Sunday, Day 1
The highlight in Potsdam is the Palace of Sanssouci, former Summer
residence of Prussian King Frederick the Great. The palace itself with
its terraced garden and water pools is arguably the finest example of
Rococo in Europe. The New Palace, even larger and grander, stands at
the end of the long straight avenue that runs through the magnificent
Sanssouci park. After the tour, join the Serenité and enjoy a Champagne
Welcome during which you are introduced to the crew, the boat and the
cruise route. By 5pm we leave Potsdam passing through a number of
idyllic lakes on our way to the quaint town of Werder, our overnight
mooring spot. Dinner aboard.
Monday, Day 2
During breakfast we leave Werder and continue sailing through the lake
district. After lunch we stop in Brandenburg and have a short walk
through the town, before we continue to Genthin. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday, Day 3 From Genthin we take you on a half day excursion to Tangermünde, a
former Hanseatic town situated on the Elbe. It has a beautifully
preserved “Old Town” with brick Gothic half-timbered buildings that
give a genuine medieval atmosphere. The town center is surrounded by a
perfectly preserved town wall with impressive town gates.
Back onboard for lunch we have an engineering highlight ahead of us. We
cross the river Elbe by way of the newly opened 918m long canal bridge
of Rothensee.
Wednesday, Day 4 This morning we continue sailing on the Mittellandkanal. After lunch we
reach Wolfsburg, the home of Volkswagen. Here we find a unique park and
lake area ideal for exploring. Take a guided tour around this amazing
complex which includes the Time House, a 360° cinema, a simulator, a
car lab, shops, pavilions and restaurants. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 5
We pass Braunschweig and reach Hannover. Hannover is a city that mixes
commerce and culture well. It is Germany’s main trade-fair center and
an exemplary patron of the arts with leading museums, an opera house of
international repute, the old and the new town hall and the gothic
market church of Saints George and James. Hannover’s showpiece is the
garden of the former royal summer residence at Herrenhausen. The
magnificent palace was built in the 17th century by the Hannoverian
ruler Duke Johann Friedrich. The palace is no longer standing but the
Baroque park, unmatchable in Germany – has been restored to all its
formal glory, with geometric pattern of walks, gardens and copses
framed by a placid moat. Water fountains play for a few hours daily and
add their own element of Baroque grace. Dinner aboard.
Friday, Day 6
Just before arriving in the town of Minden, we cross the river Weser,
an impressive masterpiece of construction work. A small museum
describes the lock workings and the Weser area. Minden is a charming
town with very well restored half-timbered and painted houses in the
town square. The cathedral has a Romanesque façade and a striking 11th
century crucifix. A short excursion from Minden can be arranged to the
scenic spot of Porta Westfalica, where the river Weser has forced its
way through wooded hills. On each hill stands a memorial dedicated o
Wilhelm I. Back on board for Captain’s Farewell Dinner.
Saturday, Day 7
Transfer to the train station in Minden for your onward journey, leaving the barge between 9 and 10am.
Sunday, Day 1 - Lyon-Vienne
Guests are met at a Hotel in Lyon (to be specified) and are transferred
to Serenité moored in the centre of Lyon. After a Champagne Welcome we
introduce the boat, the crew and the cruise route. This afternoon we
start to cruise to Vienne where we arrive in the evening just before
dinner. Dinner aboard.
Monday, Day 2 - Vienne–Tournon
This morning we have a walking tour of Vienne before we continue
cruising downstream on the River Rhone to Tournon. The afternoon gives
us an opportunity to walk through the old town, if we cross over the
bridge we find ourselves in the idyllic village of Tain d’Hermitage, a
famous wine district with the oldest vineyards of France, dating back
to the Roman ages. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday, Day 3 - Tournon–Viviers–Bollène
This morning we leave Tournon with a last glimpse on the famous
vineyards and have almost a full day of sailing down the Rhone. Enjoy
the scenery, with quaint villages, vineyards and view of the
surrounding mountains as you relax on our large sundeck. The town dates
back to the Roman period with a bishops palace built back in the 4th
century. The cathedral was built in the 12th century and from there you
can enjoy a glorious view of the fortified town and the river.
Afterwards you can stroll through the narrow cobble stone streets that
still give you the feeling of the medieval ages. In the early evening
we sail a small distance to Bollene, where we moor overnight. Dinner
aboard.
Wednesday, Day 4 - Bollène–Avignon
This morning we take an excursion to Orange, here we find the most
beautiful and best preserved of the Roman antique theatres. Every
summer there is a well known festival where great operas are performed
in the theatre. From here we walk through the old town of Orange, where
we see the cathedral of Notre Dame, the town hall and the typical
provencal town squares. We drive to famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape, for a
visit and guided tour of a wine museum with a wine tasting. This is a
picturesque little village where everything revolves around its famous
and delicious wines. A short walk leads you up to the old castle ruins
with a splendid view over the river and valley. Back onboard for lunch,
we sail for another two hours, when we are greeted by the famous Pont
d’Avignon and the impressive Papal Palace. Our mooring place in Avignon
is near the bridge and a short walking distance to the palace. A visit
to the palace is a must, followed by a stroll through the older part of
town with lots of chances to shop for specialities of the Provence. We
moor overnight in Avignon. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 5 - Avignon–Arles
This morning you have a chance to visit the Papal palace on your own.
Audio guide phones are available. Around 11am we leave Avignon with a
last glimpse of the palace and are on our way to Arles. This afternoon
we take an excursion into fascinating Arles. The town has a very
southern, almost gipsy atmosphere, it was once a Roman capital in the
heart of the Provence. Highlights to visit on a city tour are the
ancient arena, the antique theatre, Constantine’s baths and perhaps a
shopping stroll through the narrow streets of this old town. Dinner
aboard.
Friday, Day 6 - Arles–Martigues
Early this morning we leave the river Rhone and enter the
canal-Rhone-a-Fos which leads us towards the Mediterranean Sea, however
we turn off towards Martigues in the Golf-du-Fos. As we sail parallel
to the sea, we have a chance to stop for a swim on the beach before
lunch aboard. In the afternoon we have a walking tour of Martigues,
also called the Venice of Provence, since the town centre is an island
surrounded by canals and offers all the charm of Provence as well as a
Mediterranean feeling. Alternatively you might be interested in a visit
to the nearby interesting town of Marseille. This last evening onboard
a farewell cocktail and dinner awaits you.
Saturday, Day 7 - Martigues
After breakfast we disembark at around 10am. Our transfer takes you to a central hotel in Marseille. (To be specified)
The cruise is sometimes in reverse direction and is also subject to change.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to
change. On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse
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