Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart US

Depart from the US on your overnight flight.

Day 2 – Arrive Zurich – Lucerne

Arrive Zurich and meet your Tour Director. Transfer to Lucerne and check in for your overnight stay.

Day 3 – Lucerne – Strasbourg – Board the Amadeus Amara

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Lucerne, a traditional Swiss town along the banks of Lake Lucerne with an Alpine backdrop.  See some of the city’s lovely cobblestone streets, monuments, fountains, public squares, covered bridges, colorful frescoed buildings and the iconic 14th century Chapel Bridge. Enjoy Lucerne’s wonderful Old Town.  After your tour, travel to Strasbourg via motorcoach and board the Amadeus Amara.  Board the Amara for your 6 night Rhine River Cruise. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening onboard and meet the other guests on the ship. (D)

Day 4 – Strasbourg

Capital city of the Alsace region in northeastern France, Strasbourg is situated on the Rhine at the German border. Enjoy a Strasbourg City Tour to see Orangerie, the town’s oldest park, the European Parliament, and the Place de la Republique. Take a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood and see the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. Then stroll Strasbourg’s Christmas Market, one of Europe’s oldest. Later join the optional trip into the Alsace region to visit fairy-tale Obernai & its quaint Christmas Market. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Strasbourg or book the optional Alsace & Obernai tour. (B,L,D)

Day 5 – Speyer – Mannheim

Arrive in Speyer one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its cathedral, nu- merous churches and the 13th-century Altpörtel (“Old Gate”). Explore the city during your Speyer Walking Tour. Later cruise to Mannheim & maybe take an optional excursion to historic Heidelberg to visit the red-walled castle and get beautiful views of the Neckar Valley. Cruise to Mannheim for time at Leisure or book the Heidelberg Optional Excursion. (B,L,D)

Day 6 – Rüdesheim – Rhine River Gorge – Koblenz

Arrive in Rüdesheim and explore on your own the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants. If you prefer join an optional Rüdesheim Tour via Tram Car including a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Later the ship departs to cruise through the Rhine River Gorge, a UNESCO Heritage Site and the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river with hillsides dotted with fairy-tale castles, historic towns and vineyards. Later arrive in Germany’s oldest city, Koblenz, a charming Rhineland town situated at the confluence of the Rhine & Moselle Rivers. Enjoy a Koblenz Walking Tour & the popular Christmas Market. See the famous Advent Calendar at the baroque Town Hall. (B,L,D)

Day 7 – Cochem

The ship makes a detour along the Moselle River to the little town of Cochem. Enjoy a Cochem Walking Tour then visit the Reichsburg Castle, experience a Wine Tasting & stop at the quaint Christmas Market. The magnificent Reichs- burg castle is situated high above the town, dominating the landscape. Down below, the village with its narrow streets, half timbered houses and numerous restaurants is an ideal setting to taste the wines of the region. (B,L,D)

Day 8 – Cologne

Cologne is Germany’s 4th largest city and located on both sides of the Rhine. Enjoy a Cologne Walking Tour featuring the old part of the city and the fabled 13th century Gothic cathedral. Explore the dock side taverns, cafes, shops and the famous Christmas Market in front of the cathedral.   This evening, enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner onboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 9 – Cologne – Frankfurt Airport – Flight Home

Morning transfer to the Frankfurt Airport for your flight home. (B)

Tour Map