Day 1: AMSTERDAM  EMBARKATION

Day 2:  AMSTERDAM

Canal cruise tour  & Scenic cruising out of Amsterdam

Day 3: DÜSSELDORF

Cologne “Holy City” walking tour and cathedral visit

OR Düsseldorf walking tour

OR Bike tour

Day 4: RHINE GORGE

Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising

Rüdesheim wine tasting

OR Gondola ride

OR Vineyards hike

OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau

Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum

OR Rüdesheimer Coffee

Day 5: LUDWIGSHAFEN

“Romantic Heidelberg” excursion OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour

OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s hike

OR Ladenburg bike tour

Day 6: STRASBOURG

“The Gem of Alsace” tour

OR Strasbourg bike tour

Day 7: BREISACH

Riquewihr walking tour

OR Freiburg excursion

OR Black Forest hike

OR Breisach wine country bike tour

Day 8: BASEL

DISEMBARKATION

Options to Extend your Stay in Switzerland or other places in Europe! 

Day 1, AMSTERDAM. Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Captivating Rhine cruise.

Day 2, AMSTERDAM. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.

Day 3, DÜSSELDORF. As a leading hub for German culture, commerce, and architecture, Düsseldorf is a mustvisit city for any travelers on the Rhine. Here, you will have multiple options for the day’s excursion. Explore historic Düsseldorf on foot with a knowledgeable local tour guide, or cover more ground with an active bike tour of the city. Alternatively, kick up your feet with a German beer tasting, sampling the best local brews Düsseldorf has to offer. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a brief trip to the nearby city of Cologne. Home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral, this 2,000yearold city is also a bustling cosmopolitan hotspot. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town and explore the UNESCOdesignated cathedral, where the remains of the fabled Three Kings—the Magi— are believed to rest. 

Day 4, RHINE GORGE RÜDESHEIM. Cruise through the captivating UNESCOdesignated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of selfplaying musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. 

Day 5, LUDWIGSHAFEN. Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18thcentury, 49,000gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site —and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or join a guided bike tour along the shores of the river Neckar and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg. 

Day 6, STRASBOURG. Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie. 

Day 7, BREISACH. Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. 

Day 8, BASEL. After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland if you are returning on a flight home. Options available to extend your travels on land within Switzerland or beyond!