Begin your splendid journey along two of Europe’s most alluring rivers, the Rhine and Moselle. Expand your imagination in fairytale villages, such as Cochem, Bernkastel and Riquewihr, where folklore and history come alive in every street. Whimsical fantasies also come to life at Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum and at Schwetzingen Gardens. Encounter fascinating Roman ruins, medieval towns with colorful half-timbered houses and enchanting castles as you cruise along two of Europe’s most captivating rivers.
Highlights
Visit Old Town in Zurich where you will find yourself amongst medieval houses
Stroll along Chapel Bridge, admiring the stunning gable paintings above
Explore the nine towers, including one featuring the oldest clock in Lucerne
Join a bike tour along the shores of the Moselle River
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, seamlessly blends its historic past with its progressive future—all of which can be on full display during your city tour.
Day 3: Zurich | Lucerne
1 Breakfast
Check out of your hotel and head off on a scenic drive past Alpine lakes before reaching Vitznau. Upon arrival, enjoy a cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Once in Lucerne, check into your hotel.
Day 4: Lucerne
1 Breakfast
Lucerne’s beauty and charm is unrivaled. Discover this beauty on a walking tour. The mighty mountains of Mount Pilatus and Rigi overlook the swans that glide along the scenic lake and are part of Lucerne’s everlasting allure, as is the iconic Lion Monument, which you can visit. Sculpted in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792, it has captured the hearts and minds of visitors for centuries. Visit the spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century.
Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside; or go to the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions, as well as home to elaborate cuckoo clocks, striking half-timber houses, ruined castles and quaint towns.
Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République. Then walk through its iconic UNESCO World Heritage “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, the active adventurer can take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
You have several choices of morning excursions. Explore the glorious Mannheim Baroque Palace, one of Europe’s largest. Prefer to visit the town Mark Twain wrote about in “A Tramp Abroad,” then join a tour to perfectly preserved Heidelberg. Alternatively, visit Schwetzingen Palace Gardens, a cultural heritage site of European significance. Wander through the gardens with more than 100 sculptures and admire an assortment of whimsical buildings. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy.
Your exploration of Rüdesheim continues with your choice of three excursions. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the river. Afterwards, indulge your taste buds with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards. Alternatively, you can join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg; or hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles.
Sail along the scenic Moselle to Bernkastel, located in the middle of the Moselle Valley’s wine-producing region, an area that’s been cultivating wine for over 500 years. Walk through its colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided tour, and afterwards, be treated to a wine tasting. Cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike tour along the shores of the Moselle River; and hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.
Set sail to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, where you can discover on a city tour why it has been called the “Rome of the North” or “Second Rome” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alternatively, go in search of the secrets of the Porta Nigra Gate on a tour that takes you back to a time when Rome ruled the world from the Emperor’s seat in Trier. You also have the choice of a bike tour through the historic city center and along the Moselle River; or hike high above Trier to Petrisberg. Later in the day, set sail along the scenic Moselle en route to Bernkastel, where you’ll visit a local winery for a special tasting.
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Cochem with its majestic Reichsburg Castle, perched high above the town. Discover how the castle has been an integral part of the town’s history and afterwards go on a walking tour along Cochem’s narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval houses. For a more active excursion, hike to the castle or go on a biking tour along the Moselle River. As an alternative excursion, you can visit one of Europe’s oldest working mustard mills where you will sample Cochem’s famous mustard.
Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue on to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Overstolzenhaus and the Festival Hall. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and Reibekuchen, potato pancakes typically served with apple sauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
View Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise followed by a walk to Begijnhof, known for its Middle Age buildings. For a different view of the city, join the Jewish Heritage tour, which begins with a visit to the 17th-century Portuguese Synagogue and the Jewish Historical Museum chronicling the history of the Jewish community in Amsterdam.
Day 15: Amsterdam | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your flight home.
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E
160 square feet. 4 cabins on Piano Deck, fixed windows.
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D
160 square feet. 8 cabins on Piano Deck, fixed windows.
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CB
155 square feet. 4 cabins on Violin Deck, French balcony.
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CA
170 square feet. 14 cabins on Violin and Cello Deck, French balcony.
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BB
210 square feet. 15 cabins on Cello Deck, French balcony and outside balcony.
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BA
210 square feet. 12 cabins on Violin Deck, French balcony and outside balcony.
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AB
235 square feet. 10 cabins on Cello Deck, French balcony and outside balcony.
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AA
235 square feet. 8 cabins on Violin Deck, French balcony and outside balcony.
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Suite
350 square feet. 4 cabins on Violin Deck, French balcony and outside balcony, mini-bar, sofa and two chairs, expansive bathroom with bathtub and separate shower.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.