Monday, September 22, 2014

Detailed itinerary including land package

Day 1DEPART USA/CANADA
Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam, Holland.
Day 2ARRIVE 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 3AMSTERDAM
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 4COLOGNE, 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 5KOBLENZ - 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 6SPEYER - 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 7STRASBOURG, 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 8BREISACH
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 9BASEL, SWITZERLAND - DISEMBARKATION - LUCERNE
Disembark after breakfast. If you are doing the Lucerne extension, you will have a city tour of cosmopolitan Basel, located at the crossroads of Switzerland, France and Germany. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. After free time for lunch on your own, depart for Lucerne. You will visit the Lion Monument en route and arrive mid-afternoon to check in to your hotel. (B)
Day 10LUCERNE
Situated on Lake Lucerne, this city is truly a medieval gem. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour that will explore some of the city’s famous cobblestone streets, monuments, fountains, public squares, covered bridges and colorful frescoed buildings. The afternoon, enjoy free time to shop for watches, knives and delicious Swiss chocolate. Or, you can join the optional tour and cable car ride (seasonal) to a Swiss Mountain. (B)
Day 11LUCERNE - ZURICH
Enjoy a free morning in Lucerne before checking out of your hotel. Afterwards, you will take a leisurely cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, where you will board a motor coach for a scenic drive to Zurich. Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B)
Day 12ZURICH
Your morning walking tour of picturesque Zurich will include Grossmünster, St. Peter (with the largest church clock face in the world), Old Town, Town Hall and Fraumünster, which was fully renovated in 2004 and now offers an exceptional 360° panoramic view of Zurich. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 13DEPART ZURICH
After breakfast, bid farewell to Zurich as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)

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