Rhine Highlights with Switzerland

Your journey into wonder begins in this fascinating and compact harbour city. Relax and raise your glass to the days ahead at this evening’s welcome reception. 

Freechoice: Explore Amsterdam on a guided walking tour, pausing along the way to sample Dutch favourites, or cruise the iconic canals that have made Amsterdam world famous. Amsterdam has over 100 kilometres of canals and today you will see some of the prettiest sights of the city such as elegant merchant’s houses, churches and historic warehouses. Alternatively, if you’re feeling more active, join a guided cycling tour outside of the city, or discover charming Volendam and Edam. The quaint fishing village of Volendam is home to many wooden houses and a beautiful harbour, explore the charm of the village before a short drive to the nearby town of Edam, where you will visit a local cheese farm for a delicious tasting.

Freechoice: Enjoy a scenic ride on the oldest cog railway in Germany and discover splendid Drachenburg Castle, or stroll through Cologne and get up close to the filigree twin towers of the famous cathedral. Alternatively, learn the history of one of the city’s most famous namesake, Eau de Cologne on a guided tour. Visit the house of Farina, the world’s oldest fragrance company and discover what makes it so unique and why it was the scent of choice for many of the European royals.

Freechoice: Take a guided tour of Koblenz, straddling two of Europe’s most beautiful rivers. Alternatively, discover Cochem – a true medieval gem resting on the banks of the Moselle River. Cochem will make you feel as if you’re stepping straight into a fairytale and you’ll be able to explore this charming city on a guided tour including a visit to Reichsburg Castle. Alternatively, meet a local wine producer and learn about wine producing in the Moselle region while tasting his fine wines.

Freechoice: Join a local guide on a historic tour of Heidelberg, where you’ll visit Heidelberg’s Renaissance castle. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps, or join a guide for an orientation tour of Heidelberg, followed by free time at leisure to explore the sights of this beautiful city as you wish.

Enrich
Enjoy a private evening concert at the Baroque Palace of Rastatt, one of the most magnificent historic venues in the region. It’ll be an evening of grandeur unlike any other and a chance to create memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. 

Arrive in charming Baden Baden, a spa town famous for its Roman baths. 

Freechoice: Join your local guide on a tour of this picturesque town and tour the ruins of the Roman baths that have made this city famous, or take an active hike to Hohenbaden Castle and be rewarded with wonderful views overlooking the town. Alternatively, visit the Mercedes-Benz factory and be transported into the world of this luxury car brand, learning about the history and prestige of the global product (available select departures, will be replaced with Speyer Technical Museum), or relax and rejuvenate during a visit to a thermal spa.

Freechoice: Visit Strasbourg and stroll through the Old Town with its half-timbered houses and distinctive Alsatian winstubs. Alternatively, journey to Mittelbergheim in the Alsace and sample some of the best wines the region has to offer, or join a tour through the Black Forest, stopping along the way for a tasting of Black Forest Cake.

Disembark and transfer to Vevey. Learn about one of the 20th centurys most celebrated artists during a visit to the Chaplin World Museum.

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Delight in a panoramic train journey to Château-d’Œx. Upon arrival witness traditional cheese-making at the Restaurant Le Chalet. The restaurant makes its own cheese, and in your private demonstration, the cheesemaker will transform milk into a hard cheese right in front of your eyes. At the end of the demonstration, you’ll have an opportunity to taste the freshly made cheese. 

Ascend the Swiss Alps to the breathtaking village of Gstaad. Then continue to the Swiss capital, Bern where you will enjoy an overnight stay.

Journey to Lucerne, overlooked by the magnificent Swiss Alps and discover this charming town during an orientation tour with your Tour Director before continuing to Zurich. Repeatedly named the city with the best quality of life, Switzerland’s largest city is home to a host of treasures, and you will enjoy them firsthand on a walking tour. 

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Zurich airport.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.