Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps

Board the ship for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise. (D)

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. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Canal cruise
• Scenic cruising

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 Fischmarkt, 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 beer tasting OR Cologne bike 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)

Excursions:

• Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising
• 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 four 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 pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

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

Enjoy getting to know 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, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Alternatively, go on a full-day excursion* to Lucerne to explore its medieval towers.

In the afternoon, for guests who have not chosen the full-day Lucerne excursion, visit a local winery to sample Swiss wines, tour Wildegg Castle, a fortress built by the Habsburgs in the early 13th century that features a 3,300 square meter garden, or embark on an exhilarating hike to the castle. (B/L/D)

*Not combinable with other tours on this day.

Excursions:

• “City of Art” tour OR Full-day Lucerne excursion*  OR “Three Countries” bike tour
• Swiss wine tasting OR Swiss castle excursion OR Castle hile

Bid farewell to Basel and prepare for your flight home. (B)