AMSTERDAM A BASILEA

DAY 1 Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam, then transfer to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits and you are interested, you may wish to visit the Anne Frank House or Amsterdam’s Christmas market (November 25–December 23 sailings only). (D)

DAY 2 Kinderdijk
Sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter an actual working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return aboard for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and try your hand at sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard). Cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

DAY 3 Cologne
Continue along the Rhine this morning; arrive in Cologne and disembark for a walking tour. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church, and spend some time inside Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral whose construction was begun in 1248 and which was only completed in 1880. Explore the dockside taverns, cafés and shops on your own—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served aboard and we remain docked until late evening. Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Cologne’s Christmas market. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 Koblenz & Rüdesheim
Proceed along the Rhine, disembarking to tour 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and its museum. Lunch aboard as you enjoy this scenic passage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where castles overlook the river from their hilltop locations.
Arrive in Rüdesheim in the late afternoon. Spend free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars—dine aboard or in town if you prefer. Ship departs after midnight. Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Rüdesheim’s Christmas market. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 Heidelberg & Speyer
Cruise through the morning enjoying brunch and the passing scenery. Arrive in Mannheim and disembark for a journey to Heidelberg to see Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Then visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle, and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from its hilltop location. Continue with a walking tour through the Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates.
Rejoin your ship in Speyer this afternoon and take some time to look around. You dock in full view of the imposing Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century on the site of a former basilica, the building’s design was highly influential upon Romanesque architecture for centuries to come, and is the final resting place of eight German monarchs. Its soaring interior features graceful rows of sandstone columns and a large stained glass window installed in the western façade during a later Gothic period. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 Strasbourg
Dock this morning in Kehl and disembark for a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. The afternoon is free to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures—fabulous churches, medieval covered bridges, beautiful parks and some lovely Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. Dine aboard and enjoy free time this evening in the quaint little city of Kehl. Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Strasbourg’s Christmas market. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 Breisach
After cruising through the night you arrive during breakfast in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach for some free time before an early evening departure. Or, choose an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar, or an optional walking tour of a working vineyard. Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Breisach’s Christmas market. Dine aboard while you cruise on to Basel, arriving around midnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 Basel
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 2 nights in Lucerne. Enjoy the scenic landscape of the Swiss Alps with a view from your hotel, situated on the banks of beautiful Lake Lucerne. (B)

BASILEA A AMSTERDAM

DAY 1 Basel
Welcome to Basel on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland. Transfer from the airport to your ship.* After boarding, enjoy time on your own getting acquainted with the city—or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. Cruise through the night to Breisach. (D)

DAY 2 Breisach
Arrive during breakfast in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach for some free time before evening departure. Or, choose an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar. Dine aboard and cruise through the night to Kehl. Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Breisach’s Christmas market. (B, L, D)

DAY 3 Strasbourg
Arrive in Kehl this morning and disembark for your guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. Free time allows you to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures— fabulous churches, medieval covered bridges, beautiful parks and some lovely Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Return to your ship for dinner and departure. Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Strasbourg’s Christmas market. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 Heidelberg & Rüdesheim
Wake up in Mannheim and disembark for a tour to Heidelberg to see Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Then visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle, and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from its hilltop location. Continue with a walking tour through the Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates.
Return to your ship for afternoon cruising. Arrive in Rüdesheim in the early evening. Spend free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars—dine aboard or stay in town if you prefer. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 Braubach & Koblenz
This morning, sail along the most scenic stretch of the Rhine, where castles overlook the river from their hilltop locations. This part of the Middle Rhine Valley is so beautiful that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Midmorning, disembark for a tour of 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and its museum. Return to your ship for lunch and a short cruise to Koblenz, where you disembark and enjoy some time in this charming town at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit the Koblenz Christmas market. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 Cologne
Cruise along the Rhine this morning, arriving just after breakfast in Cologne. Disembark for your walking tour of this gem of the Rhine. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church and spend some time inside Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral. The rest of your day is free to explore the dockside taverns, cafés and shops. Dine aboard before evening departure. Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Cologne’s Christmas market. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 Kinderdijk
Spend your morning enjoying some popular Dutch diversions: sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and try your hand at sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard). After lunch, your ship arrives in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an afternoon tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter an actual working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Board your ship for departure and dinner. Arrive at Amsterdam after midnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 Amsterdam
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the Amsterdam airport for your return flight.* Or, add 2 nights in Amsterdam so you will have time to explore this picturesque and cosmopolitan capital. (B)