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RHINE RIVER • APRIL 12th – 19th, 2012

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Photos of our ship

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FOUR POST-CRUISE OPTIONS

INSIDER’S TOUR OF CERN
Private tour of CERN and luncheon
April 20, 2012 (post-cruise)
($799 pp)

From the tiniest constituents of matter to the immensity of the cosmos, discover the wonders of science and technology at CERN. Join Bright Horizons for a private post-cruise, custom, full-day tour of this iconic facility.

Whether you lean toward concept or application there’s much to pique your curiousity. Discover the excitement of fundamental research and get a behind-the-scenes, insider’s look at the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.
 

pic of Cern Tunnel

Our full day will be led by a CERN physicist. We’ll have an orientation; visit an accelerator and experiment; get a sense of the mechanics of the large hadron collider (LHC); make a refueling stop for lunch; and have time to peruse exhibits and media on the history of CERN and the nature of its work.

This tour includes:

  • transfer from Basel (end of cruise) to our Geneva hotel (April 19)
  • hotel (3 nights) — the nights of April 19, April 20, and April 21
  • full breakfasts (3) — April 20, 21, and 22
  • transfer from hotel to CERN and back to the hotel on April 20
  • lunch at CERN
  • cocktail party the evening after our visit to CERN (April 20)
  • free day in Geneva; transfers to/from downtown provided (April 21)
  • transfer to airport for return home (April 22)
  • NOTE: CERN charges no entrance fee to visitors

The price is $799 per person (based on double occupancy). This trip is limited to 50 people. (Pictures from our October 2010 trip.)
 

Eiffel Tower

ONE NIGHT IN PARIS
Includes dinner and a cabaret

April 19, 2012 (post-cruise)

($899 pp, based on double occupancy; $1,399 for singles)

The morning of April 19 we transfer from the vessel in Basel to Paris (via bus then high-speed train). We arrive at our hotel, Le Meridien Etoile (or equivalent) mid-afternoon. You will be accompanied by both AmaWaterways and InSight Cruises representatives throughout the day. This evening we will leave our hotel at 7:30pm for an authentic Parisian Cabaret.

Synonymous with Paris, the cabaret is one of the most popular entertainments the city offers. Parisian Cabaret is a variety performance of song and dance, jugglers, acrobats and comedians. This excursion is a traditional Parisian Cabaret show, with dinner and drinks, and includes escorted transfer to and from the hotel. (7:30pm – midnight; one hour bus time, 3.5 hours cabaret and dinner)
 

Montmarte

TWO NIGHTS IN PARIS
Includes everything in the one-night package plus Paris City Tour and an evening in the Montmarte
(pictured above), including dinner
April 19–April 21, 2012 (post-cruise)
($1,399 pp, based on double occupancy; $1,999 for singles)

Enjoy Paris’ famous sights during this morning’s guided tour. Start with a panoramic tour where you will see the Champs Élysées, Place de la Concorde, and the Eiffel Tower. End your tour with a visit to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral (pictured below). The afternoon is free for you to explore the “City of Lights.” (April 20: 9am – 1pm; 2.5 hours on a bus, 1.5 hours walking)

This evening, Montmartre (pictured above)! Situated in the north of Paris, the “Hill of Martyrs” became renowned in the latter part of the 19th century as the home to the burgeoning Parisian artist community. The village-like nature of this suburb attracted painters, sculptors and many others from across Europe. Montmartre’ center, Place du Tertre, still has the vibe of the Belle Epoque era with street artists, restaurants, and a cosmopolitan area with a vineyard — and a Bohemian atmosphere. Dominating the whole area is the huge white church of Sacré-Coeur, from which the view of Paris below is breathtaking. (6:30pm – 11:30pm; 2.5 hours on a bus, one hour walking, two-hour dinner)
 

Notre Dame Cathedral

THREE NIGHTS IN PARIS
Includes everything in the two-night package plus Seine cruise and Eiffel Tower tour

April 19–April 22, 2012 (post-cruise)
($1,599 pp, based on double occupancy; $2,399 for singles)

