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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260526
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SUMMARY:Great European Journey
DESCRIPTION:Join alumni and friends for an exceptional\, 11-night European journey crafted with the ease of a luxury hotel stay and the carefree comforts of river cruising. Travel from May 26 to June 6\, 2026 and wend your way along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Cruise for seven nights through the Netherlands\, Germany and France\, then bask in Switzerland’s sensational scenery along the shores of Lake Geneva for three nights. \nBegin your fascinating explorations onboard the specially chartered\, deluxe Viva One\, and savor the unfolding riverside scenery of terraced vineyards\, castles and fairy-tale towns as you relax on deck. Daily shore excursions introduce you to Amsterdam\, Netherlands; then Cologne\, Cochem\, Rüdesheim and Heidelberg\, in Germany; ending in Strasbourg\, the Alsatian capital\, in France. Disembark in Switzerland and spend three nights at the first-class Royal Plaza Montreux. Cruise on Lake Geneva and explore the unforgettable towns of Gruyères and Basel. \nThis well-rounded itinerary\, featuring guided excursions\, luxurious accommodations and delectable cuisine on both land and water\, has been an enticing favorite among travelers. Make plans today to secure your place on this Great European Journey for the best value! \nPlease contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details and to confirm your place today. \nDates and Rates: \nTrip Dates: May 26 – June 6\, 2026 \nRates: from $5\,495 – $11\,095  per person based on double occupancy \nTraveling solo? Select categories may be reserved by single travelers at 125% of the per person double price\,  all others at 2x the per person rate\, or please contact us to inquire about any possible roommate options \nTrip Type: Cruise \nDeposit: $1\,500 per person (https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms for complete terms and conditions). \nTrip Status: Open for Reservations Request a reservation today \nProgram Itinerary*: \nB | L | D | R denotes included breakfasts\, lunches\, dinners\, and reception \nDay 1 | Tuesday\, May 26\nDEPART HOME CITY – Depart for Amsterdam\, Netherlands. \nDay 2 | Wednesday\, May 27 – AMSTERDAM\, NETHERLANDS R\, D\nArrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). Proceed through the immigration checkpoint to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage.\nTransfer to the deluxe riverboat Viva One\, where you can settle in to your cabin and unpack. This afternoon\, disembark and set off on a guided excursion to explore Amsterdam. Discover the city on a private cruise through Amsterdam’s world-famous UNESCO- inscribed canals\, which have been connecting the city since the early 17th century. Glide under iconic bridges and past brightly colored houses\, stately stone buildings and hundreds of cyclists! Back on board the riverboat\, attend a Welcome Briefing and safety drill. \nWelcome Reception: This evening\, attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner\, and raise a glass to your great European journey! \nDay 3 | Thursday\, May 28 – AMSTERDAM | SAILING B | L | D\nAs we sail to Germany\, enjoy time on the riverboat. Exercise in the fitness center\, indulge in a sauna or steam bath in the wellness area\, or simply relax on deck with a book. Savor three delicious meals and enjoy lectures by expert speakers. \nDay 4 | Friday\, May 29 – COLOGNE\, GERMANY B | L | D\nSavor a delicious breakfast on board each morning of the cruise. \nOne of the largest European cities in medieval and Renaissance times\, Cologne is known for its lively spirit. On a walking tour\, meander down winding lanes in the medieval old town\, appreciating the colorful houses\, leafy squares and picturesque courtyards. Have you ever wondered why your bottled fragrance is called Eau de Cologne? The term is French for “water of Cologne\,” and the world’s oldest perfume factory has been located here since 1723. But Cologne may be most famous for its magnificent Gothic cathedral\, Kölner Dom\, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Christian churches have occupied this location since the fourth century\, and the current cathedral was built over a period of more than 630 years\, finally completed in 1880. The cathedral houses the Shrine of the Three Kings\, a gilded reliquary\, the largest one in Europe. Admire the cathedral’s impressive exterior on our walking tour. \nFree Time: Return to the boat for lunch on board. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. Stay in town\, if you wish\, to lunch and explore Cologne on your own.