LITERARY SISTERS - European River Cruise

Come Join Us!

Embark on this 12-day cruisetour through four fascinating countries, framed by glorious hotel stays in elegant Paris and lakeside Zürich. Cruise along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers past ancient castles and lush vineyards, explore Roman vestiges in Trier, ascend the legendary Lorelei Rock and stroll the charming medieval lanes of Cochem, Mainz and Bernkastel. You will also discover tiny Luxembourg and the canal-lined streets of Alsatian Strasbourg. At every turn, delight in Europe’s cultural and culinary.

Day 1 - Paris, France

Arrive in Paris, the romantic capital of France. Transfer from the Charles de Gaulle airport to your hotel for a 2-night stay. After check-in, enjoy free time to explore this exciting city, or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and get oriented.

Day 2 - Paris, France

Today’s tour begins with a drive along the Seine River, past the city’s glorious landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the world-famous Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. You will also drive along the Champs-Élysées past the Arc de Triomphe. The remainder of the day is yours to experience more of this timeless city: visit a museum or explore Montmartre. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. (B)

Day 3 - Luxembourg City & Trier, Germany

Today, transfer to Trier, Germany. En route, see the city of Luxembourg on a guided tour and visit the Luxembourg American Cemetery to pay homage to the many Americans who lost their lives during the WWII Battle of the Bulge. Continue on to Trier and embark your ship. Dinner is served aboard. (B, D)

Day 4 - Trier & Bernkastel, Germany

Enjoy a morning tour of Trier, Germany’s oldest city, set on the banks of the Moselle River. See the wonderfully preserved Roman Porta Nigra, Trier Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady. Lunch is served aboard as we depart. Enjoy scenic cruising along the Moselle this afternoon. We dock in Bernkastel around dinnertime. After your evening meal you can take a walk through the town’s cobblestone streets, or join an optional wine-tasting excursion in this famous wine region. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Cochem, Germany

Disembark in the quaint town of Cochem for a tour of the scenic Moselle wine country, where some of the finest Rieslings in the world are produced along terraced slopes. During your tour, you will delve into a wine-making history that dates back nearly 2,000 years to Roman times. Stop at a local winery for a tour and tasting before returning to your ship for Moselle cruising this afternoon. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Sankt Goar

Sankt Goar is a town on the west bank of the Middle Rhine in the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis (district) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Sankt Goar is well known for its central location in the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2002. Above the town stand the ruins of Burg Rheinfels, one of the castles for which the Middle Rhine is famous, and across the river lies the sister town of Sankt Goarshausen with its own castles, Katz and Maus (“Cat” and “Mouse”). The famous Lorelei rock is close-by, slightly upstream on the opposite bank.

Day 7 - Mainz, Germany

Arrive in Mainz today in the heart of the Rhine wine region. Visit one of the Upper Rhine’s most dramatic cathedrals here, Mainz Cathedral with its six towers reaching to the heavens. You will also browse the Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to the inventor of movable type and book printing. The collection includes many beautiful books and fascinating printing technologies, including a replica of Gutenberg’s workshop. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Speyer, Germany

Explore the quiet German town of Speyer, on the west bank of the Rhine. Visit its stunning Romanesque imperial cathedral, considered a pivotal structure in the evolution of European architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the burial place of eight emperors including some of the most famous Holy Roman Emperors. Stroll Speyer’s charming, shop-lined main street and see the impressive clock tower of its Altpörtel, the Old Town Gate. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Strasbourg, France

Visit Strasbourg today, the cultural center of France’s Alsace region. Thanks to its location at the border of France and Germany, it boasts a convivial mix of cultural influences. See its well preserved Old Town, or Petit France, enclosed on all sides by the little Ill River. Stroll the cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and intersected by picturesque canals, pausing to visit the cathedral. Indulging in Alsatian café culture is central to any visit here. You might join an excursion to sample Alsatian wine. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - Basel & Zurich

Disembark in Basel, a fascinating blend of modern and traditional with a thriving arts scene. Get acquainted with its Market Square of guild houses and Gothic, Renaissance and baroque splendor. Then browse the Art Museum of Basel before continuing by coach to Zürich, beautifully set on its namesake lake. The nation’s largest city, it is often cited as one of Europe’s most livable places. (B)

Day 11 - Zurich, Switzerland

Discover Zürich during a city walk. As you explore, the distant snowcapped Alps tower across the lake and cast their reflection in the glassy waters. You will see the twin-spired Grossmünster church, founded by Charlemagne, with its stained-glass windows by Augusto Giacometti. Across the Limatt River, admire the Fraumünster, with its distinctive green spire. Marc Chagall created five windows of the abbey’s choir. After your walk, embark a boat for a scenic tour on Lake Zürich. (B)

Day 12 - Zurich

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the Zurich airport for your return flight to the U.S.

Accommodations

Our staterooms are called veranda staterooms. Here are their features:

*Stateroom size: 205 sq. ft.
*Hotel-style beds 79 inches x 63 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
*Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open to a full-size veranda
*Private bathroom with shower and premium bath products
*Telephone, refrigerator, safe, hair dryer & bottled water replenished daily
*Bathrobe and slippers available upon request
*Individual climate control
*Space under bed for storing suitcases
*Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers
*Voltage: 220V and 110V in stateroom
*Sony 40-inch flat-panel TV with premium entertainment package including: BBC News, CNBC, CNN, National Geographic, TNT Series, Sky Sports, videos on demand and “View From the Bridge”

Pricing

Cruise

Full Veranda: $4,949 pp/double
French Balcony: $4,549 pp/double

The cruise price includes the pre-Paris and post-Switzerland stays.

Airfare is $1,095 for the following cities:

Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth,
Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia,
San Francisco, Tampa, Washington DC, and other selected cities

Full Payment Only by October 31, 2016

Registration

Download the registration form at the top right of this page. Send it with your deposit to:

Ruth Bridges
Aviva Travel Group
2314 Route 59 South
#146
Plainfield IL 60586

Make checks payable to Aviva Travel Group.

Credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal are also accepted. Go to www.paypal.com (or click on the icon at the bottom of the page) and send funds to avivatravel@aol.com.