Embark on a private river cruise charter beginning with a pre-cruise itinerary in historic Marburg and Kassel. The luxurious MS Amadeus Brilliant awaits in Cologne, winding through the scenic Rhine, Moselle, and Saar rivers, past steep vineyards and medieval towns. Discover Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, Saarlouis, and more. Then explore Luxembourg’s heritage before concluding with the splendor of ancient Trier and picturesque Koblenz.
DAYS 1-2—WELCOME TO GERMANY!
Fly to Frankfurt and embark on a scenic drive to Limburg an der Lahn. Enjoy a guided city tour, visiting its Cathedral and charming streets, followed by lunch at a local eatery. In the afternoon, relax on a 2-hour river cruise along the Lahn River, passing Oranienstein Palace and St. Lubentius Abbey. Later, check into the Vila Vita Rosenpark Hotel, a five-star property with stunning accommodations and luxurious spa amenities near the heart of Marburg, your home for the next three nights. D
DAY 3—KASSEL
Visit Kassel, home of fairy tale authors Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and renowned for its rich cultural heritage highlighted by the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wilhelmshöhe Mountain Park. Enjoy a guided city tour where you’ll visit the Park, the famous Hercules monument and GRIMMWELT Kassel to learn more about the epic storytelling of the Grimm Brothers. B, D
DAY 4—MARBURG
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Marburg to explore its cobblestone streets, half-timber houses, and medieval architecture, including a bustling, local farmers market. In the afternoon, hop aboard the Castle Train for a one-hour scenic tour of Marburg’s landmarks such as Marburg Castle and St. Elizabeth’s Church. Spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. B, D
DAY 5—COLOGNE
Bid farewell to Marburg as you depart from your hotel to set off for the vibrant city of Cologne. Lunch in Cologne will include a glass of Cologne’s famous Kolsch beer! Afterwards, embark on a walking tour led by a local guide; you’ll discover many of the city’s architectural marvels such as the famous Cologne Cathedral and stroll along the scenic Rhine River waterfront. Then embark on the beautiful MS Amadeus Brilliant where you’ll check into your stateroom, explore the ship, and enjoy your first dinner on board. B, L, D
DAY 6—COCHEM
Enjoy a relaxing morning cruise to Cochem, nestled in the Moselle Valley, as you enjoy the surrounding views from the sun deck or cozy up in the lounge with a book. This afternoon features a walking tour of Cochem where the harmonious trio of the unique Mosel landscape, extensive vineyards, and rich culture make it a popular town to explore by foot. Following the guided walking tour, quench your thirst at a local winery for a taste of the product that made the Valley famous. B, L, D
Option—Eltz Castle Excursion Skip the walk and wine tasting in Cochem for a short motorcoach ride to Burg Eltz, set atop a rock 230 feet above a tributary of the Moselle River, the Castle has been owned by the Eltz family since the 12th century! Known as “the most beautiful castle in Europe”, a tour of Burg Eltz offers a glimpse of life through nine centuries of German history. $90 per person
DAY 7—BERNKASTEL TOUR & WINE TASTING
Explore medieval Bernkastel-Kues during an entertaining guided tour of the old town and learn about the landscape and wine culture. In front of the St. Nicholas Hospital, hear about the famous philosopher‘s ball game and get a chance to try it out yourself. Enjoy a short walk through the vineyards and taste two wines, one of which is the world-famous Bernkasteler Doctor wine. Board the ship for lunch and an afternoon of sailing as you head to Saarburg. B, L, D
DAY 8—SAARBURG
See Saarburg’s Little Venice, the Schleif lookout point, the church of St. Laurentius, and the Buttermarkt, then pass the whimsical castle complex on your way into the old town with its colorful fishermen’s and boatmen’s houses. You won’t want to miss the waterfall in the center of town where the River Leuk makes a breathtaking 60-foot drop to join the Saar River, bisecting the city. This afternoon, set sail for Saarlouis. B, L, D
DAY 9—SAARLOUIS
Named for Louis XIV of France, Saarlouis was considered impregnable due to its fortifications built during the 17th century. Today’s walking tour will take you from the Great Market over the lock bridge into the city garden, and to the remains of the fortress walls of Saaraltarm, a recreational area which also features meandering paths and charming bridges. Afterward, enjoy free time to take a leisurely stroll through the old town and relish the charming character of the city. Enjoy another afternoon of sailing, this time across the border into Grevenmacher, Luxembourg. B, L, D
DAY 10—GREVENMACHER/THE LUXEMBOURG MOSELLE/TRIER
Today we encounter the wine-growing town of Grevenmacher and one of the four capitals of the European Union — Luxembourg City. Enjoy a tour of Grevenmacher, starting at the 12th-century fortress tower before visiting notable sites like Peter von Osburg’s House and the Trier Gate. Board a motorcoach headed for the capital city of Luxembourg where you’ll see Constitution Square, the Grand Ducal Palace, and Kirchberg Plateau. After lunch on the ship, explore Trier, the oldest city in Germany. Visit the Porta Nigra, Three Kings’ House, Main Market Square, St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady, and Kornmarkt with its neoclassical casino and St. George’s Fountain. B, L, D
Day 11—KOBLENZ
Today’s itinerary is yours to decide in picturesque Koblenz, a historic city known as one of the most pedestrian-friendly and oldest towns in Germany with over 2,000 years of history. Choose between one of our two optional afternoon excursions: a guided city walk with a scenic tram ride to visit Fortress Ehrenbreitstein OR a guided city walk with a visit to the Sparkling Wine Museum. Later, enjoy the Captain’s Dinner on board with dinner and entertainment. B, L, D
DAY 12—RETURN HOME
After breakfast, disembark the MS Amadeus Brilliant for your included flight home from Frankfurt, with memories of historic towns, enchanting castles, and scenic waterways. B
Quality Accommodations
Nights 2-4: Vila Vita Rosenpark Hotel, Marburg, Germany
Nights 5-11: MS Amadeus Brilliant
Dates:
August 27-September 7, 2025
Price Per Person:
See table below
Land only pricing available
Pre/Post Tour Hotel:
$238/night
Depart/Return:
Chicago, IL (call for other cities)
Inclusions:
Round-trip airfare from the U.S.
