Go Green On The Rhine

Welcome to Germany, where your journey begins! If you purchased airline tickets through YMT Vacations, a friendly representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to your hotel in Frankfurt. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel to get acquainted with your traveling companions and learn about the exciting days ahead. (D)

Enjoy a morning tour of Frankfurt, known for its towering skyscrapers, and packed historic core. Discover the Römer, a medieval building that has served as Frankfurt’s city hall for over 600 years. You’ll also see Frankfurt Cathedral, a glorious example of Gothic Roman Catholic architecture, and St. Paul’s Church, where President Kennedy made a stirring speech in 1963. Keep an eye to the skyline as 14 of Germany’s tallest buildings can be found here. Enjoy the rest of the day in Bonn, the charming former capital of West Germany and the birthplace of legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Classical music fans can visit his birthplace, one of the city’s most popular attractions. (B)

Take a morning trip to the mountain resort town of Königswinter and enjoy an electric funicular ride up to the posh Schloss Drachenburg. This private villa built in the late 1800s was styled to look like a fairytale palace. Surrounded by lush gardens and bordered by a thick forest, you’d be wise to keep your eyes peeled for long-haired maidens and lovesick princes. There’s free time to explore on your own during lunch, then continue to the cruise port to board the A-ROSA Sena. The Sena is A-ROSA’s newest and most technologically advanced ship. In service since 2022, it’s the ultimate river cruise ship. Delicious food, stellar service, and balcony cabins make traveling on this floating resort a true luxury. It has all the bells and whistles, plus that incredible river view. Thanks to its hybrid electric engine, the virtually silent Sena is the ultimate emission-free way to travel. All the food onboard is from Europe, the majority of which is grown in the Rhine region. (B)

Vibrant and sophisticated Rotterdam, whose sprawling port is the largest in Europe, rose out of the ashes of the Second World War as an entirely new city. After being virtually razed to the ground, it was rebuilt and redesigned with modern needs in mind. Snack on a sweet stroopwafel and enjoy Rotterdam’s colorful avenues, exceptional museums, and unique architecture.

Continue to the magical city of Amsterdam where you’ll discover the charm of the renowned canals. These provide the ideal tree-lined vantage point to see elegant 17th century mansions, and the city’s wonderful historical architecture. Amsterdam is also the ultimate destination for art lovers. Visit museums devoted to Vincent van Gogh, modern street art, and the most famous works of the legendary Dutch masters.

Spend a relaxing day in the lowkey college town of Utrecht. Culturally, this is the very model of a modern major Dutch city. It has great restaurants, a bevy of hip cafes, and a climate-friendly passion for traveling by bicycle. In addition, Utrecht has a fascinating past. Its historic core is exceptional, ringed by a nearly intact medieval moat and anchored by the 368-foot-tall Dom Tower. The city is also famous for its UNESCO recognized Rietveld Schröder House, which was built in 1924 and is still considered the apex of the architectural Modern Movement.

After disembarking this morning take a tour of Düsseldorf, a former riverfront village that has transformed into one of Germany’s most sophisticated cities. It is the heart of the country’s media and fashion industries, and you will see many sharply-dressed locals on your walking tour of Old Town. Your day continues with an informative walking tour of Cologne, one of Germany’s most important metropolitan regions. A former Roman province, and influential medieval- and Renaissance-era trade base, it was nearly wiped out during WWII. One of the day’s highlights is the spectacularly spired Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, which was rebuilt after the war and is now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and Germany’s most visited landmark. Continue to Frankfurt for the night, and join your fellow travelers for a delicious farewell dinner (included). (D)