JOURNEYS GERMANY AND A RHINE RIVER CRUISE Wednesday 15 August 3 September 2018 19 nights TOUR OVERVIEW This tour offers a well-balanced and rich experience of vibrant cities and picturesque small towns; different modes of transport and some of the most outstanding places of historical interest in Germany, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands. Although you will cover a lot of ground, you will do it in comfort and style and feel satisfied with the experiences you have had. One of the advantages of the cruise we have chosen is that it offers a choice of excursions that will cater to different interests. Unlike many river cruises, all excursions are included in the price. Your first three nights are in Berlin, considered one of Europe s most modern and exciting cities. You will, however, encounter richly textured history at every turn, much of which took place in the 20th century. It s not too hard see why the Romantic Road is so popular. Despite the modern roots of the idea, the tour combines the historic city of Wurzburg with medieval walled towns, and the highlight of Neuschwanstein Castle. The Rhine River is one of Europe s grand waterways, and its romantic small towns and winegrowing villages on its banks are best discovered by boat. The river has served as a link between southern and northern Europe since prehistoric times, enabling trade and cultural exchange that in turn led to the establishment of settlements. Condensed into a very small area, these subsequently joined up to form chains of villages and small towns. For over 1,000 years the steep valley sides have been terraced for vineyards. The landscape is punctuated by hilltop castles and fortresses erected over a long period. Abandoned or destroyed during wars in the 17th century, most are now picturesque ruins. The 18th century saw the growth of sensibility towards the beauty of nature, and the often dramatic physical scenery of the Middle Rhine Valley, coupled with the many ruined castles on prominent hilltops, made it appeal strongly to the Romantic Movement. Once you begin your Tauck river cruise, everything is included and you will need to pay for only things you might want to buy to remember your trip. The Rhine River flows into the North Sea in the Netherlands, and you will end your European excursion by exploring the rich culture and history of Amsterdam. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Visit cities rich with history, art and music Admire Sansoucci Palace and contrast it with Neuschwanstein Castle Travel along Germany s Romantic Road Cruise through the historic castle & winelands of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Climb Mt Pilatus on the world s steepest cog wheel train, or go wine tasting in the Alsatian hills A private dinner at Schloss Ehreshoven, a moated castle in Germany from the 14th century Take in the sights in Koblenz or bike along the Rhine River Enjoy a walking tour or indulge in a world-class spa in the Black Forest spa town of Baden-Baden Visit Speyer Cathedral and technical museum, or Heidelberg s famed hillside castle IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? This tour will suit anyone with an interest in Western European history, art and culture. It will cater well for people with varied interests, fitness and activity levels. On several days there will be free time for people to follow their own interests.
TOUR MANAGER Peter Oettli was born and grew up in Switzerland, and emigrated to New Zealand with his parents and family when he was 16 years old. When he was 14, his dream job was being skipper of a Rhine barge between Basle and Rotterdam. After completing degrees at the University of Auckland, he spent a year in Germany on a scholarship together with his wife Pat, and later returned to Europe on almost all of his sabbaticals while working at the University of Waikato. Peter knows German-speaking Europe well, and looks forward to sharing his knowledge with you. He is fluent in Swiss German and Standard High German, and speaks passable French. He has taken several successful Calder & Lawson tours to Western Europe as tour manager. On this tour he will show you his hometown of St Gallen. TOUR PRICE Ex Auckland, twin share per person Cabins from NZD $16,998 Single supplement NZD $ 1,415 Single cabins are limited, so please contact us if you are interested. GROUP SIZE Minimum 12, maximum 16 VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour, or book business class seats for the flights. Please contact us. TOUR INCLUSIONS The services of a Calder & Lawson tour manager Economy class airfares 2 nights accommodation in Dubai 8 nights accommodation on land Meals on land as detailed in the itinerary A 7 night Rhine River cruise visiting Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands On the river ship everything is included: all shore excursions, unlimited complimentary beverages, all transfers, 20 meals, service charges, taxes, porterage, and applicable fuel surcharges Admissions as detailed in the itinerary All tips and gratuities Pre-tour material TOUR EXCLUSIONS Airline taxes Travel insurance Personal expenses Meals not specified in the itinerary Hotel porterage YOUR RIVER SHIP MS Grace Graceful by name and by appearance, this high-standard ship cruises exclusively on the Rhine River. With a maximum of 130 guests, the 135 metre long riverboat has fewer passengers than most long ships on Europe s inland waterways. Her innovative deck plan provides more space per guest, with a total of 67 cabins. The cabins in our allocation are on Emerald and Ruby decks. Ask us for a deck plan and the cabin layout so you can choose your cabin.
