Contoured by vineyard-clad hills and castles from yesteryear, the legendary Rhine captivates. Experience the allure of France’s Alsace region in its welcoming capital, Strasbourg, and its priceless gem, Riquewihr. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavors — Rüdesheimer coffee and Kölsch beer—and to touch history up close with guided hikes and bike rides. From Amsterdam’s colorful canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, journey into the heart of the destinations you visit.
Highlights
Explore Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall
Hike through Rüdesheim’s beautiful vineyards
Join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg
Tour Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city in the Neckar River Valley
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Check out of your hotel and before transferring to the ship, visit Zaanse Schanse windmills and village. Cap the day off with a Welcome Aboard Wine toast.
The famous canals of Amsterdam await discovery on your scenic canal cruise. Tall narrow homes along the water, the beautiful wooden Skinny Bridge and the Anne Frank House are a few of the highlights you will see. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.
Enjoy cruising to Cologne, home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue 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.
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue and afterwards be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate.
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 before walking through its iconic “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 the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
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. While there, enjoy a visit to a winery for a tasting of locally produced Alsatian wines. 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.” You’ll visit a winery where you will have the opportunity to taste their locally produced wines, and then continue with a walking tour. 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.
Day 10: Basel, Switzerland | Disembark | Lucerne
1 Breakfast
Disembark the ship and before transferring to Lucerne, go on a highlights tour of Basel. One of Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan cities, Basel is home to 40 museums (the highest concentration in the nation), a picturesque Old Town and richly decorated Market Square, a 500-year-old Rathaus (town hall) and Switzerland’s oldest zoo (built in 1870 and home to 600 animal species and exotic flora). Once in Lucerne, you’ll discover the unrivalled beauty and charm of this pristine city on a walking tour. Stroll along Chapel Bridge, admiring the stunning gable paintings above. 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. Afterwards, check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening.
Day 11: Lucerne
1 Breakfast
The iconic Lion Monument, which you’ll visit, was sculpted in memory for the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792. It has captured the hearts and minds of visitors for centuries, including Mark Twain who praised it as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” You’ll also visit the spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century. Located around the Musegg Wall area, the towers rise high over the city, giving great panoramic views of Lucerne, the Reuss River and the surrounding mountain scenery. There are a total of nine towers, including one featuring the oldest clock in the city.
Day 12: Lucerne | Zurich
1 Breakfast
Check out of your hotel and board a boat for a scenic cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, to Vitznau. Once in Vitznau, you’ll transfer via motorcoach to Zurich, traveling past scenic landscapes and Alpine lakes. Once in Zurich, you’ll check into your hotel.
Day 13: Zurich
1 Breakfast
Set alongside a glistening lake and framed by the Alps, Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, seamlessly blends its historic past with its progressive future—all of which will be on full display during your city tour. One of the top experiences in Zurich is a visit to Old Town where you will find yourself amongst medieval houses, churches and the modern Bahnhofstrasse, a mile-long street featuring exclusive fashion boutiques, stores and street cafés.
Day 14: Depart Zurich
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home.
This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Rhine River Cruises.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Category E
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 148 sq. ft.
Category D
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 148 sq. ft.
Category C
Violin & Cello Deck. French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
Category BB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
Category BA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
Category AB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
Category AA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
Category AA+
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 290 sq. ft.
Suite
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.
Notes
Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
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 | 340 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 340 reviews on
1 hour ago
Mary Curry is the BEST! I have worked with her for multiple family trips for over 10 years, and she is responsive, works within your preferences and budget, has great suggestions and has personal travel experience at many of the locations. We prefer active family vacations and Adventure Life and Mary Curry make sure that is what we get!
Heather Spanbauer
13 hours ago
Bhutan with stopover in Bangkok. All of our trips with Adventure Life have featured guides and drivers of top professional calibre, a great way to travel. This itinerary was no exception.
Steve Metzler
2 days ago
Very prompt responses. Erin found us the trip we were looking for and gave us good advice.
Nancy Brown-Koeller
4 days ago
The travel planner was very knowledgeable about the countries I will be visiting and was very helpful in booking my trip. It was a great experience in dealing with them - very personable and promptly address any of my concerns.
Customer
5 days ago
This will be the third trip I have arranged with Adventure Life and I find their customer service and helpfulness to be excellent. Sandra has been very knowledgeable in describing the details of the planned trip as well as the signing up process for the trip. I have and will continue to recommend Adventure Life as the best tour vendor I have had the pleasure to work with. Thank you for your continued excellence.