Castles & Wineries of Germany River Cruise – Mosel River Cruise

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Winding through the hillsides of France, Luxembourg and Germany, the Mosel (also Moselle) River weaves a watery path for travelers to follow through breathtaking vistas sprinkled with ancient castles, picturesque villages and steep-sloped vineyards.

Enjoy Germany’s Oldest Wine Region on a Mosel River Cruise

Riverbanks lined with black alder and willow trees combine with a carpet of vines to create a magnificent flora for rare animal species to roam through Germany’s oldest wine region. In this charming landscape, passengers on a Mosel River Cruise are transported to a world of cobble-stoned hamlets, legends and wine tastings.

Your Mosel River Cruise Explores German Winemaking

Mosel River CruiseWinemaking in the Mosel River Valley began more than 2,000 years ago, when the Romans planted vineyards to provide a local source of wine for their troops. Viticulture thrived in the region, and throughout the Middles Ages villages grew up around the winemaking industry.

Early Roman offerings were described as light-bodied and austere, but the grape that would make the region famous arrived in the 15th century. Count John VI of Katzenelnbogen documented the first known reference to the Riesling grape when he listed an entry of “22 shillings for ‘Rieslingen’ vine cuttings for the vineyard” in his storage inventory log. Thus, began the tradition of the crisp, sweet liquid gold that dominates the territory to this day.

Vineyards in the Mosel Wine Region face south or southwest to maximize on the 1,370 hours of sunshine each year that produces what top wine experts consider the best white wine grapes in the world.

Through this 75-mile stretch of the Mosel River, known as the Mosel Wine Region, passengers on the “Castles & Wineries of Germany” Mosel River Cruise can enjoy wine tastings at the many exclusive, family-owned wineries along the riverbanks and tour the area’s impressive ancient castles.

Len and Marisa Crispino of Foreign Affairs Winery will serve as hosts on this wine-themed cruise through Mosel’s endless loops and bends. After living as ex-pats in Italy in the early 1990s, Len and Marisa returned to Ontario and planted their first vines. Inspired by the Italian wine-making process, they use a unique grape drying process known as appassimento (or the Reduction method).

During this Germany wine cruise, Len and Marisa will share their knowledge of wine and tales from the land’s storied past, as passengers enjoy a leisurely cruising pace that lends to the Mosel region’s hypnotic charm.

Departing from Nuremburg on Oct. 31, this Mosel River Cruise will wind its way through quaint riverside villages, among the most notable, Bernkastel, home to the famous Bergweiler Winery, and the charming village of Cochem-Zell, where the majestic Reichsburg Cochem Castle rises more than 300 feet above the river.

Prices for this enchanted tour start at $2,599 per person, with an additional 5-night land program available for $3,839.

Perfect for wine-enthusiast groups and organizations as well as individual wine lovers, this Germany wine cruise fills up quickly, so please call and book your expedition through the famed Mosel Wine Region today.

Pre Douro River Cruise City of Madrid

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Pre Duoro River CruisePre Douro River Cruise Is A City of Madrid

Madrid is not only the capital of Spain, but is also the largest city in the country. It’s also the capital of the autonomous community of the same name (Comunidad de Madrid) and is located on the Manzanares River in the center of both the country and the Community of Madrid. Madrid is a globally important city with a great reputation for having the most modern infrastructures and is an economic, financial, administrative, and service center of the country. Madrid provides a multitude of opportunities for sightseeing and boasts of some world-class restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Madrid is renowned throughout the world for its great cultural and artistic heritage and has many Spain Culture Sites. The culture of this city is deeply influenced by its Royal history as the center of the Spanish Empire. Madrid has several landmark sites dating back to the times of Spanish Monarchy such as the Royal Palace, enormous cathedrals, and churches. The city boasts a rare level of medieval architecture and has a unique blend of historical and modern blends, comparable to what’s seen in London and Berlin.

Attractions in Madrid include Prado Museum Royal, Palace Plaza Mayor Sun Gate, Parque del Retiro, Torres KIO (Puerta de Europa) Cibeles, Plaza Santiago, Bernabeu Stadium and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum Galería 57.

Explore A Spectacular Pre Douro River Cruise

Madrid also takes pride in being one of the top European art destinations, including the Golden Triangle of Art, located along the Paseo del Prado.
The Thyssen Bornemisza Museum is another great museum which was established from a mixed private collection of artwork. Reina Sofía Museum is a one of a kind display where Pablo Picasso’s Guernica hangs, returning to Spain from New York after more than two decades.

