Itinerary
- Day 1
Lucerne
You'll arrive in this charming town situated on the Reuss River and can start exploring at your own pace. The town has several squares and churches worth checking out, and if you're in the mood for shopping, the city center has plenty of options to browse through.
Optional Activities
- Explore squares and churches
- Shopping in city center
- Day 2
Lucerne
A guided walking tour takes you through Lucerne's historic heart where you'll see the Lion Monument, wander through the Old Town, and visit the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower. The Jesuit Church is also part of the route, giving you a solid overview of the city's main sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour including Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, and Jesuit Church
Landmarks/POIs Lion Monument Chapel Bridge Water Tower Jesuit Church - Day 3
Lucerne to Basel to Breisach
This morning heads to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn depending on what's accessible seasonally, with views across central Switzerland from the top. If weather doesn't cooperate, the Swiss Transport Museum becomes your alternative. Later you transfer to Basel to board your river cruise ship and sail toward Breisach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Highlight Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn (or Swiss Transport Museum if weather unsuitable)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pilatus Mount Stanserhorn Swiss Transport Museum - Day 4
Breisach to Strasbourg
You have two options for the day: head into the Black Forest to see local traditions and the Christmas atmosphere, or explore Freiburg's medieval center in the Black Forest with its vineyards and Upper Rhine Valley gardens. An optional excursion to Colmar's half-timbered medieval village is also available. Evening brings a cruise to Strasbourg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour to Black Forest with local traditions and Christmas mood OR Guided Tour to Freiburg's medieval city center
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Colmar village
Landmarks/POIs Colmar - Day 5
Strasbourg
A city tour of Strasbourg covers the Gothic cathedral with its ancient murals and astronomical clock, then moves through La Petite France District. After that, free time lets you wander through the festive French winter markets with their lights and music. An optional wine country excursion to Alsace is available if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City Sightseeing Tour including Gothic cathedral with stained-glass windows, ancient murals and astronomical clock, and La Petite France District
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace wine country
- Explore Strasbourg Christmas markets
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France - Day 6
Mainz to Rüdesheim
Pick between visiting Heidelberg Castle during Christmas to see the renaissance ruins and the famous Great Vat wine barrel, or take a city walk in Mainz including the Gutenberg Museum about printing history. You'll have free time at the local Christmas market, and the evening brings you to Rüdesheim with live entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime including Great Vat OR Guided City Walk in Mainz including Gutenberg Museum
Optional Activities
- Visit local Christmas markets
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Gutenberg Museum - Day 7
Rüdesheim to Koblenz
A guided tour covers the Mechanical Music Museum followed by authentic Rüdesheimer coffee tasting. Free time lets you browse the festive Christmas markets and warm up with mulled wine. Later you sail through the Rhine Gorge past clifftop castles and the Lorelei Rock, then explore Koblenz markets before returning for dinner and entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Mechanical Music Museum with authentic Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
- Sailing through Rhine Gorge
Optional Activities
- Explore Rüdesheim Christmas markets
- Explore Koblenz Christmas markets
Landmarks/POIs Mechanical Music Museum Rhine Gorge Rock of the Lorelei - Day 8
Koblenz to Amsterdam
A guided walk through Cologne focuses on the twin-steepled gothic cathedral, and free time allows browsing the Christmas markets. Later this afternoon you'll sit in on a lecture about European Christmas traditions before the ship departs for Amsterdam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk of Cologne including twin-steepled gothic cathedral
- Onboard lecture about European Christmas traditions
Optional Activities
- Explore Cologne Christmas markets
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral - Day 9
Amsterdam
A guided canal cruise shows you Amsterdam's waterways and the stately Golden Age homes along the banks. The rest of the day is free to explore the city and its Christmas atmosphere, or you can join an optional excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and traditional Dutch houses.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's Golden Age
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and Dutch houses
- Explore Amsterdam Christmas markets
Landmarks/POIs Zaanse Schans - Day 10
Amsterdam
This morning you'll have breakfast on the ship before disembarking. From there you'll head home, wrapping up your river cruise journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
