Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
After finishing breakfast, you'll head to the airport for your return flight home, wrapping up your Rhine cruise adventure through Switzerland.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 2
Breisach
Breisach gives you several directions to go. You can walk around the 16th-century streets of Riquewihr in Alsace, or head to Freiburg to see its famous Gothic cathedral. If you're up for physical activity, there's cycling through the countryside or hiking in the Kaiserstuhl volcanic region with its vineyards and unique terrain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Riquewihr with visit to Dolder Gate
- Visit to Freiburg and Freiburg's Münster Gothic cathedral
- Cycling tour through the countryside
- Hiking through the Kaiserstuhl volcanic region
Landmarks/POIs Riquewihr Dolder Gate Freiburg's Münster Kaiserstuhl - Day 3
Strasbourg
In Strasbourg, you'll find a blend of French and German influences. Take a short drive to Place de la République and walk through La Petite France with its charming streets and the Cathedral featuring an astronomical clock. If you prefer two wheels, there's a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l'Orangerie available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of La Petite France district
- Visit to Cathédrale de Notre Dame and astronomical clock
- Guided bike ride through Strasbourg and Parc de l'Orangerie
Landmarks/POIs Place de la République La Petite France Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Strasbourg Parc de l'Orangerie - Day 4
Ludwigshafen
From Ludwigshafen, choose between visiting Heidelberg to see the castle and Great Vat, or joining a guided hike up Philosopher's Path for views of the area. You could also head to Speyer for its massive Romanesque cathedral, or pedal along the Neckar River to Ladenburg on a guided bike tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat
- Guided hike up Philosopher's Path in Heidelberg
- Visit to Speyer and the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe
- Visit to medieval Old Gate (Altpörtel) in Speyer
- Guided bike tour along the Neckar River shores through Ladenburg
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Great Vat Philosopher's Path Speyer Cathedral Altpörtel Ladenburg - Day 5
Rüdesheim
You'll cruise through the UNESCO Rhine Gorge before arriving in Rüdesheim. Stop for a wine tasting to try local vineyards, take a gondola up to Niederwalddenkmal, or hike through the vineyard rows yourself. Later, check out Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet or try the local Rüdesheimer coffee specialty.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rhine Gorge cruise through UNESCO-designated area
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Rüdesheim vineyards
- Gondola ride to Niederwalddenkmal
- Hiking through Rüdesheim vineyards
- Guided bike tour along the Rhine River
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet
- Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge Niederwalddenkmal Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet - Day 6
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is a major center for German culture and architecture. Head to nearby Cologne to see its Gothic cathedral and explore the old town, or stay and walk around Düsseldorf with a local guide while tasting Altbier, the area's signature beer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral
- Visit to Cologne Rathaus (oldest town hall in Germany)
- Visit to Old Market (Alter Markt) in Cologne
- Visit to Heumarkt in Cologne
- Walking tour of historic Düsseldorf with local guide
- Altbier tasting in Düsseldorf
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral Cologne Rathaus Alter Markt Heumarkt - Day 7
Amsterdam
If you haven't done the canal cruise yet, join a boat that goes under the bridges and past Amsterdam's iconic buildings. Or take a walking tour and sample local foods like bitterballen and Dutch cheese at a café. Later in the afternoon, the ship departs Amsterdam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Amsterdam canal cruise (if not completed earlier)
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Amsterdam with sampling of local delicacies including bitterballen and Dutch cheese at grand cafes
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals - Day 8
Amsterdam
Spend the day at the Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands' national museum with 800 years of Dutch history. You'll walk through the world's largest collection of Dutch and Flemish art, seeing works like Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch' and Vermeer's 'The Milkmaid.'
