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 (PM)
Overnight: Basel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Saturday - Full Day in Basel, or Optional Rhine Falls Boat Trip with Medieval Town of Schaffhausen
Today is free for you to explore Basel at your own pace, or participate in the optional Rhine Falls Boat Trip with Medieval Town of Schaffhausen. Embark on a journey to the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall. Feel the power of the cascading waters up close on a boat trip, where you'll cruise toward the heart of the falls for a spectacular view. Next, travel to the medieval town of Schaffhausen, famous for its well-preserved Old Town. Take a walk through its streets, admiring historical buildings adorned with intricate frescoes and oriel windows. Afterward, spend free time exploring and have lunch on your own before returning to the hotel
Optional: Rhine Falls Boat Trip with Medieval Town of Schaffhausen
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 in the late afternoon
*For Feb, Mar & Nov departures, Black Forest Open Air Museum will be replaced with Black Forest Museum Triberg, due to its closure.
Overnight: Basel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Monday - 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 have 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 8, Tuesday - Full Day in Basel, or Optional Bern Tour with Cheese Museum Visit
On your last day at leisure in Basel, 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
Optional: Bern Tour with Cheese Museum Visit
Overnight: Basel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Wednesday - Travel to Zurich, City Tour
This morning, depart Basel and travel to Zurich, Switzerland's financial center. Start the city tour with a panoramic drive through the trendy Zurich West district and then straight into city center of Zurich. Passing the National Museum, you will catch a glimpse of the famous shopping street "Bahnhofstrasse" and enjoy a magnificent view over Zurich. The tour concludes with a short leisurely walk through the picturesque Old Town with sights such as the Fraumünster, St. Peter's Church, the Grossmünster, and the Limmatquai. After lunch on your own, transfer to your hotel
Overnight: Zurich
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Thursday - Full Day in Zurich, or Optional St. Gallen with Abbey Library Tour
Spend the day at leisure to explore Zurich or join the optional St. Gallen with Abbey Library Tour. Discover the charm of St. Gallen with a guided tour through its historic Old Town. View colorful frescoed buildings and intricate oriel windows showcasing the city's medieval heritage. Visit the Cathedral with its beautiful interior and towering spires before exploring the iconic Abbey Library, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the Baroque splendor of its hall, home to over 170,000 rare and ancient books, some dating to the 9th century. Tonight at dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: St. Gallen with Abbey Library Tour
Overnight: Zurich
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11, Friday - Lindt Chocolate Factory Visit, Cruise Embarkation in Basel
This morning, visit the Lindt Chocolate Factory, where you'll witness the artistry of Swiss chocolate making. Indulge in chocolate tastings before heading to the port in Basel for your 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 12, Saturday - 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 13, Sunday - 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 14, Monday - 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 15, Tuesday - 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
*This tour will encounter some uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes.
Optional: Marksburg Castle Tour (PM)
Overnight: River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 16, Wednesday - 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 17, Thursday - Amsterdam City Tour
Today's panoramic tour of 700-year-old Amsterdam introduces you to both the old and the new sections of this city. 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 18, Friday - 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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