Itinerary
- Day 1
Basel
You'll arrive in Basel and transfer from the airport to your river ship. After settling in, spend some time wandering around the city on your own to get oriented. Dinner happens on board this evening, so you'll have a chance to meet fellow travelers and relax after your journey.
- Meals
- Dinner (Served on board)
Included Activities
- Guided orientation time in Basel
Landmarks/POIs Basel Rhine River - Day 2
Breisach
The ship docks in Breisach, your entry point to the Black Forest region. A scenic excursion takes you through the mountain landscape where you'll visit a local workshop for a cuckoo clock-making demonstration and see how Black Forest Cake is prepared. You're back on the ship by lunchtime. If you're interested, optional trips are available to Colmar for its medieval architecture and museums, or to explore Colmar's World War II history. Dinner's on board before you cruise overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Served on board ship), Dinner (Served on board ship)
Included Activities
- Scenic excursion through Black Forest
- Cuckoo clock-making demonstration at local workshop
- Black Forest Cake preparation demonstration
- One complimentary shore excursion (choice of activities)
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Colmar to explore medieval, Gothic and Renaissance architecture and fine arts museum
- Optional excursion exploring Colmar's World War II history
Landmarks/POIs Breisach Black Forest Colmar - Day 3
Strasbourg
After disembarking in Strasbourg, a guided tour shows you the European Parliament and takes you through the famous cathedral's interior. Later you have free time to explore the city's mix of French and German influences, walk across the medieval covered bridges, and check out the art nouveau buildings. Optional excursions let you head to Alsatian wine country for tastings or try a culinary tour with food samples and wine pairings. You'll return to the ship for dinner before departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Served on board ship)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Strasbourg
- Visit to European Parliament
- Interior tour of Strasbourg Cathedral
- Free time to explore Strasbourg
- One complimentary shore excursion (choice of activities)
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Alsatian wine country with informative winery tour and tasting
- Optional culinary excursion exploring Strasbourg with samples of Alsatian cuisine, regional dessert specialties, meats, and wine pairings
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Cathedral European Parliament Strasbourg - Day 4
Heidelberg to Rüdesheim
Breakfast comes first, then you disembark for Heidelberg's guided tour. The day includes visiting Heidelberg Castle ruins and taking in views over the Neckar River Valley with its red-tiled rooftops. A walk through Old Town brings you to the city's historic gates. Back on the ship by lunchtime, you cruise through the afternoon and reach Rudesheim early in the evening. The pedestrian-only Drosselgasse is perfect for an evening stroll and sampling local wine, or you can dine on board or opt for an optional shore dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Served on board ship), Dinner (Served on board ship or explore dining options in town)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Visit to Heidelberg Castle
- Walking tour through Old Town Heidelberg
- Free time in Drosselgasse, Rüdesheim
Optional Activities
- Optional dinner on shore in Rüdesheim
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Neckar River Valley Drosselgasse Rüdesheim - Day 5
Middle Rhine Valley to Koblenz
You'll cruise through the Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where castles and fortresses perch on hilltops above the river. By afternoon you reach Koblenz and disembark for a tour of the 700-year-old Marksburg Castle. Optional excursions go to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress or to Moselle wine country for tastings. After returning to your ship, you'll have lunch and free time to explore this charming town where the Moselle and Rhine Rivers meet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Served on board ship), Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Rhine River cruise through Middle Rhine Valley
- Guided tour of Marksburg Castle
- Free time in Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
- Optional excursion to Moselle wine country with winery tour and tasting
Landmarks/POIs Middle Rhine Valley Marksburg Castle Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Koblenz - Day 6
Cologne
Morning brings a guided tour of Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city. You'll stroll through Old Town past St. Martin's Church and visit the Dom, Germany's largest cathedral and a UNESCO site. Free time lets you explore the atmospheric waterfront, or take an optional trip up the Dom's roof for close architecture views and bird's-eye vistas of the city. Another optional excursion focuses on Kolsch beer culture and a brauhaus dinner. Dinner on board comes before a late-evening departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Served on board ship)
Included Activities
- Morning guided tour of Cologne
- Visit to St. Martin's Church
- Interior visit to Cologne Cathedral (Dom)
- Free time at Cologne waterfront
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion ascending to Dom's roof for architectural views and panoramic vistas of Cologne
- Optional excursion exploring Cologne's beer culture with Kölsch beer sampling and brauhaus dinner
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral (Dom) St. Martin's Church Cologne Old Town - Day 7
Middle Rhine to Kinderdijk and Amsterdam
Morning cruising along the Rhine gives you scenic views while you sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, plus hear about the Dutch Golden Age. By afternoon you reach Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and disembark to tour its network of windmills and flood management systems. You'll go inside a working windmill to see how it operates and check out the living quarters. Back on your ship for dinner before heading to Amsterdam, where you'll arrive around midnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Served on board ship)
Included Activities
- Rhine River cruise with scenic views
- Dutch cheese and jenever sampling
- Enrichment presentation on Dutch Golden Age
- Guided tour of Kinderdijk windmill network
- Interior tour of working windmill with mechanisms and living quarters
Landmarks/POIs Kinderdijk Amsterdam - Day 8
Amsterdam
After breakfast, you disembark and head to the airport for your return flight. If you'd rather stay longer, you can book 2 additional nights in Amsterdam to explore neighborhoods, check out museums, and experience the nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional 2-night extension in Amsterdam to explore neighborhoods, museums and nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam
