise, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise toward Rudesheim on the romantic Rhine. On arrival, set off on our Rüdesheim Wine Tasting and Visit to the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments* tour. Ride a mini-train around Rüdesheim’s leafy vineyards, learning about the history of local viticulture and admiring wonderful views of the Rhine along the way. Disembark at the 16th-century Bassenheimer Hof cellar for a wine-tasting, and then head to the captivating Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments to view its quirky collections of self-playing musical instruments dating from the 18th to the 20th century. Later, enjoy time at leisure in charming streets of Drosselgasse in Rudesheim before making your own way back to the ship.
Included: Breakfast on cruise, Lunch, Dinner
Spend all day cruising on the Rhine. Later in the afternoon, arrive in the gorgeous French city of Strasbourg, the home of the European Parliament, and set out on a tour of Strasbourg by Night*. Take a glass-covered boat on the canals to view the UNESCO-World-Heritage site of Strasbourg’s Grand Ile: admiring landmarks including the famous Petite France. After taking in these picture-postcard sights, we return to the ship. Tonight, mark the end of your cruise with an enjoyable Gala Dinner and Evening on board.
Included: Breakfast on cruise, Lunch, Dinner
Your 5-night cruise concludes this morning. After breakfast, disembark and relax during a coach journey to Frankfurt where you’ll sit down to a convivial farewell dinner with a drink this evening.
Included: Breakfast on cruise, Dinner
Today, your journey finishes with a transfer to Frankfurt airport to board your homebound flight.
Included: Breakfast at hotel
Create your ideal getaway with the following upgrade options. Extensions and upgrades can be added during the booking process or speak to one of our travel advisors to tailor your perfect trip.
Treat yourself to the most sought-after seats on our coaches — those in the first two or three rows. We assign 10 seats in the front rows on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability. To pre-book these seats for less than $10 per day, select the front of coach seating option online in your Peony Tours account.
Airfares included in the advertised Land + Air Package prices are from New York(JFK), including fuel surcharge and taxes/fees, not including any baggage fees or seat assignment fees.
Departures from other gateway cities, please add appropriate U.S. domestic add-on fares. For time zone of your gateway city, please call Peony Tours.
*Fares are subject to availability; for detailed gateway fares please view our dates & pricing
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