DAY 1, DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland.
DAY 2, ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Arrive in Zurich and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free for to start exploring this beautiful town. (B)
DAY 3, ZURICH
Your morning walking tour of picturesque Zurich will include Grossmunster, St.Peter, with the largest church clock face in the world, Old Town, Town Hall and Fraumunster, which was fully renovated in 2004 and now offers an exceptional 360 panoramic view of Zurich. The afternoon and evening is free for you to explore the town on your own. Perhaps, return to the Old Town, which offers engaging cafes, restaurants and a wealth of nightlife, or shop along Bahnhofstrasse and Niederdorf. (B)
DAY 4, ZURICH - LUZERN
After breakfast, continue to on to Luzern, where you will enjoy a cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Luzern. Amazing scenery is the back drop of the cruise, with mountains looming over the city, coming right to the edge of the lake. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
DAY 5, LUZERN
Situated on the exit of the Reusse River, on Lake Luzern, the city is a medieval charm. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Luzern. Small cobbled stoned streets, squares with fountains, fresco'd buildings typify Luzern. The two most famous monuments are the Lion monument, the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside - representing the Swiss Guard of the French King who died defending the Royal Palace during the revolution. Easily the symbol of the city, The Chapel Bridge, is a medieval covered bridge, which for centuries was part of the city defenses. The eves of the roof have paintings depicting the cities rich history. The afternoon is free, you can choose to shop (watches, knives and Swiss chocolate) or join our optional tour to Mount Pilatus, the mountain which dominates the city. (B)
DAY 6, LUZERN - BASEL
This morning, depart from Luzern and for a city tour of cosmopolitan Basel before embarking your luxurious river cruise ship. Switzerland's second largest city is ideally 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. Tonight, gather onboard for a Gala Welcome Dinner. (B,D)
DAY 7, BREISACH - COLMAR, FRANCE OR FREIBURG, GERMANY
Today, choose between a city tour of Colmar or Freiburg. If you decide to travel to Freiburg, you will visit its historical city center and visit the Augustinerplatz, site of Freiburg's Me�nster, a gothic minster cathedral constructed of red sandstone, noted for its towering spires. The town is bordered by the Black Forest mountains, Rosskopf and Bromberg, and is known for meticulous wood carvings and cuckoo clocks. Or, choose to travel to medieval Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and is self-proclaimed as the 'Capital of Alsatian Wine.' During your city tour, you will see remarkable half-timbered framed houses, the German influenced old quarter filled with streets of unexpected twists and turns, canals and the Launch River. Tonight, the ship set sails for Strasbourg, France. (B,L,D)
DAY 8, STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Capital and principal city of the Alsace region in northeastern France, Strasbourg, is situated on the Ill River, where it flows into the Rhine on the border with Germany. This morning, take a tour through this medieval charming town lined with narrow cobbled streets. See the European Parliament and visit the 'le petite France' district, where you will see the sandstone Gothic Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. Then enjoy a canal cruise, revealing the picturesque town, known for its black and white timber-framed buildings, covered bridges and medieval watchtowers. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps, take a stroll through Strasbourgs historic city center, the 'Grande lle' ('Grand Island'), a UNESCO World Heritage site, or sample the local cuisine and wine that merges the best of French and German influences. (B,L,D)
DAY 9, MANNHEIM - HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
Arrive in Mannheim this morning and disembark for your excursion to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle, as well as the Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask and beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. Enjoy lunch back onboard the ship as you cruise to Worms, one of Germanys oldest cities, renowned for its great historical and cultural significance. Surrounded by lush vineyards, Worms is noteworthy for its famous white wine, Liebfraumilch, and as a location described in the ancient Nibelungenlied (The Song of the Nibelungs), an epic poem from the Middle Ages. The city is also known for its many excellent examples of Romanesque architecture, including the majestic 12th-century St. Peters Cathedral. During your tour, visit the impressive monument to Martin Luther and other leaders of the Reformation along the 'Luther Trail.' You will also see the 11th-century 'Heiliger Sand,' one of the largest and oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe with some tombstones dating back nearly a millennium. (B,L,D)
DAY 10, ReDESHEIM - RHINE CASTLES - KOBLENZ
This morning, arrive in Rudesheim and visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time before the ships sails late this afternoon for Koblenz. You will cruise through the Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the river, passing castle after castle, don't miss the legendary Lorelei Rock, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Arrive in Koblenz late this afternoon. Take an after dinner walk through this charming town. The ship moors overnight in Koblenz. (B,L,D)
DAY 11, KOBLENZ - COLOGNE
This morning, the ship cruises to Cologne for a walking tour through the old part of the city and visit the fabled 13th-century Gothic Cathedral. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure before the ship departs tonight for Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
DAY 12, AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Enjoy your last morning leisurely cruising to Amsterdam. Arrive in Amsterdam in the late afternoon for a guided canal cruise before gathering onboard for a Gala Farewell Dinner. (B,L,D)
DAY 13, AMSTERDAM - USA
Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B) |
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