Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam with your ship ready for boarding by 5 pm. If you get there early, there's time to walk through the city and see some of its Christmas traditions. There's also a guided tour option to Zaanse Schans where you can check out historic windmills and charming Dutch houses scattered throughout the area.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses
Landmarks/POIs Zaanse Schans 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
The day focuses on Amsterdam's waterways with a guided canal cruise taking you past stately homes from the city's Golden Age. You'll see the grand architecture that made Amsterdam wealthy centuries ago. After the cruise, the ship heads toward Cologne, sailing overnight to get there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's 'Golden Age'
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals - Day 3
Cologne
Start with an onboard lecture about Christmas traditions to get some cultural context. Then you'll head out on a guided city walk through Cologne to see the iconic twin-steepled gothic cathedral that dominates the skyline. The afternoon opens up for exploring the festive Christmas markets, and back on the ship there's live entertainment in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture
- Guided City Walk of Cologne with twin-steepled gothic cathedral
Optional Activities
- Enjoy festive Christmas markets
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral 
- Day 4
Rüdesheim
The ship sails through the scenic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site where ancient castles sit perched on cliffsides and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei comes into view. You'll visit the Mechanical Music Museum and have a chance to try authentic Rüdesheimer coffee. Later, explore the Christmas markets in town before returning to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Mechanical Music Museum with tasting of authentic Rüdesheimer coffee
- Sail through Rhine Gorge with views of ancient castles and Rock of the Lorelei
Optional Activities
- Explore winter wonderlands and seasonal handiwork in the city
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge Rock of the Lorelei Mechanical Music Museum 
- Day 5
Heidelberg
You have two main options today. One is a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle with its famous Great Vat, the world's largest wine barrel, taking in the Christmastime atmosphere. The other choice is a guided city walk that includes the Gutenberg Museum. By evening, the ship moves on to Kehl for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime with Great Vat (World's Largest Wine Barrel)
- Guided City Walk with visit to Gutenberg Museum
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Gutenberg Museum 
- Day 6
Strasbourg
Join a city sightseeing tour that covers Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral with its stained glass windows and astronomical clock. You'll also walk through the magical La Petite France District with its narrow streets and character. Spend free time at the French Christmas markets, or if you're interested, there's an optional excursion to Alsace wine country.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City Sightseeing Tour including Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral with stained glass and astronomical clock, and La Petite France District
Optional Activities
- Explore French winter markets of Strasbourg
- Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace wine country
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France 
- Day 7
Black Forest Region
Choose between a full-day guided tour to the Black Forest to experience local traditions and the Christmas mood there, or stay closer and explore Freiburg's medieval city center with the Black Forest as a backdrop. If Colmar appeals to you, there's an optional excursion to see its charming half-timbered medieval buildings and explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full-day Guided Tour to Black Forest to experience local traditions and Christmas mood
- Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city center
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to charming village of Colmar with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings
Landmarks/POIs Black Forest Freiburg Colmar - Day 8
Lucerne
You'll disembark and head to Mount Pilatus for views over central Switzerland (or visit the Swiss Transport Museum if weather doesn't cooperate). From there, move into Lucerne for a guided walking tour that shows you Thorvaldsen's Lion Monument and the famous Chapel Bridge, two of the city's most recognizable sights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Special highlight excursion to Mount Pilatus with motorcoach transfer for spectacular views over central Switzerland
- Guided Walking tour of Lucerne including Thorvaldsen's Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
Optional Activities
- Visit Swiss Transport Museum (in case of bad weather)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pilatus Thorvaldsen's Lion Monument Chapel Bridge 
- Day 9
Lucerne
This is your leisurely day in Lucerne. Wander through the city's squares and churches at your own pace, noticing how tradition and modern life sit side by side. The city center has good shopping if that interests you, or you can just take things slowly and enjoy the atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore squares and churches in Lucerne
- Shopping in Lucerne city center
- Day 10
Lucerne
Your vacation ends this morning with breakfast. After eating, you'll prepare for departure and head home with memories from the Rhine cruise and Swiss Alps.
- Meals
- Breakfast
