GERMANY

Berlin ~  Hamburg ~  Cologne
Plus a 6-day Rhine River Cruise Starting in Cologne and
Visiting Antwerp/Brussels, Amsterdam and Dusseldorf

October 4 – 16, 2015

A perfect combination for those who have never been to Germany, or for those who have visited the country before, but have never experienced the Northern part of this touristic gem.

We start in Berlin, one of Europe’s most dynamic and exciting cities. A city that revels in life but also gains depth from its volatile history.  Then to Hamburg, Germany’s 2nd largest city and one of its most handsome. This will be followed by our 6-day Rhine River cruise that ends in Cologne, a city at the crossroads of Europe since the Middle Ages and featuring its magnificent Cathedral that took  500+ years to build.

Our Rhine River cruise will wind through castle-dotted hillsides, dramatic rocky gorges and picturesque Old World villages. Born as an untamed river in the Swiss Alps, the Rhine takes the scenic route to the North Sea, illuminating some of Europe’s most fascinating sights and customs. Historically and culturally, the Rhine has been a crucial source of sustenance, pride and inspiration. Fortresses and castles along the Rhine’s embankments highlight the value ancient empires placed on these water’s  appeal.  Our cruise itinenary will also highlight two of Germany’s neighbors – Belgium and Holland, as we spend time in Antwerp, Brussels and Amsterdam.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Currently I’m holding 13 cabins for 26 participants, so reservations will be on a “first come-first served” basis.

Our Deluxe Rhine River Cruise boat

Unfortunately there are very few, if any, small private cruise ships  that sail the Rhine and meet the standards like we had in Turkey and Italy.. So I have blocked cabins on the newly built ROSA FLORA, a well-appointed ship was built in 2013 with lots of space for relaxation and includes spacious, elegant cabins, most with French or full balconies where you can enjoy the ever changing view. Friendly, professional and English-speaking staff will assist us on board. Modern facilities such as a spa, sauna, gym, pool, Jacuzzi and putting green await us. Delicious meals featuring only the freshest ingredients are served daily on board, while soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer, wine and spirits are always available — for no extra charge — at open bars throughout the ship.

Our Deluxe Hotels in Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne

  Our Tour Includes

• Round-trip transportation from Montauk to JFK
• Round-trip airfare from JFK to Germany
• Inter-Germany rail transportation
• Round-trip airport/rail station/hotel transfers
• Baggage handling at hotels
• Great accommodations in Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne
• Hotel taxes and service charges
• Daily breakfast
• Guided sightseeing including entrance fees
• Plus  A 6-day Rhine River sailing cruise

Added Features

• Welcome to Germany dinner in Berlin
• Harbor cruise and dinner in Hamburg
• Optional Beatles Tour in Hamburg on October 9 – John Lennon’s birthday
• Sightseeing tours of Berlin, Hamburg, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne
• Farewell dinner in Cologne

Our Cruise Includes

• Open bar throughout the ship to include soft drinks, tea & coffee specialties, beer, wine, sparkling wine & Prosecco, cocktails and spirits
• Wine and beer served with lunch and dinner service
• Complimentary bottled water in our stateroom
• Complimentary WiFi aboard the ship
• All port charges, taxes and fees
• Outstanding cuisine using the freshest of ingredients
• European, English-speaking staff – professional, warm & friendly
• Comfortable accommodations, most with French or full balconies
• A spa, sauna and gym, pools or whirlpools, putting green and a large covered area topside for your dining and sightseeing pleasures
• Complimentary use of available bicycles onboard

Our Itinerary

Sunday, October 4: Depart USA
Depart Montauk for JFK

Monday, October 5: Arrive Berlin (D)
Morning arrival in Berlin and transfer to our hotel where we have the rest of the day to relax and do some independent exploration before our welcome dinner PIX #4

Tuesday, October 6: In Berlin (B)
This morning we will have an introductory broad oversight tour of Berlin. Among the highlights will be the Reichstag (Parliament) and the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of the once-divided city;  the famous Boulevard Unter den Linden and the historical city center with its famous museums and a new construction site at the Palace Square;  the former medieval Nicolai-quarter and the famous Alexanderplatz.  We’ll continue  to the West-Berlin city center around the Zoo, the Memorial Church and Kurfürstendamm, named by the Berliners “Kudamm”; and we’ll  have a look into the “Kaufhaus des Westens” (the biggest department store on the European continent). Then to the new Potsdamer Platz area to see a piece of the Wall and end our morning tour at the  famous former checkpoint between East and West, “Checkpoint Charlie” where we will also find the Wall Museum and an open-air photo-exhibition. Lunch and the rest of the day on our own.

