This 15-day cruise is a leisurely celebration of five countries along the storied Rhine River. The journey's highlights are Germany's castle-studded landscapes and famous Rhine wine region, featuring stops in quaint Rudesheim and Cologne, known for its thriving art scene. To the south, the Black Forest area, Switzerland's fascinating Basel and the Alsatian capital Strasbourg; to the north, Holland's Amsterdam and Belgium's medieval cities of Brugge and Antwerp. Whether you are familiar with this part of the world or not, our Treasures of the Rhine itinerary lets ou see it from a wonderful new perspective.
Day 1 Antwerp
Welcome to Antwerp. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, enjoy free time to explore the city-or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. (D)
Day 2 Brugge & Antwerp
This morning, embark on a full-day excursion to Brugge. See the medieval Beguinage courtyard and gardens, the Church of Our Lady, Gruuthuuse Palace and Simon Stevin Square. Enjoy some free time back in Antwerp this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Delft & Dordrecht
Take a journey to Delft, famous for its blue-and-white china. Stop at one of the last Delftware factories for a pottery demonstration. Then, see the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the Prinsenhof (Prince's Court) on your guided tour. Return aboard for lunch; sail to Dordrecht. Enjoy a free afternoon in this charming Dutch town, or take an optional excursion to see the windmills at Kinderdijk. Dine aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Gouda & Utrecht
After breakfast, take a journey to Hoogerwaard Cheese Farm for a guided tour and cheese-making demonstration. Continue to Gouda, world-renowned for its cheese. See the Town Hall and St. John's Church, both Gothic in style. Return to your ship in Utrecht for lunch aboard and sail to Amsterdam, arriving late afternoon. Dinner is served aboard, or explore Amsterdam's terrific restaurants and nightlife. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Amsterdam
This morning, enjoy a glass-topped canal cruise past merchant houses and the famed Skinny Bridge. Visit the Van Gogh Museum and explore works by the famed artist and others. Enjoy free time. Lunch and dinner aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Arnhem
Arrive during breakfast in Arnhem and enjoy a motorcoach excursion to the Dutch Royal Family's former summer residence, Paleis Het Loo+. Tour the palace's lavish rooms; then stroll through the picture-perfect gardens fashioned after those of Versailles. Return to your ship for lunch, then take the opportunity to explore Arnhem, a quaint town rich in World War II history. Dine aboard. Evening departure. (B, L, D)
+Closed on Mondays; battlefield visit or museum tour will be substituted.
Day 7 Cologne
After breakfast, a walking tour takes you past St. Martin's Church to Cologne's Old Town and includes a visit to the magnificent Gothic cathedral. Then tour a local Brauhaus and sample the beer. Lunch and dinner are served aboard, but dockside there are many taverns, cafes and shops to explore. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Koblenz
Spend the morning enjoying the scenery along the Rhine. In the afternoon, arrive in Koblenz and tour this 2,000-year-old city. Spend free time exploring its neoclassical architecture and many medieval churches. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Cochem
Arrive in Cochem after lunch and take a walking tour of this quaint village. See its medieval town gate and marketplace, then visit a winery and taste some local vintages. Return to your ship for dinner and an evening departure. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Koblenz & Rudesheim
After breakfast, visit 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and tour its museum. Lunch aboard as you cruise through the afternoon past legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rudesheim and take a mini-train to tour Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum. Return to your ship for dinner and remain docked overnight; spend some time in the Drosselgasse, a pedestrian-only street lined with shops, bars and restaurants. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Heidelberg & Speyer
After breakfast, take a journey to Heidelberg, home to Germany's oldest university founded in 1386. A guided tour features imposing Heidelberg Castle, a red sandstone ruin overlooking the Neckar River. Continue with a walking tour through the Old Town and marketplace. Return aboard for lunch and afternoon cruising to Speyer. Enjoy free time in this quiet German town. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Strasbourg
After breakfast take a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and enjoy a guided visit inside the city's famed cathedral. Free time allows you to further explore the old section of this French-German city. Dinner aboard; cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Breisach
This morning, arrive in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. After breakfast, enjoy an excursion through the area's mountain landscape, meadows and dense forests and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Free time this afternoon. Or, join our optional guided walking tour of Colmar, a quaint Alsatian town. Dine aboard and cruise through the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 14 Basel
After breakfast, join a tour of this multicultural city. See its historic Middle Bridge, cathedral and steep winding streets. Then, tour one of the city's many art museums. Enjoy afternoon free time. Lunch and dinner are served aboard. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 15 Basel
After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the Basel airport for your return flight.* (B)
