Arrive in charming Amsterdam and board your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Welcome Dinner. 

The famous canals of Amsterdam await discovery on your city tour. Begin with a scenic canal cruise and see the tall narrow homes lining the water, the Skinny Bridge, and the house where Anne Frank and her family lived in hiding during WWII. Next, walk to Begijnhof, known for its historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, and have some free time to explore. Later, enjoy a panoramic city tour on which you can see the Royal Palace, Westerkerk, and stop for photos at a Dutch windmill before returning to the ship. This afternoon depart for Germany. 

The ship arrives in Cologne around lunchtime. Take a guided tour of the city, strolling through the Old Town and Cathedral Square, and visiting the fabled Gothic cathedral. This evening, experience the elaborate Christmas Market in Cathedral Square, one of Europe’s largest and most renowned. The ship cruises overnight. 

This morning, cruise through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, admiring its many castles and fortress ruins and the legendary Lorelei Rock. This afternoon, arrive in the wine-making town of Rüdesheim where you have the option to take one of three excursions: wine tasting with a local vintner, a gondola ride above the town to see the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, or a guided bike tour along the Rhine River to one of Germany's best wine regions. Later you have free time to shop at the town’s Christmas Market and explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s most famous and charming street, a narrow passage lined with shops and taverns. This evening, visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, home to a remarkable collection of old robotic and self-playing musical instruments, or enjoy some Rüdesheimer Coffee. The ship sails overnight. 

Arrive in Mannheim, where you have a choice between three excursions this afternoon. Your first option is a half-day excursion to the historic university town of Heidelberg, where you can visit the red-walled castle with its Great Vat (a 49,000-gallon wine cask) and enjoy beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and city below. You can also opt to visit the Mannheim Baroque Palace, intended to be the second largest Baroque palace complex in Europe. It was designed to highlight the important role of the Palatine Prince Electors in the Holy Roman Empire. As a third option you can enjoy a tour of Speyer one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its cathedral, numerous churches and the medieval Altpörtel (Old Gate). Later, have time to visit the local Christmas Markets. This evening, the ship continues onward to Strasbourg, France.

Capital city of France’s Alsace region, Strasbourg is situated on the Rhine at the German border. After arriving this morning, enjoy one of three excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour that takes you past the Orangery, the European Parliament, and the Place de Republique. Afterwards, explore on foot with a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood, where you can see the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock, and have a chance to visit Strasbourg’s famous Christmas Market – said to be the oldest and best in all of France. Your other options are a bike tour to the Old Town, or a hike that starts at the Orangery and makes its way to the cathedral. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish. The ship moors in Strasbourg overnight. 

You have two exciting excursions to choose from today. The first is a walking tour of Riquewihr, a picturesque town renowned for its historic architecture and for its Riesling wines, followed by time at the town’s Christmas Market. A second option is a walking tour of the beautiful towns of Breisach and Freiburg, where you can visit the historical city center and Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral constructed of red sandstone. You may also visit Christmas Markets here. Your third option is a guided bike tour of Breisach that takes you through the Rheinau woods. Tonight, the ship cruises towards Switzerland. 

Disembark after breakfast and head off on a city tour of cosmopolitan Basel. Long an important university, banking, and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and old, elegant homes. You have free time in Basel for lunch on your own as well a chance to visit Christmas Markets. Later, depart for Lucerne, stopping en route to visit the Lion Monument, built to honor the Swiss Guards who fought for King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. After arriving mid-afternoon and checking in to your hotel, the remainder of the evening is yours to spend at your leisure, perhaps visiting Lucerne’s charming Christmas Market. 

Situated on Lake Lucerne, this city is truly a medieval gem. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour that explores some of the city’s famous cobblestone streets, monuments, fountain-embellished public squares, covered bridges, and colorful fresco-covered buildings. You have free time in the afternoon to shop for Swiss-made watches, knives, and delicious chocolates. 

Enjoy a free morning in Lucerne before checking out of your hotel. Afterwards, cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, where you board a motor coach for a scenic drive to Zurich. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the town or visit Zurich’s enchanting indoor Christmas Market (located inside the city’s main train station). 

Your morning walking tour of picturesque Zurich includes the Grossmünster and St. Peter, which has the largest church clock face in the world. Also see the Old Town, the Town Hall, and the Fraumünster abbey, home to five world-famous Chagall windows. The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own, visit the Christmas Markets, or stroll the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most expensive shopping avenues. 

After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home.