Rhine & Moselle Delights with Zurich and Lake Lucerne (Wine Cruise)

Arrive in Zurich and check into your hotel.

Switzerland's largest city, Zurich, seamlessly blends its historic past with its progressive future—all of which will be on full display during your city tour. (B)

Excursions:

• “Little Big City” tour

Check out of your hotel and transfer to Lake Lucerne. On your way, you will enjoy a scenic lake cruise on Lake Lucerne hotel. Then, you will take a cable car ride up Mount Rigi, known as the “Queen of the Mountains.” Take in breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscape below before continuing to your hotel. (B)

Excursions:

• Transfer to Lucerne
• Lucerne Lake Cruise
• Queen of the Mountain excursion

Lucerne's beauty and charm is unrivaled. You'll discover this beauty on a walking tour, during which you will stop at the iconic Lion Monument, sculpted in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution. You'll also visit the spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century. (B)

Excursions:

• Lucerne City Tour and medieval city walls

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

Excursions:

• Depart Hotel
• Transfer to Basel and Basel City 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. While there, enjoy a visit to a winery for a tasting of locally produced Alsatian wines. 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.”

Afterwards, you will continue on to visit a winery, where you will have the opportunity to taste their locally produced wines. Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside, or go on a hike to the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions, as well as home to elaborate cuckoo clocks. (B/L/D) *Please Note: Black forest hike is weather dependent and may only operate at certain times of year. Please refer to your final documents for details.

Excursions:

• Riquewihr walking tour and wine tasting OR Freiburg excursion and wine tasting OR Black Forest hike OR Breisach wine country bike tour

Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany. 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. Alternatively, the active adventurer can take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l'Orangerie. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

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

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 a tour of the glorious Schwetzingen Baroque Palace. 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 views of the city. 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, Rüdsheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Heidelberg excursion OR Mannheim Baroque Palace OR Heidelberg Philosopher's Path hike
• Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet OR Rüdesheimer Coffee

Your exploration of Rüdesheim continues with your choice of three excursions. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue. Afterwards, indulge your taste buds with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards. Alternatively, you can join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg or hike through the town's beautiful vineyards. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Gondola ride and wine tasting OR Vineyard hike OR Guided Bike Tour of the Rheingau
• Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising

Sail to Bernkastel, located in the middle of the Moselle Valley's wine-producing region. Walk through its colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided tour, and afterwards, be treated to a wine tasting. Hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, and cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike tour along the shores of the Moselle River. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

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

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise along the Moselle River to Trier, Germany's oldest city, where you can discover on a city tour why it has been called the “Rome of the North” or “Second Rome” 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” OR Petrisberg hike OR Trier bike tour

Discover how the castle has been an integral part of the town's history, and afterwards, go on a walking tour along Cochem's narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval houses. For a more active excursion, hike to the castle or go on a biking tour along the Moselle River. As an alternative excursion, you can visit one of Europe's oldest working mustard mills where you will sample Cochem's famous mustard. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Reichsburg Castle and walking tour OR Reichsburg Castle hike OR Cochem Mustard Mill OR Cochem bike tour

Enjoy cruising to Cologne, then 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. End your city tour with a visit to a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II. 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 OR Cologne Cathedral Architecture tour OR Cologne bike tour

View Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise followed by a walk to Begijnhof, known for its Middle Age buildings. Or taste the local flavor on a guided walk past the city's iconic canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats, tasting Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam cafe. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Canal cruise OR Tastes of Amsterdam

Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your flight home. (B)