Day 1, Oct 31, NUREMBERG, GERMANY (Embarkation).
Independent arrival at ship. Tonight, gather onboard your ship for a Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. (D)

Day 2, Nov 1, HASSFURT - BAMBERG
Enjoy your breakfast as you cruise along and marvel at the engineering feat of the Main-Danube canal which straddles the Franconian Alps via 16 locks. Arrive in Hassfurt and travel by motorcoach to enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided walking tour of this medieval gem. There is free time to explore the town’s charming Christmas Markets located in the Maximiliansplatz before you continue your cruise, now on the Main River. (B,L,D)

Day 3, Nov 2, WÜRZBURG
This morning arrive in Würzburg, the capital of Lower Franconia. The Pearl of the Romantic Road is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. During your city tour, see the major sights including the magnificent Residenz Palace. This afternoon, explore Würzburg on your own, or take an optional tour to Medieval Rothenburg - a beautiful walled city situated on the Romantic Road. Perhaps, visit the town’s medieval Christmas Markets, complete with jousting knights and a nativity scene from the 14th-century within the walls of the Marienberg Fortress. (B,L,D)

Day 4, Nov 3, MILTENBERG – WERTHEIM
Cruise to Miltenberg for a guided walking tour along narrow, cobble-stoned streets, seeing the gabled, half timbered houses. This afternoon, travel by motorcoach to Wertheim for some free time to explore the town on your own. Join your fellow passengers onboard this evening for a special holiday Gala dinner. Tonight, the ship sails leaving Bavaria, Franconia and the Main River behind. (B,L,D)

Day 5, Nov 4, MAINZ- HEIDELBERG – RÜDESHEIM - KOBLENZ
Today, you decide: either disembark for a trip to Mainz or travel by motorcoach to Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town, where you will visit the red-walled Castle, the Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask, and enjoy the beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. Then there is a walking tour of old Heidelberg and free time for lunch on your own before returning to Mainz. If you choose Mainz, your guided walking tour of this beautiful town includes the famous Gutenberg Museum, home of the world's first printed bible. Then take a lunchtime cruise on the Main and Rhine rivers to the wine village of Rüdesheim. Here, tour the town by mini-train and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Late this afternoon, everyone will cruise the most beautiful and famous part of the Rhine River, passing castle after castle and the infamous Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and the Mosel, after dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 6, Nov 5, COCHEM - ZELL
After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit of Reichsburg Castle, situated above Cochem with spectacular views of the River Mosel. This afternoon continue past hillside vineyards to Zell, home of the famous Zeller Schwarze Katz wine. Experience the hospitality of Zell with a visit by the Mayor and Wine Queens. Enjoy a wine tasting as you are treated to a special performance by the Black Cats. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Nov 6, BERNKASTEL-TRIER
Arrive in Bernkastel early this morning and explore this quaint little town on your included walking tour. Strategically located in the middle of the Mosel wine-producing region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Then onto Trier, Germany’s oldest city, for a guided tour which will introduce you to the city’s rich Roman past. (B,L,D)