Lyon, Provence & the Rhineland

  • From $8,099
  • |
  • 15 Days
  • |
  • 14 Guided Tours
  • |
  • 4 Countries

Breisach, Germany

  • Scenic rural village with church spire

Breisach is a gateway to the fabled Black Forest region, built on a basalt rock outcropping in the Rhine plain. It is located in one of the warmest parts of Germany, across the river from French Alsace, famous for its wine growing. But Breisach, too, can boast about its wine: it is home to Europe’s largest cellars, with a storage capacity of more than 160 million liters. The most prominent landmark of Breisach is the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, built between the 12th and 13th centuries. Its two towers are visible from throughout the city and from the Rhine.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Charming cuckoo clock house in mountains

The Black Forest

Admire the dense, lofty fir forests of Germany’s Schwarzwald, the fabled Black Forest.

Included
Charming cuckoo clock house in mountains

The Black Forest

Duration: 4 hours      

The Rich Beauty and Culture of Picture-Book Woodlands

Admire the dense, lofty fir forests of Germany’s Schwarzwald, the fabled Black Forest. Embark with your guide on a scenic drive through a mythical land of cuckoo clocks, glassblowing and timeless fairy tales. Your panoramic route will take you through wine-producing villages, each of them cradled among the soft, undulating hills, bucolic woodlands and prolific vineyards of southwestern Germany. Your journey culminates in a winding ascent up to the beautiful Hofgut Sternen hotel, a loyal keeper of Black Forest traditions. During your visit, you may choose your immersion into Black Forest culture: take an invigorating forest stroll, attend a cuckoo clock demonstration, watch a glassblower at work, or learn to make the decadent Black Forest Cake for which this region is known. After, return to your ship via Freiburg, a major university and ecclesiastical center.

* Easy - Walking portions are generally over easy surfaces with few steps or inclines. Total time walking or standing is normally not longer than 1.5 hours.
Charming European canal with colorful houses

Medieval Village of Colmar

Stroll the charming medieval lanes and squares of Colmar and explore its “Little Venice” quarter.
Charming European canal with colorful houses

Medieval Village of Colmar

Duration: 4 hours      

A Canal-Lined French Gem

Stroll the charming medieval lanes and squares of Colmar and explore its “Little Venice” quarter. You will accompany your guide to the city. Then, in the beautifully restored Quartier des Tanneurs, named for the tanners who worked in its 17th-century half-timbered houses, admire lanes of medieval houses and the Schwendi Fountain. This masterwork was sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty. Explore 9th century streets and the original old town, and the colorful mix of French and German Renaissance architecture. Stroll through the charming La Petite Venise and enjoy the picturesque views from the bridge across the Lauch River. You will have free time to peruse the fine art at the Musée d’Unterlinden (Museum under the Linden Trees) or shop for regional wines like Riesling and Gewürztraminer.

* Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.
Historic village with red-roofed houses

The Colmar Pocket in World War II: Museum & Memorial

Visit the Colmar Pocket, where Allied forces pushed back Nazi troops during the brutal winter of 1944–1945.
Historic village with red-roofed houses

The Colmar Pocket in World War II: Museum & Memorial

Duration: 4 hours      

Honor Those Who Fought and Fell to Free France

Visit the Colmar Pocket, where Allied forces pushed back Nazi troops during the brutal winter of 1944–1945. US forces fought alongside the French Army to overthrow the German occupation of this key region. The charming French countryside provided the backdrop for three months of fighting, until the Allied armies forced the German retreat. Travel with your guide to the Colmar Pocket Memorial Museum, where artifacts provide personal context to those difficult months. Stop at the US War Memorial on Mt. Sigolsheim to pay homage to those who laid down their lives to free France. You will also drive to Ostheim, the first village liberated in the campaign, and cross the Maison Rouge Bridge, following in the footsteps of US forces who freed the French village of Holtzwihr. At the Audie Murphy Memorial, honor one US soldier’s heroic stand that changed the course of this pivotal campaign.

* Easy - Walking portions are generally over easy surfaces with few steps or inclines. Total time walking or standing is normally not longer than 1.5 hours.
Cyclists on scenic tree-lined pathway

Into the Black Forest by E-Bike

Venture through the villages, through rolling fields and along the woodland trails of the Black Forest on a cycle tour.
Cyclists on scenic tree-lined pathway

Into the Black Forest by E-Bike

Duration: 8 hours      

Scenic Cycle through Slow-Paced Villages

Venture through the villages, through rolling fields and along the woodland trails of the Black Forest on a cycle tour. Considered one of the most beautiful trails of southern Germany, the route leads you past stunning scenery and through quaint towns. Pedal at ease on your e-bike as you follow your guide along the network of cycle trails and discover more about the history and culture of the Black Forest, including its famous cake. Stop for lunch and enjoy time at leisure to explore. Then, continue your cycle ride and enjoy a home visit in a typical Black Forest residence. Your hosts will welcome you with a refreshment and you may take a look around their house. Steeped in history, the house has retained many of its original features. Bid farewell to your hosts and transfer by motor coach back to your ship.

* Demanding - Physically challenging activities, including extensive walks, hiking, riding, water sports, and high altitude activities. Activities by foot may contain difficult, unpaved surfaces and/or multiple stairs and steep inclines. Total time walking or standing may exceed 3 hours.
Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Videos

Notre Dame Cathedral under cloudy skies

Gothic Cathedrals

Marvel at the ingenuity and ethereal quality of Gothic architecture, a style inspired by a period when religion governed life and epitomized by Europe’s soaring cathedrals from the 12th to 16th centuries.