Rhine & Moselle Fairytales

Board the ship for your Rhine & Moselle Fairytales cruise. (D)

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you'll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Canal cruise
• Scenic cruising

Join a guided tour through Cologne's 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. End your city tour with a visit to a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Cologne walking tour and Kölsch tasting OR Cologne bike tour

Visit Lahneck Castle, a 13th-century medieval fortress in the riverside town of Lahnstein. There are a treasure trove of legends surrounding this castle, some including the twelve Knights Templar. Hear these stories and more on a guided tour through this historic castle. Alternatively, head to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress to take the aerial cable car over the Rhine to Koblenz, which boasts a rich history spanning more than 2,000 years.

For those seeking a more active adventure, explore the area on the “Two Rivers Bike Tour,” which takes you along both the Rhine and Moselle rivers; or go on a hike around Lahnstein to Burg Lahneck Castle. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Burg Lahneck visit OR Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and cable car ride to Koblenz OR Burg Lahneck Castle hike OR “Two Rivers” bike tour

Spend the morning taking in the beauty of the Moselle on this scenic stretch of the river before reaching Cochem with its half-timbered houses and Reichsburg Castle. Join a guided tour through the castle and then walk through its Old Town. For those wishing to have a more active exploration of the area, you can go on a guided hike to the castle or a bike tour through Cochem. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Scenic cruising
• Reichsburg Castle and walking tour OR Reichsburg Castle hike OR Cochem bike tour

Explore Trier, Germany's oldest city, where you can discover on a city tour why it has been called the “Rome of the North” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alternatively, go in search of the secrets of the Porta Nigra Gate on a tour that takes you back to a time when Rome ruled the world from the Emperor's seat in Trier. You also have the choice of a bike tour through the historic city center and along the Moselle River; or hike high above Trier to Petrisberg. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Scenic cruising
• “Rome of the North” tour OR “Ancient Tales of the Porta Nigra” tour OR Petrisberg hike OR Trier bike tour

Bernkastel will enchant you as you walk through its colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided tour that also includes a winery visit and tasting. Cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike tour and hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Walking tour and wine tasting OR Landshut Castle hike OR Moselle bike tour

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, before reaching Rüdesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, and afterwards, be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town's beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour through the Rheingau wine region.

Later in the day, let Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you or taste one of the town's special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

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

You have a choice of several excursions, depending on your interest. Visit Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany's Castle Road. Alternatively, relive a bygone era on an excursion to the glorious Schwetzingen Baroque Palace. Tour this splendid palace furnished with over 800 exhibits. You can also hike the historic Philosopher's Path along the Neckar River or bike to the charming town of Ladenburg and glide past its half-timbered architecture. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion OR Mannheim Baroque Palace OR Heidelberg Philosopher's Path hike OR Ladenburg bike tour

Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “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. Alternatively, the active adventurer can take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l'Orangerie. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

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

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 Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate.

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. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg's Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Riquewihr walking tour OR Freiburg excursion OR Breisach Wine Country bike tour OR Kaiserstuhl Vineyard hike

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Switzerland as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)