\nReturn to the ship to savor a relaxing dinner on board. \nDay 5 | Saturday\, May 30 – COCHEM B | L | D\nSail through a splendid\, narrow section of the Moselle River\, lined with colorful towns and tiered vineyards\, then dock in charming Cochem. As you disembark\, delight in the brightly painted houses on the riverfront. On a walking tour\, stroll the narrow cobblestoned streets and take in the squares and half- timbered houses. Visit Reichsburg Castle\, perched atop a forested cliff high above the town. King Louis XIV’s troops demolished the original castle here in 1689. The building sat in ruins for almost 200 years before a wealthy businessman bought and refurbished it\, in a neo-Gothic style. The castle offers the most stunning views of the river\, valley and town…a wonderful photo opportunity! \nFree Time: Return to the riverboat for lunch on board. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. Stay in town\, if you wish\, to dine and further explore Cochem. \nEnjoy a delicious dinner tonight\, either on your own in Cochem or included onboard. \nDay 6 | Sunday\, May 31 – LORELEI PASSAGE | RÜDESHEIM B | L | D\nThe Rhine has been an important passage connecting Europe’s northern and southern parts since prehistoric times\, making trade and cultural exchange possible. Small settlements sprang up along the riverbanks 2\,000 years ago and evolved into a string of small villages and towns. Now this enchanting Upper Middle Rhine Valley\, also known as the Rhine Gorge and a UNESCO World Heritage site\, is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles\, palaces and fortresses. As we cruise the river today\, marvel at the breathtaking vistas\, complete with vineyard terraces along the steep valley walls. These views have inspired great artists\, poets and composers over the past few hundred years—as you glide along this magnificent stretch of river\, perhaps you will be reminded of the paintings of J.M.W. Turner\, the words of Lord Byron or the music of Richard Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” Admire the striking outcrop called Lorelei Rock—a symbol of Rhine Romanticism that inspired myriad poems and songs. Settle in for a delicious lunch on board as the ship arrives in Rüdesheim. Riesling in Rüdesheim. Disembark for an excursion in the heart of Riesling wine country. Ride on the Winzerexpress\, a mini train that will take you on an informative tour through the vineyards\, featuring a stunning view of Rüdesheim and the Rhine. The tour ends with a wine tasting in the picturesque old town. \nFree Time: Spend the afternoon at your leisure. You can return to the riverboat to relax onboard or stay in town and continue to explore Rüdesheim. \nEnjoy a delicious dinner tonight\, either on your own in Rüdesheim or included onboard. \nDay 7 | Monday\, June 1 – MANNHEIM FOR HEIDELBERG B | L | D\nDock in Mannheim and journey to romantic Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its grand castle\, built in the 13th century\, overlooking the picturesque Neckar Valley. Take in the ancient castle walls\, surrounding grounds and gorgeous views. One of the more intriguing features of the castle is the world’s largest wine barrel in its basement\, complete with a dance floor on top. Take a walking tour in the lively\, cobblestoned Altstadt (Old Town)\, filled with Renaissance and Baroque gems\, such as the old bridge\, Alte Brücke. As you cross it\, keep your eyes peeled for a most singular statue—of a monkey with a mirror! \nFree Time: In the afternoon\, return to the boat for a delicious lunch and free time on board as we sail for France. \nDay 8 | Tuesday\, June 2 – STRASBOURG\, FRANCE B | L | R | D\nDuring a walking tour\, discover the medieval grandeur of Grand-Île\, the historic center of Strasbourg and a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the bridges and watchtowers of the 13th-century Ponts Couverts and meander past the many half-timbered houses in the canal-lined Petite France district\, where tanners\, millers and fishermen once lived during the Middle Ages. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral\, an exquisitely ornamented Gothic beauty. Gaze at its famed Astrological Clock\, created by a team of artists\, mathematicians and technicians during the Renaissance. Across from the Cathedral\, notice the Kammerzell House\, now a hotel and restaurant. This beautiful building dates to 1427; cheese merchant Martin Braun\, then owner\, commissioned the incredible exterior work in 1589. \nFree Time: Return to the boat for a delicious lunch. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. If you’d like to return to town\, hop on a shuttle or borrow a bicycle from the boat. The ship departs for Switzerland this afternoon. \nFarewell Reception: Join the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner this evening. \nDay 9 | Wednesday\, June 3 – BASEL\, SWITZERLAND | MONTREUX B | L\nSavor a delectable breakfast on board before disembarkation in Basel\, Switzerland\, the country’s only port. Your luggage will be sent ahead to the hotel as you explore the city. Basel\, an Alpine Art Hub. Ancient Basilia was a Roman settlement established in 44 B.C. — nowadays it’s a vibrant\, modern city known for its annual Art Basel festival of contemporary art. Enjoy a guided city tour and lunch at a local restaurant. Take a scenic guided