DAILY ITINERARY Wednesday 15 August. Auckland Dubai. An evening departure for your overnight Emirates flight to Dubai, arriving early in the morning on Thursday 16 August. Explore Dubai with a tour in the afternoon. (Meals in flight) Friday 17. Dubai Hamburg Berlin. An early flight to Hamburg, then transfer through the north of the country to the impressive and historic capital city of Berlin. Check into your city centre hotel for three nights. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. (Meals in flight/ D) Saturday 18. Berlin. A local guide will provide an informative half-day tour of central Berlin. Sites seen will include the Reichstag (parliament), the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the sobering Holocaust Memorial as well as infamous landmarks from the Cold War era such as Check Point Charlie and sections of the original Berlin Wall. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore this vibrant city at your own pace and sample dinner in a local restaurant of your choosing. Overnight in central Berlin. (B) Sunday 19. Berlin. Tour the surrounds of Berlin. At Potsdam see the world-renowned Sansoucci palace and gardens, the former summer palace of Frederik The Great, King of Prussia. There will be time here to fully enjoy this impressive building and landscaped gardens before returning to central Berlin via the Glienicke Bridge, former exchange point for secret agents during the Cold War, as featured in film The Bridge of Spies. Once back in Berlin, the remainder of the day is yours to explore as you wish. Overnight in central Berlin. (B) Monday 20. Berlin - Dresden. Travel south to the lovely city of Dresden. Though much of the city was destroyed during WW2, there has been a sympathetic rebuild of the old town which reflects its former grandeur. A local guide will take you on a walking tour of the city centre, including a visit inside the stunning Fraunenkirche. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the sites including the many palaces, galleries, architectural delights, or perhaps to discover the sites along the River Elba on a relaxing scenic cruise. Overnight in central Dresden. (B) Tuesday 21. Dresden. Travel to the pretty town of Meissen for a tour of the famous porcelain factory. Originally opened over 300 years ago, its distinctive designs soon became a favourite of European royalty. Continue on to the musical city of Leipzig, famed for being the home of Bach, Wagner and Mendelssohn among others. A local guide will take you on a tour of this impressive city, after which you have free time to discover sites at your leisure and perhaps attend a concert. Return to Dresden this evening, with dinner in the hotel. Overnight in central Dresden. (B/D) Wednesday 22. Dresden Wurzburg. Transfer to Dresden station for a change of pace, taking the train to central Wurzburg at the northern end of the Romantic Road. The trip of about 4.5 hours passes through the stunning Saxony countryside and on to Bavaria. In Wurzburg you will meet a local guide who will highlight the main sites such as the Residenz Palace, St Kilian s Cathedral, the Marienberg fortress and the ornate Hofkirche. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in central Wurzburg. (B) Thursday 23. Romatic Road. Today you follow the Romantic Road southwards, stopping at the most scenic villages including Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen. Continue to the Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, set in the foothills of Germany s highest mountain, Zugspitz. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening. Overnight in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area. (B/D) Friday 24. Garmisch-Partenkirchen and surrounding area. Today explore southern Bavaria, starting with a morning visit to the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle. Perched high on a rocky outcrop, this impressive feat of engineering was built by King Ludwig II in the mid-1800s and was one of the inspirations for the Walt Disney castle. Enjoy some free time in the pretty alpine town of Fussen, located at the southern end of the Romantic Road. After lunch continue to the stunning Pilgrimage Church in Wies, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ornate interior is considered one of the best examples of Bavarian Rococo in the region. Travel back to your hotel, with