Wednesday, October 7: In Berlin (B)
A full day in this remarkable city to do some independent exploration.   Berlin is Chock full of world-class museums, bustling night life, fashion, art, design and music. Berlin is Germany’s undisputed culture capital.

Possible Individual Optional Tours to be taken:
You may want to do a Jewish Berlin tour including the   Holocaust Memorial, the New Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Missing House. If you like, we will also take you through the Jewish Museum. But have you heard of the “Stumbling Stones” enscribed with the names of individuals who were killed during the Nazi years? You will find them everywhere if you only know where to look. You know of Schindler, but do you also know of Otto Weidt who was able to get most of his blind Jewish workers through the Nazi years alive? Other possible sights to see: The Memorial at Grunewald Station, the Jewish Cemetery in Prenzlauer Berg, the Memorial to the book burning on Bebelplatz, the newly opened Szloma-Albam-House, the largest Jewish Center in Europe! If you have more time, you  can also see the former Concentration Camp in Sachsenhausen (about 25 miles north of Berlin), the Wannsee-Villa where the infamous Conference on the “Final Solution” took place (in Berlin’s South), or Max Liebermann’s Villa.
A World War II tour which is a walking tour that starts at  Potsdamer Square, the busiest intersection in the 30s. We would then walk down Niederkirchstraße, formerly called Prinz-Albrecht-Straße. This was where the SS and the Gestapo had their headquarters. Today it is an open-air exhibit called “Topography of Terror”. Across the street you see the former Aviation Ministry commissioned by Hermann Göring. Though it looks virtually unchanged, it is today Germany’s Finance Ministry. A walk along Wilhelmstrsse is a walk down the former center of political power – but not much of this is left. Most ministries are gone, and especially Hitler’s Chancellery disappeared without a trace (they will tell you where the stones have gone). However, its is the place where Hitler and his closest friends committed suicide and is marked. Both these tours can be booked independently with the hotel Concierge.

Thursday, October 8: To Hamburg (B/D)
Morning at leisure. In the early afternoon, we transfer to the rail station for an approximate 2 hour ride arriving in the delightful Port city of Hamburg. Many Americans — and even Europeans — have yet to discover its charms, including its beautiful section on the banks of the River Elbe, or  around the Alster Lake. Hamburg is also known for its loveliness of its mostly traditional architecture, its premier museums, its long history and association with the powerful Hanseatic League. The city is also more walkable than many of Germany’s other cities. This evening we will have a short harbor cruise followed by dinner at a local harborside restaurant.

Friday,  October 9: In Hamburg (B)
After breakfast, we set off on a 2-hour walking tour of Hamburg’s Altstadt, the city’s handsome Old Town and historical epicenter. A former medieval settlement, Altstadt is bounded by the harbor and by a string of roads following the line of the old fortifications.
Strolling through the quarter, imagine what the city looked like before the fires, demolitions and devastating bombings of World War II. Today Hamburg’s Old Town has a new face, marked by grandiose buildings, busy streets, towering churches, inviting canals and parks. Hear what life was like in Hamburg in the 17th century as we gaze out over the canals, waterways and old houses that line Deichstrasse, the oldest street in Hamburg. See the old grocers’ apartments and pose for photos by Alt Hamburger Aalspeicher, a 400-year-old house on a canal. The focal point of Altstadt is the Hamburg Rathaus (city hall), overlooking Binnenalster Lake. Finally, we head to at a café near some enchanting 12th-century ruins to enjoy a traditional franzbrötchen (sweet pastry) with a cup of coffee or tea as our tour ends. We are on our own for the rest of the afternoon. Maybe go to the Miniatur Wunderland  Since its opening in 2000, The Miniatur Wunderland has become one of the tourist highlights of the city featuring the world’s largest model railroad system with. 930 trains with nearly 14,450 railway wagons, 228,000 trees, 215,000 figures, 8,850 cars, 40,000 feet of track, 3,660 buildings and bridges, all set up in minute detail by 230 employees in over 580,000 man-hours. In this superlative model landscape, You’ll  witness realistic railway operations that are entirely computer-controlled. There is even day and night in the railway world – and that’s every 15 minutes.
This evening why not dine at one of the great seaside restaurants. Afterwards, join me on an optional Beatles Tour. The Beatles may be from Liverpool, but they’re Hamburg’s most famous band. From the summer of 1960 until December, 1962, the group performed regularly at a series of clubs in Hamburg’s St. Pauli quarter, which had a thriving music scene amid the strip clubs and brothels of the Reeperbahn and neighboring streets.

