Home > Itinerary
Once you’ve cleared customs, you will be greeted by a Transcend Cruises representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy lunch on your own today and spend the afternoon relaxing, recharging, and exploring this idyllic city at your own pace. This evening, join your fellow travelers for an exclusive opening reception.
Your morning begins with a sightseeing tour of Munich, the Bavarian capital. Your tour includes the celebrated Maximilianstrasse, the 17th-century Residenz, the old town hall, and a visit to Nymphenburg Palace, which was a favorite home of generations of Bavarian royalty designed initially as their summer residence – explore the carriage museum at the palace.
This morning, we depart for a very moving visit to the site of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Dachau Concentration Camp is often referred to as the “model camp.” It served as a training ground for SS officers, who were later sent to oversee a network of camps across Nazi-occupied Europe. The SS themselves called it “The School of Terror.” At Dachau, they developed a brutal system where prisoners were subjected to torture, starvation, humiliation, medical experiments, mass executions, and death. Our expert historian guides lead you through the site of the remaining original buildings, and reconstructions testify to the place’s cruel history. Our Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial guides provide interesting facts and historical backgrounds. They convey this disturbing subject to you with dignity, sensitivity, and respect for the victims.
Throughout the visit, you learn about the inhumanity of the Nazi regime, such as the human medical experiments, torture, and mass executions. You visit the roll-call, the bunkers, the barracks, the camp street, and the crematorium. At the international memorial, take your time to process the information and impressions. The Dachau Concentration Camp Tour is insightful, knowledgeable, and thought-provoking. It’s a profoundly moving experience.
Following our visit, we make our way to Nuremberg, Germany, to embark aboard our floating hotel for the week, The Gentleman. We settle into our staterooms and enjoy lunch onboard, which allows us to recharge after an emotional morning. Later this afternoon, we attend a very special private performance by the Nuremberger Symphony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Dachau. Following, we return to the ship for an extraordinary welcome dinner.
Your floating hotel takes you to Bamberg today, a well-preserved town that offers a fascinating glimpse of medieval times along the Main River. A pleasant city with a lively student population and a world-famous symphony orchestra, Bamberg was the center of economic and political life for a vast swath of Central Europe in the Middle Ages. Spared WWII bombing, the entire heart of historic Bamberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its medieval layout remains intact, along with 2,000 historic buildings; it is yours to explore today. In the splendid late-Romanesque Imperial Cathedral, you will find the only papal tomb in Germany, that of Pope Clement II (who was the bishop of Bamberg before he became Pope), as well as the tomb of Emperor Henry II (who established the bishopric). Nearby is the magnificent Old Palace, the late-Gothic imperial residence (if you saw the 2011 3-D version of The Three Musketeers, you’ll recognize it immediately), which sits across from the New Residence, where the 17th-century prince-bishops lived, separated by a lovely rose garden. Cross the cobblestone footbridge to the Old Town Hall, adorned with colorful frescoes, and ramble along the narrow lanes lined with picturesque half-timbered houses.
We then travel to Bayreuth to visit the Richard Wagner and Franz Liszt Museums. We learn up close about the lives and legacies of these influential composers before returning to Bamberg. This evening, we enjoy a champagne reception and private performance onboard.
Sailing the Main River today is to experience quintessential Germany at its very best: a truly picture-postcard landscape of perfectly medieval villages with quaint timber-framed houses set against a backdrop of rolling hillsides dotted with ancient castles. This magical river quietly winds across Central Germany, over vast plains, and through lush valleys. Through the centuries, it became a critical trade route for the expanding Empire, and even Charlemagne himself left his mark here, investing in canal construction and erecting the mighty 8th-century cathedral in Würzburg.
After a lovely city tour with free time, we visit the Würzburg Residence, a stunning palace considered one of Europe’s best examples of Baroque architecture. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum, it is known for its ornate frescos, intricate stonework, and grand halls. Our guests will enjoy an exceptional private performance and reception featuring some of the finest regional wines after our tour.
Explore the picturesque town of Wertheim. Stroll through the charming streets with half-timbered houses, historic buildings, and vibrant local shops. Discover its rich history and culture, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding landscapes. This day offers a delightful mix of history, architecture, and local charm.
Upon arrival in Rüdesheim, enjoy time at leisure in this very friendly and walkable village. Visit one of the many charming Weinstubes for a taste of the regional wines the region is known for before returning to the ship for lunch.
We’ll return to The Gentleman and depart Rüdesheim for a scenic Rhine Gorge sailing to Koblenz. As you sail its most picturesque stretch, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, you will pass vineyard-blanketed hills whose steep slopes require vintners to pick grapes by hand, keeping a centuries-old tradition alive. Splendid castles line the banks, all of which have stories to share, and the Lorelei Rock presides at a dramatic curve in the river. This infamous river maiden mesmerized sailors with her song and lured them to their demise at her feet. This afternoon, we’ll rendezvous on The Gentleman’s Sun Deck for an incredible classical performance and champagne reception as we enjoy the passing scenery.
Koblenz is a fascinating town that is over 2,000 years old. It grew at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The German Corner marks the spot with a famous monument to Emperor William II.
This former trading settlement rests on a massif of the Middle Rhine Highlands. Its cobblestone streets, wood-beamed houses adorned with flowers, ancient market square, and medieval churches recall the fairy-tale Germany of old. The famed Teutonic Knights set up their first base here in 1216. The Romanesque Basilica of St. Castor, Koblenz’s oldest building, dates to 836.
This afternoon, the South Florida Symphony’s biggest fans of Beethoven will have the opportunity to visit his mother’s home and archives in Koblenz. We’ll then visit the majestic Stolzenfels Castle, a stunning example of medieval architecture.
Bonn, located at the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, is the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. However, it is also a gem for classical music lovers. We’ll start with a visit to the Schumann Haus, where you’ll gain insights into Robert Schumann’s life and works. Next, visit Beethoven Haus, Ludwig van Beethoven’s birthplace (December 1770), and enjoy a memorable performance that brings his legacy to life. Spend the day surrounded by history and music, immersing yourself in the stories of these great composers.
Following breakfast, we bid you farewell and provide airport transportation to the Cologne (CGN) or Frankfurt (FRA) International Airport with memories of a remarkable cruise. If you’ve opted for the post-cruise extension program, continue your adventure to Amsterdam today with a private transfer this morning.