the reminder of the day at leisure to enjoy the town and local restaurants. Overnight in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. (B) Saturday 25: Garmisch-Partenkirchen Basel Say goodbye to Germany and travel on to Switzerland. Your route takes you around Lake Constance, with a stop in the Swiss town of St Gallen, allowing time for you to meander through the old town and enjoy lunch at leisure. Be sure to look up and admire the decorated bay windows this town is renowned for. You then continue across the country to Basel, to arrive mid-afternoon and board your riverboat. Meet your riverboat crew for a welcome briefing, followed by a welcome dinner this evening. (B/D)
Sunday 26. Lucerne and Mt Pilatus or wine tasting along the Alsatian wine route. Welcome to Switzerland! Mountain scenery, shimmering Lake Lucerne, and forests and meadows straight out of a picture book are in store for you today. Join the excursion to Lucerne. In this city of lights landmarks include the Kappelbrucke, a covered wooden footbridge crossing the Reuss River that dates back to the 1330s; an octagonal water tower once used as a prison; narrow lanes and lovely squares like the Kornmarkt, Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz. From town, you ll head out for the heights of Mt Pilatus aboard the world s steepest cogwheel train, climbing from Alpnachstad at the edge of Lake Lucerne to the very top (Oberhaupt) over 2,000 m high. Getting to the top is definitely part of the fun, as you travel upward at a 48 angle while soaking up views of alpine meadows, mountain streams, goats and flowers. Alternatively you may prefer the pleasures of lunch and a wine tasting along the Alsatian wine route. If so, you ll head to Château Haut-Koenigsbourg, originally built in the 1200s on a rocky promontory high above the French Alsatian plains. Burned, abandoned and restored to its former glory in 1899, the castle presents a picture of a mountain fortress of the Middle Ages. After your visit, head to the French Alsatian town of Riquewihr for lunch and wine tasting. Your day ends in Basel, which lies at the centre of the Three Corners, where France, Germany and Switzerland meet at the Rhine. On an orientation tour of this affluent and cultured city, you ll find green areas, parks, dozens of museums and art galleries, and chic restaurants. Along the Rhine Promenade, broad steps feature inviting cafés with views of the city skyline, dominated by the 14thcentury Münster Cathedral. From the 16th century town hall, painted in red and gold, to state-of-the-art works of architecture along the Rhine by internationally acclaimed architects like America s Frank Gehry and Japan s Yoshio Taniguchi, you ll find a small city that has served as a major crossroads of travel and thought since the 15th century. This evening there is a reception followed by dinner aboard ship. (B/L/D) Monday 27. Sightseeing in Strasbourg and Baden-Baden. You ll wake docked on the Rhine this morning, surrounded by the hills of southern Alsace. The day begins in the Alsatian cultural capital of Strasbourg, France. It is home to the charming canals and half-timbered houses of La Petite France, stately city residences, a Gothic cathedral, and plenty of winstubs, traditional Alsatian beer pubs. After a morning of sightseeing in Strasbourg, you may choose to stay in town to explore on your own, go for a bicycle excursion through Strasbourg with a local guide, or travel to the German spa resort of Baden-Baden on the edge of the Black Forest where you can either take a walking tour then enjoy free time in town, or visit Caracalla Spa. The spa resembles a glass temple, with facilities that include whirlpools, waterfalls, countercurrent pools, massage jets and turquoise pools of warm water sourced from natural springs. Return to the ship for dinner and an evening of cruising. (B/L/D) Tuesday 28. Speyer or Heidelberg and its castle. For centuries the Rhine River was a major transport hub and a source of wealth for many. Today you ll have a choice of visiting Speyer, a town that thrived on trade in the 10th and 11th centuries when construction on its double-domed cathedral began. At Speyers impressive technical museum you ll find exhibits dedicated to every form of technology that moves, from vintage cars to a Boeing 747 jumbo jet, a German U9 submarine, and the Russian Buran space