Classical Rhine River Cruise

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship to embark on your 8-day cruise (check-in starts at 4:00 pm). A welcome cocktail and dinner awaits you tonight.(D) 

This morning, consider joining an optional city tour of Amsterdam with a canal trip and visit to North Holland (if you have joined this excursion you will travel to Hoorn by bus). Cruise along the Ijsselmeer. (B,L,D)  Optional Amsterdam Tour with canal trip and North Holland: Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age as a result of its innovative developments in trade. Today, the city has one of the largest historic centers in Europe, with about 7,500 registered historic buildings. The street pattern is largely unchanged since the 19th century. The center consists of 90 islands, linked by 400 bridges. On the city tour through the Dutch metropolis, you will see the Royal Palace, numerous canals and the Museum Quarter. As there is no better way to see the city than cruising on the water, the tour will end by a canal cruise boat trip. Afterwards, drive through the Dutch Polder landscape to the old fishing village of Volendam. The Volendam houses are built very close together, forming the typical neighborhoods of Volendam. Take a stroll through the old village and see people still dressed in traditional costumes. Board your coach and drive out of Volendam into the countryside to visit a local cheese farm. Here, you will learn how Dutch cheese is made and also sample the local product. From Amsterdam/to Hoorn:?On your way back to your ship, you will enjoy a short walk through the quaint village of Hoorn. Founded in 716, Hoorn rapidly grew to become an important harbour town. During Holland’s “Golden Age” Hoorn was an important base for the Dutch East India Company and the Hoorn fleet sailed the seven seas returning with exotic spices. Walking through the historic center of Hoorn, en route back to your ship, you can admire its rich history.

In the late afternoon, arrive in Cologne and consider joining an optional walking tour which takes you past St. Martin‘s Church to Cologne‘s old town and its famous Gothic cathedral, the city‘s landmark for centuries.(B,L,D)  Optional Cologne Walking Tour: During the city walk, explore the surroundings of the famous cathedral and the old town. Many attractions are concentrated in just one square kilometer around the cathedral, the town hall and the old town with large Romanesque Church of St. Martin. You can take a look at the Roman Dionysus mosaic. In the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town and in the busy squares, such as the old market or the hay market, you will get a feeling for life in this city, both past, and present. Take a tour of the inside of the Cologne Cathedral, either accompanied by your guide or on your own (depending on the opening hours of the cathedral and/or if a mass is celebrated, etc.). Since its completion in 1880, the Cologne Cathedral is, due to its two tall towers with a height of 157 m each, not only the landmark of the town and best-known architecture monument but also the most often visited sight in Germany.

Cruise through the morning along the wonderful Moselle River. In the afternoon, consider taking an optional walking tour through the quaint village of Cochem where you will visit a winery to taste some local vintages. (B,L,D)  Optional Cochem Walking Tour with wine tasting: The harmonious trio of the unique Mosel landscape, thousands of years of wine growing and rich culture makes Cochem especially popular. During the walk you will discover the city with its narrow, winding streets. In the course of this tour you will also visit the Reichsburg Castle. Thanks to its size and location on a precipitous rock high above the city, this magnificent castle dominates the cityscape. Equally impressive is the view you can enjoy from the castle. You will see the Moselle Valley with its dreamy, mixed forests, meadows and vineyards and the old town. At the end of the tour, enjoy a taste of local Mosel wines.

Arrive in Koblenz in the morning and consider joining an optional city walk before you sail through the romantic Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will pass the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Ruedesheim in the afternoon where you can join an optional city walk and visit to the Siegfried Mechanical Music Museum.(B,L,D) Optional Koblenz Walking Tour: Discover Koblenz, one of the most beautiful and oldest towns in Germany with over 2,000 years of history. On our guided walk through the romantic streets between the St. Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of our Beloved Lady) you will discover the most important sights of Koblenz. Obviously this tour would not be complete without a visit to the Emperor Wilhelm Memorial at the famous German Corner and the town’s landmark, the Schängel Fountain at the town hall. At the end of the walk, you will reach the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine and the ropeway of Koblenz – well known since the German Federal Garden Show.Optional Rüdesheim walking tour incl. music cabinet museum and mulled wine: Comfortable coaches take you from the dock of the ship to Rüdesheim directly to the “Siegfried Mechanical Music Cabinet” for a musical adventure with historical self-playing instruments. Afterward you can enjoy a glass of homemade mulled wine before you start your guided tour with a walk through the picturesque town. Explore the heart of the old town of Rüdesheim — the Drosselgasse — where wine houses and garden taverns invite you to linger. Immerse yourself in the history of the city and visit the market square, the old noble courtyards as the Klunkhardshof, a half-timbered building from the 16th century and a part of the city wall.

Arrive in Mannheim in the morning where you can join an optional excursion to Heidelberg. Arrive in Speyer in the afternoon and consider joining an optional walking tour. Enjoy the Captain‘s Gala Dinner in the evening. (B,L,D)Optional Excursion to Heidelberg: A comfortable coach will take you to Heidelberg, the world-famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs, and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour also leads into the castle garden. From the Grand Terrace, you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late-gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall. Optional Speyer walking tour: Speyer, the venerable emperor’s city on the Rhine, has had a rich and turbulent past. Religious architecture steeped in history, impressive facades of various styles, winding alleys and romantic squares express the character of the city. The city tour includes a visit to the Romanesque Imperial Cathedral from the exterior, with its striking twin tower portal, and visits to the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate (Altpoertel) and the Jewish Ritual Bath.

In the morning, arrive in Strasbourg where you may choose to join an optional guided city tour to see the famous Gothic cathedral. Depart for Basel early in the afternoon. (B,L,D) Optional City Tour of Strasbourg: Enjoy a discovery tour through the beautiful city of Strasbourg. After a short coach trip through the city, the tour continues with a walk through the lovely, historic old part of the town and includes a visit to the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster (not possible on Sundays and public holidays, sometimes with security check). During a boat cruise on the river, discover the famous quarter, “Petite France”. This former mill and tanner district still maintains its medieval charm. Some of the beautiful, half-timbered houses on the banks of the river Ill are up to 500 years old. You will enjoy Strasbourg’s half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, the Council of Europe and all the other wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you. Please note: During the winter the boat cruise will be replaced by a visit to the Christmas Market.

Disembark from your ship after breakfast. You will be transferred to the train station or airport for your onward journey or flight home. (B)