Flowing from the magnificent Swiss Alps and out to sea beyond the Netherlands, the Rhine sweeps through some of the most fascinating towns and beautiful rural regions in Europe. Explore Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, and delve into its past with a city tour. In Avignon, marvel at the grand 14th century edifices standing as testament to the city’s historical significance.
Day 1. Arrive Paris
Be met on arrival in Paris and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy time at leisure, before tonight’s Welcome Reception with your APT Tour Director and fellow guests.
Day 2. Paris, Freedom of Choice Touring
After breakfast, discover the sights and attractions of the French capital with a choice of included touring activities. Take a sightseeing tour, including the famous Avenue des Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, where you’ll ascend to the second level of the tower to enjoy amazing views out over Paris. Alternatively, you could opt to discover French cuisine during a cooking class, or learn about photography during a tour designed to help you take the perfect picture of Paris. An excursion to Giverny, the picturesque village once home to the celebrated Impressionist artist Claude Monet, is another option. Tonight, enjoy a lovely Welcome Dinner cruise along the Seine River for a unique look at the city. Afterwards, embark on a Paris Illuminations Tour and see why Paris is known as the City of Light. Learn about the city’s intriguing history as you tour the boulevards with their animated cafés and brilliantly illuminated monuments and squares.
Day 3. Paris at Leisure
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure, relaxing or exploring Paris independently. Perhaps stroll along the boutique-lined boulevards, sip café au lait in the Latin Quarter, explore the world-famous boutiques or go for a wander along Rue Mouffetard, the city’s most lively market street. This evening, you may like to visit the famous Moulin Rouge, the historic cabaret and birthplace of the can-can (own expense).
Day 4. Paris, Amsterdam
After breakfast, board the stylish Thalys high-speed train for your luxury 3.5 hour journey to Amsterdam. On arrival, enjoy a tour of the Netherlands Maritime Museum before boarding your ship.
Day 5. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today select your activity from our options. Perhaps take a canal cruise and admire the city’s architecture as you cruise in a glass-top boat past 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th century merchant houses. Alternatively, visit the Van Gogh Museum, which contains the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings, or take a guided Wetland Safari canoe tour through extraordinary landscapes. After your chosen activity, enjoy a photo opportunity at Rembrandt’s Windmill before rejoining your ship in Utrecht. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner on board.
Day 6. Cologne, Freedom of Choice Touring, Koblenz
Arrive in Cologne today and choose your touring activity. Perhaps travel to Venlo and explore the spectacular displays on show at the 2012 Floriade Horticultural World Expo†, with time to admire the impressive landscaped gardens and floral exhibitions. Alternatively, you may like to take a trip to the historic city of Maastricht, where you can explore the grand ancient architecture and boutique shops. Later, return to your ship in 2,000 year-old Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle rivers.
Day 7. Cochem
This morning your ship will leave the Rhine and turn onto the Moselle River, a winding and picturesque waterway. On arrival in the town of Cochem, visit Reichsburg Castle and absorb stunning views over the river below. Reboard your ship and enjoy an afternoon of stunning views as the scenery of the spectacular Moselle Valley drifts by. Pass breathtaking landscapes of lush vineyards and rolling hills as you cruise back towards the Rhine.
Day 8. Rüdesheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today cruise through the Rhine Gorge on what is known as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Arrive in Rüdesheim, where you have a choice of activities. The Winzerexpress mini-train will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Here, a tour will highlight one of the largest collections of automated musical instruments in the world. Take a ride in a gondola for stunning views over the Rhine Valley or, alternatively, visit a Rhine Valley winery where you can enjoy a tour and tasting of the famous local wines.
Day 9. Speyer
On arrival in the city of Speyer today, you’ll disembark for a brief sightseeing tour. Then you’ll travel to the fascinating Technik Museum Speyer, Europe’s largest private technology museum, which features more than 3,000 incredible exhibits from all areas of technical history. Spread over more than 30,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space, exhibits include a genuine Concorde plane from Air France, more than 300 classic cars, the largest permanent Formula 1 exhibition in Europe, 60 aeroplanes and 20 locomotives as well as much more.
Day 10. Breisach, Freedom of Choice Touring, Colmar/Black Forest
Today, choose between a city tour of Colmar in France, or a tour through the famous Black Forest region of Germany. On the Black Forest tour, enjoy your drive through a scenic forested area where you will encounter a number of lakes as well as charming examples of rural architecture. Your tour will include a visit to a charming cuckoo clock factory, as well as a stop for photos at magnificent Lake Titisee. As an alternative, choose to travel to medieval Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and the self-proclaimed ‘Capital of Alsatian Wine’. During your city tour, you will see remarkable half-timbered framed houses; the German influenced old quarter filled with streets of unexpected twists and turns; canals and the Launch River. You will also enjoy a wine cellar visit and wine tasting. Late tonight, your ship sails for Basel, Switzerland.
