A rich past and modern way of life between the canals and the sea: Amsterdam - Amsterdam
14 Apr. to 21 Apr. 2010 RCII-10022
21 Apr. to 28 Apr. 2010 RCII-1003
28 Apr. to 05 May 2010 RCII-1004

Wednesday
Individual arrival in Amsterdam. Embarkation on the River Cloud II at 16.00 hours.
Depart Amsterdam/Netherlands at 17.00
In the evening, the River Cloud II cruises through the illuminated port of Rotterdam.
Arrive Schiedam/Netherlands 23.30

Thursday
Schiedam/Netherlands. Depart 14.00
Excursion to The Hague*.
The Hague has been home to the Dutch royal family since 1831. It is a city of rich contrasts, with modern architecture right next to medieval churches, and international institutions overlooking the canals. The beach is only a few yards away from the busy city centre.
Arrive Antwerp/Belgium 22.30

Friday
Antwerp/Belgium. Depart 13.00
City tour with exclusive visit to the cathedral, including organ concert*.
For centuries, the city of Antwerp has been a place where art and culture have played an important role. Famous artists such as Rubens, van Dyck and Brueghel the Elder and the Younger called Antwerp their home. The city has a cosmopolitan fair and successfully combines the historic with the avant-garde.
Arrive Ghent/Belgium. 19.00

Saturday
Ghent/Belgium.
Excursion to Bruges*.
Traders from Genoa, Florence and Venice were visiting the old Hanseatic town of Bruges in Flanders as long ago as the 13th century. Within its medieval walls, a rich historical heritage has been preserved. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sunday
Depart Ghent/Belgium 06.00
Arrive Willemstad/Netherlands 17.00
An evening stroll through the old fortress town is the perfect opportunity to see beautifully restored houses, cafés and restaurants.  
 
Monday
Depart Willemstad/Netherlands 07.00
Arrive Schoonhoven/Netherlands 12.00. Depart 17.00
Excursion to Gouda*.
The city's main export, Gouda cheese, was frst documented as long ago as 1184. Today, the cheese still plays the starring role in the city's historical market place.
Arrive Amsterdam/Netherlands. 23.30

Tuesday
Amsterdam/Netherlands.
Morning city tour by canal boat and visit to the Rijksmuseum*. In the afternoon: excursion to Keukenhof*. The best way to get to know Amsterdam is to begin with a journey along the canals, which are like roads weaving their way through the picturesque old part of the city. The Keukenhof is picturesque in a completely different way. It is a paradise of fowers, in which spring is celebrated with millions of blooms.

Wednesday
Amsterdam/Netherlands.
Disembarkation at 09.00 hours. Individual departure.

* These excursions can be booked in advance as a package.

NOTE: Itinerary and program subject to change depending on high and low water levels!

8 days/7 nights RCII-1008

Saturday - Amsterdam/Netherlands
Individual arrival in Amsterdam. Embarkation on the River Cloud II at 16.00 hours.

Sunday - Amsterdam/Netherlands
Depart Amsterdam: 17.00
City tour by canal boat and visit to the Rijksmuseum*.
Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum is protected as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. It houses a major collection of Dutch paintings from the “Golden Age”.

Monday - Cologne/Germany
Arrive Cologne 13.00. Depart 22.00.
City tour of Cologne including visit of Cologne Cathedral*.
Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owes its construction to countless pilgrims who came to see the relics of the Three Wise Men. It took around 600 years to build, and is the third-tallest cathedral in the world.

Tuesday - Koblenz/Germany
Arrive Koblenz 08.00. Depart 12.30.
Excursion to Eltz Castle*.
In the afternoon, the boat glides at a leisurely pace past a very special natural and cultural World Heritage Site. This 65-kilometer (40-mile) stretch of the beautiful Middle Rhine, including, of course, the Loreley, is protected by UNESCO.
Arrive Rüdesheim/Germany 19.30.
Visit to Eberbach Monastery with wine-tasting and concert*.
Many of the scenes for the film "The Name of the Rose" were filmed in this grand abbey. But in real life, everything in the monastery revolves around wine. Even the German wine term "Kabinett", designating a wine quality, derives from the monastery wine cellar, previously called "Cabinetkeller".

