Castles along the Rhine (8 days) From Basel to Amsterdam on the River Empress Find inspiration in the romantic, soul-stirring beauty of the fabled Rhine. Flowers tumble from baskets lining streets of half-timbered houses and lights glint off quiet canals. A mighty river carries ships and cargo through a landscape shaped by time and history. The spires of medieval churches and castles appear around each bend in the river and vineyards climb the verdant hillsides. Cruise along the Rhine, Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses guarding territory and trade routes, and today tower above the water as romantic ruins. Visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg; stroll through the fairytale towns of Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Rüdesheim. Taste delightful white wines in the villages where the grapes are grown. Beethoven and Byron loved the romantic landscapes of the Rhine River and the beauty that inspired them is still yours to experience. Highlights 4 countries: France, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites Captivating onboard local entertainment Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture: The Rhine River: Shaping European History from the Romans to the European Union Choice of Alsatian Village Day or Colmar city tour Choice of Strasbourg by canal or Do as the Locals Do Strasbourg walking tour Choice of Speyer walking discovery tour or exclusive Doktorenhof vinegar estate visit and tasting Exclusive Castle Vollrads wine tasting and guided Boppard village stroll Choice of Koblenz walking discovery tour or aerial cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Cologne walking discovery tour to include the Cathedral Generations family programme on select sailings Max 130 passengers What is included All transfers on arrival and departure days All gratuities, both onboard and onshore Exclusive Multigenerational Family-Friendly Program on select summer departures All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
Captain s Welcome and Farewell Receptions Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea and mineral water 6 days of excursions, including Choice Is Yours options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts Guided Do as the Locals Do, Village Day and Gentle Walking programmes State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audioheadset system on all excursions Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager All port charges ( 168.00 per person) What is not included Single supplement 2,039.00 (always applies to full price, discounts do not apply) Travel insurance 48.00 per person (+ 69 years double premium applicable) ITINERARY DETAILS Day 1 Basel Arrive at Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport where you will be transferred to the ship. Note: Guests sailing on the S.S. Antoinette will embark in Breisach between March and May due to lock renovations. Day 2 Breisach (Kayserberg and Riquewihr or Colmar) FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Alsatian Village Day or Colmar city tour Breisach is your gateway to the Alsatian wine road, your launching point for one of two excursions. You can visit Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, two of the most picturesque villages in the region, sampling local delicacies and getting a feel for daily life. Or take a tour of the larger town, Colmar, considered one of the most beautiful destinations along the wine road. Enjoy the festive Captain s Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner. Day 3 Kehl (Strasbourg) FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Strasbourg by canal or exclusive Do as the Locals Do Strasbourg walking tour The Alsatian town of Strasbourg boasts a UNESCO-designated city centre, a grand Gothic cathedral and half-timbered houses. See the sights on a delightful canal cruise through the picturesque Petite France district, or if you wish to do as the locals do, opt for an Old Town walking tour with stops for pastries and coffee. Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
Day 4 Mannheim (Speyer) FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Speyer walking discovery tour or exclusive Doktorenhof vinegar estate visit and tasting Stroll through Speyer s charming Old Town to the city s grand cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, for a different spin on the Palatinate wine region, visit the Doktorenhof vinegar estate to sample unique aperitifs made from wine vinegars. Day 5 Rudeshiem, cruising the romantic Rhine River, Boppard FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of exclusive Castle Vollrads wine tasting or exclusive guided Go Active hike from Rüdesheim to Assmanshausen and guided Boppard village stroll Wine connoisseurs will want to go on a private tour and Riesling tasting at Castle Vollrad. Adventurers will want to soar up to the Niederwald Heights on a gondola, followed by a hike. Then, after a cruise along the UNESCO-designated Upper Middle Rhine stroll through quaint Boppard. Day 6 Cruising the romantic Rhine River, Koblenz FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Koblenz walking discovery tour or aerial cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress or exclusive guided Go Active bike ride, and Marksburg Castle visit Watch the waters of the Moselle mix with the Rhine as you stand at the German Corner during your discovery tour. If you prefer to see the city from above, take an aerial tram to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. For a more active exploration, bike from Boppard to Koblenz. Later in the day, get a closeup look at Marksburg Castle. Note: The aerial tram to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is only available on cruises that depart on or after April 2. Day 7 Cologne FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Cologne walking discovery tour with choice of Cologne Cathedral or Farina House or Kölsch beer tasting or Museum Ludwig You have an array of choices for how you wish to experience Cologne s many treasures. Those interested in history and architecture will want to stroll with a local expert through Old Town to the city s iconic UNESCO-listed Gothic Cologne Cathedral. If you prefer to embark on an exciting journey through the world of fragrance and the birthplace of eau de Cologne, then visit Farina House. For beer connoisseurs, visit a brewery to taste the traditional local brew of the city, Kölsch. For lovers of art, you will not want to miss one of the most important contemporary museums in Europe, Museum Ludwig. Cap the day off at the Captain s Farewell Reception and Gala Dinner. Note: On Sundays and Catholic holidays, tours inside the cathedral are not allowed, but individual visits are still welcomed. Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
