Contoured by vineyard-clad hills and castles from yesteryear, the legendary Rhine captivates – and we invite you discover the flavor of this tantalizing region on a Celebration of Wine River Cruise with enhanced epicurean experiences included in the price of your cruise. Immerse yourself in France’s Alsace region in its welcoming capital, Strasbourg, and its priceless gem, Riquewihr. Discover Breisach, rising above the vineyards of the Rhine, and Freiburg, one of Germany’s sunniest cities and gateway to the Black Forest. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavors—Rüdesheimer coffee and Kölsch beer—and to touch history up close with guided hikes and bike rides. From Amsterdam’s colorful canals to Germany’s Black Forest, journey into the heart of the destinations you visit.
Contoured by vineyard-clad hills and castles from yesteryear, the legendary Rhine River captivates – and we invite you discover the flavor of this tantalizing region on a Celebration of Wine River Cruise with enhanced epicurean experiences included in the price of your cruise. Immerse yourself in the allure of France’s Alsace region in its welcoming capital, Strasbourg, and its priceless gem, Riquewihr. Discover Breisach, rising above the vineyards of the Rhine, and Freiburg, one of Germany’s sunniest cities and gateway to the Black Forest. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavors—Rüdesheimer coffee, Riesling wines and Kölsch beer—and to touch history up close with guided hikes and bike rides. From Amsterdam’s colorful canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, journey into the heart of the destinations you visit.
COUNTRIES:
France, Germany, Netherlands, SwitzerlandFrance, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland
RIVERS:
Rhine
Captivating Rhine (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
| Day 1 | Amsterdam | EMBARKATION |
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Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Captivating Rhine Celebration of Wine River Cruise.
| Day 2 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise tour |
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| | Scenic cruising out of Amsterdam |
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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)
| Day 3 | Cologne | “Holy City” walking tour, cathedral visit & Kölsch beer tasting |
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Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, plus see other local sights. For a different view, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen mit apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Rhine Gorge | Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising |
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| Rüdesheim | Rüdesheim wine tasting |
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| | OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau |
|
| | Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum |
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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 Musical Instrument Museum 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)
| Day 5 | Ludwigshafen | “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion |
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| | OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour |
|
| | OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s hike |
|
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; or bike along the Neckar River to the medieval town of Ladenburg, with its shops and quaint Marktplatz. 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. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Strasbourg | “The Gem of Alsace” tour |
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Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its 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. Later, discover the fragrant aromas, ranging from bright and fruity to crisp and spicy, of Alsatian wines a special tasting. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Breisach | Riquewihr walking tour & wine tasting |
|
| | OR Freiburg excursion & wine tasting |
|
| | OR Black Forest excursion |
|
| | OR Breisach wine country bike tour |
|
Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. 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 and famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate, and enjoy a visit to a winery for a tasting of locally produced Alsatian wines. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth,” followed by a wine tasting. Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. (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.
After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home. (B)
| Day 1 | Amsterdam | Hotel check-in |
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Arrive in Amsterdam and check into your hotel.
| Day 2 | Amsterdam | Walking Tour |
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Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture. (B)
| Day 3 | Amsterdam | Zaanse Schans visit |
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Check out of your hotel and, before transferring to your ship, visit Zaanse Schans, observing life as it used to be lived in the Netherlands. Authentic windmills, houses and shops were relocated to this picturesque area, creating a typical 17th- to 18th-century village. (B,D)
| Day 4 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise tour |
|
| | Scenic cruising out of Amsterdam |
|
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)
| Day 5 | Cologne | “Holy City” walking tour, cathedral visit & Kölsch beer tasting |
|
Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, plus see other local sights. For a different view, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen mit apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Rhine Gorge | Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising |
|
| Rüdesheim | Rüdesheim wine tasting |
|
| | OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau |
|
| | Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum |
|
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 Musical Instrument Museum 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)
| Day 7 | Ludwigshafen | “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion |
|
| | OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour |
|
| | OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s hike |
|
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; or bike along the Neckar River to the medieval town of Ladenburg, with its shops and quaint Marktplatz. 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. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Strasbourg | “The Gem of Alsace” tour |
|
Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its 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. Later, discover the fragrant aromas, ranging from bright and fruity to crisp and spicy, of Alsatian wines a special tasting. (B,L,D)
| Day 9 | Breisach | Riquewihr walking tour & wine tasting |
|
| | OR Freiburg excursion & wine tasting |
|
| | OR Black Forest excursion |
|
| | OR Breisach wine country bike tour |
|
Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. 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 and famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate, and enjoy a visit to a winery for a tasting of locally produced Alsatian wines. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth,” followed by a wine tasting. Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. (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.
| Day 10 | Basel | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship and, before transferring to Lucerne, go on a highlights tour of Basel. Once in Lucerne, discover the unrivaled beauty and charm of this pristine city on a walking tour. Check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening. (B)
| Day 11 | Lucerne | Lion Monument and medieval city walls |
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Today, 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)
| Day 12 | Lucerne | Lucerne Lake Cruise and scenic drive to Zurich |
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Check out of your hotel and enjoy a scenic lake cruise in Lucerne before transferring via motorcoach to Zurich, traveling past scenic landscapes and Alpine lakes. Later, check into your hotel. (B)
| Day 13 | Zurich | “Little Big City” tour |
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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)
| Day 14 | Zurich | Return flight home |
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After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home. (B)