Professional, English speaking Tour Director
Welcome Dinner and meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Fees and tips for included attractions, meals, crew, and drivers
Luggage handling at most hotels
24-hour emergency call service
***Enjoy the below Early Booking Discount pricing until April 1, 2025***
Window, Haydn, Single - $6,799
Window, Haydn, Mid - $5,299
Window, Haydn , Forward - $5,399
Drop-Down Panoramic Window, Strauss, Stern - $5,999
Drop-Down Panoramic Window, Strauss, Forward - $6,199
Drop-Down Panoramic Window, Mozart - $6,299
Drop-Down Panoramic Window, Mozart, Suite - $7,099
+$185 per person port taxes and fees. Single supplement +$2,000 Haydn (other than 2 single staterooms), +$3,500 for Strauss and Mozart (non-suite), + $4,500 for Suites
Prices vary based on stateroom category. This tour is NOT eligible for Travel More, Save More discount pricing.
Arrival Time
Available about 90 days prior to departure.
Departure Time
Available about 90 days prior to departure.
Airport Transportation / Vehicle Parking
Our pre and post hotels offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport. Free parking can be offered during the tour with a pre or post night, please let us know ahead of time if you desire this service.
Walking Distance
To fully enjoy your CTD vacation, you should be in good physical
health and understand there are times when a good deal of walking is
involved in our tours. Those who have difficulty walking may not want to
take this trip or should discuss their personal situation with their
doctor before deciding. You should be able to walk at a steady pace for a
mile at a time for a daily total of three to four miles per day and be
able to manage steps to board/de-board the motorcoach several times a
day. In addition, many US and European airports require lengthy walks to
get from ticketing counters to your departure gate. Due to the lack of
proper facilities at some of the farms, ranches, and off-the-beaten-path
sites we often visit, we are unable to accommodate walkers and
wheelchairs.
We are finding that larger European cities are closing their historic districts to motor traffic. This, of course, adds to the amount of walking involved when visiting a city (sometimes on uneven and/or cobblestone walkways). In addition, you should know that you may be required to exit the motorcoach at each stop because local law often does not allow travelers to remain on the motorcoach while it is parked for a scheduled stop.
Average Temps
High of 73°F, low of 57°F
Currency
Euro
Time Zone
GMT+1 (5 hours ahead of New York)
Hotel Amenities
All AMADEUS ships have an elevator that operates between the Mozart, Strauss and Haydn decks. The sun deck is not accessible by elevator.
Wi-Fi is available aboard the ship and the price is fully covered by CTD. We will travel in rural river landscapes, meaning the Wi-Fi connection at times can be limited.
All cabins and suites are equipped with high-quality care products, such as soap, shampoo, body lotion, and shower gel. You will also find a hair dryer, sewing set, shower cap, and nail file in your cabin. Laundry is available onboard for a small fee.
Breakfast and lunch are lavish meals, with evenings featuring chef’s specialties and regional dishes. In addition, a light breakfast and lunch is offered in the Panorama-Bar. There is always a vegetarian option for all meals on board.
Additional Information
A total of three mailings are sent to assist you in preparing for your tour, including information sent upon receipt of your reservation.
Dress on tour is casual. Evening dinners aboard the ship will be a more elegant occasion, so we welcome you to dress in a business casual manner. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, visors, and comfortable walking shoes will add to your enjoyment of this tour. Toward the end of the cruise, a Captain’s Dinner will be held. For this dinner, we suggest (for the women) dress pants or skirt along with a blouse or sweater, or possibly a dress, and (for the men) dress pants along with a collared long-sleeved shirt or sweater, and possibly a blazer of some sort (blazer not required).
An outlet converter that adapts to European outlets is needed. You can find these at many stores, including Amazon and Walmart.
Travel Protection Available
Yes, see CountryTravelDiscoveries.com/TravelProtectionPlan.