transfer to beautiful Montreux\, where you’ll check in to the first-class Royal Plaza Montreux\, with panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. \nFree time: Settle in and make your own plans for dinner. The Hospitality Desk at the hotel stands ready with dining suggestions. \nDay 10 | Thursday\, June 4 – MONTREUX | LAKE GENEVA B | L\nThis morning\, enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel. \nWalking Tour of Montreux: Take a guided walk of Montreux\, known as the Jewel of the Swiss Riviera. Stroll along the lakeside promenade — lined by lush gardens and art installations — and revel in gorgeous mountain views. Montreux\, known for its music scene\, was home to Queen’s Freddie Mercury\, who died here in 1991. Visit a statue of him here on the lakefront. Walk through the picturesque Old Town\, with its cobbled streets and multi-colored stone buildings. \nChillon Castle: Continue your day with a visit to the 13th-century Chateau de Chillon\, an imposing medieval castle situated at the lake’s edge. During your tour\, note the painted walls in the Grand Burgrave Hall and the original 15th-century wooden ceiling in the Grand Ducal Hall. The castle was also famously used as a prison\, and\, completing the romantic image\, the covered bridge was once a drawbridge. \nLake Geneva Cruise: Following the tour\, board a Belle Époque paddlewheel steamboat for a two-hour cruise along the shores of Lake Geneva. This scenic body of water — the largest lake in central Europe — was a requisite stop on the Grand Tour of Europe during the 19th century\, and its beautiful vistas inspired many artists and writers. In fact\, Byron and Shelley met here and spent some days just as you are doing — boating on the serene waters! Savor a delicious lunch in the ship’s elegant dining room as forested hillsides and picturesque villages glide by. \nFree Time: Spend time this afternoon and evening at leisure and make your own plans for dinner. Please visit the Hospitality Desk for sightseeing and dining suggestions. \nDay 11 | Friday\, June 5 – GRUYÈRES B | R\nEnjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning. Then depart for today’s excursion: a unique gourmet foray into two of Switzerland’s most beloved products\, cheese and chocolate. \nGruyères: Board a comfortable\, modern train to travel along the Golden Pass route — gazing out at breathtaking Alpine scenery — from Montreux to Montbovon. From there\, a short countryside drive takes you to the charming medieval town of Gruyères. At La Maison du Gruyère\, a local cheese factory\, discover the secrets of the town’s world-famous cheese\, watch its production and try some samples. Then set off to explore the picture-postcard historic town. Lunch on your own in one of the charming restaurants or cafes that line the cobblestoned main street. \nBroc: Continue to the small village of Broc to the famous Maison Cailler chocolate factory for a fun and captivating tour. Learn the secrets of chocolate-making and\, of course\, taste the delicious final product! \nTransfer back to the hotel. \nFarewell Reception: Bid adieu to your fellow travelers at a Farewell Reception this evening at the hotel. \nMake your own plans for dinner tonight. The Gohagan Travel Hospitality Desk is happy to offer dining suggestions. \nDay 12 | Saturday\, June 6 – GENEVA | RETURN TO HOME CITY B\nFollowing breakfast\, check out of the hotel and transfer to Geneva International Airport (GVA) for your return flight home. \nINCLUDED FEATURES: \n\nTransfers and luggage handling abroad for participants whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).\nAll excursions and visits\, as outlined in the itinerary\, led by experienced\, English-speaking local guides.\nGratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions.\nThe services of an experienced team of professional travel directors throughout the program.\nHospitality desk aboard the ship.\n\nNot included:
 Airfare; Taxes; passport fees; visas and fees for obtaining visas; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness\, trip cancellation\, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air taxes; airfare and associated local taxes*\, airport facility taxes and federal inspection fees not listed int he “included features” section of the program brochure; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you are arriving earlier or later and/or departing earlier or later that scheduled group transfer(s); meals and and alcoholic beverages not listed in the “Included Features” section of the program brochure; and all other services not specifically mentioned in the terms and conditions https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms/ \n*This itinerary is subject to change due to operational conditions.
URL:https://alumni.georgetown.edu/event/great-european-journey-2/
CATEGORIES:Travel Society
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ORGANIZER;CN="GUAA Travel Society":MAILTO:georgetowntravelsociety@georgetown.edu
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