Day 1Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam, then transfer to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, your Program Director can organise a trip to the Anne Frank House. (D)
Day 2Kinderdijk
Sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. Learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, then enter an actual working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return aboard for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and try your hand at sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard). Cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 3Cologne
Continue along the Rhine this morning; arrive in Cologne and disembark for a walking tour. Walk through the cobbled streets of the Old Town past St. Martin’s Church, and spend some time inside Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral whose construction spanned more than six centuries. Explore the dockside taverns, cafés and shops on your own—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served aboard and we remain docked until late evening. (B, L, D)
Day 4Koblenz & Rüdesheim
Proceed down the Rhine, disembarking to tour 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and its museum. Lunch aboard as you enjoy this scenic passage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where many castles overlook the river.
Arrive in Rüdesheim in the late afternoon. Enjoy some free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and try a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars—dine aboard or in town if you prefer. Your ship remains docked until after midnight. (B, L, D)
Day 5Heidelberg & Speyer
Cruise through the morning, enjoying the passing scenery over brunch. Arrive in Mannheim and disembark for a ride to Heidelberg where you will see Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle, and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from its hilltop location. Continue with a walking tour through the Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates.
Rejoin your ship in Speyer this afternoon and take some time to look around. You are docked adjacent to the city’s imposing Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century on the site of a former basilica, the building’s design influenced Romanesque architecture for centuries to come, and is the final resting place of no fewer than eight German monarchs. Its soaring interior features graceful rows of sandstone columns and a large stained glass window installed in the western façade during a later Gothic period. (B, L, D)
Day 6Strasbourg
Dock this morning in Kehl and set off for a guided tour of the Alsatian capital of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed Notre Dame cathedral. The afternoon is free for further exploration of Strasbourg’s blend of French and German cultures—fabulous churches, medieval covered bridges, beautiful parks and some lovely Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. Dine aboard and enjoy free time this evening in the quaint little city of Kehl. (B, L, D)
Day 7Breisach
After cruising through the night, arrive during breakfast in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop for a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach for some free time before an early evening departure. Or, choose an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar, or an optional walking tour of a working vineyard. Dine aboard while you cruise on to Basel, arriving around midnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8Basel & Lucerne
After a final breakfast aboard, disembark your ship for your transfer to Lucerne through the spectacular Swiss countryside, enjoying views of Alpine meadows. Check in to the superior first-class Radisson Blu (or similar) for a 2-night stay, then take some free time this evening to sample some local treats or explore the Old Town area. (B)
Day 9Lucerne
This morning, embark on a guided walk through Lucerne’s Old Town in the shadow of the iconic Mount Pilatus. See the Chapel Bridge, iconic Water Tower and many traditional homes that once belonged to wealthy Swiss burghers. In the afternoon, spend some time exploring everything the city has to offer, or take an optional trip to Mount Pilatus. Ride to the top on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to experience sweeping views in every direction and, on the way down, take the panorama gondola for a different—although no less impressive—experience. Enjoy a final free evening in Lucerne. (B)
Day 10Lucerne
After breakfast, proceed to the airport for your return flight.* (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner