Start your European vacation with a big splash in Paris before joining your 7-night cruise aboard Europe's newest and most state-of-the-art river cruise ship starting in Trier, the oldest city in Germany. As you sail, you will have included shore excursions offering an in-depth, authentic view of the cultures and histories you'll visit. Be enchanted by the meandering Mosel Valley, with Europe's steepest vineyards, and the precious towns of Bernkastel, Zell and Cochem. Taste the Mosel vintages in cozy taverns, then sail through the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine with all its picturesque castles from Koblenz to charming Rüdesheim. Enter the Main River with its quaint medieval towns of Miltenberg, Wertheim and Bamberg, and then sail through the Main-Danube Canal to historic Nuremberg. Your journey will continue to charming Prague.

Price Includes:

• Round-trip international airfare from JFK
• 3 nights Paris
• 7 nights Rhine cruise
• 2 nights Prague
• Cruising, sightseeing and tours with local guides
• 24 meals

Itinerary:

Day 1: Thursday, October 29, 2009 - DEPART U.S.
Board your overnight flight to Paris, France.

Day 2: Friday, October 30, 2009 - ARRIVE PARIS, FRANCE
Arrive in Paris and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Accommodation: 3 nights - Paris

Day 3: Saturday, October 31, 2009 - PARIS
Enjoy Paris' famous sights during your morning's guided tour. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, see the unique Louvre Museum, the commemorative L’Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Les Champs Elysées and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the many museums, galleries and other attractions that the city has to offer. Evening Halloween Masquerade Gala with local Graziadio and Pepperdine Parisian alumni. (B)

Day 4: Sunday, November 1, 2009 - PARIS
Enjoy a full free day to explore the amazing "City of Light," where romance fills the air. Stroll along Les Champs Elysées, the boutique-lined boulevards, or visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the World's Fair of 1889. Paris at night offers unlimited possibilities for every taste.

Day 5: Monday, November 2, 2009 - PARIS / LUXEMBOURG / TRIER, GERMANY
Say "au revoir" to Paris as you drive through the scenic French countryside of Champagne to Luxembourg. Luxembourg is one of the last independent duchies that made up western and central Europe. Today the Grand Duchy is important because of its role in international politics and banking. Take a guided city tour before continuing to Trier to board the ship. Tonight, gather onboard for a welcome dinner. (B,D)
Accommodation: 7 nights - Cruise

Day 6: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - BERNKASTEL / ZELL
After breakfast, arrive in the charming village of Bernkastel. Strategically located in the middle of the Mosel wine-producing region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Take a guided walking tour through the old town center with its many medieval and Renaissance buildings, before continuing on to Zell, a delightful town famous for its wine "Zeller Schwarze Katz." (B,L,D)

Day 7: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 - COCHEM / KOBLENZ / RHINE CASTLES / RÜDESHEIM
Decide between a guided tour of hilltop Reichsburg Castle, which offers fascinating views of the river valley, then drive to Koblenz. Or cruise to Koblenz which is situated at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine Rivers for a guided walking tour of the city. Enjoy scenic cruising during lunch, as you cruise along the most beautiful and famous part of the Rhine, seeing castle after castle and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rüdesheim and visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. In the evening, explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants. The ship moors overnight in Rüdesheim. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Thursday, November 5, 2009 - MAINZ / HEIDELBERG / FRANKFURT
Today, decide between two excursions: take a guided walking tour of beautiful Mainz and see the famous Gutenberg Museum, home of the world's first printed Bible, then travel to Frankfurt by bus for a tour of the historic "Romer" center. Or travel by motorcoach to Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town, where you will visit the red-walled castle, enjoy gorgeous views of the Neckar valley below, and see the Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 8th-century wine cask. Later this afternoon, return to Frankfurt, where the remainder of the day is free for you to explore. The ship moors overnight in Frankfurt. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Friday, November 6, 2009 - MILTENBERG / WERTHEIM
Arrive in Miltenberg and disembark for a guided morning walking tour of this old Franconian town, which reveals narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. Shop for souvenirs before continuing to charming Wertheim for an interesting glass-blowing performance. Then, there is free time to browse the market square before re-boarding the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Saturday, November 7, 2009 - WÜRZBURG
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. This afternoon, you can join an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg. A walking tour helps you appreciate its ramparts and towers, cobbled lanes and 16th-century houses. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore on your own before returning to the ship in Würzburg. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Sunday, November 8, 2009 - BAMBERG
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising before you enter the Main-Danube Canal at enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided tour of this medieval gem, with its uniquely intact townscape. 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. Late tonight arrive in Nuremberg. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Monday, November 9, 2009 - NUREMBERG / PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Enjoy a guided morning tour of the historic city of Nuremberg with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant impressive walls. You will have some free time to explore the town on your own before transferring to Prague. (B)
Accommodation: 2 nights - Prague

Day 13: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - PRAGUE
This morning's sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities. Visit the thousand- year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard and St. Vitus, then walk over the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The evening is free to mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, shop for souvenirs or enjoy one of the charming cafés or restaurants. (B)

Day 14: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - PRAGUE DEPARTURE
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

*Price is per person, based on share twin accommodation. Package is also available as cruise only, from $2399 per person. Please ask for details.

Price includes: Airfare from New York (JFK), 7-night cruise based on Category E stateroom, 5-night pre and post land program in Paris and Prague, port taxes of $98 per person. Please call for rate from your gateway city.

Optional cruise upgrades available: add $149 per person for Category D stateroom, Piano Deck, window; add $449 per person for Category C stateroom, Cello Deck, French balcony; add $599 per person for Category B stateroom, Cello Deck, French balcony; add $699 for Category A stateroom, Violin Deck, French balcony; add $1499 for Category S stateroom, Violin Deck, French balcony.

Price excludes: Air taxes/fees. Passport fees, meals not indicated by (B) breakfast (L) lunch (D) dinner, room outside of normal check-in/check-out times, optional touring, items of a personal nature, such as liquor, telephone calls, etc., optional trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

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