Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and board your river cruise ship. After checking in and getting settled in your stateroom, dinner happens on board that evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Amsterdam
This morning you'll take a guided canal cruise through Amsterdam's 165 waterways to see the city from the water. Later in the day, your river cruise sets sail and heads out from the port.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal cruise in Amsterdam
- Day 3
Cologne
Your ship docks in Cologne, where the day opens up with several options depending on your interests. You can join a guided tour through the Old Town to get oriented, or head straight to the Christmas Markets where 160 wooden pavilions fill the squares with holiday goods and seasonal treats. If you want to see the city's most iconic structure, the Gothic Cologne Cathedral offers guided tours that walk you through centuries of history and architecture. For those who prefer moving around on two wheels, there's a guided bike ride that takes you along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten, giving you a different perspective on how the city sits along the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour through Old Town
- Immersive tour of Cologne
Optional Activities
- Browse Christmas Markets
- Guided tour of Cologne Cathedral (13th-century Gothic UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Guided bike ride along the Rhine and through Stadtgarten
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town Stadtgarten 
- Day 4
Rüdesheim
The ship cruises through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge to reach Rüdesheim, a winemaking town where you'll do a wine tasting. Optional activities include a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal, vineyard hiking, a guided bike tour, checking out Christmas markets, walking through Drosselgasse, or trying traditional Rüdesheimer coffee.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
- Wine tasting in Rüdesheim
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride to Niederwalddenkmal
- Vineyard hiking in Rüdesheim
- Guided bike tour along Rhine River
- Christmas markets in Rüdesheim
- Explore Drosselgasse cultural district
- Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet
- Rüdesheimer coffee experience
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Niederwalddenkmal Drosselgasse - Day 5
Ludwigshafen
You arrive in Ludwigshafen and choose from four guided excursions. Options include visiting Heidelberg to see the red sandstone castle and 18th-century Great Vat, or checking out Speyer's UNESCO-listed Romanesque cathedral. You can also do the Philosopher's Path hike, visit Christmas markets, or go to the Technik Museum on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of guided excursion to Heidelberg or Speyer
Optional Activities
- Visit Heidelberg Castle
- View Great Vat in Heidelberg
- Christmas Markets in Heidelberg
- Guided hike up Philosopher's Path in Heidelberg
- Visit Speyer Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore medieval Old Gate (Altpörtel) in Speyer
- Christmas Markets in Speyer
- Technik Museum (vintage cars, military aircraft, submarine)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Speyer Cathedral Philosopher's Path - Day 6
Strasbourg
Strasbourg sits right on the border between France and Germany, and that cultural blend shows up everywhere in the city. A walking tour typically starts in La Petite France, where the streets feel like stepping back into the medieval period with their narrow lanes and half-timbered buildings. The Cathédrale de Notre Dame is the architectural centerpiece, and the famous astronomical clock inside draws crowds. After touring, you'll have free time to wander the Christmas markets scattered throughout the city. If you'd rather not walk, a guided bike tour covers the city streets and also heads out to Parc de l'Orangerie for a break from the urban center.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walk through La Petite France
- Immersive tour of Strasbourg
Optional Activities
- Visit Christmas markets
- Explore Cathédrale de Notre Dame and astronomical clock
- Guided bike ride through city and Parc de l'Orangerie
Landmarks La Petite France Cathédrale de Notre Dame Parc de l'Orangerie 
- Day 7
Basel - Choice of City or Lucerne Excursion
Basel is Switzerland's third largest city and has layers of history from its time as a university, banking, and trade hub. You can explore the medieval town hall and its richly decorated market square on a walking tour, or opt for a guided bike tour that actually takes you through three countries in one day: Switzerland, France, and Germany. The 18th-century patrician homes scattered throughout the old quarters show the wealth the city accumulated over centuries. If a full day in Basel doesn't appeal, you can take an excursion to Lucerne instead, where medieval walls and towers from the 13th century define the skyline and Christmas markets fill the squares. There's also an option to do Basel in the morning and Lucerne in the afternoon if you want to see both.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Basel
- Immersive tour of Basel
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour through three countries (Switzerland, France, Germany)
- Full-day excursion to Lucerne
- Morning excursion in Basel with afternoon Lucerne visit
- Visit Lucerne Christmas Markets
- Explore Lucerne medieval walls and towers (13th century)
Landmarks Basel Town Hall Basel Market Square Lucerne Medieval Walls and Towers 
- Day 8
Basel
It's time to disembark your river cruise ship in Basel and prepare for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
