Rhine Highlights

Begin your journey in the picturesque city of Amsterdam. Spend a delightful day getting lost in a labyrinth of narrow laneways and scenic canals, all lined with beautifully preserved 17th-century buildings and charming cafes. This afternoon, board your ship to meet fellow guests. Finally, raise a glass to the start of a fascinating journey during the evening’s welcome reception.

Spend the morning in Amsterdam, a capital city functioning as a magnificent treasure trove of architectural beauty, masterpiece-filled galleries, and streets bustling with cyclists. Discover 16th-century canals and narrow cobbled laneways just waiting to be explored.

Much of the city’s World Heritage-listed canal system remains exactly as it did hundreds of years ago, elegantly lined with well-preserved historic houses and intersected by charming bridges. Make the most of the crisp, cooler days by relaxing in cozy cafes, and enjoy the most famous sights alongside comfortably smaller crowds.

Freechoice:
Discover more of the city on one of these excursions:

Canal cruise: See the best of the city on a one-hour canal cruise. Travel along the Gentleman’s Canal, where you can see The Skinny Bridge, and The Prince’s Canal, which was known for its warehouses. As the historic center glides past, you can admire the elegant merchant’s residences, churches and warehouses, dating from the Golden Age.

Amsterdam walking tour: Rug up and explore Amsterdam on foot, discovering the maze of canals and bridges in the city center. Your guide will be covering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture. You also get to taste herring, a local delicacy not to be missed.

Fabrique des Lumières: Art springs to life in this impressive digital art installation, the largest in the Netherlands. Located in a former 19th century gas works, pieces from renowned artists are projected onto the 17-meter-high walls, accompanied by music to create an immersive ambience.

Rijksmuseum visit: The iconic Rijksmuseum is one of the premier museums in the Netherlands and has more than 8,000 pieces in its collection, including works from Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer. Your local guide will give you an overview before free time to explore at your leisure. This excursion is unique to seasonal departures.

Arrive in the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne today. Cologne suffered extensive damage during World War II but was painstakingly restored over the following decades. With a late departure tonight, you can have some free time to explore the city on your own.

Freechoice:
Discover Cologne on one of these Freechoice excursions:

Walking tour of Old Town: Set out on foot to see the Old Town, admiring its historic buildings, beautiful squares and the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral.

Augustusburg Palace: Built for archbishop Clemens Augustin in 1725, Augustusburg Palace is one of Europe’s most beautiful Rococo buildings. Your local guide will escort you though the palace to see the exquisite rooms heavily decorated with marble and chandeliers.

Tour of Cologne Cathedral: The Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom as it is known locally, is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and features twin towers that stand 157 meters tall. Join a local guide who will take you through this magnificent World Heritage site and learn its fascinating history as well as some quirky facts such as the story that the cathedral is said to contain the bones of the three wise men from the Bible.

The ship docks in Koblenz this morning, giving you the opportunity to explore one of Germany’s oldest cities. Founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago, it is strategically placed where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet.

Freechoice:
Choose to explore your way with this morning’s Freechoice:

Winery visit: Immerse yourself in the art of Spätlese, a late-harvest wine crafted from fully ripened grapes left to hang on the vine for optimal richness and complexity. Savor a guided tasting of this locally produced Spätlese and uncover why it is the region’s signature indulgence, celebrated for its opulent sweetness, silken texture and intensely layered flavor profile.

Walking tour of Koblenz: Join your guide to explore the old town’s winding streets, impressive townhouses, charming squares and historic churches, and visit the famed Florinsmarkt, the former political and economic center of the city.

Cochem and Moselle Valley: Travel through the beautiful Moselle Valley to the town of Cochem. Take a walking tour through its picturesque center, where cobbled lanes are lined with half-timbered houses, then visit the grand Reichsburg Castle.
Relax on board this afternoon as you cruise through the majestic Rhine Gorge, where the landscapes could have been pulled from the pages of a fairytale. This 65-kilometer stretch of the river is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Look out for the Lorelei statue, dedicated to the tragic legend of a beautiful maiden.

Arrive in Mannheim today. A large metropolitan center, Mannheim still runs along its recognizable 18th century grid pattern and is known for its grand Baroque squares, fountains and palace.

Freechoice:
Your Freechoice excursions today will take you away from the city to discover more of the surrounding region before you cruise to Rastatt:

Orientation tour of Heidelberg: Transfer by coach to Heidelberg for a brief walking tour of the city, including the Old Town, and then enjoy some free time. (Note: the walk is not too strenuous but there are some stairs and uneven ground).

Historical tour of Heidelberg: Take a guided tour of Heidelberg, then visit Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. Admire the views from the balcony and the great Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest wine barrel. (Note: the walk is not too strenuous but there are some stairs and uneven ground).

Excursion to Bad Dürkheim: Take in the stunning vine-covered landscapes as you drive to Bad Dürkheim and visit Fritz Ritter winery. This ninth-generation family-owned vineyard offers exceptional quality wine, and be treated to a tour and tasting. (Note: a good degree of fitness is required).

Enrich
Private concert at the Baroque Palace of Rastatt: One of the most magnificent historic venues in the region, the Baroque Palace of Rastatt was modeled on the Palace of Versailles and hosts an evening of grandeur unlike any other. Explore the opulent palace and gardens, before sitting down to a private performance from accomplished a pianist and vocalists. This is an exclusive event for Scenic guests.

The capital of the Alsace wine region is a captivating blend of France and Germany. It has a Gothic cathedral and an Old Town surrounded by a river, with sherbert-colored, half-timbered houses bordering a complex network of canals. Strasbourg proudly wears its medieval past while looking firmly towards the future and is known for its youthful energy and infectious spirit.

Freechoice:
Choose from these Freechoice experiences today:

Alsace wine route with tasting: Explore this culturally diverse wine-growing area and visit one of the region’s most famous wine growing villages for a tasting at a local wine cellar before exploring the neighboring town of Obernai.

Walking tour of Strasbourg: Located on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg has been influenced by both cultures. Put on your coat and gloves to see the city’s most important sites on foot, like the cathedral, Petit France and the Grand Ile as you learn how the two nations shaped this unique city.
A late departure gives you plenty of time to explore.  

Your ship will dock in Breisach for the day, giving you ample time to explore the region. There’s lots of reasons Breisach is a must-visit food and wine destination. Not only does it share a border with the Alsace region, it’s also located between the Rhine River and the legendary Black Forest. Luckily for you, the town was meticulously rebuilt after World War II, complete with its traditional cobbled streets and pastel houses.

Freechoice:
Explore the region on one of these Freechoice excursions:

Guided tour of Colmar: A walking tour of the cultural center of the Alsace shows off Colmar’s confluence of French and German architecture, lifestyle, and culture. A highlight of the tour is tasting a slice of the famed Kugelhopf cake at a local bistro.

Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting: It’s location right on the edge of the Black Forest makes Freiburg a magical place to visit. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the lively medieval town and sample delicious Black Forest Cake.

Walking tour of Breisach with wine tasting: This leisurely guided walk through Breisach’s old town will take in its pastel facades and cobbled lanes. Look up to see the hilltop cathedral of St. Stephansmünster before indulging in a tasting of delicious local sparkling wine.

Your cruise concludes this morning in Basel. Enjoy one final breakfast on board, then transfer to the airport, taking with you lifelong memories of a remarkable journey.

Please book your flight to depart out of Basel after 10:00 AM.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to the terms and conditions.