AMAWATERWAYS
15 Days | Rhine & Moselle Fairytales
Southbound

AMSTERDAM TO ZURICH

Day 1 | Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Embark. Arrive in Amsterdam and board your luxurious river cruise ship. (D)

Day 2 | Amsterdam. The famous canals of Amsterdam await discovery on your city tour. Begin with a scenic canal cruise and see the tall narrow homes lining the water, the Skinny Bridge, and the house where Anne Frank and her family lived in hiding during WWII. Next, you’ll walk to Begijnhof, known for its historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages and have some free time to explore. Later, enjoy a panoramic city tour on which you’ll see the Royal Palace, Westerkerk and stop for photos at a Dutch windmill before returning to the ship. This afternoon depart for Germany. (B,L,D)

Day 3 | Cologne, Germany. In Cologne, you will have a choice of three tours. The first is an afternoon walking tour that includes the Old Town, Cathedral Square, and the city’s majestic Gothic cathedral. The second option is a Kölsch Beer and local specialties tasting, and the third is a guided bike tour of the city. The ship departs this evening for Amsterdam. (B,L,D)

Day 4 | Koblenz. Today, join a walking tour of Koblenz and explore its charming town square and quaint shops. You also have the option to take a cable car and visit Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, or instead take a guided bike tour of this beautiful area. (B,L,D)

Day 5 | Cochem. Wake up this morning in Cochem, a fairytale village surrounded by scenic vineyards. Walk along narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval houses and enjoy a guided tour of Reichsburg Castle situated high above the town. From the castle’s grounds, you’ll have a spectacular view of the river. As an alternative, visit the Cochem Mustard Mill, one of Europe’s oldest working mills that produces various types of mustard – one of which is from a 15th-century monastic recipe. Enjoy a guided tour and learn about the history of the mill, see how mustard is made and sample some of Cochem’s famous mustard. You may also opt to take a guided hike through the region’s incredible landscape to Reichsburg Castle. Afterwards, you will enjoy beautiful scenery as we cruise the Moselle River. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Trier. Today you will experience Trier, Germany’s oldest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is renowned for its rich ancient Roman past, and your guided tour will include such sights as the old Roman amphitheater, Roman Baths and Basilica of Constantine. You may also choose to discover the secrets of the Porta Nigra gate that dates back to 180 A.D. or join a bike tour to see Trier’s historical center before cycling along the river bank path towards Senheim. (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Bernkastel. Continue on to Bernkastel, strategically located in the middle of the Moselle Valley’s wine-producing region, an area that’s been cultivating wine for over 500 years. Here you will have your choice of three activities. The first is a guided walking tour through the old town center that will take you past many medieval and Renaissance buildings. The second is a guided bike tour along the beautiful Moselle River, and the third is a guided hike in this historic town. Afterwards, be sure to take advantage of your balcony or the Sun Deck as ship sails along the majestic Moselle. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Rudesheim. This morning, cruise through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, admiring its many castles and fortress ruins and the legendary Lorelei Rock. This afternoon you will arrive in the winemaking town of Rüdesheim where you will have the option to take one of three excursions: wine tasting with a local vintner, a gondola ride above the town to see the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, or a guided bike tour along the Rhine River to one of Germany's best wine regions. Later, visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, home to a remarkable collection of old robotic and self-playing musical instruments, or join us for some Rüdesheimer Coffee. The ship sails overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Mannheim. Arrive in Mannheim, where you have a choice of one of three excursions this afternoon. Your first option is a visit to the famed Baroque Palace. A second option is an excursion to the historic university town of Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled castle with its Great Vat (a 49,000-gallon wine cask) and enjoy beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and city below. Your third option is a tour of the historic and ornate Schwetzingen Gardens. (B,L,D)

Day 10 | Strasbourg, France. Capital city of France’s Alsace region, Strasbourg is situated on the Rhine at the German border. After arriving this morning, enjoy either a panoramic bus tour or guided bike tour that will take you past the Orangery, the town’s oldest park, the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique. Afterwards, explore on foot with a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood, where you will see the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. You also have the option of exploring Strasbourg on a guided hike that begins at the Orangery and makes its way to the cathedral. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish before the ship departs tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 11 | Breisach, Germany. You have three exciting excursions to choose from today. The first is a walking tour of Riquewihr, a picturesque town renowned for its historic architecture and for its Riesling wines. A second option is a tour of the beautiful towns of Breisach and Freiburg, where you will visit the historical city center and Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral constructed of red sandstone. Your third choice is guided bike tour of Breisach that takes you through the Rheinau woods. Tonight, the ship cruises towards Switzerland. (B,L,D)

Day 12 | Basel, Switzerland. Disembark. Lucerne. Disembark after breakfast and depart for the postcard-perfect lakeside city of Lucerne, where you will join a city tour and then take a leisurely cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, here you will board a motor coach for a scenic drive through the countryside, passing Alpine Lakes and small villages. Later arrive in Zurich and check into your hotel. (B)

Day 13 | Zurich. Your morning city tour of Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, includes Grossmünster Abbey (which offers exceptional views of Zurich), St. Peter (which boasts the world’s largest church clock face), Old Town, Town Hall and Fraumünster Abbey, home to five world-famous Chagall windows. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore the town on your own. (B)

Day 14 | Zurich. Today is yours to discover this beautiful and cosmopolitan city. (B)

Day 15 | Zurich. After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare 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 15 DAYS | RHINE & MOSELLE FAIRYTALES Click HERE to view 2019 18-day SOUTHBOUND itinerary.