Take in Paris from two different and unique angles. Begin with a cruise along the banks of the Seine River, the heart and soul of Paris. All the highlights of Paris can be seen, from the Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, L’Institut de France, and Notre Dame Cathedral (pictured above) on the Ile de la Cité, the old center of Paris. Following our Seine cruise, experience Paris from above from the 2nd level of the Eiffel Tower. From here, the whole of Paris is laid before you in panoramic view. (April 21: 9am – 1pm; one hour on the bus, one hour walking; 1.5 hour cruise on the Seine River)
 

Click a Tab for Shore/Port Information (shore excursions/tours provided by the cruiseline, in every port, are included in the price; these tours are subject to change).

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS — Thursday & Friday, April 12–13

Striking architecture and canals, rich and deep cultural traditions, and Dutch hospitality make Amsterdam a beacon for travelers. Insight Cruises is offering an option tour on Wednesday, April 11 (see below).

COLOGNE, GERMANY — Saturday, April 14

Arrive in Cologne for a guided morning walking tour through the old part of the city and a visit to the fabled 13th-century Gothic cathedral. As an alternative to a walking, tour take in the sights of Cologne on a guided bike tour. (This tour is included in the price of your cruise.)

KOBLENZ, GERMANY — Saturday & Sunday, April 14–15

Seated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, the ancient city of Koblenz is known for its abundant historic buildings, relaxed atmosphere, and role in the wine trade.

RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY — Sunday, April 15

Sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge, passing castle after castle and the infamous Lorelei Rock. This afternoon, arrive in Rüdesheim, where you will enjoy an afternoon wine tasting with a local vintner. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time. In the evening, visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. The ship overnights here. (This tour is included in the price of your cruise.)

MANNHEIM, GERMANY — Monday, April 16

Center of the German Romantic Epoch, Heidelberg is noted for its picturesque nature and setting in the Neckar River Valley. We’ll take a guided walk through Old Town Heidelberg, a quaint combination of old and new buildings reflecting the city’s educational, science, and arts heritage, and its winemaking tradition. At Heidelberg castle, we’ll learn about the buildings, representing many German architectural periods, that make up the rambling castle complex. For the folkloric experience of the day, we'll check out the 1751 “Heidelberg Tun”, a 58,000 gallon wine vat used to house the wine that the region’s winegrowers paid as a tax. Onward, then, through the Odenwald to rejoin the AmaCello at Mannheim. (This tour is included in the price of your cruise. Insight Cruises is offering a private tour of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy — see below.)

STRASBOURG, FRANCE — Tuesday & Wednesday, April 17–18

Capital and principal city of the Alsace region in northeastern France, Strasbourg is situated on the Ill River, where it flows into the Rhine on the border with Germany. Enjoy a canal cruise, revealing the picturesque town, known for its black and white timber-framed buildings, covered bridges and medieval watchtowers. Then take a tour through this charming town lined with narrow cobbled streets. See the European Parliament and visit the “La Petite France” district, where you will see the sandstone Gothic Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Take a guided bicycle tour (capacity controlled) or stroll through Strasbourg’s historic city center, the “Grande île” (“Grand Island”), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or sample the local cuisine and wine that merges the best of French and German influences. A shuttle bus will run from the ship to the town during the afternoon. The ship moors overnight. (This tour is included in the price of your cruise.)

BREISACH, GERMANY — Wednesday, April 18

Today, choose between a city tour of Colmar or a tour through the famous Black Forest region of Germany. On the Black Forest tour, enjoy your drive through a scenic forested area where you will encounter a number of lakes as well as charming examples of rural architecture. Your tour will include a stop at a cuckoo clock factory. As an alternative choose to travel to medieval Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and the self-proclaimed “Capital of Alsatian Wine.” During your city tour, you will see remarkable half-timbered framed houses; the German influenced old quarter filled with streets of unexpected twists and turns; canals and the Launch River. You will also enjoy a wine cellar visit and wine tasting. Late tonight, the ship set sails for Basel, Switzerland. (This tour is included in the price of your cruise.)

BASEL, SWITZERLAND — Thursday, April 19

There must be something in the water in Basel: it’s and home to Paracelsus, Vesalius, Bernoulli, Euler, Jung, and Nietzsche, among many other notables.

PRICING & GENERAL INFO.

The cruise fares start at $2,898 for a Category E. French Balcony cabins start at $3,298 for a Category C. Cruise fares include five excursions (see two-column box directly above). For those attending our PROGRAM, there is a $1,195 fee. For detailed information and pictures of our ship, please visit CABIN & SHIP INFO page. Additional per-person fees include: government taxes and fees ($199) and gratuities are €15 per day. All prices and fees are detailed on the BOOK NOW page.

For a detailed listing of the cruise itinerary please review our ITINERARY page.

Use our PRICING CALCULATOR for a quick price quote! For questions, please don’t hestitate in calling InSightCruises.com (650-787-5665) or emailing us.
 


BROCHURES & VIDEOS

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Download a two-page flyer

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Never cruised with AMAWaterways? Watch this (one minute, 20 seconds)

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The AMAWaterways experience (three minutes, 30 seconds)

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The AMAWaterways ships (one minute, 56 seconds)

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The AMAWaterways tours (one minute, 45 seconds)

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The AMAWaterways gourmet food (43 seconds)

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Download the AmaCello 2-page deckplan

MPIA

MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE EXCURSION

INSIDER’S TOUR OF THE MPIA
Private tours of Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) and the newly-opened Center for Astronomy Education and Outreach
(see illustration below)
April 16, 2012 (mid-cruise) ($275 pp, includes elegant lunch)

We’ll board a bus to Heidelberg right after breakfast. Our tour will include a visit to the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, a presentation at the Center for Astronomy Education and Outreach including a planetarium show about the latest astronomical research done in Heidelberg, followed by a brief visit to the historical instruments of the Landessternwarte founded by Max Wolf in 1898. We’ll conclude our excursion with a memorable lunch in downtown Heidelberg.

Center for Astronomy
Education and Outreach

SPEAKERS

Pål Brekke, Ph.D.
Patrick Hunt, Ph.D.
Noah Isakov, Ph.D.
Frank Linde, Ph.D.

Speakers have confirmed their intent to participate; however, scheduling conflicts may arise.
 


SEMINARS

The conference fee is $1,195 and includes all 16 seminars below. You may take any class though two of the 16 classes will overlap another Bright Horizons class taking place at the same time. Classes only take place when we’re cruising, between 8:30am and 7:30pm.

PÅL BREKKE, PH.D.

PATRICK HUNT, PH.D.

FRANK LINDE, PH.D.

NOAH ISAKOV, PH.D.


WEATHER

Here was the weather for the corresponding days of our cruise, during the year indicated. Historical averages are from the mid ’90s to current day.

Amsterdam   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages

Strasbourg   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages

Basel   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages

Geneva   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages

Paris   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages
 


MPIA

EASE INTO AMSTERDAM

PRE-CRUISE FULL-DAY TOUR
Includes lunch and “The Masterpieces”

April 11, 2012 (pre-cruise)

What makes Amsterdam a perennial favorite? InSight Cruises invites you to find out on a private, full-day tour of “the Venice of the North”. Discover the unique charms of Amsterdam as you get oriented with a coach tour of cultural touchstones. Then anchor your vacation album with images from your cruise through the city’s tree-lined UNESCO World Heritage canals, getting a superb view of 17th century gabled homes, old bridges, and bicycles and more bicycles. We focus on the finest, savoring an Old Dutch welcome and contemporary cuisine at one of Amsterdam’s best restaurants, and then paint ourselves into the scene at the Rijksmuseum with a visit to “The Masterpieces” exhibit. Start your Bright Horizons memories and fun and join us!

$275 per person and includes local guide for eight hours, one-hour canal cruise, three-course lunch, and entrance fee to the Rijksmuseum and The Masterpieces exhibit.
 

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