Travel-Learn Program

When: June 27, 2012 - July 07, 2012 (iCal)

Description

We will experience the heritage of Europe as we travel through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland on this exceptional Grand Tour. This journey features a deluxe vessel from the prestigious AMADEUS FLEET, as well as three legendary railways: the Gornergrat Bahn, the Glacier Express, and the Pilatus Railway. We begin our discovery of Europe’s secrets with a cruise up the fabled Rhine River, visiting three UNESCO World Heritage sites along the way: Cologne’s Gothic cathedral, the Alsatian city of Strasbourg, and the heart of the Rhine River Valley. We continue our journey with two nights in Zermatt, followed by a rail ride to Lucerne, Switzerland where we will spend an additional two nights, and then board the railways once more for breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and a ride along the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Our journey concludes with a relaxing cruise on scenic Lake Lucerne.

Activity Level: Active

Download the program brochure.

For your choice of cabin category, and to avoid disappointment of a sold out program, register now!

Cost

From $5,395 per person, based on double occupancy.

Contact

For more information,contact Usha Nand Sellers Ed. D., Director Tufts Travel-Learn Program, at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 - U.S. / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Depart for Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Following our morning arrival, we will take a private cruise along Amsterdam’s canals, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, embark aboard the deluxe M.S. AMADEUS PRINCESS. We will meet in the evening for the Captain’s welcome toast.

Day 3 - Cologne, Germany

This morning we cruise on the picturesque Rhine River to Cologne, one of Germany’s most ancient cities. Founded as a Roman military outpost in 38 B.C. it features the famous Kölner Dom (cathedral), a UNESCO World Heritage site and the finest example of High Gothic architecture in Germany. Upon arrival, we will explore the Altstadt (Old Town) and visit the cathedral and its many treasures.

Day 4 - Koblenz/Rüdesheim

We dock this morning in Koblenz, established during the reign of Augustus Caesar at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. From the famous Deutsches Eck (German Corner), we will view the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein and the twin-towered Basilica of St. Castor with its distinctive Romanesque architecture.

Later we will cruise through the Rhine River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, past the medieval castles, tranquil villages, terraced vineyards and the famous Lorelei Rock—ancient legend holds that a beautiful maiden lured sailors here with her enchanting siren song.

This afternoon we go ashore in the medieval town of Rüdesheim, located in the heart of Germany’s wine country. We can visit the 12th-century Brömserburg Castle or savor local vintages in a traditional wine bar. We sail this evening from Rüdesheim.

Day 5 - Mannheim/Heidelberg

This morning we arrive in Mannheim and depart for Heidelberg. Heidelberg University, founded in 1386, attracted such luminaries as Goethe and Schumann. To many on the “Grand Tour” of Europe, fashionable in the 18th and 19th centuries, Heidelberg was Germany. Nestled in the valley of the Neckar River below the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, this city has preserved its authentic Renaissance-Baroque character, seen in the famous Alte Brücke (Old Bridge) that still spans the Neckar River. We re-board in Mannheim and cruise to Strasbourg.

Day 6 - Strasbourg, France

The Alsatian city of Strasbourg fuses the Old and the New Europe. We will tour the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and see the Ponts-Couverts, covered bridges flanked by watchtowers at each end. We will view the Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame near the Protestant Church of St-Pierre-le-Vieux, a testament to Strasbourg’s history of religious tolerance. In the Petite-France district, the fairy tale look of a past era lives on, while nearby, 27 nations engage in spirited debates in the European Union Parliament.

After lunch aboard ship our afternoon is free for independent pursuits. We depart from Strasbourg this evening.

Day 7 - Basel, Switzerland/Gruyères/Montreaux/Zermatt

We will disembark in Basel and traverse the rolling Swiss countryside to the untouched medieval village of Gruyères. After lunch, we continue on to the fashionable town of Montreux on the “Swiss Riviera” of Lake Geneva’s north shore. In the 19th century, such literary figures as Byron, Shelley, Tolstoy and Christian Andersen were drawn here by its mild climate and Mediterranean flora.

We continue by tracing the course of the mighty Rhône River from the subtropical lowlands to the snow-crowned heights of the Alps. In the village of Täsch, we will board a shuttle train for a brief journey to Zermatt, located in the shadow of the Matterhorn. Tonight we check into the chalet-style Hotel Alex for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Day 8 -Zermatt

This morning we take a ride aboard the famous Gornergrat Bahn, the highest cog railway in Europe. Ascending to Gornergrat we will stop en route at Riffelberg for a panoramic view of Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn, Liskamm and Dufourspitze mountains, as well as the vast Gorner Glacier. Following lunch, we can return to Zermatt at our leisure.

Day 9 - Zermatt/Andermatt/Lucerne

Today we board the fabled Glacier Express, “the fastest slow train in the world,” and ride through the heart of the Alps. Upon our arrival in Andermatt early this afternoon, we will transfer to a motorcoach and then continue on to Lucerne where we will check into the deluxe, lakeside Hotel Schweizerhof.

Day 10 - Lucerne

A long-favored destination for travelers, Lucerne is set against the backdrop of its deep blue lake and Mounts Rigi and Pilatus. Our morning begins with a walking tour in the Weinmarkt (Wine Market), on which we will see the Hofkirche (Court Church), the Lion Monument, and the 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge, which spans the Reuss River and is adorned with medieval paintings.

Later this afternoon we will ascend Mount Pilatus by cable car to its summit for a magnificent panorama of central Switzerland’s mountains, peaks, forests and lakes. After lunch in the summit restaurant we will have free time before boarding the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. We will then descend more than 5,300 feet in under three miles on our return to the shores of Lake Lucerne for a scenic lake cruise. Our farewell reception will be held in the hotel tonight.

Day 11 - Lucerne/Zurich/U.S.

Following breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our return flights.

Price and Itinerary are tentative and subject to change

617-627-5323|usha.sellers@tufts.edu