Wednesday - Rüdesheim/Germany
Depart Rudesheim 06.00.
Arrive Gernsheim/Germany 12.30. Depart 13.00.
Overland excursion to Heidelberg*.
Heidelberg is the oldest university town in Germany. Yet it was not just the academics who were attracted to the place. Above all, it was the poets and artists who brought fame to Heidelberg and enthused about its romantic castle ruins.
Arrive Mannheim/Germany 17.00. Depart 18.30.
Re-embarkation.

Thursday - Strasbourg/France
Arrive Strasbourg 09.00.
City tour with boat trip through "Petite France" and tour of the famous cathedral*.
Historic Strasbourg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has an impressive Gothic cathedral, an old part of the city on the Grande Ile, many little canals and the old tanners' district known as "Petite France."

Friday - Strasbourg/France
Depart Strasbourg 06.00.
Arrive Breisach/Germany 13.00. Depart 23.00.
Excursion to Colmar in the Alsace region*.
Dürer and Voltaire used to like wandering around Colmar's narrow streets. The traditional wine-growing town features magnifcent timberwork and is a picturesque place, in which time seems to stand still.

Saturday - Basel/Switzerland
Arrive Basel 06.00.
09.00 hours disembarkation. Individual departure.

* These excursions can be booked in advance as a package.

NOTE: Itinerary and program subject to change depending on high and low water levels.

8 days/7 nights RCII-1009

Saturday, 29 May - Basel/Switzerland
Individual arrival in Basel.
Embarkation on the River Cloud II at 16.00 hours. Depart 18.00

Sunday, 30 May -Strasbourg/France
Arrive Strasbourg 07.00. Depart 18.00.
City tour with boat trip through "Petite France" and tour of the famous Cathedral*.
In Strasbourg, you will find a unique combination of French, traditional Alsatian and modern European. This gives the city a special and unique atmosphere, which adds to the richness of all the sights under the protection of UNESCO.

Monday, 31 May - Mannheim/Germany
Arrive Mannheim 03.00 Depart 10.00
City tour of Heidelberg*.
The city had become a romantic legend 100 years ago. Artists and poets fell in love with the castle ruins.
Arrive Gernsheim/Germany 12.30. Depart 14.15
Re-embarkation.  
Arrive Rudesheim/Germany 17.45
Evening visit to Eberbach Monastery with wine-tasting and concert*. Twelve historic wine presses show how the medieval monks produced their precious wine. Stroll around the grand rooms as you taste today's wines.

Tuesday, 1 June - Rudesheim/Germany
Depart Rudesheim 09.00
In the morning, River Cloud II cruises through the Middle Rhine, passing the Loreley rock. This is a section of the river that has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, with all its castles and little wine-producing villages.
Arrive Koblenz/Germany 12.30. Depart 14.00
Overland excursion to Eltz Castle*.
Eltz castle is one of the best-preserved castles in Germany, presiding over the surrounding countryside since the 9th century. In the castle, you can really get a feel for what life must have been like during the crusades, whilst the art collection of the castle's former inhabitants can be found in the treasure room.
Arrive Alken/Germany 17.30 Depart 18.00
Re-embarkation.
Arrive Cochem/Germany 21.00
In the evening, the yacht cruises past the banks of the Moselle.

Wednesday, 2 June - Cochem/Germany
Depart Cochem 13.00
City tour with a visit to the imperial castle*.
A castle lover from Berlin bought the castle as a ruin in the 19th century, and rebuilt it in the style of a fairytale castle.
Arrive Traben-Trarbach/Germany 19.15

Thursday, 3 June - Traben-Trarbach/Germany
Depart Traben-Trarbach 05.00
Arrive Bernkastel/Germany 08.30
Excursion to Trier*.
Trier is very probably the oldest town in Germany, built more than 2000 years ago by the Romans. The Porta Nigra city gate, as well as many other Roman buildings, is protected by UNESCO.