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Special tour of Rijksmuseum featuring Dutch and Flemish art collection including Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch' and Vermeer's 'The Milkmaid'
Landmarks/POIs Rijksmuseum - Day 9
Utrecht
Start with a scenic canal cruise through Amsterdam's 165 canals. Later, cruise to Utrecht through the IJsselmeer and explore the medieval old town and Gothic cathedral there. You can also visit Museum Speelklok with its collection of musical instruments, or take a walk or bike tour around De Haar, Holland's largest castle with its turrets and moats.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Amsterdam canal cruise
- Scenic cruise through IJsselmeer to Utrecht
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Utrecht's medieval old town and Gothic cathedral
- Visit to Museum Speelklok
- Walking tour of De Haar castle
- Biking tour of De Haar castle
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals IJsselmeer Utrecht Cathedral Museum Speelklok De Haar Castle - Day 10
Hellevoetsluis
After cruising through the delta, you'll reach Hellevoetsluis, a medieval harbor town on an island. See the working De Hoop windmill and charming wharf houses, then learn about the Delta Works storm surge barrier at the Flood Museum. There's also a bike tour option across the Haringvlietdam if you prefer pedaling.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Delta cruise to Hellevoetsluis
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Hellevoetsluis medieval harbor town
- Visit to De Hoop windmill
- Visit to Flood Museum
- Bike tour from Hellevoetsluis across Haringvlietdam
Landmarks/POIs De Hoop Windmill Flood Museum Haringvlietdam - Day 11
Ghent
Explore Ghent on a walking tour to learn its unique history, or bike through the town on a guided route. Alternatively, go to Bruges to see the Church of Our Lady with Michelangelo's marble Madonna and Child sculpture. Another option is spending time at Ghent's moated Castle of the Counts and its medieval collections.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Ghent (Capital of East Flanders)
- Guided bike tour through Ghent
- Full-day excursion to Bruges including Church of Our Lady with Michelangelo's Madonna and Child sculpture
- Afternoon excursion to Bruges
- Visit to Castle of the Counts in Ghent
Landmarks/POIs Castle of the Counts Church of Our Lady - Day 12
Brussels
You can walk through Brussels on a guided tour or bike through the capital on a guided route. History buffs can visit World War II Battle of the Bulge sites and taste Trappist beer. If you're not doing the full-day tour, choose an afternoon excursion like Gaasbeek Castle or a Belgian chocolate tasting instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Brussels
- Guided bike ride through Brussels
- Full-day World War II Battle of the Bulge tour with Trappist beer tasting
- Visit to Gaasbeek Castle (afternoon excursion)
- Belgian chocolate tasting (afternoon excursion)
Landmarks/POIs Gaasbeek Castle - Day 13
Antwerp
Walk around Antwerp, the trendy 'City of Diamonds,' to see Steen Castle, Grote Market, and the Brabo Fountain, plus the UNESCO Cathedral of Our Lady. Active travelers might bike through the city instead. Beer lovers can do a tasting of local brews, or food enthusiasts can sample Belgian waffles and culinary specialties. An afternoon bike tour to the Red Star Line Museum is also available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Antwerp including Steen Castle, Grote Market, and Brabo Fountain
- Visit to Cathedral of Our Lady
- Guided bike tour through Antwerp
- Local beer tasting in Antwerp
- Belgian waffles and culinary delights tasting
- Afternoon bike tour including Red Star Line Museum
Landmarks/POIs Steen Castle Grote Market Brabo Fountain Cathedral of Our Lady Red Star Line Museum - Day 14
Dordrecht
Dordrecht, founded in 1220, was largely destroyed by a 15th-century flood that created its current wetlands. Learn about the history on a walking tour, or visit Rotterdam and Delfshaven where the Pilgrim fathers sailed in 1620. For something different, explore Gorinchem or take an architectural bike tour through Rotterdam. By afternoon, head to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO site with the country's largest concentration of 18th-century windmills that you can also explore by bike.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Dordrecht
- Visit to Rotterdam and Delfshaven
- Visit to Gorinchem and its picturesque Old Town
- Architectural bike tour through Rotterdam
- Visit to Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Bike tour past Kinderdijk windmills
Landmarks/POIs Rotterdam Delfshaven Gorinchem Kinderdijk - Day 15
Embarkation
You'll board the ship and set off on your Grand Rhine cruise adventure.
- Meals
- Dinner
