Heather & John

With your wedding gift we will relax at the bar with the ambiance of being in old Europe sampling a cocktail or two before dinner.

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 into the Alsatian wine country and stop for a winery and cellar tour. If the season permits, take a walk through the vineyards. The winegrower and your guide will introduce you to Alsatian wines, some of Europe’s finest, and describe the history of harvesting and wine growing in the region. You will have the chance to taste some of this elixir, with ample opportunity to talk with your host about the skills required to produce French wines.

Immerse yourself in Cologne’s lively brauhaus culture and sample the pride of the city. During this fun excursion into the heart of Cologne, you will stroll the Old Town’s cobblestone streets past historic houses. Pause along the way at three Kölsch brew houses. Kölsch—a light, crisp beer—is brewed only in Cologne. Brauhaus servers, called köbes, will deliver Kölsch straight from the barrel to your table in 7-ounce glasses, small enough for you to finish the beer while it is still refreshingly cold. As you drink in the rich culture of Cologne amid the dark-paneled walls and stained glass windows of its Old Town brewhouses, learn the brewing “secrets” that give Kölsch its distinctive character. You will also enjoy dinner at Brauhaus zur Malzmühle, since 1858 one of the most popular brauhaus restaurants and also a traditional meeting point for friends of the Kölsch culture.

Raise your glass and give a hearty “Prost!” to a delicious and fun evening. Despite its growing popularity, Rüdesheim has retained its small-town riverside charms. Nowhere is this more apparent than along the Drosselgasse, a narrow pedestrian way overflowing with wines and oom-pah-pah tunes. The proprietors of the Rüdesheimer Schloss keep another tradition alive—the earth-to-table approach to dining that brings the rich and varied flavors of their beloved Rheingau straight to your plate. During this evening excursion, board a mini-train to the 15th-century Drosselgasse. Take in the medieval atmosphere during a stroll past quiet, cozy wine bars and lively taverns through streets that were designed so that goods could be easily delivered from the river. Then sample the bounty of Germany’s Rheingau region during a festive dinner. Enjoy a full-course dinner with traditional music, and try the local Schnapps vom Brett as a digestif.

Stroll the charming medieval lanes and squares of Colmar and explore its “Little Venice” quarter. With its 9th-century streets, 13th-century Gothic churches and original Old Town, Colmar seems torn from a storybook. The city overflows with intact Alsatian homes and a colorful mix of French and German Renaissance architecture. 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. Later, 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.

We will be staying here for a few days before departing on the River Cruise. Help us explore this charming town.

What better way to enhance our fine dining experience than with our chosen bottle of exceptional wine.rnCheers!

It's casual, fun and perfect for an afternoon lunch. With so many restaurants in town, we'll choose the most perfect, casual restaurant where we'll take delight in the local cuisine.

We'll enjoy an evening by the sparkling Spui, located in the heart of Amsterdam, filled with vibrant entertainment, great restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere.

We’ll love a night just to ourselves! Indulging in the romantic ambiance, we’ll enjoy tantalizing cuisine at our favorite restaurant and make a toast to our lives together!

With so many dessert delicacies in town, we'll try local cravings. Who cares about the diet on our fantastic getaway!

We look forward to a traditional hearty German dinner, choosing from a menu with Das Spanferkel, Sauerkraut, Bockwurst, Bratwurst, das Brotchen with Pommes frites, or in English; suckling pig, sausages, pickled cabbage, fresh bread and fries.

We will visit all the trendy stores on the main street in the heart of the busy city, checking out the classically elegant European clothes in all the boutiques. We'll shop until we drop!

Chocolate tasting and souvenir shopping before departing on day one of the River Cruise

From the excellent service at the hotel to the attentive waiters at dinner, there's going to be a long list of people to thank for helping us have the perfect time away from home.