Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam where you will be met and transported to your ship. You will have with free time to visit Anne Frank's house before we depart.
Day 2: Sail to Kinderduk, a UNESCO World heritage site. After a tour of the windmills have lunch on board. Have an enjoyable afternoon exploring on your own. We sail through the night.
Day 3: Sail along the Rhine River to Cologne where you will disembark for a walking tour of Old Town. Stroll past St. Martins Church and the Dom Catherdal stopping to visit awhile. Explore dockside taverns, cafes and shops on your own or let your program directorhelp plan your free time. Dinner is served aboard and you set sail in the late evening.
Day 4: This morning you take a walking tour of 700 year old Marksburg Castle and Museum. You will have lunch on board as you enjoy the senic passage where castles overlook the Rhine from hilltop locations. In late afternoon you will diembark at Rudesheim and stroll along the pedestrian-only Drasselgasse. You may dine on board or choose to dine in town as the boat sails after midnight.
Day 5: Cruise through the morning to Mannheim and disembark for a journey to Heidelberg to see Germany's oldest university founded in 1386. Then visit the ruins of Heidelsberg Castle and take in the scenery of Neckar Valley. Continue your walking tour of Old Town to the renowed gates. You will rejoin your cruise in Speyer, home of the Romanesque 11th century Catherdal where eight German momarchs have been laid to rest. Dine on board as we again set sail upon the Rhine.
Day 6: Dock in Kehl and set out on a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European parliment and the visit the inside of it's famed cathderal. Free time to shop and stroll on your own before returning to the ship for dinner. You will also have free time to explore Kehl before the ship departs.
DAY 7: This morning we arrive in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. You will take a scenic excursion through the area's mountains, meadows and forests and aong the way visit cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Free time to explore Breisach before an early evening departure to Basel.
Day 8: After breakfast on board, you will proceed to the airport in Basel and depart for home. Or extend your time in Switzerland's Alpine region with 2 nights in lovely Lucerne or 3 nights at Lake Geneva.
Rhine River Cruise
June 15 - 23 (8 days) $3099+ air