Classical Rhine

Day 1 - Amsterdam

Welcome on board your ''floating hotel''. Tonight a Welcome Cocktail Reception will be held before dinner is served on board. The ship remains docked overnight in Amsterdam. (D)

After breakfast you can join an optional city tour of Amsterdam, or choose to explore this interesting and lively city on your own. After lunch on board, our optional ''Holland Waterland'' excursion starts. The first stop will be in Edam for a visit of a Dutch cheese factory. A pleasant walking tour in the little town of Volendam will end the tour. Your coach will then drive you to Utrecht where your vessel awaits you before resuming its voyage to Germany. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Cologne

After lunch the vessel docks in Cologne, a city founded under the Roman Emperor Claudius, over 2,000 years ago. Your optional city tour will include a visit of the majestic cathedral, the town hall, the city walls and gate and the historic churches. The vessel leaves Cologne after dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Cochem

This morning enjoy the Rhine Valley scenery through the windows or on the top deck of your ''floating hotel''. After lunch, your vessel will arrive in Cochem, a quaint small town that you can visit on your own or during an optional walking tour that will end with a wine tasting session. Dinner on board before sailing to your next destination. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Coblenz/Rudesheim

Wake up in Coblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. An optional walking tour introduces you to this lovely 2,000 year old city. Its abundance of cultural monuments and historic buildings, its narrow lanes and alleyways, and the relaxed and happy atmosphere of its squares and promenades make Coblenz a friendly place where tourists feel right at home. This afternoon you will cruise along the Rhine valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing by charming villages, majestic castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Before dinner, the vessel arrives in picturesque Rudesheim. Here, there will be time for an optional tour that includes a visit of the Siegfried's Music Museum, where all kinds of mechanical musical instruments from barrel organs and music boxes to horn gramophones are displayed. The ship sails from Rudesheim in the late evening. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Mannheim/Speyer

This morning the vessel docks at Mannheim. Its main street leads to an enormous 18th-century palace, formerly the seat of the Electors of the Palatinate but now housing the University of Mannheim. This morning you can choose between an optional city tour of Mannheim and an optional city tour of Heidelberg. Heidelberg, home to Germany's oldest university, was founded in 1386. We resume our voyage towards Speyer after lunch. This old imperial city on the Rhine has had a rich and turbulent past. Its impressive architecture, gorgeous facades of different styles, winding alleys and romantic squares contribute to its beauty. The optional guided walking tour includes a visit of the Jewish baths. In the evening the vessel heads towards France. Tonight the captain welcomes everyone to a special dinner followed by a night of dancing. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Strasbourg

This morning your vessel arrives in Strasbourg, the ancient capital of Alsace and one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Join an optional city tour after breakfast. See the European Parliament building and the magnificent cathedral, but mainly the many beautiful historic buildings that have made Strasbourg's entire city center a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During lunch the ship resumes its voyage heading upstream to Basel. (B,L,D)