AMAWATERWAYS
14 Days | Europe's Rivers and Castles
Westbound

PRAGUE TO PARIS

Day 1 | Prague, Czech Republic. Arrive in Prague and check into your hotel.

Day 2 | Prague. Experience the wonders of Prague and its historic city center that is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site on your city tour or you can hike to the grand castle. See Rudolfinum, the National Museum, Wenceslas Square and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. Visit the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock. (B)

Day 3 | Prague. Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery known to have existed in 993. Pilsner Urquell was created in 1842, being the first pilsner ever made, whilst Budweiser came into being in the city of Budweis. Beer is a core part of the country’s national identity, so much so the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. The country is home to more than 100 breweries with a combination of big names and micro establishments offering a huge range of styles, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech’s beer some of the very best in the world. (B)

Day 4 | Prague. Nuremberg, Germany. Embark. Depart Prague and drive through the pastoral German countryside for a city tour of Nuremberg’s fabulous Gothic churches and impressive city walls. Later in the day, board your luxurious ship. (B,D)

Day 5 | Bamberg. Bamberg has been referred to as “Franconian Rome” as like Rome, it was built on seven hills—but in Bamberg, a church graces each one. Bamberg’s medieval and Baroque architecture has withstood the test of time with one of the largest intact centers in Europe; it even survived WWII bombings, and as such, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem where you’ll see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions, and afterwards indulge in the town’s famous smoked beer, Rauchbier. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Volkach. Wurzburg. Kitzingen. Located in lower Franconia lies Volkach. Enjoy a walking tour of this quaint town with many historic sites such as the church of St. Bartholomew built 700 years ago, the Maria Immaculata Well built in 1480, and the Maria im Weingarten, a pilgrimage church built in the 1300’s. If you prefer a more active way to explore the town, join the guided bike tour. Alternatively, you can go on a full-day excursion to Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved walled town located on the Romantic Road. Later in the day, and for those not going to Rothenburg, visit Würzburg, a beautiful city bursting with Baroque splendor. While here, you’ll tour its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. You also have a choice to go on a lovely bike tour from Würzburg to Kitzingen and through Franconia’s wine country. For those not biking to Kitzingen, you’ll cruise along the meandering Main River, and once in the town, enjoy a walking tour and listen to the enduring legends that make visiting Kitzingen extra fun, especially for Dracula followers. (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Wertheim. Wertheim's old town center still features half-timbered houses and the Gothic architecture of the Stiftskirche, its oldest Protestant church. You may either join a guided walking tour through the historic city center or learn the art of pretzel making with a visit to a local bakery. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley or hike high above the town for a visit to the castle, one of the most picturesque ruins in Germany. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Mainz. Rudesheim. Cruising the Rhine Gorge. Lahnstein. Arrive in Mainz, located at the confluence of the Main and Rhine rivers. Join a walking tour of Mainz, home to many historic treasures, including one of Germany’s most important churches, the Romanesque cathedral and the Chagall stained-glass windows depicting scriptural scenes in stunning blue, which you will get to see. For a more active adventure, go on a guided bike tour. During the afternoon, sail to Rüdesheim, where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, home to one of the greatest collections of self-playing musical instruments; or take a ride over the vineyards of Rüdesheim in a gondola to the Niederwald Monument, and then afterwards be treated to a wine tasting. Later in the day, set sail towards Lahnstein through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles and legendary Lorelei Rock. Cap the day off with an exclusive festival celebration in Lahnstein. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Cochem. Zell. Wake up in fairytale Cochem and visit the Reichsburg Castle followed by a walking tour. As an alternative, visit one of Europe’s oldest working mustard mills where you will sample Cochem’s famous mustard. You may also opt to take a guided bike tour along the captivating Moselle River. Later cruise to Zell, famous for their Riesling and the well-known arched black cat icon, often seen on the labels of local German wines. Experience the hospitality of the citizens of Zell, including the local Wine Queen and Mayor, at an exclusive wine festival where you’ll sample local wines, sausages and more. (B,L,D)

Day 10 | Trier. Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Moselle to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, renowned for its rich ancient Roman past, and as such has been referred to as the “Rome of the North” or “Second Rome” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Join a guided tour of the city, including the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths and Basilica of Constantine. Alternatively, go in search of the secrets of the Porta Nigra Gate, dating back to 180 A.D. on a tour that takes you back to a time when Rome ruled the world from the Emperor’s seat in Trier. You also have the choice of a bike tour through the historic city center and along the Moselle River; or hike high above Trier to Petrisberg. (B,L,D)

Day 11 | Luxembourg. Disembark. Paris, France. Disembark in Luxembourg. En route to Paris, you will stop at the American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting place of General George Patton. Later, you will enjoy a walking tour through Luxembourg before boarding a TGV high-speed train to Paris, where you will check into your hotel. (B)

Day 12 | Paris. Get acquainted with some of the many iconic sites in the “City of Light,” including Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower on a city tour. (B)

Day 13 | Paris. You’ll visit one of the world’s most renowned museums, the Musée d’Orsay. Housed in the train station building, constructed by Victor Laloux for the 1900 World Fair, the Orsay is a national museum devoted to all the arts between 1848-1914. The various artistic movements represented include Academism, Realism, Impressionism, Symbolism and Art Nouveau. Among the featured artists are Cézanne, Courbet, Daumier, Degas, Gauguin, Manet, Millet, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Rodin, Seurat, Sisley and Van Gogh. Your morning museum visit will be the perfect entrée for a later in the day visit to Montmartre, long known as the city’s premier artist's enclave. During the mid to late 1800s, artists also began calling Montmartre home. Pissarro and Jongkind were two of the first to live there, followed by other notable artists, including Degas, Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir and Picasso. For easy access to Montmartre, you’ll hop aboard the funicular railroad that ascends the hill. Montmartre's most recognizable landmark is the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur, constructed from 1876 to 1912. The white dome of this Roman Catholic basilica sits at the highest point in the city. After your visit to Montmartre, you’ll be taken on an illumination tour, discovering why Paris is renowned as the “City of Light.” (B)

Day 14 | Paris. Bid au revoir to Paris as you prepare for your homeward journey. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

WESTBOUND ITINERARY 14 DAYS | PRAGUE TO PARIS Click HERE to view 13-day WESTBOUND itinerary.