Friday, 4 June - Bernkastel/Germany
Depart Bernkastel 06.00
Spend the day relaxing on the sun deck as the picturesque banks of the Moselle pass you by.
Alken/Germany. Arrive: 16.00 Depart: 23.00

Saturday, 5 June - Koblenz/Germany
Arrive Koblenz 04.00
09.00 hours disembarkation. Individual departure.

* These excursions can be booked in advance as a package.

NOTE: Itinerary and program subject to change depending on high and low water levels.

In the footsteps of princes, with regal city panoramas:
8 days / 7 nights
12 June to 19 June 2010 RCII-1011
26 June to 03 July 2010 RCII-1013

Saturday
Individual arrival in Regensburg. Embarkation on the River Cloud II at 15.00 hours.
Depart Regensburg/Germany 16.00

Sunday
Arrive Passau/Germany 03.30 Depart 13.30
The old bishops' town has remained young at heart. All its historic facades are romantic backdrops from a time when the town earned its riches from the salt trade.

Monday
Arrive Melk/Austria 04.00 Depart 11.45
Visit to the Baroque Melk Abbey*. Melk Abbey sits high up on the cliffs with a lofty view of the world. Its dimensions are vast, with the south front alone being 362 metres wide. At lunchtime, we cruise through the Wachau, the lush wine-and fruit-growing region on the banks of the Danube.
Arrive Krems/Austria 14.30
Tour of Greillenstein Castle*. Greillenstein Castle was built in the Renaissance period of the 16th century, and it is still possible today to get a feel for how the nobility lived at that time. The castle houses a unique collection of Baroque sandstone miniature statues.

Tuesday
Depart Krems/Austria 03.30
Arrive Vienna/Austria 08.00
City tour with exclusive attic tour of St Stephen's Cathedral*. After getting a first impression of the capital's main sights, we will be going up to the cathedral's attic. There will be enough time in the afternoon to explore Vienna at your own pace.
In the evening: option to attend various concerts**.

Wednesday
Vienna/Austria.  
Visit to the morning training session at the Spanish Riding School, with exclusive reception and tour of the Hofburg Palace*.
The Hofburg was initially the private residence of the Hapsburg dynasty. A visit to the Hofburg museum gives a clear insight into how the Habsburgs lived and held court.  
In the evening: option to attend various concerts**.

Thursday
Depart Vienna/Austria 02.00
Arrive Bratislava/Slovakia at 08.00 Depart 12.00
City tour with concert in the old town*. In recent years, Bratislava has developed into a lively city of culture with an attractive old town. The river yacht continues to glide downstream.
Arrive Budapest/Hungary 23.00

Friday
Budapest/Hungary.  
City tour*. Budapest's many monuments are testament to its chequered past, and large areas of the city are protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, why not take a walk along the banks of the Danube.

Saturday
Budapest/Hungary.
Disembarkation at 09.00. Individual departure.

* These excursions can be booked in advance as a package
** These concerts are not included in the package but can be booked separately on board.

NOTE: Itinerary and program subject to change depending on high and low water levels.

Themed cruise: Special 200th anniversary journey through the musical worlds of Schumann and Chopin
(RCII-1029) 8 days/7 nights

Highlights:

• The pianist Sung-Hee Kim-Wüst and the author Hans Werner Wüst present a musical and literary portrayal of the two composers, Schumann and Chopin.
• Reception at the home of Princess Heide of Hohenzollern with Chopin concert in the castle’s hall of mirrors.
• City tour of Düsseldorf on the trail of Schumann and his wife, with a piano concert in their marital home.
• Exclusive organ concert in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Heidelberg.
• All excursions are included in the price of the trip.

One was celebrated in early life as a child prodigy, while the other never quite fit in with the musical spirit of his time –- they are Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann. In 1831, as a music critic Schumann praised his fellow composer Chopin when he wrote, “Hats off, gentlemen – a genius!” Whereas Chopin was rather less forthcoming with comments on Schumann’s work.

