Day 1Antwerp
Arrive in Antwerp, then transfer to your ship.* After boarding, enjoy free time to explore the city—or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. (D)
Day 2Antwerp
This morning, tour Antwerp. See the Town Hall, Steen Castle and Our Lady Cathedral, with its four magnificent altarpieces painted by Peter Paul Rubens. After lunch aboard, the rest of your day is free to explore Antwerp’s wonderful shops and cafés. Dinner aboard before evening departure. (B, L, D)
Day 3Brugge & Ghent
This morning we dock in Ghent. From here, take a morning tour to Brugge. See the medieval Beguinage courtyard and gardens, the Church of Our Lady, beautiful canals and Simon Stevin Square. Stay in Brugge for lunch on your own, or return to Ghent for lunch aboard and an afternoon exploring the charming capital of East Flanders. Dine aboard and depart this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 4Kinderdijk & Rotterdam
Arrive in Kinderdijk early this morning. After breakfast, take an excursion to see the 18th-century windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and tour a working windmill. Board your ship for departure and lunch; sail to Rotterdam. You have the afternoon to explore Rotterdam, Holland’s second-largest city—or take an optional journey to Delft, famous for its blue-and-white pottery. Stop at one of the last Delftware factories for a demonstration. Return aboard for dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 5Gouda & Amsterdam
After breakfast, take a journey to Hoogerwaard Cheese Farm for a guided tour and a demonstration of the craft of artisanal cheese-making. Continue to Gouda to see the Town Hall and St. John’s Church, both Gothic in style. Return to your ship in Utrecht for lunch aboard and sail to Amsterdam, arriving late afternoon. Dinner is served aboard, or you may choose to explore Amsterdam’s terrific restaurants and nightlife. (B, L, D)
Day 6Amsterdam
This morning, enjoy a glass-topped canal cruise past merchant houses and the famed Skinny Bridge. Your afternoon is free to enjoy more of Amsterdam’s charming neighborhoods or visit the Van Gogh Museum and explore works by the famed artist and others. Lunch and dinner aboard; feel free to enjoy a bit more of Amsterdam this evening before a late departure. (B, L, D)
Day 7Arnhem
Arrive during breakfast in Arnhem and enjoy an excursion to the Dutch Royal Family’s former summer residence, Paleis Het Loo†. Tour the palace’s lavish rooms; then stroll through the picture-perfect gardens fashioned after those of Versailles. Return to your ship for lunch, then take the opportunity to explore Arnhem, a quaint town rich in World War II history. Dine aboard. Evening departure. (B, L, D)
†Closed on Mondays; battlefield visit or museum tour will be substituted.
Day 8Cologne
Your morning walking tour takes you past St. Martin’s Church to Cologne’s Old Town and includes a visit to the magnificent Gothic cathedral. Lunch and dinner are served aboard, but dockside there are many taverns, cafés and shops to explore. Depart late tonight. (B, L, D)
Day 9Cochem
Spend the morning enjoying the scenery along the Rhine and Moselle. Arrive in Cochem after lunch and take a walking tour of this quaint village. See its medieval town gate and marketplace, then visit a winery an taste some local vintages. Return to your ship for dinner and an evening departure. (B, L, D)
Day 10Koblenz & Rüdesheim
Wake up in Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. This morning’s excursion takes you to the 700-year-old Marksburg Castle. Lunch aboard; this afternoon we sail through the glorious Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing charming villages, many castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Enjoy dinner aboard as we arrive in picturesque Rüdesheim, where you can spend a pleasant evening in the city’s Drosselgasse, a pedestrian-only street lined with shops and pubs. (B, L, D)
Day 11Heidelberg & Speyer
Relax over brunch this morning, then take a journey to Heidelberg, home to Germany’s oldest university founded in 1386. A guided tour features imposing Heidelberg Castle, a red sandstone ruin overlooking the Neckar River. Continue with a walking tour through the Old Town and marketplace. Rejoin your ship in Speyer and enjoy some free time in this quiet German town before we depart this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 12Strasbourg
After breakfast, take a guided walking tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and enjoy a guided visit inside the city’s famed cathedral. Free time allows you to further explore the old section of this French-German city steeped in traditions that defy shifting international borders. Dinner is served aboard, but we remain docked until midnight. (B, L, D)
Day 13Breisach
This morning, arrive in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. After breakfast, enjoy an excursion through the area’s mountain landscape, meadows and dense forests and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Free afternoon to discover Breisach’s charming downtown district and catch sweeping Rhine Valley views from the cathedral hill. You may wish to participate in a painting workshop—create your own masterpiece to take home. Or, join our optional guided walking tour of Colmar, a quaint Alsatian town. Dine aboard and cruise through the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 14Basel
After breakfast, join a guided walk of this multicultural city. See its historic Middle Bridge, cathedral and steep winding streets. Take the afternoon to explore one of the city’s many outstanding art museums. Lunch and dinner are served aboard; remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 15Basel
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the Basel airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 2 nights in Lucerne. Enjoy the scenic landscape of the Swiss Alps with a view from your hotel, situated on the banks of beautiful Lake Lucerne. (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner