This exciting river cruise vacation has it all! Begin in Amsterdam with a cruise through the city’s enchanting canals. Then, head north to explore the unique harbor town of Volendam and Edam with its world-famous cheeses. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Cologne, Koblenz, and Strasbourg; see the Roman ruins at Trier, Reichsburg Castle above charming Cochem, and the unique Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim. Also, visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, sail past the legendary Lorelei rock and through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, sample the area’s celebrated wines in Bernkastel, and enjoy excursions to majestic Heidelberg and to Germany’s legendary Black Forest.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland (Embarkation). Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland’s capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception at 6 pm. (D)
Day #2 Amsterdam–Volendam–Excursion to Edam. There is no better way to see the city than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” North of Amsterdam and situated on the IJsselmeer is the town of Volendam, a unique open harbor with a maze of fishermen’s houses built on poles. The small, timbered church dates back to 1658. Drive to Edam, whose cheese of the same name has become famous worldwide and where cheese markets are still held in the summer months. The Old Town center, especially the Kwakelsteeg, still has lovely characteristic Waterland houses. Rejoin your ship, and this evening, cruise across the IJsselmeer, the former Zuider Zee. (B,L,D)
Day #3 Kinderdijk. This morning, stop in Kinderdijk, a quintessential Dutch scene with its 19 splendid windmills standing on reclaimed polder land between the Rivers Lek and Noord. A visit to one of these WINDMILLS will explain their function as pumps when the water was drained from the polders around 1740. Be sure to take photos, and after some free time, rejoin your ship for lunch and enjoy a leisurely afternoon of cruising on your way to Cologne. (B,L,D)
Day #4 Cologne, Germany. Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany’s largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of the magnificent gothic cathedral dominate the river skyline. The Germano-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés, and shops. Try a Kölsch, the favorite local beer, and shop for a bottle of “4711,” the original eau de cologne. (B,L,D)
Day #5 Koblenz. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. The Deutsches Eck, located on a tongue of land where the two rivers converge, holds an impressive equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. The Moselle River is some 312-miles long, rising in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France and entering Germany at Trier. The entire Moselle Valley is famous for its beautiful and tranquil scenery. (B,L,D)
Day #6 Bernkastel. In the middle of the Moselle region is the charming wine village of Bernkastel with its well-preserved half-timbered houses surrounding the beautiful MARKETPLACE. Wine growers in this area look after Germany’s largest expanse of vineyards, the most celebrated of the vintages being the Bernkasteler Doktor. Visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste several of this region’s varietals. (B,L,D)
Day #7 Grevenmacher, Luxembourg. Excursion to Trier, Germany. After breakfast, relax on the Sky Deck for a picturesque cruise to Grevenmacher, where you arrive at lunchtime. From here, a short ride takes you to the venerable Episcopal city of Trier, which you visit with a Certified Local Guide. Trier is Germany’s oldest city and, some claim, even older than Rome! The famous Porta Nigra is the only surviving fortified gate from the original Roman settlement and still gives access to the town center. Trier’s most famous son was socialist revolutionary Karl Marx. After some free time, rejoin your ship and continue sailing down the Moselle to your next stop, Cochem. (B,L,D)
Day #8 Cochem. Visit REICHSBURG CASTLE, which sits atop a conical hill covered in vines. From here, views of the little town of Cochem nestled down below and of the river valley are splendid. Cruising the wide, peaceful curves of the river, it quickly becomes obvious that the Moselle is an important wine-growing region. Most notably, the Riesling grape is cultivated, producing a dry to sweet, floral white wine. (B,L,D)
Day #9 Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Rüdesheim is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town and SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! A SPECIAL TREAT is planned, then free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs. (B,L,D)
Day #10 Mainz. Excursion to Heidelberg. This morning your ship docks in Mainz, Germany’s largest and most important wine market. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and you’ll visit the GUTENBERG MUSEUM. From here, a half-day excursion takes you to Heidelberg, of Student Prince fame and Germany’s oldest university town. Take pictures of the ruins of the imposing red sandstone castle towering above the city and enjoy free time to explore. (B,L,D)
Day #11 Strasbourg, France. Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Noteworthy sights are the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with the statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion to the Alsace wine region is available today. (B,L,D)
Day #12 Breisach, Germany. Excursion to the Black Forest. Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border is the gateway to Germany’s BLACK FOREST region, an area of unrivaled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. Surely the most well-known products from this region are cuckoo clocks, Black Forest ham, and Black Forest cherry cake. Choose to visit the workshop of a local woodcarver and clock maker, and purchase some locally made souvenirs, or visit an OPEN-AIR MUSEUM to see just how life was lived in this area centuries ago. (B,L,D)
Day #13 Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation). Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave Zürich Airport before 10 am. (B)