DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart for Switzerland
Depart for Switzerland
DAY 2, Wednesday - Arrive in Basel
Arrive in Basel, nestled on the banks of the Rhine River. Transfer to your hotel, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a reception. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Basel
DAY 3, Thursday - Basel Walking Tour
This morning, take a walking tour of Basel. Begin at the Munster Cathedral, and pass by the Basel Historical Museum, housed in a series of historic buildings. Next, view the City Hall, and stroll along the Munster Pfalz, a scenic lookout, offering panoramic views of the Rhine River. Conclude the tour at the Tinguely Fountain, a whimsical masterpiece created by Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, and witness the fountain's captivating spectacle. Spend the balance of the day at leisure. This evening, join your Tour Manager for an orientation walk around the hotel
Overnight: Basel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Friday - Explore Lucerne, or Optional Mount Pilatus Tour
Depart Basel, and travel to the city of Lucerne, situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne, and surrounded by the majestic Swiss Alps. Arrive, and begin an orientation tour through Lucerne starting at the Lion Monument. View the 14th century medieval Chapel Bridge forming the centerpiece of Lucerne's townscape, and the covered Spreuer Bridge with its macabre paintings of skeletons, and reapers, depicting the "Dance of Death." Remainder of the day is at leisure. Perhaps join the optional tour to Mount Pilatus. Board a cogwheel railway* which takes you to the summit of Mt. Pilatus at nearly 7,000 feet. Later, descend by aerial cableway. Drive back to Basel, and arrive at the hotel late afternoon
*From November to May and in the event of adverse weather, the cogwheel will be replaced by the aerial cable car.
Optional: Mount Pilatus Tour
Overnight: Basel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Saturday - Full Day in Basel, or Optional Colmar Tour with Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Spend the day at leisure to explore Basel at your own pace, or participate in the optional Colmar Tour with Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. Travel through the Alsatian countryside to Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, perched atop a rocky outcrop. Tour the castle, and learn about its storied past. Afterward, head to Ribeauville, located on the Wine Route. Free time to discover this delightful town, and for lunch on your own. In the afternoon explore Colmar, nestled in the heart of the Alsace region. Begin the walking tour in the heart of Colmar's Old Town. Stroll along the cobblestone streets, and marvel at the colorful half-timbered houses, and flower-adorned canals. Visit the Unterlinden Museum, showcasing a renowned collection of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque artworks, including the masterpiece Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald
Optional: Colmar Tour with Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Overnight: Basel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Sunday - Black Forest, Lake Titisee
Take a scenic drive through the Black Forest region, an area of unrivaled natural beauty with its dense forests of thick pine trees. Arrive at the Black Forest Museum Vogtsbauernhof. Explore this open-air museum, and learn how people lived in the Black Forest region hundreds of years ago. Watch as craftsmen demonstrate how cuckoo clocks are made, and observe a pastry chef create the famous Black Forest cake. Indulge yourself with a decadent Black Forest cake. Spend free time for souvenir shopping, before departing for Lake Titisee. Arrive in time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, choose to relax along the shores, or take a leisurely stroll along the promenade. Depart for Basel, arriving late afternoon
Overnight: Basel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Monday - Full Day in Basel, or Optional Zurich Tour with Lindt Chocolate Factory Visit
Today is free to discover the delights Basel has to offer. Perhaps, join the optional Zurich Tour with Lindt Chocolate Factory Visit. Travel to Zurich, Switzerland's financial center. Visit the Lindt Chocolate Factory, where you'll witness the artistry of Swiss chocolate making. Indulge in chocolate tastings, and later embark on a scenic boat ride across the lake to Zurich Bürkliplatz. Take an orientation walk of the historic center, and view iconic landmarks such as the Fraumunster, and Grossmunster churches. Free time to explore Zurich on your own before returning to Basel
Optional: Zurich Tour with Lindt Chocolate Factory Visit
Overnight: Basel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Tuesday - Full Day in Basel, or Optional Bern Tour with Cheese Museum Visit
On your last day at leisure, choose the optional Bern Tour with Cheese Museum Visit. Embark on an delightful excursion to the countryside of Emmental, where you will visit a local dairy farm. Explore the showroom, and witness the tradition of cheese making firsthand. Gain insight into the production of this renowned cheese, and sample a variety of cheeses. Afterward, continue to Bern, the capital of Switzerland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take an orientation walk of the Old Town, and view the iconic Zytglogge clock tower, and the majestic Gothic cathedral. Free time to explore, and for lunch on your own, before heading back. Tonight at dinner, bid farewell to your Swiss Tour Manager
