Great Journey through Europe

Download the brochure for The Great Journey through Europe!

Aboard the deluxe M.S. Amadeus Princess
Switzerland/France/Germany/Holland

From approximately $4,395 per person based on double occupancy, air and VAT not included
Operated by Thomas P. Gohagan and Company 

View photos from last year's trip


Overview
This extraordinary 11-day “Grand Tour” of Europe features five nights aboard the deluxe M.S. Amadeus Princess. Travel through the Western heart of the continent through Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands, cruising the most scenic sections of the fabled Rhine river. Specially arranged guided excursions feature three great UNESCO World Heritage sites—visit Cologne’s magnificent Gothic cathedral, tour the lovely Alsatian city of Strasbourg and cruise through the heart of the Rhine River Valley—and Germany’s medieval Rüdesheim and 13th-century Heidelberg Castle. Spend two nights each in Zermatt and Lucerne, Switzerland, ride aboard three legendary railways—the Gornergrat Bahn, for breathtaking views of the Matterhorn; the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Lucerne; and the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway—and enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne. This incredible combination of river, rail, lake and mountains is the trip of a lifetime at an exceptional value! Capacity is limited and sells out quickly every year.

ITINERARY*
Day 1     Depart from the U.S. or Canada
Day 2     Geneva, Switzerland/Zermatt
Day 3     Zermatt (Matterhorn)
Day 4     Zermatt/Andermatt/Lucerne (Glacier Express to Andermatt)
Day 5     Lucerne
Day 6     Lucerne/Interlaken/Berne/Basel/Embark ship
Day 7     Strasbourg, France
Day 8     Mannheim, Germany (Heidelberg)
Day 9     Rüdesheim/Koblenz
Day 10   Cologne
Day 11   Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Disembark ship/Return to the U.S. or Canada

* This itinerary also operates in the reverse direction.

Activity Level
Moderately Active

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel through the Western heart of Europe on this unique 11-day “Grand Tour,” featuring a five-night cruise along the most scenic sections of the Rhine river.
• Enjoy deluxe accommodations aboard the M.S. Amadeus Princess, among the finest to ply the waterways of Europe.
• Explore the cultural and scenic treasures of Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands.
• Experience the soaring majesty of the Alps on three spectacular rail journeys — the Gornergrat Bahn, the Glacier Express and the Mt. Pilatus Railway.
• Spend two nights in fairytale Lucerne, with a scenic cruise on tranquil Lake Lucerne
• Spend two nights in the pristine Alpine resort of Zermatt, nestled beneath the craggy peak of the great Matterhorn.
• Walk through Strasbourg’s well-preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Tour the charming medieval town of Rüdesheim in the heart of the scenic Rhine Valley, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Visit Cologne’s magnificent Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Enjoy complimentary house wine served with dinners on board the ship.
• Join this trip of a lifetime, an incredible combination of river, rail, lake and mountains, at an exceptional value!

 
AMADEUS FLEET
The elegance and romance of native son Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s music was inspiration in the meticulous crafting of the deluxe AMADEUS River Fleet. The Fleet inaugurated a new generation of deluxe river cruising, setting new standards in design and technology and featuring the comforts of a floating five-star hotel.

Each ship offers approximately 76 outside, air-conditioned, stylishly appointed cabins (from 160 square feet, among the most spacious cabins on any river in the world) and suites (up to 236 square feet). Most accommodations feature a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with French balcony (iron railing) and all have two twin beds (convertible to one double bed), a private bathroom with shower (suites have bathtub with shower), individual climate control, satellite telephone and television, writing desk, safe and hair dryer.

Meals are served in single, unassigned seatings in the elegant Panorama Restaurant, where passengers can enjoy the passing landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows. Highly skilled chefs prepare continental cuisine featuring local ingredients. Meals include early-risers’ coffee, buffet breakfast and lunch, afternoon tea and four-course dinner. Live piano music is played during afternoon tea, and complimentary wine is served with dinner.

Public facilities are spacious and typically include a lounge and bar that opens onto a Panorama Deck, a library, Internet Café, beauty salon, boutique and fitness studio with massage services and early morning exercise classes. The Sun Deck features the Lido Bar, an outdoor dipping pool, golf putting green and walking track. Guests will also appreciate the complimentary Quietvox audio system available to all passengers for listening enhancement during shore excursions. Laundry service is available.

The international English-speaking crew provides warm hospitality and personalized service. The next generation of European river vessels, the AMADEUS Fleet meets the highest safety standards and is the only fleet of European river ships to have been awarded the “Green Certificate” of environmental preservation.

INCLUDED FEATURES

IN LUCERNE

IN ZERMATT

ON BOARD THE DELUXE M.S. AMADEUS PRINCESS 

• Five-night, exclusively chartered cruise from Basel, Switzerland, to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with port calls at Strasbourg, France, Mannheim (Heidelberg), Koblenz, Rüdesheim and Cologne, Germany.
• Accommodations in an outside stateroom or suite with private bathroom facilities.
• Special welcome toast.
• All meals served at single seatings—breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and late-evening snack—featuring Continental cuisine.
• Complimentary house wine served with dinner.
• Tour of Old Town Strasbourg, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its timber-framed houses.
• Excursion to Heidelberg’s 13th-century castle.
• Walking tour of the charming medieval town of Rüdesheim in the heart of the Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• City walk in Cologne, including a visit to the city’s magnificent Gothic Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

ENHANCED TRAVEL SERVICES

• All transfers and luggage handling abroad for all participants who have purchased their international air tickets through Gohagan & Company and whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).
• All excursions and visits, as outlined in the itinerary, led by experienced, English-speaking local guides.
• Gratuities for local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
• Experienced Travel Directors to accompany you throughout the travel program.
• Hospitality desk aboard the ship and in the hotels.
• Travel document wallet, name badge and pre-departure information.
• Automatic $250,000 flight insurance policy for each participant ticketed on flights by Gohagan & Company.

AMSTERDAM POST-PROGRAM OPTION
Spend two nights in a first-class hotel in lively Amsterdam. Cruise through the heart of this historic city laced with tree-shaded canals; admire stately 16th- and 17th-century merchants’ houses and enjoy an excursion to the quaint maritime towns of Enkhuizen and Hoorn. Complete details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.