Rhine, Saar and Moselle Rivers

Travel in the company of alumni and friends from Cologne, Germany, through Luxembourg, to Strasbourg, France. Explore the western heart of the continent from May 16 through 27, 2024, while traversing the gorgeous Moselle, Saar, and Rhine Rivers.

Cruise aboard, deluxe Amadeus Brilliant—one of the finest boats to ply the waters of Europe. Float along the storied UNESCO World Heritage‑designated middle Rhine Valley, passing the hillside vineyards of many renowned wine regions and meandering through the lovely Alsatian city of Strasbourg, France.  Delight in the opportunity to experience four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the majestic Kölner Dom Cathedral, Romanesque towns of Boppard and Trier, and medieval La Petite France. Admire the stunning Art Nouveau architecture of Traben-Trarbach and the Neo-Gothic Reichsburg Castle in Cochem. Relish in the rich history of winemaking in the river valleys and experience the fascinating culture with many fine tastings—even visit a local winery where the grapes are still crushed by feet!

This 12-day, 10-night itinerary, is an excellent value with all excursions and deluxe accommodations included. Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details and to confirm your place today.

 

 

Dates and Rates:

Trip Dates: May 16 – 27, 2024

Rates:

$3,595 – $7,595 per person based on double occupancy. Taxes are an additional $55 per person.

Traveling solo? A limited number of cabins are offered for Singles at 160% of the per person rate in categories C4, C1 until sold out. 2x the per person rate once capacity is reached in C4/C1 and for all other categories

Deposit: $1,000 per person (https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms for complete terms and conditions)

Trip Type: Cruise

Trip Status: Confirmed & Open for Reservations. Request a reservation today!

 

Program Itinerary:

Day 1 – Depart home city/Frankfurt, Germany

Depart on independently reserved overnight flights to Frankfurt, Germany

Day 2 – Cologne/Embark

Arrive in Frankfurt after an overnight flight departing your home city and transfer to Cologne. Embark on the Amadeus Brilliant and enjoy lunch on board before exploring Cologne’s Old Town and seeing the UNESCO World Heritage‑designated Kölner Dom. Return to the ship for the Captain’s Welcome Reception and dinner onboard.

Day 3 – Lorelei Passage/Boppard/Koblenz

Admire the splendid Rhine River while cruising the Lorelei Passage and see the quaint villages and castle-dotted hilltops. Stop in UNESCO-inscribed Boppard and see its ancient Roman remains at the Archaeological Park. Stroll through the town and see its storied past and modern‑day present come together with its medieval Bingen Gate and current cozy cafés and shopping. See the Ritter Schwalbach Haus, one of the oldest houses in Boppard, and walk the narrow lanes and the Bingergasse formerly occupied by wine merchants. Later, take a stroll within Koblenz, positioned at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, and see its impressive Romanesque architecture. Join your fellow passengers for the Captain’s Welcome Dinner onboard the ship.

Day 4 – Cochem

Cruise the romantic Moselle River, the largest tributary of the Rhine River and known for its abundance of vineyards clinging to the steep sides. Enjoy a walking tour of charming Cochem with a visit to the Imperial Reichsburg castle. From the castle, take in the impressive view of its surrounding dreamy forests and vineyards before returning to the ship for lunch and dinner.

Day 5 – Traben-Trarbach/Bernkastel-Kues

Lovers of Art Nouveau architecture will rejoice as they take in the beauty of Traben-Trarbach through a walking tour of the town. See splendid mansions once belonging to wealthy wine merchants before returning for lunch onboard the ship. Later, stroll through charming Bernkastel-Kues, known for its medieval marketplace and gabled houses including the Spitzhäuschen (Pointed House). Enjoy a wine tasting in one of the town’s many wine cellars before returning to the ship for dinner.

Day 6 – Trier

Saunter through the UNESCO‑inscribed Roman sights of Trier, the oldest city in Germany. Admire sights like the Porta Nigra (Black Gate), dating back to the second century, and the Basilica of Roman Emperor Constantine—the largest single‑room structure to survive from Roman times. See the 16th-century St. Peter’s Fountain, the ornate Rococo Prince Bishop’s Palace, and the Imperial Baths before enjoying lunch and dinner onboard.

Day 7 – Saarburg

Explore Saarburg—an idyllic town surrounded by forests and Saar Valley wine vineyards that remained after the Saar Castle above it fell to ruin from the Thirty Years’ War. See the town’s waterfall in the center of its “Little Venice” and stroll through this picturesque burgh before returning to the ship for dinner onboard.

Day 8 – Grevenmacher/Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, Vianden Castle is one of the largest and most astounding feudal residences of the Roman and Gothic periods. Visit the castle once occupied by the ancestors of the current Dutch and Luxembourg royal families and explore its beautiful grounds. Later, head over to Luxembourg City for lunch and discover its historic center. Take in its many stunning views on the Corniche—otherwise known as the “most beautiful balcony of Europe”—and at Constitution Square. Among the many amazing sights of this city tour include the Place d’Armes and the Neumünster Abbey. Join the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner onboard.

Day 9 – Grevenmacher/Disembark river boat/Saarbrücken, Germany

Disembark the ship at Grevenmacher and transfer via coach to Saarbrücken. Explore the city and its landmarks, including the Baroque Ludwig’s Church, along with the restored Saarbrücken Castle’s mélange of Baroque, Classicist, and modern architectural styles. After lunch, transfer to Strasbourg, France, and check into the Sofitel Strasbourg Hotel before enjoying dinner on your own.

Day 10 – Strasbourg, France

Explore Alsace’s capital city Strasbourg, situated right on the Franco-German border. See Strasbourg’s jaw-dropping Notre‑Dame Cathedral, which survived the French Revolution, the Franco-Prussian War, and both World Wars. Walk through the UNESCO-designated La Petite France, where medieval houses line cobblestone lanes and 13th‑century bridges span serene canals. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure and lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 11- Strasbourg/Alsace-Colmar

Spend the first half of the day exploring the Alsatian wine route and immerse yourself in the region’s renowned vineyards. Visit a local winery where grapes are only handpicked and feet-crushed. Following lunch and an Alsacian wine tasting, venture into Colmar to follow the steps of “Statue of Liberty” creator Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and discover the city’s hidden wonders. Join your fellow travelers later for a farewell reception at the hotel before enjoying dinner on your own.

Day 12 – Strasbourg/Return to home city

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Frankfurt Airport and board your overnight return flight to your home city.

Itinerary Highlights
• 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.

All-Inclusive
• Transfers and luggage handling abroad if you made your air arrangements through Gohagan & Company. (If you made your own air arrangements, transfers and luggage
handling are not included.)
• Experienced, English-speaking local guides for included excursions.
• Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
• Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions.
• Hospitality desk.
• Experienced Travel Directors at your service.

 

AMADEUS Brilliant
Deluxe Small River Ship
• Atmosphere of classical elegance
• Only 70 deluxe, spacious, river-view Suites and Staterooms
• Suites include a private balcony, and select Staterooms have a floor‑to‑ceiling panoramic window that automatically lowers to French‑balcony height
• Deluxe amenities of a luxury hotel
• Environmental “Green Certificate”

Not 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 in the “terms and conditions” at https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms/ ; 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 as included; and all other services not specifically mentioned.