Itinerary
- Day 1
Lucerne
Start in Lucerne and take time to explore at your own pace. Walk through the squares and churches scattered around town, or spend time browsing shops in the city center. This first day lets you get a feel for the town on the Reuss River without a set itinerary.
Optional Activities
- Explore the many squares and churches
- Shopping in the city center
- Day 2
Lucerne
A guided walking tour takes you through Lucerne's main highlights. You'll see the Lion Monument, which carries real historical weight, wander the Old Town's narrow streets, and cross the famous Chapel Bridge. The Water Tower and Jesuit Church round out the day's stops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour including Lion Monument, Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, and Jesuit Church
Landmarks Lion Monument Chapel Bridge Water Tower Jesuit Church - Day 3
Lucerne to Basel to Breisach
Head out early for either Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn depending on what season allows. Both offer sweeping views across central Switzerland. If weather turns bad, the Swiss Transport Museum becomes your backup plan. By afternoon, you transfer to Basel to board your cruise ship and sail toward Breisach.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Mount Pilatus excursion for views over central Switzerland (or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility, or Swiss Transport Museum in case of bad weather)
Landmarks Mount Pilatus Swiss Transport Museum - Day 4
Breisach
Multiple options keep this day flexible. Take a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine, or go with a full-day guided tour through the Black Forest to see the open-air museum and watch butter-making demonstrations. Freiburg's medieval center works as an alternative, and there's an optional morning trip to Colmar if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Bike ride along the Rhine with Adventure Host, OR Full-day Black Forest Guided Tour including Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum, water mill visit, and traditional butter-making demonstration, OR Guided Tour of Freiburg's medieval city center
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Colmar with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings
Landmarks Vogtsbauernhof Freiburg Colmar - Day 5
Strasbourg
Bike through Strasbourg with your Adventure Host or take a guided tour of the Gothic cathedral, checking out its stained glass and astronomical clock. The La Petite France district is on the itinerary too. Afternoon brings optional excursions, museum visits, or just wandering through the city center on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Bike tour of Strasbourg with Adventure Host, OR City Sightseeing Tour including Gothic cathedral with stained glass and astronomical clock, and La Petite France District
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursions (details not specified)
- Museum visits
- Free time to stroll the city center
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France - Day 6
Ludwigshafen to Rüdesheim
Walk Heidelberg's Philosophers' Way with your Adventure Host or visit Schwetzingen Palace and its gardens. Another option is a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle to see the Renaissance ruins and the Great Vat, which holds the record as the world's largest wine barrel. Evening brings a leisure sail toward Rudesheim.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Inspiring walk along Philosophers' way in Heidelberg with Adventure Host, OR Guided Tour of Schwetzingen Palace with palace gardens and historic palace square, OR Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see Renaissance ruins and the Great Vat (World's Largest Wine Barrel)
Landmarks Philosophers' way Schwetzingen Palace Heidelberg Castle - Day 7
Rüdesheim to Koblenz
After breakfast, the ship cruises through the Rhine Gorge on the way to Koblenz with views throughout. Once there, bike the Mosel side with your Adventure Host, take a guided walk past fortress walls and old monuments, or check out the Sayn Manor House and its Butterfly Gardens. Back on deck later, there's live entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rhine Gorge cruise with scenic views
- Activity choice: Bike exploration of Koblenz's Mosel side with Adventure Host, OR Guided City Walk amid ancient fortress walls, towers, squares, and monuments, OR Guided Visit to Sayn Manor House and Butterfly Gardens
- Live entertainment onboard
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Sayn Manor House - Day 8
Bernkastel
Morning brings leisurely sailing. Choose between a hike in the area with your Adventure Host or a guided walking tour of Bernkastel village with its medieval marketplace and timber-framed houses from the 17th century. In the afternoon, an optional guided winery visit lets you taste local wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Hike with Adventure Host, OR Guided Walking Tour of Bernkastel wine village with medieval marketplace and 17th-century gabled timber-framed houses
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to a local winery for wine tasting
Landmarks Bernkastel - Day 9
Trier to Cochem
Start with a power walk in Trier alongside your Adventure Host, or take a guided sightseeing tour of Germany's oldest city starting at Porta Nigra and its ancient remains from 144-152 AD. A third option is a guided tour of Luxembourg City to see its dramatic views, ruins, and modern architecture along the gorge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Power Walk in Trier with Adventure Host, OR Guided Sightseeing Tour of Trier (Germany's oldest city with ancient remnants from 144-152 AD) starting from Porta Nigra, OR Guided Tour of Luxembourg City with dramatic views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture
Landmarks Porta Nigra Luxembourg City - Day 10
Cochem
Activities range from energizing to relaxed. Bike along the Moselle River, visit the former Central Bank bunker to see the Cold War vault where German Marks were kept, or walk through Cochem to see half-timbered houses and the Reichsburg Castle with valley views. Eltz Castle is available as an optional guided excursion.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Bike ride along Moselle River with Adventure Host, OR Visit to former Deutsche Bundesbank bunker with underground vault (Cold War history), OR Guided Walk of Cochem with half-timbered houses and Reichsburg Castle visit with views of Moselle Valley and river bend
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore at own pace
- Guided Optional Excursion to Eltz Castle
Landmarks Reichsburg Castle Eltz Castle - Day 11
Cologne
Bike through Cologne like the locals do with your Adventure Host, explore the city's Jewish heritage sites on a guided walking tour, or take a guided city walk focused on the twin-steepled Gothic cathedral. Free time later gives you a chance to have a glass of Kolsch pale lager, locally brewed for over a century.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Bike ride in Cologne with Adventure Host, OR Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's Jewish heritage sites, OR Guided City Walk of Cologne with twin-steepled Gothic cathedral
Optional Activities
- Free time to enjoy locally-brewed Kölsch pale lager
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 12
Amsterdam
Begin early with a morning walk in Amsterdam alongside your Adventure Host, or discover the city through an off-the-beaten-path guided walking tour on cobblestone streets. A guided canal cruise past Golden Age homes offers another perspective. Optional activities include visiting Zaanse Schans for windmills and Dutch houses or a countryside bike tour. Afternoon time works for museums or galleries.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Activity choice: Early morning walk in Amsterdam with Adventure Host, OR Off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through cobblestone streets, OR Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's Golden Age
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans (historic windmills and charming Dutch houses)
- Optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside
- Free time to visit museums or galleries
Landmarks Zaanse Schans - Day 13
Amsterdam
Your cruise wraps up this morning after breakfast. Pack up and disembark from Amsterdam, heading home with your journey completed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
