Lyon, Provence & the Rhineland

Get to know this delightful city steeped in equal parts French and German culture. Join your guide for a drive through the German Imperial District and the European Quarter, home to institutions such as the European Union and the Council of Europe. Pass remarkable Renaissance architecture en route to the city center for a walk through picturesque Petite France, the former Tanners’ District surrounded by the Ill River and crisscrossed by charming canals. Here, you will see the Old Customs House and the bridges with their defensive towers. In Cathedral Square, view the magnificently restored Strasbourg Cathedral. One of Europe’s finest Gothic cathedrals, it was the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874. Enjoy free time to admire the great Gothic rosette window, beautiful red sandstone portal and remarkable astronomical clock.

Explore the treasures of Alsace, from its Renaissance beauty and distinct culture to its crisp, clean white wines. World-renowned for its viticulture, Alsace is enriched with a dry mild climate, favorable soils and ideal exposure for its vineyards. Its location creates a blend of Germanic and Roman influences, and tells a story started by wine-producing Romans. The fine white wines produced here rival the crisp Rieslings of neighboring Germany. Enjoy a drive along the Alsatian Wine Route and a stop in one of its charming villages. At the winery, tour the cellar and, if the season permits, take a walk through the vineyards. The winegrower will introduce you to local wines and describe the history of harvesting and wine growing in the region. You will have the chance to taste several vintages, with ample opportunity to talk with your host about the skills required to produce French wines.

Sample Alsatian and French flavors and pleasures as you meet food merchants, a French sommelier and a local chef. Accompany your guide on a shopping excursion through Strasbourg; you may sample regional specialties such as chocolates, pralines, kougelhopf cake, croissants, freshly made baguettes and pretzels, cheeses and special regional meats or sausages. At your next stop, a professional sommelier will verse you in the art of pairing local foods with Alsatian and French wines. Later, tour the romantic, picturesque Petite France, Strasbourg’s canal-laced Old Town lined with half-timbered houses. Next, enjoy the cozy atmosphere of a typical winstub eatery, where the resident chef will teach you to make flammkuchen. Taste the results with a local beer. Finally, stroll to the Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. Enjoy free time before returning to your ship.

View Strasbourg from the top of its cathedral and explore its historic, culture-rich center. Begin your tour with a tram ride to the center of the city. In its heart, you will find the towering Gothic cathedral, once the tallest building in the world. Admire its grand exterior before you begin your climb to the top. Ascend its spiral staircase of 322 steps for unrivaled views of the cathedral’s towers, the city of Strasbourg below, the Vosges and, weather permitting, the Black Forest region. Next, continue your tour to the Petite France area, located along the Grand Île. Home to tanners, millers and fishermen in the Middle Ages, in 1988 the Grand Île was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets, see typical Alsatian architecture and wander across the picturesque bridges that cross the river. Enjoy free time at your leisure to browse the artisan shops before returning to your ship.