Enchanting Rhine

Once you arrive in Zurich, check into your hotel and settle in!

Zurich beautifully combines its rich history with a modern outlook—all evident during your city tour.

Check out of your hotel and transfer to Lake Lucerne, where you can enjoy a cruise across its tranquil waters. As part of your included excursion, you ascend a picturesque mountain on a cable car ride, Mount Rigi, known as the "Queen of the Mountains." Take in breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscape below. Later, check into your hotel.

Discover Lake Lucerne's unrivaled beauty on a walking tour that includes the spectacular medieval walls and towers dating back to the 13th century.

Check out of your hotel and visit the iconic Lion Monument, sculpted in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution. Later, head to Basel. Upon arrival in Basel, enjoy a highlights tour of Switzerland's third-largest city. Long an important university, banking, and trade center, Basel's glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Then, enjoy free time for lunch on your own before the drive to the ship.

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Colmar, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and glimpse the Statue of Liberty, a small replica of the famous version in New York, to commemorate the sculptor's Colmar birthplace. Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside or hike to the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. 

Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l'Orangerie, the European Parliament, and the Place de la République. Then walk through its iconic UNESCO World Heritage "La Petite France" district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. For the active adventurer, you can ride a guided bike through this captivating city and Parc de l'Orangerie.

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city in the Neckar River Valley along Germany's Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and be rewarded with panoramic city views. Or ride along the river Neckar to the medieval town of Ladenburg, where you can have some free time to explore the shops and quaint Marktplatz. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany's oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim*, where you can visit Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet or taste one of the town's special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy.

*Cruises departing in February will dock in Mainz in the Place of Rüdesheim, and a selection of alternative excursions will be made available.

Your exploration of Rüdesheim* continues with your choice of three excursions. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the river. Afterward, indulge your taste buds by sampling Riesling wines in the vineyards. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike through Rüdesheim's vineyards, taking in views of the town, the Roman Bridge, and Bromersburg Castle. Or join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein, where you can visit Lahneck Castle.

*Cruises departing in February will dock in Mainz in Place of Rüdesheim on this day, and a selection of alternative excursions will be made available.

As a leading hub for German culture, commerce, and architecture, Düsseldorf is a must-visit city for any traveler on the Rhine. Here, you can have multiple options for the day's excursion. Explore this grand city on the Rhine by joining a walking tour, concluding with a tasting of Altbier, a local specialty brewed using traditional techniques. Alternatively, cover more ground with an active bike tour of the city. If you're feeling adventurous, take a brief trip to the nearby city of Cologne. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town, where you can see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany's oldest town hall; the Fishmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century and the Great St. Martin Church. 

Amsterdam boasts amazing history, art, architecture, and museums, and you can choose how you wish to explore it. Begin the day with a scenic cruise around this beautiful city before setting out on Amsterdam's famous canals. Embark on a picturesque canal cruise throughout the city, giving you a close-up view of these inspiring waterways. If you prefer exploring the world with your taste buds, stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges, and houseboats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café. 

**Depending on the docking location, A Taste of Amsterdam may not operate; therefore, an alternative tour will operate instead.

Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight.