Europe's Heartland Cruise

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Paris, France

There’s no better place to begin a gay vacation than Paris, the world’s most beautiful city. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, explore the massive Louvre Museum, and see the famous Arc de Triomphe and Paris Opéra. Stroll along the Champs Elysées, get lost in the boutique-lined boulevards, or visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the World's Fair of 1889. At night, Gay Paris comes alive with unlimited possibilities for every taste.

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Rheims, France

En route from Paris to Trier, we will stop in Rheims, the capital of the Champagne region and the centuries-old site of the coronation of French kings. Taste Champagne and visit the magnificent Rheims Cathedral, famous for its Chagall windows.

Trier, Germany

After a drive through the scenic French countryside of Champagne, embark the ms Amalyra in Trier, on the banks of the Moselle River. The oldest city in Germany and an ancient capital of the Roman Empire, Trier is a great place to see well-preserved Roman and medieval architecture.

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Cochem, Germany

Historic Cochem is known for its fairytale buildings and long-running wine traditions. The city’s old quarter is dominated by a late-Gothic imperial castle and is dotted with medieval squares and lovingly restored timber-framed houses – architectural gems typical of the Moselle region. Here you’ll also have the chance to take a guided tour of the town’s 1,000 year-old hilltop Reichsburg Castle.

Koblenz, Germany

Situated at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine rivers and surrounded by four low mountain ranges, Koblenz is a 2,000-year-old town rich in cultural monuments and historic buildings. Taste Mosel vintages in cozy taverns and get lost in the winding alleyways of this medieval town. Or just stroll leisurely along the two rivers, watching barges and boats cruise by, before taking a break in one of the town’s many sidewalk cafes.

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Rüdesheim, Germany

The Rhine is at its most romantic around charming Rüdesheim, in Germany's wine-growing Rheingau region. The area’s historic palaces and ancient castles, excellent riesling and pinot noir wines, and its residents’ famous hospitality give this German town a very distinctive atmosphere. Music lovers will want to make time for an optional excursion to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, and everyone will want to explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with quaint wine taverns and restaurants.

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Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt, Germany’s main transportation and finance capital, is also home to a famous opera house, thriving theater district, pedestrian shopping streets, parks, scores of bars and dance clubs, and more than 50 museums. While the majority of Frankfurt has been built since World War II, when bombings decimated it, some historic structures, such as Romer (city hall), have been restored or rebuilt. Frankfurt is also the starting point for optional excursions to Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town and home of the red-walled castle.

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Miltenberg, Germany

Take a walking tour of the old Franconian town of Miltenberg and you’ll discover narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. The town, which is still enclosed within walls and gate towers, is attractively situated under a steep wooded hill crowned by a castle. Shop for souvenirs in the town’s charming Marktplatz, centered on a Renaissance-era fountain and wide beds of flowers.

Wertheim, Germany

A picturesque, medieval German town located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers, Wertheim is best known for its glassworks, Franconian wine, and friendly people. The Wertheim Castle (Burg Wertheim) was built in the 12th century overlooking the river junction, expanded during the 15th to 17th centuries, and today its remains are among the largest in Germany. While in town, take in a traditional glass-blowing performance by local craftsmen or browse the market square before returning to the ship.

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Würzburg, Germany

Würzburg, "the Pearl of the Romantic Road," is the capital of Lower Franconia, and a center of wine and trade. Visit the major sights including the magnificent Residenz Palace. Take a walking tour to discover the city’s "100 churches," most of which survived wars and invasions intact, with styles ranging from Romanesque to Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque.

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Bamberg, Germany

Our cruise enters the Main-Danube Canal in enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. This medieval gem, with its uniquely intact townscape, is situated in northern Bavaria. Marvel at the breathtaking cathedral, the Old Town Hall that straddles the river, and the city's serpentine streets with charming houses and 18th-century mansions.

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Nuremberg, Germany

The historic city of Nuremberg, with half a million residents, is dominated by Gothic churches including Sebaldus and St. Lorenz, cobblestoned squares, and the majestic Nuremberg Castle known as the "Kaiserburg". Old Town Nuremberg is almost completely surrounded by a medieval city wall. Explore the market square Hauptmarkt, see Zeppelin Field and visit the Palace of Justice, site of the Nuremberg Trials.