Optional: Bern Tour with Cheese Museum Visit
Overnight: Basel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Wednesday - Cruise Embarkation
This afternoon transfer to the port for cruise embarkation. This evening, meet your Cruise Director and enjoy dinner as it sets the mood for your delightful river cruise
Overnight: River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Thursday - Breisach Walking Tour
Arrive this morning in the small town of Breisach that dates back over 4,000 years. On your walking tour along the cobbled streets lined with pastel-painted houses, it's hard to believe this town was mostly destroyed in WWII and then totally restored to its original beauty. View the towering Romanesque and Gothic St. Stephansmunster Cathedral, a highlight of the city. After lunch set sail for Strasbourg
Overnight: River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11, Friday - Strasbourg City Tour
A lovely day awaits you in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, situated on the border of France and Germany, blending the cultures of both countries. Discover Strasbourg on the tour highlighting the city's center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of special note is the stunning Gothic Cathedral, an exquisite example of late Gothic architecture that houses one of the finest astronomical clocks in existence. See the magical La Petite France district, home to quaint shops and charming bistros, Place Kleber, a large historic square in the center of the city and Place Gutenberg, dedicated to the inventor of the printing press. This evening, the ship sets sail toward Speyer
Overnight: River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12, Saturday - Morning in Speyer & Evening in Rudesheim
This morning arrive in Speyer. Perhaps take a refreshing morning walk through this picturesque town founded by the Romans, or alternatively, join the optional tour to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany and inspiration for some of the world's greatest writers and artists. The ship will continue sailing this morning and passengers joining the tour will rejoin the ship at lunchtime and relax on board this afternoon. After dinner, arrive in Rudesheim, a lively village in the heart of the Rhine. Perhaps take a leisurely walk through town or visit a quaint wine tavern
Optional: Heidelberg City Tour (AM)
Overnight: River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13, Sunday - Morning Cruising & Afternoon in Koblenz
This morning, take in the spectacular vistas as the ship sails past castles perched on lofty cliffs, terraced vineyards, and tiny villages. Pass the mighty Lorelei Rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine rising vertically from the waters, named for the siren "Lorelei" who bewitched sailors passing by. After lunch on board, the ship docks in Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Join a walking tour and free time to explore the Romanesque architecture and imposing defensive towers of this 2000-year old city. Or, join the optional tour to the dramatic Marksburg Castle, the only hill castle on the Rhine that's never been destroyed and has been continuously occupied for over 700 years
Optional: Marksburg Castle Tour (PM)
Overnight: River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14, Monday - Cologne City Tour
Today the ship will dock in Cologne, one of Germany's largest cities and capital of the Rhineland. Your walking tour of the city is highlighted by the soaring, twin-steeple Gothic cathedral that is the geographical and spiritual heart of the city. Known for its vibrant art scene, Cologne abounds with cafes, galleries, shops, and taverns
Overnight: River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15, Tuesday - Amsterdam City Tour
Cruise into Amsterdam as you enjoy breakfast on board and join a panoramic tour of 700-year-old Amsterdam. View Amsterdam's port, one of the main harbors of Dutch East India Company during the Golden Age. Continue to the former Jewish quarter with its 17th century Portuguese Synagogue, and National Holocaust Names Memorial. Pass by the 19th century neighborhood with its classic architecture, museums, and lively squares. Then, board a glass-top boat, and cruise the winding canals for an up-close view of the stately historic homes, 16th century warehouses, and charming churches with striking bell towers. This evening bid farewell to your Cruise Director on your final night on board
Overnight: River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 16, Wednesday - Depart the Netherlands
This morning, disembark and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Disembarkation will end at 9:30 AM
Meals: Breakfast
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provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates
are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators.
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