shuttle. On a visit to Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you may be surprised by its use of natural glass windows, which pre-dated the use of stained glass, and its roof made entirely of stone the first ever in Europe. Alternatively, you may spend the day on an excursion to Heidelberg, Germany s oldest university town. Narrow lanes, shops and pubs housed in 17th century structures in the Altstadt are kept lively by the presence of students. On the hillside above the city, you ll visit the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle, an imposing ensemble of buildings from different architectural periods, surrounding a central courtyard. Enjoy dinner back aboard your riverboat. (B/L/D)
Wednesday 29. Koblenz or cycling. A morning of sailing precedes arrival in Koblenz. The city s roots go back to the Middle Ages, when its location made it powerful as the controller of trade along these major waterways. You may choose an afternoon of guided exploration of Koblenz, including a walk to Deutsches Eck the German Corner, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet and a visit to the Aldstadt or old town. Alternatively you may choose a cycling excursion along the Rhine Cycle Route or Rheinradweg. This follows easy riverside trails through forest, meadows and riesling winelands, taking in views of the passing pleasure boats and freighters. The late afternoon is spent back on board your riverboat, cruising through the quiet Rhine valley. Early this evening disembark for a private reception and dinner at Schloss Ehreshoven, a moated castle whose history dates back to the 14th century. The 17th-century manor house was restored in the 1990s. Re-join the riverboat tonight in Cologne. (B/L/D) Thursday 30. Cologne. Sightseeing in Cologne (Köln) begins with a guided tour of the immense twin-towered cathedral (Kölner Dom), which took six centuries to build. Completed in 1880, UNESCO declared this Gothic cathedral a World Heritage Site in 1995. You ll explore this intimately scaled city by coach and on a walking tour. Following lunch aboard the river boat, depart in the early afternoon as your river cruise sails toward its final days in the amazing Dutch capital. (B/L/D) Friday 31. Amsterdam's canals and the Rijksmuseum. In a city indelibly linked to water, it s fitting that your day begins with a cruise on Amsterdam s 17th century canals, which fan out in crescent-shaped rings from the northern waterfront. On the drive to board your canal boat you ll get an orientation to the city, which at its heart feels more like a village than the compact centre of a cosmopolitan city. Landmarks include the central station; de Waag (Weigh House), once a fortified gate that today houses a popular outdoor café; and the Mint Tower, a gate in the city wall that marks the intersection of two canals, tram paths, a pedestrian-only shopping street and the city flower market. Aboard the canal boat you ll glide beneath curved bridges carrying walkers and cyclists, and by narrow merchant homes, whose goods were once stored on the upper floors. After a guided visit to the famed Rijksmuseum home to many works by Rembrandt and other old Dutch Masters return to your riverboat and cruise through the gentle Dutch countryside. Enjoy a farewell reception followed by dinner, then live music in the lounge. (B/L/D) Saturday 1 September. Amsterdam Dubai. Disembark your riverboat this morning and transfer to Amsterdam s Schipol Airport for an afternoon flight to Dubai. Overnight in Dubai. Sunday 2. Dubai Auckland. Leave Dubai on an early morning flight to Auckland, where you will arrive on Monday 3 September.
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour will become a confirmed departure. At that point we will advise when the full tour payment will be due. Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $1,000 deposit and your spot in this tour is secured. Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can down load one from the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, or give us a call and we will email or post one to you. TERMS & CONDITIONS Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form or on the summary page when you complete an online registration. VARIATIONS This itinerary is Version 2 dated 28/11/2017 and is subject to change. Exchange rate fluctuations may result in a change to the tour price.