Saturday, October 10: To Cologne and start our cruise (B/D)
Morning free to relax, have a late breakfast or walk around the city which is also more sophisticated and walkable than many of Germany’s other cities.  At noon, we depart for the rail station and our 4 hour train trip to Cologne. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the pier and board our Rhine River cruise ship for a 5pm departure. Settle in at our cabins. Dinner onboard.

Monday, October 11: Cruise to Antwerp, Belgium (B/L/D)
We arrive in Antwerp about 2:30pm and there is free time for independent exploration or to take an Optional city tour that can be booked onboard. Thanks to its port, Antwerp was an important center of trade and commerce even before historical records began. Antwerp’s international reputation is partly due to the diamond industry and the special role the city plays in the diamond trade worldwide. The city’s remarkable reputation does not just rest on its trade and industry. It is also the cultural capital of Flanders. You can walk along the “Meathouse” to the Market Square with its ancient houses and Our Lady’s Cathedral which boasts many treasures including four of Rubens’ masterworks. Departure is at 6:30pm.

Tuesday, October 12: In Antwerp. Touring Brussels (B/L/D)
This morning we travel from Antwerp to Belgium’s capital, Brussels for a tour. We start our visit with a stroll to Brussels’ beautiful Grand Place. Our guide tells us the history of the unique city hall and the splendid guild houses. We continue our  drive a past the magnificent St. Michaels’s cathedral towards the world-famous Atomium, the Chinese Pavilion and the Japanese Tower. Continue past the Royal residence of Laeken and the Royal St. Mary’s church. Then into the city center and the Sablon district with its elegant stores selling beautiful antiques. Next we see the impressive Court of Justice and drive by the stately Place Royale. The next part of our tour takes us to the European district with the European Parliament, the European Commission and Council of Ministers. In the Park of the Jubilee we will marvel at the Triumphal Arch and view some excellent examples of Art Nouveau houses. During our tour we will visit one of the best chocolatiers in town and see how Belgium’s famous chocolate is actually produced.  There’ll be ample opportunity to sample various chocolates and to purchase some as well.  Return to our cruise ship for lunch before we depart for Amsterdam in the afternoon.

Wednesday, October 13:  In Amsterdam (B/L/D)
Morning arrival in Amsterdam. After breakfast, we begin our Amsterdam city tour by coach. With thousands of monuments and historic buildings, Amsterdam has the largest historical city center in Europe. The city is distinguished by its three rings of canals lined by elaborately decorated merchants’ residences and warehouses built in the 17th century known as the Dutch Golden Age. When the canals were built, 90 islands were created, connected by hundreds of charming bridges. We will see the many fascinating sights in the old and newer parts of this beautiful city. Admire highlights such as the Royal Palace, National Monument, the Skinny Bridge and Albert Cuyp Market. We’ll also see quaint gabled houses and stop at a diamond factory where we can watch gems being polished using traditional methods. We will end our tour with a 1-hour cruise that takes us along canals lined with 17th-century merchant houses, centuries-old warehouses and churches with bell towers. We will also pass through Amsterdam’s old harbor before returning to our own ship for lunch.  The afternoon is free to shop or visit the city’s two famous museums. The Van Gogh and  the Rijksmuseum. Departure is about 7pm.

Thursday, October 14: In Dusseldorf (B/L/D)
We’ll continue our cruise down the magnificent Rhine Valley. The Rhine River follows a remarkable route, meandering between sheer rocks, past small islands and fortified castles sitting high above the vineyards. We arrive 3:30pm in Düsseldorf, the capital of North Rhine – Westphalia, situated on the Lower Rhine. It is a university town and a center of art and fashion (great shopping). Düsseldorf is characterized by wide streets lined with elegant shops and crowded with traffic. But the city also offers visitors spacious parks and gardens.  Departure is about 9:30pm.

Friday, October 15:  Depart ship and overnight in Cologne (B/D)
We dock in the early morning and after breakfast we leave our cruise ship and start with a 2-1/2 hour easy walking tour of Cologne’s Old Town and ending with a tour of the famed 600 year old Cathedral…and all of this is within a ½ mile area. We will take a look at the Roman Dionysos Mosaic and then continue down the narrow, cobble-stoned alleys of the Old Town with its busy squares like the Roncalliplatz, the Alter Markt and the Heumarkt, We end the tour with a visit to the most famous building in the city and find out why the people of Cologne wanted to build “the largest church in the world.” We will learn how difficult it was to realize this enormous project and why it was only completed in the 19th century…after work had stopped for almost 300 years. We’ll be enchanted by the wonderful stained-glass windows from various centuries and by the impressive Gero cross, the oldest preserved large crucifix in the Occident. We’ll see the shrine of the Three Magi, an outstanding example of the Rhenish-Maasland goldsmith’s art, proof that Cologne was one of the major occidental center of the Pilgrimage.  After the tour, we will check into our hotel and have the rest of the day free for independent exploration before our farewell dinner.

