Detailed itinerary - cruise only

Day 1	ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND - EMBARKATION Arrive in charming Amsterdam and board your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at a Welcome Aboard Wine Toast. (D)
Day 2	AMSTERDAM After breakfast, your morning tour begins with a scenic canal cruise through the city known as the “Venice of the North.” See the beautiful homes that line the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous Anne Frank House. Enjoy a panoramic city tour, where you will see many top landmarks and stop for photos at the Rembrandt Windmill. Afterwards, you will return to the ship for an afternoon wine lecture and tasting prior to dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 3	COLOGNE, GERMANY - KOBLENZ This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour through the historic heart of Cologne, including a visit to its famous 13th-century Gothic cathedral. Your tour will also include a beer tasting to sample the city’s renowned Kölsch beer. You will then enjoy an afternoon wine tasting as the ship cruises to Koblenz, where you will have an evening walking tour. (B,L,D)
Day 4	KOBLENZ - RÜDESHEIM This morning, sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge, famous for its forts, castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. After arriving in Rüdesheim in the afternoon, you will have a wine tasting at a local winery. This evening, you may join a tour of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, which houses one of the greatest collections of robotic and self-playing musical instruments from the 18th-20th centuries. As an alternative, sample a cup of the city’s famous Rudesheimer coffee, made with brandy, chocolate and whipped cream and served in a very distinctive cup. (B,L,D)
Day 5	SPEYER - HEIDELBERG Enjoy a morning wine lecture as you cruise to Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities. You may take a guided tour of Speyer or join a half-day excursion to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle, with its Great Vat (a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask) and beautiful views. This evening, the ship sails to Strasbourg, France. This evening, enjoy a sumptuous Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs Dinner with wine pairing. (B,L,D)
Day 6	STRASBOURG, FRANCE Alsace’s principal city is situated on the Ill River where it flows into the Rhine at the German border. This morning, take a tour through this charming town lined with narrow cobblestone streets. See the European Parliament and visit the “La Petite France” district, where you will see the sandstone Gothic Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock, timber-framed buildings, covered bridges and medieval watchtowers. As an alternative, take a guided bicycle tour (capacity controlled) past the Orangery, the town’s oldest park, the European Parliament, and Place de la Republique. In the afternoon, you will travel down the fabled “Alsace Wine Road” to visit Obernai, where you will sample Riesling, Gewurztraminer and other famous wines of this region. (B,L,D)
Day 7	BREISACH This morning, enjoy a wine lecture during a scenic cruise to Breisach, Germany. You have your choice of afternoon excursions: a scenic tour of Breisach and Freiburg, or a visit to the wine village of Riquewihr. Both excursions include a special wine tasting opportunity. (B,L,D)
Day 8	BASEL, SWITZERLAND - DISEMBARKATION Disembark after breakfast. (B)