14 Nights Europe River Cruise

As capital of the European Union, Brussels is headquarters of the world's largest economic block. Vacationers will enjoy the city's excellent museums, splendid cafés, markets and fine shops, graceful Art Nouveau architecture, and the spellbinding Grand-Place.

Antwerp retains an intriguing medieval heart with plenty of café-filled cobbled lanes, a riverside fortress and a truly impressive cathedral. Today, however, Antwerp's top drawcards are its vibrant fashion and entertainment scene, along with its startling architectural and cultural contrasts.

Touching Belgium on its west and just a few miles from Germany to the east, Maastricht is the capital of Holland's southernmost region, Limburg. A town rich in history and culture, Maastricht boasts two wonderful town squares: Vrijthof, with Sint-Servaas Church, Sint-Jans Cathedral and many bars, cafes and restaurants; and Markt, home to the town hall and, on Wednesday and Friday mornings, a fantastic vendor market. The city's Vestigingswerken, or old town fortifications, are another big draw.

The capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, Dusseldorf is a regional economic powerhouse straddling the banks of the Rhine River. Altstadt is not just Dusseldorf's lovely old town, but also where the city's nightlife is based and where Altbier, its native dark beer, is plentiful. Dusselforfians take their beer seriously. Königsallee (Ko to the locals), Dusseldorf's famous shopping street, has many high-end stores. And the Museum Kunst Palast has one of the Rhineland's best art collections

Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany's largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of Cologne's magnificent Gothic cathedral?which took more than 600 years to build?dominate the river skyline. The Germano- Roman Museum, located next to the cathedral, is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés, and shops. The favorite local beer here is Kölsch. (FB,L,D)

There may not be a lovelier scene in Germany than the town of Cochem, couched in the high, vine-clad slopes of the Moselle Valley. The town of half-timbered houses, scurrying streets and medieval gates is on a loop in the river, under the steady watch of the Romantic Reichsburg castle.

Trier is a southwestern German city in the Moselle wine region, near the Luxembourg border. Founded by the Romans, it contains several well-preserved Roman structures like the Porta Nigra gate, the ruins of Roman baths, an amphitheater just outside the center and a stone bridge over the Moselle River. The Archaeological Museum displays Roman artifacts. Among Trier's many Catholic churches is Trier Cathedral.

Bernkastel-Kues on the Moselle river in Germany has plenty to offer: excellent hiking trails and cycling pathes, an unforgettable landscape. Bernkastel, on the right bank, is a symphony in half-timber, stone and slate, and teems with wine taverns.

Boppard itself is a designated state-recognized tourism resort, known for its wine growing. Word of its famed wines started with the Romans in 643 and today, over 75 hectares are devoted to its vineyards. It is actually the biggest wine-growing center in the Middle Rhine.

A romantic wine village located along Germany's Rhein River.

Speyer is a town in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, with approximately 50,000 inhabitants. Located beside the river Rhine, Speyer is 25 km south of Ludwigshafen and Mannheim. Founded by the Romans, it is one of Germany's oldest cities. Speyer is dominated by the Speyer Cathedral, a number of churches and the Altpörtel.

Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights are the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kleber, and Place Gutenberg with its statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Beer Brewery. An optional excursion into the Alsace wine region is available. (FB,L,D)

Switzerland's second largest city is located at the elbow of the Rhine on the borders of France and Germany. Famed as a centre of the humanist movement, it is the burial site of Erasmus. It holds the oldest university in Switzerland, two dozen museums and a well-preserved Old Town.

Switzerland's second largest city is located at the elbow of the Rhine on the borders of France and Germany. Famed as a centre of the humanist movement, it is the burial site of Erasmus. It holds the oldest university in Switzerland, two dozen museums and a well-preserved Old Town.