Saturday,  October 16: Depart for JFK (B)
After breakfast, we transfer to nearby Dusseldorf Airport for the flight back to JFK. Upon arrival, we continue back to Montauk.

ROSA FLORA CABIN & SUITE DESCRIPTIONS

Category S – Outside Stateroom on Deck 1 – (0 cabins available)
Outside staterooms feature a large picture window, two twin beds & one Pullman bed, and desk. All staterooms include welcome cham-pagne / sparkling wine & fresh fruit upon embarkation, “Welcome Aboard” rose & vase, WiFi (charges may apply), individual climate control, quality bath amenities, robe & slippers, television, direct-dial telephone, hair dryer, room service, ample storage and in-room safe.

Category A – Outside Stateroom on Deck 1 – (3 cabins available)
Outside staterooms feature a large picture window, a double or queen bed, and desk. All staterooms include welcome champagne / sparkling wine & fresh fruit upon embarkation, “Welcome Aboard” rose & vase, WiFi (charges may apply), individual climate control, quality bath amenities, robe & slippers, television, direct-dial telephone, hair dryer, room service, ample storage and in-room safe.

Category C – French Balcony Stateroom – Deck 2 (0 cabins available)
French Balcony staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a French Balcony, a double or queen bed, and desk. All staterooms include welcome champagne / sparkling wine & fresh fruit upon embarkation, “Welcome Aboard” rose & vase, WiFi (charges may apply), individual climate control, quality bath amenities, robe & slippers, television, direct-dial telephone, hair dryer, room service, ample storage and in-room safe.

Category D – French Balcony Stateroom – Deck 3 (0 cabins available)
French Balcony staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a French Balcony, a double or queen bed, and desk. All staterooms include welcome champagne / sparkling wine & fresh fruit upon embarkation, “Welcome Aboard” rose & vase, WiFi (charges may apply), individual climate control, quality bath amenities, robe & slippers, television, direct-dial telephone, hair dryer, room service, ample storage and in-room safe. Note that Category “D” is on Deck 3, which Category “C” is on the lower Deck 2.

Category E – French Balcony Junior Suite – Deck 3 (0 cabins available on request) **
Junior Suites feature two sets of floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a French Balcony, a double or queen bed, L-shaped couch and desk. All staterooms include welcome champagne / sparkling wine & fresh fruit upon embarkation, “Welcome Aboard” rose & vase, WiFi (charges may apply), individual climate control, quality bath amenities, robe & slippers, television, direct-dial telephone, hair dryer, room service, ample storage and in-room safe.

** A Category “F” suite which is the same as the Category “E”, but with a sitting balcony with chairs & small table

NOTES
To see the deck plan for cabin locations, please click here.
Cabin pictures shown above are samples only. Actual cabin decor, details and layout may vary by stateroom category and type.

Please read the Terms and Conditions for this tour.

ALL INCLUSIVE PRICING (Land and Air) Per Person in Double Occupancy Room

Cabin “S” – (0 cabins available)
$4,199 payment via check or $4,419 credit card

Cabin “A” – (3 cabins available)
$4,319 payment via check or $4,545 credit card

Cabin “C” – (0 cabins available)
$4,439 payment via check or $4,669 credit card

Cabin “D” – (0 cabins available)
$4,479 payment via check or $4,769 credit card

Cabin “E” – (0 cabins On Request)
$4,999 payment via check or $5,259 credit card

Cabin “F” – (On Request)
$5,299 payment via check or $5,579 credit card

PLEASE ADD
$488 ($514 via cc) for Air and Port taxes, air security charges
$199 ($209 via cc) for prepaid gratuities for sightseeing drivers & guides plus cruise staff

SINGLE PRICE (On request depending on cabin availability as single cabins are limited)

LAND ONLY PRICE – $3,599 ($3,799 via cc) to $4,399 ($4,629)
(Using your own air. Starting in Berlin and ending in Cologne and depending on cabin category selected)

DEPOSIT: $500 ($525 via credit card) per person – Due on or before May 7
Your deposit secures your place on the tour and is non-refundable unless your place is transferred by yourself.

IMPORTANT – Please note the number of cabins we have in each category, so requests are on a “first-come/first served” basis.

Final payment balance is due on or before July 4, 2015

 

** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. This discounted price is noted below in red.

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After you register online you will automatically be re-directed for payment by mail-in check or securely online by credit or debit card.

Travel Insurance: RMC Travel highly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation/Interruption Travel Insurance, and we therefore provide you with an easy way to contact RMC’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 1-800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.