8 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS
Day 1: USA - Amsterdam (Holland)
Flight with a good itinerary.
Day 2: Amsterdam
Arrival at the airport in Amsterdam. Transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own.
Affectionately known as the "Venice of the North," Amsterdam is actually situated below sea level and built entirely on stakes driven into the ground. The Anne Frank House, The Hague and a Delft Blue Pottery Factory are but a few of the sights that await your arrival.
Day 3: Amsterdam
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the port of Amsterdam to board the river cruise ship. After comfortably settling in your cabin, you will be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail. (Breakfast-Dinner)
Boarding: 06:00 pm
Day 4: Amsterdam
After breakfast, you will have free time in the morning to continue exploring Amsterdam at your leisure, or you can choose to join an optional morning guided city tour ($). Amsterdam stands out as one of the most unique and extraordinary cities globally, offering a rich tapestry of art, culture, and architecture. Glide along the UNESCO-listed canals, admiring the charming narrow houses, majestic seventeenth-century mansions, and iconic bridges that grace this enchanting urban landscape.
In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit Volendam and the Zaanse Schans ($). Volendam is a charming village that has preserved its character for over six centuries thanks to the tough vitality of its fishermen. You'll then visit a cheese factory in the area to discover how the famous Gouda cheese is made. You'll enjoy tasting the different flavors of one of the most popular cheeses in the world. You'll then head for Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum with wooden windmills, barns, and houses. Don't miss the small but impressive clog museum that features one of the largest and most attractive collections of wooden shoes in the Netherlands: painted, carved, ice clogs with iron trimmings, horse clogs, and decorative clogs. You'll return to the ship and will be cruising to Nijmegen through the night. (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Day 5: Nijmegen – Krefeld
Nijmegen is situated on the banks of the Waal River and is known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. The city was founded by the Romans in the first century AD, and is known for its beautiful natural landscapes. Today, you can still see remnants of the Roman era in Nijmegen, such as the ruins of a Roman bathhouse and a reconstructed Roman military camp. Nijmegen offers a vibrant cultural scene with numerous museums, theaters, and music venues.
After breakfast, you can opt for an optional excursion ($) to visit the Dutch Open Air Museum of Arnhem. The museum showcases the cultural heritage of the Dutch people through a collection of historical buildings and exhibits. You can explore different buildings and learn about traditional crafts, agricultural practices, and domestic life in different eras. Upon your return, the ship will be cruising toward Krefeld for an overnight layover. (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Day 6: Krefeld – Cologne
Breakfast on board while cruising towards Cologne, the largest city on the Rhine. This city is known for its Cathedral, a landmark of High Gothic architecture but also for the Museum Ludwig which showcases 20th-century art, including many masterpieces by Picasso, and the Romano-Germanic Museum houses Roman antiquities. In the afternoon, free time to explore Cologne on your own or you can opt for an optional walking guided tour ($). During the walking tour, you will visit the cathedral, Cologne's Old Town, you will pass by the famous house of ‘Eau de Cologne ‘and more. Return to the ship and overnight cruising to Rudesheim. (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Day 7: Rudesheim
You will spend the morning cruising on the romantic Rhine to reach Rudesheim.
In the afternoon, you can opt for an interesting excursion ($) where you will enjoy a guided tour of the local vineyards on a tourist train to get a great view of the surrounding landscape. Then you will take part in a wine tasting in the historic rooms of the Bassenheimer Hof. Final stop will be Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet, the first German Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments. You will have some free time to stroll through the streets of Rüdesheim ambling down the famous Drosselgasse, before making your own way back to the ship. (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Day 8: Rudemsheim - Mannheim
You will spend the morning cruising towards Mannheim.
In the afternoon, you can opt to discover Heidelberg on an excursion ($). Heidelberg is a friendly, cosmopolitan, and vibrant city made up of 15 distinct neighborhoods. You'll begin with a visit to the outside of Heidelberg Castle, where you'll be able to see the Renaissance ruins. You can enjoy an amazing view over Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the valley. You can also stroll through the castle gardens, once considered a masterpiece of their time. You'll then head for the Neckarmünzplatz, on the banks of the Necker River, and continue with a guided tour of the old city. You'll pass by the Church of the Holy Spirit, the most famous church in Heidelberg, whose steeple dominates the town. Free time to wander through the streets and shops before returning to the coach. Return to the ship as tonight is the festive gala evening! The crew, all in their dress uniform, are presented to the passengers who are invited to have a drink with the captain. That evening, the chef will serve a banquet paying a special tribute to the world of French gastronomy. The ship will cruise towards Strasbourg through the night. (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Day 9: Strasbourg
Enjoy your last breakfast on board before disembarking around 9 AM. Transfer to your hotel in Strasbourg. The rest of the day is free to continue your exploration of this incredible city. Strasbourg, nicknamed the 'Venice of the North', is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. You can discover all the great sites on the riverbanks, from Petite France - listed as UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988 - to the European quarter where institutions such as the Council of Europe and the European Parliament are located. (Breakfast)
Day 10: Strasbourg - USA
After breakfast, greeting in the lobby of your hotel by our local representatives and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Breakfast)
-End of services-
**If you select the arrival date in April and May of 2024 & 2025, please note that you will discover Keukenhof flower park instead of Volendam & Zaanse-Schans.
**Please note that the itinerary is subject to change without notice.
