Captivating Rhine with Amsterdam, Lake Lucerne and Zurich

Arrive in Amsterdam and check into your hotel.

Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture. (B)

Excursions:

• Walking Tour

Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Captivating Rhine cruise.

Excursions:

• Zaanse Schans visit

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you'll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam to Utrecht, where you can explore this charming town on a walking tour or sip beer during a special tasting tour. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Canal cruise tour
• Scenic cruising out of Amsterdam
• Walking Tour OR Beer Tasting tour

As a leading hub for German culture, commerce and architecture, Düsseldorf is a must-visit city for any travelers on the Rhine. Here, you may 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. 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 will 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. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Düsseldorf walking tour and Altbier tasting OR Cologne walking tour

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim*. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town's iconic vineyards. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town's beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River.

Later in the day, let Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town's special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B/L/D) *Cruises departing in February will dock in Mainz in place of Rüdesheim, and a selection of alternative excursions will be made available.

Excursions:

• Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising
• Rüdesheim wine tasting OR Gondola ride OR Vineyards hike OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau
• Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet OR Rüdesheimer Coffee

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled 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 enjoy panoramic views of the city. 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 Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or join a guided bike tour along the shores of the river Neckar and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour OR Heidelberg Philosopher's hike OR Ladenburg bike tour

Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l'Orangerie. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “The Gem of Alsace” tour OR Strasbourg bike tour

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. 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 perhaps get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, a small replica of the famous version in New York, to commemorate the sculptor's Colmar birthplace.

Those wishing for a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike through the heart of the Kaiserstuhl, a volcanic region in the Rhine plain known for its unique landscapes, vineyards, and exceptional biodiversity. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Colmar walking tour OR Kaiserstuhl Vineyard hike OR Breisach wine country bike tour

After breakfast, disembark the ship and before transferring to Lake Lucerne, go on a highlights tour of Basel, 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. After that, depart for Lake Lucerne. (B)

Excursions:

• Basel highlights tour
• Transfer to Lake Lucerne

Today, enjoy a walking tour of Lucerne, situated where the Reuss River flows into Lake Lucerne. Small cobblestone streets, squares with fountains and frescoed buildings typify Lucerne. Easily the symbol of the city, the Chapel Bridge is a medieval covered bridge and is one of the oldest wooden bridges in Europe. (B)

Excursions:

• Lucerne City tour

Check out of your hotel and before your transfer via motorcoach to Zurich, enjoy a scenic lake cruise. As part of your included excursion, you will 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 Zurich hotel. (B)

Excursions:

• Lucerne Lake cruise
• Queen of the Mountains excursion and Transfer to Zurich

Switzerland's largest city seamlessly blends its historic past with its progressive future—all of which will be on full display during your city tour. One of the top experiences in Zurich is a visit to Old Town where you will find yourself amongst medieval houses, churches and the modern Bahnhofstrasse. (B)

Excursions:

• “Little Big City” tour

After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home. (B)