Itinerary
- Day 1
Brussels to Bruges
You'll arrive at Brussels Airport and head to Bruges by transfer, checking into your hotel. Try to time your flight to land before 3:00 PM so you have the rest of the afternoon to settle in and get oriented.
- Day 2
Dordrecht
Dock early in Dordrecht, a city with roots going back to the 11th century. The former merchant port now has over 1,000 historic buildings housing restaurants, museums, and theaters. Choose from a walking tour of historic streets, a trip to Delft for blue and white pottery, or visit Kinderdijk to see its UNESCO-listed windmills.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Dordrecht highlighting Groothoofd Quay, Grote Kerk (Great Church), and Old Water Tower
- Excursion to Delft to see 17th century pottery factory
- Excursion to Kinderdijk to see World Heritage listed windmills
Landmarks Groothoofd Quay Grote Kerk Windmills of Kinderdijk - Day 3
Bruges
You have a choice for the morning: take a canal cruise to see the city from the water with views of medieval buildings and swans, or try a beer and chocolate tasting with a local guide. Spend your afternoon however you'd like—climb the Belfry Tower's 366 steps for city views, or grab Belgian waffles at a café.
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise through Bruges
- Beer and chocolate tasting with local guide
- Climb Belfry Tower (366 steps)
- Belgian waffles at local eatery
Landmarks Belfry Tower - Day 4
Bruges to Amsterdam
After breakfast, a coach takes you from Bruges to Amsterdam where you'll board your river ship. The drive gives you time to relax before heading onto the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Dordrecht
You'll arrive early in Dordrecht, which happens to be one of Holland's oldest cities with over 1,000 historic monuments scattered throughout. Once you get settled, you have a few different directions you can take. There's a walking tour option that takes you through the city's streets and canals on foot. If pottery interests you, there's a trip to nearby Delft where you can see the famous blue and white pottery factory in action. Or you could head to Kinderdijk instead to check out the UNESCO-listed windmills. All three are solid choices depending on what appeals to you most for the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Dordrecht - historic city streets, winding canals, and historic buildings including Groothoofd Quay, Grote Kerk (Great Church), and Old Water Tower
- Excursion to Delft - visit 17th century pottery factory
- Excursion to Kinderdijk - World Heritage listed windmills
Landmarks Groothoofd Quay Grote Kerk Old Water Tower Delft Blue pottery factory Kinderdijk Windmills - Day 6
Veere
Your ship arrives in Bruinisse, a mussel-fishing village on an estuary and gateway to Veere, one of the Netherlands' prettiest towns. Pick a guided tour of Veere's port and Scottish merchant houses, visit the Delta Works engineering sites with dams and locks, or tour an oyster farm to see how they're grown in the North Sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Veere including port area, Scottish merchant houses, impressive church, and 15th-century town hall
- Delta Works visit to see system of dams, locks and levees
- Oyster farm visit to learn about oyster farming and taste fresh oysters
Landmarks Veere - Day 7
Antwerp
Cross into Belgium and dock in Antwerp, the country's second-largest city and major seaport. Despite WWII damage, the medieval heart remains with cobbled lanes, a riverside fortress, and a cathedral. Today it's known for fashion, entertainment, and food. Choose a walking tour, a full-day trip to Ypres and Passchendaele WWI sites with lunch, or craft beer and chocolate pairing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Antwerp exploring Cathedral of Our Lady, Steen Castle, and main square
- Full-day excursion to Ypres and Passchendaele to learn about WWI battles and see memorials (includes lunch in local restaurant)
- Craft Beer and Chocolate pairing
Landmarks Cathedral of Our Lady Steen Castle - Day 8
Arnhem
After lunch you'll arrive in Arnhem, positioned near the Veluwe Nature Reserve with forests and riverside paths. The city played a significant role in WWII. This afternoon, visit the Airborne Museum about the Battle of Arnhem, explore the Netherlands Open Air Museum on 44 hectares, or see Palais Het Loo, a 1685 royal summer home with art and gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Airborne Museum visit with in-depth account of Battle of Arnhem
- Netherlands Open Air Museum guided exploration with local guide of 44-hectare outdoor museum featuring replicas of historic houses, mills and farmhouses
- Palais Het Loo visit to see royal summer home with art collection and grand gardens
Landmarks Airborne Museum Netherlands Open Air Museum Palais Het Loo - Day 9
Düsseldorf
