Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You arrive in Amsterdam with the whole day ahead to explore on your own. Wander through the neighborhoods at whatever pace suits you, check out the canals, or just get a feel for the city without any structured activities.
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Join a guided walking tour through Amsterdam's quieter streets and cobblestone areas away from the main crowds. Depending on when you're traveling, you'll either see Keukenhof gardens during tulip season (over seven million tulips) or visit Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and traditional Dutch houses. Later, you'll board your ship and stay overnight in Amsterdam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour - Amsterdam off the beaten path
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens (during tulip season)
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans (outside tulip season)
Landmarks Keukenhof Zaanse Schans - Day 3
Amsterdam to Cologne
This morning take a guided canal cruise through Amsterdam's waterways, passing the stately homes from the city's wealthy Golden Age period. Afterward, you can choose optional guided tours or simply spend time on your own walking Amsterdam's colorful streets, checking out galleries and shops. By evening, you'll board and cruise overnight toward Cologne.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Canal Cruise - Amsterdam waterways and stately homes
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursions (specific options not detailed)
- Free time to explore Amsterdam's streets, canal houses, galleries, and shops
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System - Day 4
Cologne
In Cologne, pick from several options: bike around the city like locals do, take a guided walk through Jewish heritage sites, or join a city tour highlighting the impressive gothic cathedral with its twin spires. Later enjoy a glass of Kölsch (the local pale lager beer) before live music performances happen on board. You'll cruise overnight to Rüdesheim.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Bike Ride - Cologne
- Guided Walking Tour - Cologne Jewish heritage sites
- Guided City Walk - Cologne with gothic cathedral
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 5
Rüdesheim
Start with a cruise through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO site) where you'll see ancient castles on 400-foot cliffs and the famous Lorelei Rock. Choose between hiking through vineyards with your Adventure Host or touring the Mechanical Music Museum with authentic Rüdesheimer coffee tasting. Evening brings live entertainment on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage site
- Guided Hike - Rüdesheim vineyards
- Guided Tour - Mechanical Music Museum with Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Rock of the Lorelei Mechanical Music Museum - Day 6
Heidelberg to Strasbourg
In Heidelberg, select your activity: walk the Philosophers' Way with your host, take a guided city tour including the Gutenberg Museum about printing history, or visit Heidelberg Castle to see Renaissance ruins and the Great Vat (supposedly the world's largest wine barrel). That evening you'll board for an overnight cruise to Strasbourg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walk - Heidelberg Philosophers' Way
- Guided City Walk - Heidelberg with Gutenberg Museum
- Guided Tour - Heidelberg Castle with Great Vat
Landmarks Philosophers' Way Gutenberg Museum Heidelberg Castle - Day 7
Strasbourg to Breisach
Explore Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host or join a sightseeing tour covering the Gothic cathedral with its stained glass, the astronomical clock, and La Petite France District. Optional excursions include the Maginot Line fortifications or Alsace wine country. Otherwise, you can spend time freely visiting museums or wandering the city. By evening, cruise overnight to Breisach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Bike Tour - Strasbourg
- City Sightseeing Tour - Strasbourg Gothic cathedral, astronomical clock, and La Petite France
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion - Maginot Line
- Guided Optional Excursion - Alsace wine country
- Free time to visit museum or stroll city center
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France Maginot Line - Day 8
Breisach to Basel
Choose a full-day guided tour to the Black Forest (including an open-air museum, water mill, and butter-making), visit a local winery in Breisach for wine education, or tour Freiburg's medieval center surrounded by forests and vineyards. An optional excursion goes to Colmar's charming half-timbered village. Evening brings an overnight cruise to Basel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour - Black Forest with Vogtsbauernohf open-air museum, water mill, and butter-making demonstration
- Winery visit - Breisach with German winemaking and wine tasting
- Guided Tour - Freiburg medieval city center
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion - Colmar village
Landmarks Black Forest Vogtsbauernohf Freiburg Colmar - Day 9
Basel to Lucerne
After leaving your ship this morning, you'll transfer by motorcoach to Mount Pilatus rising nearly 7,000 feet for sweeping views across central Switzerland (or visit the Swiss Transport Museum if weather's poor). From there, continue to Lucerne and join a guided walking tour to see Thorvaldsen's Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Motorcoach transfer to Mount Pilatus
- Mount Pilatus excursion with spectacular views over central Switzerland
- Guided Walking Tour - Lucerne with Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
Optional Activities
- Swiss Transport Museum (in case of bad weather)
Landmarks Mount Pilatus Lion Monument Chapel Bridge Swiss Transport Museum - Day 10
Lucerne to Como
On the way to Como, you'll stop in Lugano for a guided tour of this charming Swiss city, then travel on to Como, which sits on its own beautiful lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour - Lugano
Landmarks Lugano - Day 11
Como
Take a guided walking tour through Como's old center, visiting the Town Hall with its Gothic facade and the marble Duomo cathedral. After that, you'll have a boat ride on Lake Como with views of mountain scenery and fancy lakeside villas. The boat stops at Bellagio where you can explore on your own before returning to Como by water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour - Como historic center, Broletto, and Duomo
- Boat Ride on Lake Como - mountain scenery and lakeside villas with stop in Bellagio
Landmarks Como Duomo Broletto Bellagio Lake Como - Day 12
Como
You have a free day in Como to do what you like. Take a boat trip on the lake, relax along the riverbanks, shop in the city center, or try authentic Italian food at a local restaurant. It's your time to enjoy the area however you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Boat trip on Lake Como
- Relaxing walk on riverbanks
- Shopping in city center
- Dining at local restaurant
- Day 13
Como
Your trip ends this morning after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