An abode of history, art, and culture, Madrid is a must visit location. Our Pre Douro River cruise offers an optional 3 night land program in Madrid! Book your holiday on one of our Douro River cruises and make a trip to the amazing city of Madrid!

The Historical Elbe River Cruise Will Give You A Life Changing Experience

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Elbe River Cruise Visit The Historical Elbe River Cruise

One of the major waterways of Central Europe, the Elbe River rises in the Krkonose Mountains of the north-western Czech Republic. It is located in the former Eastern Europe region of Germany after crossing Bohemia and finally flows into the North Sea at Cuxhaven which is 110 km northwest of Hamburg.

The Elbe River acts as a gateway to Eastern Europe. There is an exciting mix of medieval cities and towns from the Bohemian capital Prague, to Hamburg and through the sensational hovering sandstone mountains of Saxon Switzerland as you cruise along the Elbe to indulge in a breathtaking scenic journey.

Aboard your Elbe River Cruise, you can find many treasures on the banks of Elbe such as Dresden, the “Florence of the Elbe”, the pottery of Meissen, the gardens and palaces of Worlitz, the cradle of the Reformation, 18th century Pillnitz Castle, Luther’s Wittenberg which is a UNECSO World Heritage Site and Magdeberg and its Gothic Cathedral.

The embarking and disembarking cities range from Prague, Decin, Hamburg or Magdeburg – all have much to offer as pre or post cruise stays. Elbe is a great way to explore Prague and ideal for discovering the unspoiled beauty of former East Germany’s fascinating landscape.

What Has More To Offer Than The Historical Elbe River Cruise

Elbe has so much to offer in addition to the contrasting array of sights, ranging from splendid palaces and modern architecture to mountains and beautifully landscaped gardens, with medieval cities and contemporary culture all in between! No other river in Europe can come close to Elbe in offering such a diverse order of sights and places.

As the Elbe River often has low and high water levels, the cruising period is short. Contact us for more details on this lovely scenic cruise!

Explore Holland on the Holland Tulip Cruise

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tulipHolland Tulip Cruise Port of Edam

Holland is famous for its tulips and other bulb flowers. Spring is the best time to visit if you love flowers. You will fall in love with the pastoral beauty of nature when tulips make a breathtaking blanket on the countryside and canals and streets are full of activity. Working windmills give you a peep into Dutch culture and the great paintings by wonderful artisans transport you to a totally different world. The Keukenhof Gardens take you to a world of ultimate beauty where endless blooms cover the landscape.

While on a Holland Tulip Cruise, one of your stops will be at Volendam, with usually an excursion to Edam, a picturesque town with a rich historic past. The name Edam stuck to the place due to a dam on the little river E. Edam is renowned as the original source of cheese with the same name.

Holland Tulip River Cruise- Explore Edam’s Features

The old town center of Edam exists within the boundaries of old city walls and is, presently, protected by the government. Main structures and architectural details-both are being well taken care of by the government due to which many prominent buildings can be found in good condition.

During your excursion to Edam, you will often go on a walking tour of the Old Quarters featuring beautiful houses, canals, bridges and churches. Grote Kerk or St. Nicholaaskerk, of cathedral dimensions, is one of the largest 3-ridged churches in Europe. It was probably built at the beginning of the 15th century but rebuilt in 1701 as it had suffered major damages due to huge fires caused by lightning strikes to the tower. During reconstruction, certain changes were made to the original design.

Holland Tulip River Cruise- Visit Edam Museum

The Town Hall built in 1737 is still being used actively for marriage ceremonies. It stands on a higher level than the rest of the Edam. The entrance to the town hall has heavy double doors which along with a wooden tower and sandstone surrounds give a historical touch to the place and make it worth deserving a visit.

Edam Museum is another attraction in Edam. It is present on the opposite side of Town Hall, across the dam. This museum is Edam’s oldest brick house. Built around 1530 as a private house, it was transformed into a museum in 1895. The museum has been constructed in typical Dutch style of the period and the interior is absolutely original.

Edam has many attractions associated with it and you will love the place when you visit it. So, if you want to make a trip to this charming place, please contact us for the availability of our 2014 Holland Tulip cruise!