Day 1 - Tuesday - Apr 23, 2024
Arrive in Amsterdam and check into your hotel.
Day 2 - Wednesday - Apr 24, 2024
Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges, and distinctive architecture. (B)
Day 3 - Thursday - Apr 25, 2024
| Zaanse Schans, Netherlands |
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Check out of your hotel and, before transferring to your ship, visit Zaanse Schans, observing life as it used to be in the Netherlands. Authentic windmills, houses, and ships were relocated to this picturesque area, creating a typical 17th- to 18th-century village. (B,D)
Board the ship for your Rhine & Moselle Fairytales cruise. (D)
Day 4 - Friday - Apr 26, 2024
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you'll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Saturday - Apr 27, 2024
Enjoy cruising to Cologne, home to one of Germany's most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany's oldest town hall, the Overstolzenhaus, and the Festival Hall. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kolsch beer, only made in Cologne, and Reibekuchen, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Sunday - Apr 28, 2024
| Lahnstein, Germany, Germany |
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You have a choice to visit Burg Lahneck, a medieval 13th-century castle, located in the city of Lahnstein; or you can go to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress to take the aerial cable car over the Rhine to Koblenz, which boasts a rich history spanning more than 2,000 years. For those seeking a more active adventure, explore the area on the "Two Rivers Bike Tour", which takes you along both the Rhine and Moselle rivers; or go on a hike around Lahnstein to Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Monday - Apr 29, 2024
Spend the morning taking in the beauty of the Moselle on this scenic stretch of the river before reaching Cochem with its half-timbered houses and Reichsburg Castle. Join a guided tour through the castle and then walk through the Old Town. For those wishing to have a more active exploration of the area, you can go on a guided hike to the castle or a bike tour through Cochem. Or, for a different adventure, explore the Bundesbank Bunker to get a closer look at this mysterious Cold War-era bank vault. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Tuesday - Apr 30, 2024
Set sail for Trier, Germany's oldest city, where you can discover on a city tour why it has been called the "Rome of the North" as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alternatively, go in search of the secrets of the Porta Nigra gate on a tour that takes you back to a time when Rome ruled the world from the Emperor's seat in Trier. You also have the choice of a bike tour through the historic city center and along the Moselle River; or hike high above Trier to Petrisberg. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Wednesday - May 1, 2024
Enjoy a scenic cruise to Bernkastel that will enchant you. Walk through its colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided tour that also includes a winery visit and tasting. Cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike tour and hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Thursday - May 2, 2024
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, before reaching Rudesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, and afterwards, be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town's beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg. Later in the day, let Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum charm you or taste one of the town's special delights, Rudesheimer Kaffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee, and whipped cream. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Friday - May 3, 2024
| Ludwigshafen, Germany, Germany |
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| Ludwigshafen, Germany, Germany |
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You have a choice of several excursions, depending on your interest. Visit Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany's Castle Road. Alternatively, relive a bygone era on an excursion to the glorious Schwetzingen Baroque Palace. Tour this splendid palace furnished with over 800 exhibits. Or, you may decide to visit Schwetzingen Palace Gardens with more than 100 sculptures and admire an assortment of whimsical buildings. The Apollotempel houses a statue of the ancient Greek god of light and the arts, playing the lyre; and the most spectacular, the Turkischer Garten with a mosque, are a few of the many highlights you will see. You can also hike the historic Philosophers' Path along the Neckar River or bike to the charming town of Ladenburg and glide past its half-timbered architecture. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Saturday - May 4, 2024
Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l'Orangerie, the European Parliament, and the Place de la Republique before walking through its iconic "La Petite France" district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathedrale Notre-Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, the active adventurer can take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l'Orangerie. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - Sunday - May 5, 2024
Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Tower. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg's Munster, a Gothic cathedral said to have "the most beautiful spire on earth". Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside, or go on a hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. (B,L,D); Please Note: Black Forest hike is weather dependent and may only operate at certain times of year. Please refer to your final documents for details.
Day 14 - Monday - May 6, 2024
| Basel (Saxon), Switzerland |
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Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Switzerland as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)
| Basel (Saxon), Switzerland |
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Disembark the ship and, before transferring to Lucerne, go on a highlights tour of Basel. Once in Lucerne, stop at the iconic Lion Monument, sculpted in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution. Check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening. (B)
Day 15 - Tuesday - May 7, 2024
Discover the unrivaled beauty and charm of this pristine city on a walking tour. You'll also visit the spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century. (B)
Day 16 - Wednesday - May 8, 2024
Check out of your hotel and transfer via motorcoach to Zurich, traveling past scenic landscapes and Alpine lakes. Board a boat for a scenic lake cruise and later, check into your hotel. (B)
Day 17 - Thursday - May 9, 2024
Set alongside a glistening lake and framed by the Alps, Switzerland's largest city, Zurich, seamlessly blends its historic past with its progressive future-all of which will be on full display during your city tour. One of the top experiences in Zurich is a visit to Old Town where you will find yourself amongst medieval houses, churches, and the modern Bahnhofstrasse, a mile-long street featuring exclusive fashion boutiques, stores, and street cafes. (B)
Day 18 - Friday - May 10, 2024
After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home. (B)