Day 8 Amsterdam (disembark), transfer to the airport Disembark the ship and transfer to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Amsterdam. SHIP DETAILS RIVER EMPRESS Length: 110 m / Width: 11.4 m / Voltage: 110/220 volts / Guests: 130 / Staff: 41 Suites: 4 (20 sq m) / Category 1 Staterooms: 18 (14 sq m) / Categories 2 5 Staterooms: 43 (14 sq m) Amenities include: main lounge with full-service bar, Captain s Lounge and Library, Sky Lounge, Restaurant, Sun Deck with life-sized chessboard, well-equipped fitness centre, Serenity River Spa, Patio lounge, guest laundry, elevator, 24-hour speciality coffee and tea station, Free Internet and Wi-Fi access. SUITE Lavishly appointed riverview suite (214 sq ft - 20 sq m) with a French balcony L Occitane en Provence bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, and slippers. Additional special amenities and services. CATEGORY 1 STATEROOM Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) with a French balcony L Occitane en Provence bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, and slippers. CATEGORY 2-3 STATEROOM Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) L Occitane en Provence bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, cosy bathrobes and slippers. Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
CATEGORY 4-5 STATEROOM Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) L Occitane en Provence bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, cosy bathrobes and slippers. PROPOSED FLIGHTS Carrier From / To Departure Time Arrival Time Ryanair Dublin / Basel** 10.05 hrs. 13.15 hrs. Aer Lingus Amsterdam / Dublin 17.00 hrs. 17.40 hrs. Fares from 140.00 Call us for a quotation **Dublin to Basel flight operates on the Tuesday prior to Wednesday embarking (Day 1 of the above itinerary). The price for a centrally located 4* hotel in Basel for 1 night is from 245.00 for a double/twin room in B&B. DATES AND PRICES Prices are per person sharing (flights not included) Start Date End Date Category 5 Category 4 Category 3 Category 2 Category 1 Wed 5 Apr Wed 3 May Wed 17 May Wed 14 Jun Wed 28 Jun Wed 12 Apr Wed 10 May Wed 24 May Wed 21 Jun Wed 5 Jul 2,989.00* 2,399.00 Wed 12 Jul** Wed 19 Jul** 3,469.00 3,289.00* 2,639.00 3,589.00* 2,879.00 3,939.00* 3,159.00 4,539.00* 3,639.00 3,769.00 4,069.00 4,419.00 5,019.00 Wed 26 Jul Wed 2 Aug 3,469.00* 3,769.00* 4,069.00* 4,419.00* 5,019.00* 2,779.00 3,019.00 3,259.00 3,539.00 4,019.00 Wed 4 Oct Wed 11 Oct 3,849.00* 4,149.00* 4,449.00* 4,799.00* 5,399.00* 3,079.00 3,319.00 3,559.00 3,839.00 4,319.00 Wed 18 Oct Wed 25 Oct 2,989.00* 3,289.00* 3,589.00* 3,939.00* 4,539.00* 2,399.00 2,639.00 2,879.00 3,159.00 3,639.00 * Early booking discounts may apply and are subject to change Check with us for details. Suite prices from 4,479.00 Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
**Generations family programme on select sailings (select sailings) Share the enchantment of this region with the special young people in your life. These cruises not only feature unique, fun-filled adventures for families to enjoy together, they are also packed with culturally and historically significant experiences designed to spark creativity and life-long learning. OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES Pre or Post Cruise Extension in Amsterdam (3 days) Included in your 3-day stay: 2 nights at the Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam (or similar) Breakfast daily and all service charges, taxes and porterage Amsterdam by canal with Rijksmuseum visit English-speaking expert All transfers From 829.00 per person sharing Single supplement 399.00 --- Pre or Post Cruise Extension in Basel & Lake Lucerne (3 days) Included in your 3-day stay: 2 nights at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois (or similar) Breakfast daily and all service charges, taxes and porterage Choice of Lucerne walking discovery tour with Lake Lucerne boat ride or Vitra Architectural tour Basel walking discovery tour English-speaking expert All transfers From 1,099.00 per person sharing Single supplement 429.00 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Prices listed are per person based on twin share. Single supplement 2,039.00 applies for single accommodation (limited availability) Airfare is not included in prices listed above please call us to book Itineraries and vessels may change and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to water level fluctuations and other uncontrollable factors Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
The order of sightseeing and docking ports are subject to change according to port authority assignments Additional departures are available upon request Additional departures are also available on the SS Antoinette Ship How to reserve a place(s): a completed booking form with deposit of 250.00 per person (payment by cash/cheque /debit or credit card) should be sent directly to. The balance will be due 10 weeks prior to departure payment by cash/cheque or debit card. A 2% surcharge applies only to balances paid by credit card In conjunction with Uniworld Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.