Overview

Germany’s spectacular backdrops and breathtaking natural wonders will reveal themselves as you cruise along the alluring Moselle and Rhine rivers. Uncover the best-kept secret in river cruising, the Moselle, as you sail past some of Europe’s most serene, village-dotted and vineyard-lined landscapes.

Discover Baden-Baden, a city so stunning that they named it twice. Nestled in the Black Forest, the same forest that inspired the tales of Hansel and Gretel and Snow White, Baden-Baden was once a meeting place for Europe’s rich and famous because of its stunning natural wonders and the healing qualities of the thermal waters there. Established over 2,000 years ago as a place for relaxation, the city’s curative waters help you strike the perfect balance—with thermal waters that bubble upward from 12 natural springs sitting about 6,561 feet under the earth. Experience it for yourself with a trip to the famed Caracalla Spa or Sea Salt Grotto. Or get out, get going and take in Baden-Baden’s enchanting rose gardens, parks, fountains and bridges, and the placid Oos River, on one of many active excursions.

Strasbourg, a dynamic city that has changed its nationality four times, has a lot to offer. With a UNESCO-designated City Center, over 248 miles of biking trails, and hundreds of bakeries, breweries and cafes, you won’t have a shortage of ways to explore the town’s undeniable charm. Savor a one-of-a-kind experience in historic Speyer, where you’ll be treated to a private vinegar tasting at a captivating estate. Explore Cochem’s castle-dotted hillsides with a nighttime visit to Cochem Castle, where you’ll get an unmatched look at the history of the area over hundreds of years. See Germany’s oldest town, Trier, and learn about its rich Roman history on a panoramic walking tour that includes the Emperor Bath, Constantine Basilica, and Karl Marx’s birthplace. Embark on a tour of the neighboring country of Luxembourg and get a feel for its warm, welcoming atmosphere on a tour of its capital. And revel in the picture-perfect winemaking villages of Bernkastel and Boppard. Along the way, you’ll enjoy countless wellness opportunities and excursions, and can enjoy our Traveling Lite menu onboard, featuring dishes with fewer calories as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Let the enthralling Moselle and Rhine captivate you.

Inclusions

Dining

• All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners
• Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
• Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
• Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water

Excursions

• 9 days of excursions, including "Choice Is Yours" options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
• Guided “Let's Go” program
• State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
• Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks

Accommodations

• 9-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the regal River Queen
• Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
• 2 nights in Baden-Baden at the Dorint Hotel Maison Messmer Baden-Baden (or similar)
• Free Internet and Wi-Fi access

Experiences

• 2 countries: Germany and France
• 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
• Captivating onboard local entertainment
• Cultural enrichment
• All transfers on arrival and departure days
• Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour

Day To Day

Day 1: Baden-Baden (Arrive)

Arrive at Frankfurt Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the Dorint Hotel Maison Messmer Baden-Baden.

Day 2: Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden is known as a spa town, and appropriately so. The city’s contemporary flair meshes with hot springs, spas and unspoiled nature, offering a wonderfully diverse collection of relaxing and invigorating experiences. Whether you embark on a tour of the city with a visit to the Festspielhaus or take full advantage of Baden-Baden’s curative powers at the Caracalla Thermal Bath or Sea Salt Grotto, you’ll leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for everything else that’s in store.

DAY 3: Baden-Baden, Strasbourg

Today, you’ll check out of your hotel in Baden-Baden and head to Strasbourg to board the River Queen, one of our most unique ships on Europe’s waterways, for the cruise portion of your tour.

DAY 4: Strasbourg

Strasbourg is invariably described as quaint, with its cobbled lanes, half timbered homes, giant stork nests and impossible-to-resist pastry shops. You'll see Strasbourg today, and enjoy an enlightening and relaxing overview of this historically important city.

DAY 5: Speyer

Expect the unexpected in Speyer, where ancient treasures harmoniously coexist with modern day innovation. For something really unexpected, venture into a mysterious, candlelit tasting room to sample flavorful elixirs made from wine vinegars. Utterly unique and surprisingly delicious. The ship docks in Speyer, where you’ll have to choose between boarding a motorcoach for a guided walking tour or taking in a private tasting at a local vinegar estate.

DAY 6: Cochem

Perhaps one of Germany’s most colorful cities, Cochem feels just like a storybook with its dramatic castle, impressive landscapes and pastel-colored shops, restaurants and buildings lining the banks of the Moselle. Perched high above on a cliff sits the brilliant Cochem Castle, or Reichsburg Cochem, which brings German history and culture to life and provides panoramic views of the Moselle and Cochem below, which you’ll have the chance to see during the nighttime glow.

DAY 7: Cochem

The picturesque town of Cochem is nestled in a particularly scenic area of the Moselle Valley. The Moselle River cuts through the town, leaving Cochem in two distinct halves on two steep hills. Discover Cochem’s perfect quaintness on foot, with stops along the city wall’s medieval gates and Marktplatz. Uncover Cold War secrets in the quiet residential area of Cochem-Cond, the location of a bunker that held replacement currency during the war. Or opt for an active jaunt along the Moselle with a bike tour, mountain golfing or hike.

DAY 8: Trier

Trier is no stranger to famous landmarks, stunning cathedrals, natural beauty, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and architectural treasures. See Trier’s Roman heritage and Gallic charm as you stroll to some of the city’s most notable spots. Marvel at the stone Roman gate, Porta Nigra, the Karl Marx house, Imperial Baths and more.

DAY 9: Trier (Luxembourg)

Trier is a city encased in stunning ruins and remnants from the Roman Empire, and not to mention neighbor to the small country of Luxembourg. Experience a healthy dose of history with a visit to the expansive Luxembourg American War Cemetery and Memorial, where General George S. Patton is buried.

DAY 10: Trier (Luxembourg)

Trier is a city encased in stunning ruins and remnants from the Roman Empire, and not to mention neighbor to the small country of Luxembourg. Experience a healthy dose of history with a visit to the expansive Luxembourg American War Cemetery and Memorial, where General George S. Patton is buried.

DAY 11: Boppard, Rüdesheim

Wander through Boppard’s stone-paved streets, riverside walking paths and historic center, stopping in for wine at the half-timbered taverns serving up exceptional Riesling from grapes grown on nearby vineyards. In Rüdesheim, make your way up to arguably the best view in the entire region, Rhine Bend, by scenic chairlift ride. See the Rhine River at its most astonishing point and stroll through its vineyard-dotted hillsides before heading back down to its waterfront streets. Enjoy a visit to Rheinstein Castle and learn the history of this long-standing medieval castle, or embark on a walk around town, complete with local treats.

DAY 12: Frankfurt (Disembark)

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group purchase or transfer, you will be transferred to Frankfurt Airport for your flight home.