Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and have the full day to explore before your ship boards at 5 pm (make sure your flight gets you there by 3:30 pm). During tulip season, there's an optional guided tour to Keukenhof gardens where you'll see millions of tulips and bulbs spread across the grounds. If you're visiting outside that season, Zaanse Schans offers a chance to see historic windmills and traditional Dutch houses instead. Either way, grab lunch somewhere in the city, walk around the canals, and head back to the port in time for boarding.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens (during tulip season)
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses (outside tulip season)
Landmarks/POIs Keukenhof Zaanse Schans - Day 2
Amsterdam to Cologne
Your Adventure Host will guide you through Amsterdam's best spots. You can choose an off-the-beaten-path walking tour through the old cobblestone streets or take a guided canal cruise past the beautiful Golden Age homes with their distinctive facades. After lunch, pick from the optional excursions or use the afternoon to check out the city's galleries, colorful streets, and local shops on your own. Later, you'll cruise toward Cologne as evening falls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam's cobblestone streets (choice of activity)
- Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's Golden Age (choice of activity)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursions available in Amsterdam
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals - Day 3
Cologne
Cologne gives you several options for the day. Bike around like the locals with your Adventure Host, join a guided walking tour focused on the city's Jewish heritage sites, or take a guided city walk that highlights the twin-steepled gothic cathedral. You'll have free time to sample Kölsch pale lager, the local beer brewed here for over 100 years. Before you leave for Rüdesheim later, local musicians will perform live entertainment on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride through Cologne with Adventure Host (choice of activity)
- Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's Jewish heritage sites (choice of activity)
- Guided City Walk of Cologne with twin-steepled gothic cathedral (choice of activity)
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral - Day 4
Rüdesheim
The ship sails through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you'll see ancient castles perched about 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei. Once in Rüdesheim, choose between hiking through vineyards with your Adventure Host, touring the Mechanical Music Museum with Rüdesheimer coffee tasting, or visiting the historic 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar at Johannisberg Castle for wine tasting. Live entertainment happens on board this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim with Adventure Host (choice of activity)
- Guided Tour of Mechanical Music Museum with Rüdesheimer coffee tasting (choice of activity)
- Guided Visit to Johannisberg Castle's 18th-century wooden-barrel cellar with wine tasting (choice of activity)
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge Rock of the Lorelei Johannisberg Castle - Day 5
Heidelberg
You're in Heidelberg with a few activities to pick from. Take an inspiring walk on the Philosophers' Way with your Adventure Host, join a guided city walk that includes the Gutenberg Museum to explore printing history, or tour Heidelberg Castle to see the renaissance ruins and the famous Great Vat, known as the World's Largest Wine Barrel. You'll cruise to Kehl after dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk on the Philosophers' Way with Adventure Host (choice of activity)
- Guided City Walk of Heidelberg including Gutenberg Museum (choice of activity)
- Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle with visit to Great Vat, the 'World's Largest Wine Barrel' (choice of activity)
Landmarks/POIs Philosophers' Way Gutenberg Museum Heidelberg Castle - Day 6
Strasbourg
Strasbourg awaits, and your Adventure Host can take you biking around the city or on a city sightseeing tour featuring the Gothic cathedral with its ancient murals and astronomical clock, plus the charming La Petite France District. You have options to visit the historic Maginot Line from pre-WWII times, explore Alsace's wine country, or simply take free time for a museum visit or a walk through the city center. Later, cruise to Breisach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour of Strasbourg with Adventure Host (choice of activity)
- City Sightseeing Tour including Gothic cathedral with stained-glass windows and astronomical clock, and La Petite France District (choice of activity)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line
- Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace wine country
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France Maginot Line - Day 7
Black Forest
You can do a full-day guided tour to the Black Forest, where you'll visit the Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum, see an authentic water mill, and watch a traditional butter-making demonstration. Or pick a guided tour through Freiburg's medieval city center with its Black Forest backdrop. There's also an option to visit the charming village of Colmar with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. By evening, your ship cruises to Basel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full-day Guided Tour to Black Forest including Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum, authentic water mill, and traditional butter-making demonstration (choice of activity)
- Guided Tour of Freiburg's medieval city center with Black Forest backdrop (choice of activity)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Colmar village
Landmarks/POIs Black Forest Vogtsbauernhof Freiburg Colmar - Day 8
Departure
Your cruise ends this morning after breakfast. You'll disembark in Basel and arrange your departure from there or head to Zurich airport depending on your travel plans.
- Meals
- Breakfast