2010 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of both composers. They may never have gotten together in real life to celebrate their birthdays, but we have arranged this anniversary trip for your enjoyment. Along the way, Princess Heide of Hohenzollern will welcome you to an exclusive Chopin concert, to be held in the hall of mirrors at Namedy Castle. In Düsseldorf, our city tour will follow in the footsteps of Clara and Robert Schumann, ending up in the couple’s marital home. Or rather, the highlight of the excursion will be a concert on the square piano in the Schumann’s house.

On board, the lounge will become a concert hall, in which there will be a musical and literary portrayal of the lives of Schumann and Chopin. The musical part will be played by famous pianist Sung-Hee Kim-Wüst, while the literary side will be recounted by author and producer Hans Werner Wüst. They will bring alive the characters of Schumann and Chopin in an entertaining combination of words and musical virtuosity.

Wednesday
Individual arrival in Basel, Switzerland. Embarkation on the River Cloud II at 16.00 hours.
Depart Basel/Switzerland 17.00 hours
Arrive Breisach/Germany 23.00 hours

Thursday
Depart Breisach/Germany 13.00 hours
Excursion to Colmar in the Alsace region*.
The charming and tranquil city of Colmar proudly shows off its timberwork in all its glory.
Arrive Strasbourg/France. 20.00 hours

Friday
Depart Strasbourg/France. 18.00 hours
City tour with boat trip through "Petite France" and visit to the famous cathedral*.
The old part of Strasbourg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the famous cathedral at its centre. In the evening, you will be treated to a Schumann concert by the famous pianist, Sun-Hee Kim-Wüst. Her virtuoso performance will be introduced by Hans Werner Wüst.

Saturday
Arrive Heidelberg/Germany 06.00 hours, depart 23.00 hours
Morning city tour including visit to the castle*.
In the afternoon, a musical walking tour of the city on the trail of famous musicians, with an exclusive organ concert in the Church of the Holy Spirit*.
The magic of the city and its surrounding countryside has provided inspiration for many an artist. Frédéric Chopin performed in Heidelberg and Robert Schumann studied law at the famous University of Heidelberg.

Sunday
Arrive Koblenz/Germany 13.00 hours, depart 18.00 hours
Visit to Stolzenfels Castle*.
In the morning, the boat cruises along the romantic Middle Rhine and past the Loreley rock. In the afternoon, the "Muse of Stolzenfels" beckons you up to this fairy-tale castle on the Rhine. The guided tour* will take you through courtyards and halls, recounting stories from history, the dreams of the poets Brentano and Arnim and the celebrated visit of Queen Victoria.
Arrive Andernach/Germany 19.30 hours
Private reception and concert at Namedy Castle*.
Namedy Castle is a moated castle dating from the 14th century, which was converted into a castle complex in 1890. It has been the family home of the Hohenzollern dynasty since 1907. Princess Heide of Hohenzollern will welcome you in person. Following a tour of the castle, there will be a private Chopin concert in the castle's impressive hall of mirrors.

Monday
Depart Andernach/Germany 03.00 hours
Arrive Düsseldorf/Germany 09.30 hours, depart 14.00 hours
City walking tour on the trail of Schumann with a visit to his house and a small concert on the square piano*.
Düsseldorf was the most important place in Schumann's professional life as he worked here as the city's musical director. Between 1850 and 1854 he lived here with his wife, the pianist Clara Schumann, and during this time published around a third of his works. The Robert Schumann Society, which is responsible for the careful preservation of his legacy, will lead today’s tour. In the evening, there will be a musical and literary portrayal of Chopin presented by Hans Werner Wüst with Sung-Hee Kim-Wüst on the piano.

Tuesday
Arrive Amsterdam/Netherlands 08.30 hours
Morning city tour by canal boat and visit to the Rijksmuseum*.
The afternoon is free for you to discover the Dutch city of canals at your own pace.

Wednesday
Amsterdam/Netherlands.
Disembarkation 09.00 hours. Individual departure.

* These excursions are included in the cruise only rate.

Note: Itinerary and program subject to change depending on high and low water levels.