Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and get transferred to your hotel in the city center. After settling in, you have two nights to walk around at your own pace and get familiar with the area before the guided portion starts tomorrow.
- Day 2
Amsterdam
A local guide takes you on a walking tour through Amsterdam, covering the city's art scene and buildings. The Rijksmuseum is the main stop, and you'll see over 8,000 pieces there including works from Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Rubens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Amsterdam
- Rijksmuseum visit
Landmarks Rijksmuseum - Day 3
Amsterdam to River Ship
You'll check out of your Amsterdam hotel and transfer to the Emerald Waterways Star-Ship. After boarding this modern river cruiser, you'll meet other passengers and have a welcome dinner on board that evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner on board)
- Day 4
Rotterdam to Dordrecht
Rotterdam's walking tour shows you the city's post-WWII reconstruction with its modern architecture and the historic Witte Huis. Later you'll sail to Dordrecht where the Activity Manager leads another walk through town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rotterdam
- Walk to town with Activity Manager in Dordrecht
Landmarks Witte Huis - Day 5
Nijmegen
Nijmegen is the oldest town in the Netherlands and was once the Roman settlement of Noviomagus. A walking tour takes you through the center to see the architecture and learn about the famous International Four Days Marches.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nijmegen walking tour
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Nijmegen
- Visit to Palais Het Loo (extra expense)
Landmarks Waal River - Day 6
Bonn
The ship arrives in Bonn, which used to be West Germany's capital and is Beethoven's birthplace. During the walking tour, you'll see Bonn Minster with its Romanesque and Gothic style, plus the Old Town with the Altes Rathaus and Beethoven House.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bonn
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Bonn
Landmarks Bonn Minster Altes Rathaus Beethoven House - Day 7
Bernkastel
Bernkastel sits on the Moselle River with buildings that date back to 1416. You can taste the region's famous Riesling wine or hike up to the Landshut Castle Ruins for views over the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Moselle vineyard hike & wine tasting
- Active hike to Landshut Castle Ruins
Landmarks Landshut Castle Ruins 
- Day 8
Cochem
A guided tour of Cochem covers the well-preserved town wall, old fortifications, and town hall. You can either visit the Reichsburg Castle or take a cycling tour along the Moselle if you prefer that option.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cochem
- Visit to Reichsburg Castle
Optional Activities
- Cycling along the Moselle
- German Beer Garden Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Reichsburg Castle 
- Day 9
Sankt Goar to Rüdesheim
Start the morning with a hike around the Rheinfels Castle ruins in Sankt Goar overlooking the Moselle. Later the ship sails to Rüdesheim where you can visit the Schloss Johannisberg Winery or hike through vineyards to the Niederwalddenkmal Monument.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning hike with Activity Manager in Sankt Goar
Optional Activities
- Wine visit and tasting at Schloss Johannisberg
- Active hike to Niederwalddenkmal Monument
- Rüdesheim with specialty coffee (extra expense)
Landmarks Rheinfels Castle Schloss Johannisberg Niederwalddenkmal Monument 
- Day 10
Mainz
A guided tour of Mainz shows you the sandstone cathedral, medieval market squares, and half-timbered houses in the Old Town. You'll also learn about Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the printing press and made the first printed books in the 1400s.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Reception & Dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Mainz
Optional Activities
- Visit to Eberbach Abbey & wine tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Mainz Cathedral - Day 11
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the medieval capital of Alsace in France. You'll take a canal cruise through petite France with its narrow lanes and covered bridges, pass the Vauban Dam, and see the UNESCO-listed Neustadt before having free time to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal cruise Strasbourg
Optional Activities
- Alsatian Wine Route (extra expense)
Landmarks Petite France Vauban Dam Neustadt Imperial Quarter - Day 12
Colmar
The town of Colmar has cobblestone lanes with colorful buildings and flowers. You can walk through the streets or take a canoeing trip on the Rhine for a different view of the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar
Optional Activities
- Canoeing on the banks of the Rhine
Landmarks Rhine River - Day 13
Basel to Lucerne
You'll cross into Switzerland at Basel on the Rhine and then transfer by coach to Lucerne. The Tour Director gives you a guided tour covering the Chapel Bridge and Old Town, and you'll stay for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Lucerne
Landmarks Chapel Bridge 
- Day 14
Lucerne
This day is free to spend as you like in Lucerne. Walk through the Old Town, stroll by the waterfront, or sit at a café. There's an optional excursion to Mount Rigi if you want alpine views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Train & cable car ride to Rigi – Weggis (extra expense)
Landmarks Mount Rigi - Day 15
Lucerne to Zurich
You'll head by coach from Lucerne to Zurich, a modern city with church steeples, cobbled streets, and contemporary areas. After arriving, a guide shows you the main sights, then you have free time for the lakeside and old town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Zurich
- Day 16
Zurich to Airport
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye and transfer to the airport, traveling through mountains and forests on the way home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
