AMAWATERWAYS
13 Days | Enchanting Rhine
Southbound

AMSTERDAM TO ZURICH

Day 1 | Depart USA/Canada. Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam, Holland.

Day 2 | Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland. Arrive in charming Amsterdam and embark your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Welcome Dinner. (D)

Day 3 | Amsterdam. After breakfast, your tour of Amsterdam 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. Then, enjoy a panoramic city tour, where you will see the great landmarks of Amsterdam including a photo stop at a Windmill. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore Amsterdam before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 4 | Cologne - Koblenz, Germany. Arrive in Cologne and enjoy a most interesting guided walking tour through the old part of the city and a visit to the fabled 13th-century gothic cathedral. After your tour return to the ship for lunch and then some free time on your own.  As an alternative to a walking tour, take a guided bike tour (capacity controlled). Late tonight, the ship sails to Rüdesheim. (B,L,D)

Day 5 | Rudesheim. This morning, sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge, passing castle after castle and the infamous Lorelei Rock. This afternoon, arrive in Rüdesheim, where you will enjoy an afternoon wine tasting with a local vintner. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time. This evening, visit the historic Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, housing a remarkable collection of robotic and self-playing musical instruments from the 18th to 20th centuries. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Speyer. Heidelberg. This afternoon, arrive in Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for the Speyer Cathedral, many churches and the Altpörtel (old gate) with a 13th-century gate tower. Choose either a city tour of medieval Speyer or 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 of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. As an alternative, a guided bike tour is also available in Speyer (capacity controlled). Late this afternoon, the ship sails to Strasbourg, France. (B,L,D)

Day 7 | 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. Enjoy a canal cruise of this picturesque town, known for its black and white timber-framed buildings, covered bridges and medieval watchtowers. Then take a walking tour through this charming town lined with narrow cobbled 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. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. In the afternoon, a guided bicycle tour (capacity controlled) will take you past the Orangery, the town’s oldest park, the European Parliament, and Place de la Republique. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Breisach. Colmar, France. Today, choose between a city tour of Colmar or a tour through the famous Black Forest region of Germany. On the Black Forest tour, enjoy your drive through a scenic forested area where you will encounter a number of lakes as well as charming examples of rural architecture. Your tour will include a stop at a cuckoo clock factory. As an alternative, choose to travel to medieval Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and the self-proclaimed “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. You will also enjoy a wine cellar visit and wine tasting, where you will enjoy several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. Late tonight, the ship set sails for Basel, Switzerland. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Basel, Switzerland. Disembark. Lucerne. Disembark after breakfast for a city tour of cosmopolitan Basel. 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 the hotel. (B)

Day 10 | Lucerne. Situated on Lake Lucerne, the city is a medieval gem. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour that will explore some of the city’s famous cobblestone streets, monuments, fountain-embellished public squares, covered bridges and colorful frescoed buildings. The afternoon offers free time to shop for watches, knives and world-famous chocolates. Or, you can join the optional tour and cable car ride (seasonal) to the top of Mount Pilatus, the mountain which dominates the city. Then return trip from the mountain on the engineering marvel, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. (B)

Day 11 | Lucerne. Zurich. Enjoy a free morning in Lucerne before checking out of your hotel. Afterwards, you will cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne to Vitznau. Upon arrival in Vitznau, you will board a motor coach for a scenic drive to Zurich, where you will check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B)

Day 12 | Zurich. 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 town on your own. (B)

Day 13 | Depart Zurich. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

SOUTHBOUND ITINERARY 13 DAYS | AMSTERDAM TO ZURICH Click HERE to view 13-day NORTHBOUND itinerary.