Rhine in Flames

This afternoon, embark and unpack. Enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially-prepared Welcome Dinner and our special cultural show this evening as the ship overnights.

This morning is all about choices. Choose to spend the morning exploring Amsterdam with a relaxing canal cruise and a visit to the flower market or venture out into the surrounding countryside to the picturesque towns of Volendam and Edam with a tasting of delicious Dutch cheese, meeting the vessel in the town of Utrecht.

Other choices include a morning visit to the Famous Floriade Garden Show which takes place once every 10 years, or perhaps an excursion to Haarlem and the Cathedral of St. Bavo. This afternoon, the vessel continues with a cruise on the Ijsselmeer, one of the largest inland freshwater lakes in Holland. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner.

The highlight of this cruise awaits you today! But before you can indulge in mesmerizing fireworks and nightly views of the illuminated castles, palaces and riverside promenades near Bonn, we will first take you to Cologne. After breakfast, view our arrival at the beautiful cathedral city of this city. Explore the historic Old Town with its High Gothic architecture, the famous twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, and sample the famous Kölsch beer brewed in this city.

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon on board as the vessel continues cruising the Rhine River. In the evening, enjoy the spectacle of a countryside illuminated in the radiance of the "Rhine in Flames": The amazing fireworks display lights up the nightly sky and the red Bengal lights reflect in the waters of the Rhine.

This morning our AMADEUS vessel takes a special trip down the romantic Moselle River, the largest tributary of the Rhine. This area is the 5th largest German wine region with some of the steepest, terraced vineyards along the river.

After lunch, your vessel will arrive in Cochem. Explore the town which is filled with narrow streets, twisting alleys, medieval town gates, churches and walls on your own, or discover the beauty of Cochem and visit the stunning Reichsburg Castle on a guided tour. After dinner on board, join a visit to a local winery and sample some of the spectacular wines produced in this region. Before midnight, the vessel continues toward Koblenz.

Early this morning, arrive in Koblenz, ideally situated at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle Rivers. Join this morning's tour exploring the town of Koblenz on foot and then by cable car, to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, situated high above the town.

This afternoon, spend time on deck as we cruise the most beautiful section of the river - the legendary Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This area is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its dramatic riverbanks dotted with vineyards and picturesque castles. Late afternoon, arrive in the winegrowers town of Rüdesheim. Choose a walking tour of the town, with a visit to the unique Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum's private collection of self-playing instruments. Or visit a local vineyard for a tasting of the local wines and a walk through the famous Drosselgasse with its wine taverns, garden restaurants, beer bars and live music venues. Back on board, your AMADEUS crew awaits with a delicious dinner.

After breakfast, your vessel docks in the bustling town of Mannheim, your gate to an excursion to nearby Heidelberg, another old university city with its beautiful Heidelberg Castle.

This afternoon's call is at Speyer, a city known for its cathedral where eight Roman emperors and German kings are interred. Choose to explore the city on a guided tour including a visit to the medieval Jewish Mikvha, or venture out on your own. Back onboard, enjoy the Captain's Gala Dinner after your exciting day.

This morning we arrive in the dynamic capital of Alsace. This beautiful city's sights include the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster and the Petite France quarter, a former mill and tanner district that still maintains its medieval charm. Half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, and the Council of Europe are among the wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you. The Grand Island, the city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is connected to the rest of the city by 22 stone bridges.

See Strasbourg by canal boat on this morning's guided excursion or join the tour to the nearby town of Freiburg, a visit to the colorful market included. After lunch on board, take in the views of the romantic Rhine as we move toward Switzerland, our final destination.

After breakfast, the entire AMADEUS crew bids you farewell and wishes you a safe journey home. We hope to welcome you again soon!