Welcome to Germany and Düsseldorf, famous for its art scene and fashion industry. Napoleon called it 'Little Paris,' and you'll find museums, galleries, and shops throughout. The old town has roughly 260 pubs and bars, while the harbor mixes historic and modern architecture. Choose a walking tour, cycling along the Rhine to Kaiserswerth, microbrewery visits, or explore the city's art heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf exploring gentrified harbour, charming old town, and 13th-century Castle Tower
- Cycling tour along Rhine banks to Kaiserswerth
- Düsseldorf's Altbier experience visiting microbreweries and sampling traditional ale
- Düsseldorf – City of Art tour from Old Town to Media Harbour and K21 Museum
Landmarks K21 Museum - Day 10
Moselle Valley Cruise to Cochem
You'll relax on your ship as it glides through the Moselle Valley. Steep hillsides feature villages, terraced vineyards, half-timbered houses, and castles spanning 1,000 years. Open your cabin's private sun lounge windows for uninterrupted views, check out the Salt Therapy Lounge, or book a spa treatment for extra cost. You'll arrive in Cochem by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Moselle Valley
Optional Activities
- Salt Therapy Lounge access
- Spa treatment
- Day 11
Cochem
Cochem is a medieval town on the Moselle River with pastel buildings, half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes, and a castle surrounded by vineyards. This morning choose between a walking tour visiting Reichsburg Castle with its Knight's Hall and Trophy Room, or an e-bike ride along the Moselle path. You'll depart for Bernkastel in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Cochem exploring Reichsburg Castle with Knight's Hall and Trophy Room
- E-bike cycling tour along Moselle River path to nearby towns of Valwig and Belstein
Landmarks Reichsburg Castle - Day 12
Bernkastel
Bernkastel is another well-preserved riverside town with an atmospheric market square featuring 13th-century buildings and Landshut Castle ruins above. This is the heart of the Moselle wine region, home to the famous Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling vineyard. Walk through town highlights with a guide, take a day trip to Trier (a Roman city with Porta Nigra and a cathedral), or taste wine at a Moselle winery. Tonight, there's a special classical concert at Liebfrauenkirche in Trier.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Private classical concert dinner experience)
Included Activities
- Private classical concert at Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Trier
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Bernkastel exploring half-timbered houses and Renaissance-style Rathaus (Town Hall)
- Excursion to Trier to see Porta Nigra Roman gate and Trier Cathedral
- Wine tasting at renowned Moselle winery
Landmarks Landshut Castle Porta Nigra Trier Cathedral Liebfrauenkirche - Day 13
Koblenz
Koblenz is one of Germany's oldest cities, founded by Romans over 2,000 years ago, and sits where the Rhine and Moselle rivers join. You'll find parks and flowers throughout, blending French and German culture. Choose a walking tour of winding streets and historic churches, visit Marksburg Castle if you're reasonably fit, or take a medieval Limburg excursion. Your ship stays overnight here so you can explore in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz old town exploring winding streets, impressive townhouses, charming squares, historic churches, and Florinsmarkt
- Marksburg Castle visit perched above Rhine River (requires good fitness and mobility)
- Medieval Limburg excursion to see half-timbered houses, Cathedral, and Alte Lahnbrucke (Old Bridge)
Landmarks Marksburg Castle Florinsmarkt - Day 14
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
You'll cruise through the Rhine Gorge this morning, a 65-kilometer stretch with roughly 40 hilltop castles and fortresses from over 1,000 years. Look for the Lorelei statue tied to a tragic legend. Later you'll dock in Rüdesheim, a pretty town ringed by steep vineyards making wine for more than two millennia. Visit Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum or hike through vineyards with a cable car ride down. Your ship departs late evening, leaving you time to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
Optional Activities
- Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum visit with local guide followed by self-guided exploration or cable car to Niederwald Monument
- Hike through rolling vineyards with local guide followed by cable car descent to town
Landmarks Lorelei Niederwald Monument - Day 15
Mannheim to Heidelberg
You'll reach Mannheim this morning, a large city with an 18th-century grid pattern, Baroque squares, fountains, and a palace. Rather than staying in the city, your freechoice options take you to the region around it. Choose an orientation tour of Heidelberg's old town, a historical tour including Heidelberg Castle with its Renaissance architecture and the world's largest wine barrel, or head to Bad Durkheim for vineyard tours and wine tasting. Your ship departs for Strasbourg in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Orientation tour of Heidelberg including Old Town walk with some stairs and uneven ground
- Historical tour of Heidelberg with guided tour and Heidelberg Castle visit (Renaissance structure with great Heidelberg Tun - world's largest wine barrel, includes stairs and uneven ground)
- Excursion to Bad Durkheim to visit Fritz Ritter ninth-generation family vineyard with tour and tasting
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle 
- Day 16
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the Alsace wine region's capital with sherbet-colored half-timbered houses on banks of canals. It blends French and German influences, mixing medieval history with modern energy—you'll see locals playing soccer and checking out pop-up wine bars. Try a walking tour of the cathedral and Petit France, a coach tour through the Alsace wine region to Obernai and Mittelbergheim with tastings, or explore 500 km of bike trails through suburbs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Strasbourg seeing cathedral, Petit France, Grand Ile, and unique French-German architecture and culture (active walk)
- Alsace wine region coach tour to Obernai with free time and Mittelbergheim wine tasting in local cellar
- E-bike cycling tour exploring Strasbourg's 500 km of bicycle trails through charming suburbs, historic buildings, parklands and canals
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral Petit France Grand Ile - Day 17
Breisach
Breisach sits between the Rhine River and the Black Forest, functioning as a food and wine destination on the Alsace border. WWII nearly destroyed it, but it was carefully rebuilt with traditional cobbled streets and pastel houses restored to their original look. Choose wine tasting at Kaiserstuhl (volcanic soil from 16 million years ago), visit fairy-tale Colmar with half-timbered houses and canals, or see Freiburg on the Black Forest edge. Return to your ship for a final evening aboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Final evening on board celebration)
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Kaiserstuhl featuring top-quality wines from volcanic soil region
- Excursion to Colmar visiting half-timbered houses dating back 1,000 years, cobblestoned streets, charming stores, cafes, and bustling markets
- Excursion to Freiburg exploring medieval town centre, Cathedral (one of few structures surviving WWII bombing), and Black Forest edge
Landmarks Freiburg Cathedral - Day 18
Breisach to Zurich
You'll say goodbye to your river ship this morning and transfer to Zurich for a two-night stay at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 19
Zurich
A guided walking tour takes you through Zurich's Old Town and its winding streets. You'll see the medieval Niederdorf square, cross bridges over the Limmat River, and visit the ninth-century Fraumunster Church with Marc Chagall's famous stained-glass windows.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Zurich including Old Town, Niederdorf, Limmat River, and Fraumunster Church
Landmarks Fraumunster Church Niederdorf Limmat River - Day 20
Lucerne - Engelberg - Interlaken
Spend your full day visiting two Swiss towns. Start in lakeside Lucerne at the base of mountains, taking a guided tour and spending time exploring on your own. Then head to Engelberg, a classic Swiss village surrounded by mountain scenery. Later, travel by coach to Interlaken.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lucerne
- Travel to Engelberg
- Coach transfer to Interlaken
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Lucerne independently
Landmarks Lucerne Engelberg - Day 21
Interlaken
Interlaken sits between two lakes in the Jungfrau region, a resort town known for grand hotels and adventure activities. This morning, cruise on alpine Lake Brienz to see mountain views, villages, and castles, or take the cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch at Jungfrau's peak with views of towns and valleys below.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Cruise on Lake Brienz with alpine lake views of mountains, picturesque villages and castles
- Cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch (top of Europe, peak of Jungfrau) with views of towns and valleys
Landmarks Lake Brienz Jungfraujoch - Day 22
Montreux
Board the Golden Pass Train for a panoramic Alps journey between Lucerne and Montreux. You'll pass through tall mountains, green valleys, and vineyards with constant views of Swiss Alps and charming villages. After arriving in Montreux, get an orientation tour then free time to explore this resort town. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at a mountain chalet-style restaurant overlooking Montreux with traditional live music and an introduction to the Alphorn.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Special dinner at chalet-style Swiss restaurant in mountains overlooking Montreux with traditional live music and Alphorn Academy presentation)
Included Activities
- Golden Pass Train journey from Lucerne to Montreux through the Alps
- Orientation tour of Montreux
- Special dinner at chalet-style Swiss restaurant overlooking Montreux with traditional live music and Alphorn introduction
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Montreux
Landmarks Lake Geneva - Day 23
Montreux
Montreux sits on Lake Geneva's banks and has attracted artists including Lord Byron, Tchaikovsky, and Freddie Mercury. It remains popular with wealthy visitors drawn to its scenery and castle. This morning, tour one of the region's well-known wineries in the Vaud wine region with cellar visit and tasting, or visit Chaplin's World Museum where Charlie Chaplin lived and worked for 25 years.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Vaud wine region tour of one of region's best-known wineries with cellar door visit and fine wine tasting
- Chaplin's World Museum visit featuring house, studio and park where Charlie Chaplin lived and worked for 25 years
Landmarks Chaplin's World Museum - Day 24
Montreux to Zermatt
A coach takes you to Zermatt, positioned at the foot of the Matterhorn at 4,478 meters, one of the world's most recognizable mountains. The resort village looks like it's from a fairytale. Winter brings skiers and snowboarders, while summer hikers navigate over 100 trails around valleys, lakes, and ridges.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Matterhorn - Day 25
Zermatt
Zermatt is Switzerland's highest mountain resort. This morning you'll go even higher by taking a train up to Gornergrat. From there, take in 360-degree views with the Matterhorn as the spectacular centerpiece.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train ascent to Gornergrat in Swiss Alps with 360-degree views including Matterhorn
Landmarks Gornergrat Matterhorn - Day 26
Chur - Schwangau
Start the day on the famous Glacier Express train, taking you through the Swiss Alps toward Chur. You'll see snow-capped mountains and beautiful valleys from your seat on this well-known railway. Then continue by coach through Austria and Liechtenstein to reach Schwangau, Germany.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Glacier Express train journey through Swiss Alps to Chur
Landmarks Chur - Day 27
Schwangau
Schwangau is known as a health resort with clean air, green spaces, and spas. This morning you'll step into a fairytale at Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the world's most photographed buildings. Explore its luxurious rooms before heading back to your hotel to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Neuschwanstein Castle visit and exploration of opulent rooms
Landmarks Neuschwanstein Castle - Day 28
Schwangau to Salzburg
Your coach travels through Austria's Salzkammergut region, also called the Lakes District. You'll recognize landscapes from The Sound of Music as you head toward one of the world's most iconic music cities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 29
Salzburg
Salzburg sits on the Salzach River surrounded by alpine peaks and is famous as Mozart's birthplace and The Sound of Music's setting. This storybook city has an art scene, classical music venues, a Baroque old town, and Hohensalzburg fortress high above the rooftops. Your local guide takes you through the city to see Mirabell Gardens, Mozart's birthplace and home, Getreidegasse shopping street, and Old Market Square while sharing stories about Mozart and the Von Trapp family.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Salzburg including Mirabell Gardens, Mozart's birthplace and residence, Getreidegasse shopping street, and Old Market Square
- Information about Mozart and Von Trapp family history
Landmarks Mirabell Gardens Mozart's Birthplace Hohensalzburg Fortress Getreidegasse Old Market Square - Day 30
Steyr - Vienna
You'll travel to Vienna with a stop in Steyr, where your tour director gives an orientation tour before you explore on your own. Later this afternoon you arrive in Vienna, Austria's elegant capital. Known as the City of Music, it's home to Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud. The Ringstrasse boulevard represents the world's most beautiful street and a Habsburg legacy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Steyr
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Steyr
Landmarks Ringstrasse 
- Day 31
Vienna
Vienna oozes charm with Baroque buildings, parks and vineyards, a coffee-house culture, and galleries and museums full of masterpieces. Your guided tour covers highlights like the Opera House, City Hall, the Parliament Building, Stadtpark's gardens, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Tonight, have a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant with your travel companions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Special farewell dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna including Opera House, City Hall, Parliament Building, Stadtpark gardens, and St. Stephen's Cathedral
Landmarks Vienna Opera House City Hall Parliament Building Stadtpark St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 32
Vienna Departure
After breakfast you'll depart Vienna, taking memories of this trip that will stay with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