Day 11. Basel, Disembark, Lyon, Embark Ship
Disembark the MS AmaCello for the last time after breakfast for a city tour of cosmopolitan Basel, located at the crossroads of Switzerland, France and Germany. Long an important university, banking and trade centre, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall and exquisite 18th century patrician homes. Then enjoy a special journey to the medieval cheese-making town of Gruyères. On arrival here, visit a cheese factory for a tour and a special tasting of the delicious, richly-flavoured cheese that makes the town so famous. Continue to beautiful Lake Geneva to enjoy breathtaking views during a photo stop. Later, arrive in Lyon and board APT’s award-winning luxury river ship, the MS AmaDagio.
Day 12. Lyon, Freedom of Choice Touring, Trévoux
After breakfast today, choose your touring option in Lyon, the gastronomic centre of France. Take a guided tour of this wonderful city, or choose to enjoy an impressive demonstration of the fine art of French cuisine. Returning to your ship for lunch, relax on board as you cruise along the pretty Saône River to the small historic town of Trévoux, where you’ll enjoy a walking tour that takes you to a selection of the pretty town’s most attractive landmarks.
Day 13. Trevoux - Vienne
Today, a morning tour takes you behind through beautiful Beaujolais. Visit a wine-maker in this celebrated region of France and sample the world-renowned Beaujolais wine. Then return to your ship and continue cruising south from the Saône to the Rhône River, towards Vienne.
Day 14. Vienne - Tournon
Located between the famed wine-producing regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne has a strong Roman history, which is highlighted by its marvellously preserved ruins. This morning following breakfast, take a mini-train tour, during which you’ll see the Roman Temple of Augustus and the medieval churches of St Andre-Le-Bas and Abbey St Pierre. Then cruise to Tournon and Tain L’Hermitage, twin towns that face each other across the Rhône River, linked by a
19th century suspension bridge.
Day 15. Tournon, Freedom of Choice Touring, Viviers
After breakfast today, disembark your ship and select your activity. You may enjoy the opportunity to sample and learn a bit more about the wines of the region with a wine tasting; alternatively, travel to Boucieu-le-Roi and enjoy a visit to a goat farm, followed by the chance to sample locally-produced goat’s cheese. Then return to your ship for lunch as you cruise to Viviers. After dinner this evening, enjoy a ‘ghost walk’ through the largely abandoned medieval town that once had more than 30,000 inhabitants.
Day 16. Viviers, Grignan, Avignon, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, enjoy an excursion to Grignan, where you’ll see a magnificent Renaissance castle. Then, cruise to Avignon, the ‘City of Popes’. Here, choose from our two Freedom of Choice Touring options. Perhaps take a guided tour through the narrow streets and elegant squares to the Papal Palace, which served as a fortress, a church and a residence to the Popes that once governed the Christian world. Alternatively, visit Pont du Gard, an incredible Roman aqueduct. Built around 19 BC, this feat of engineering carried millions of gallons of water to the fountains, baths and homes of Nîmes. You’ll then visit the town of Uzès, which boasts a beautiful castle, medieval streets and a lovely town square. Explore the sights at your leisure. After your selected activity, re-board your ship for dinner on board this evening.
Day 17. Avignon - Arles, Les Baux
Arrive in the historic commune of Arles today, just below the Camargue Delta in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. In this region, steeped in history, you’ll enjoy a day of unique sightseeing. This morning, visit the village of Les Baux de Provence. Enjoy the rich floral colours and views from this hilltop village and fortress, destroyed by Louis XIII in 1633 during the French Wars of Religion. Tour the castle before visiting a working olive mill and farm to discover the age-old Provençal tradition of olive growing during a tour and tasting. Leaving Les Baux, return to Arles for an exciting afternoon of touring. Renowned for Roman ruins and an association with the artist, Vincent Van Gogh, Arles is a treasure trove of fascinating sights. Stroll through the squares and cafés that inspired the painter, and tour the ancient ruins of the city. See Roman relics such as the Baths of Constantine, the Romanesque Cathedral, Church of Saint-Trophime and the Roman Amphitheatre, collectively listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Day 18. Arles, Disembark Ship, Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo
After breakfast, travel to the famous coastal city of Cannes for a walking tour, then continue to Nice, where you’ll stop for a guided tour. Later this afternoon, continue to the glamorous principality of Monte Carlo in Monaco and check in to your hotel. Bordering the French town of Beausoleil, Monte Carlo offers a host of attractions to visitors, not least the beach resort of Larvotto, and the popular casino. This heady mix of sun, sea and luxurious leisure activities have made the resort a popular celebrity getaway.
Day 19. Monte Carlo Sightseeing
A guided tour of Monte Carlo today includes the spectacular Prince’s Palace of Monaco, the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. Explore this incredible site, including the lavish State Apartments, which feature 15th century frescoes and many spectacular rooms, such as the ostentatious Louis XVth lounge. You’ll also visit the Private Collection of Antique Cars of Prince Rainier III, which features over 100 unique vehicles, some of which date back to the early 1900’s. After your tour, enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 20. Monte Carlo at Leisure
Enjoy an entire day at leisure in Monte Carlo today. Perhaps relax on the beach or try your luck at the famous casino. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow guests.
Day 21. Monte Carlo
This morning after breakfast, return to the lovely city of Nice, where your tour ends with a transfer to the airport.
