7-night Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps Wine Cruise

Board the ship for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise. (D),

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you'll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B,L,D),

Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany's most revered Gothic masterpieces. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany's oldest town hall, and see other local sites. Following your all-encompassing walking tour, enjoy a tasting of the city's famous pale Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne and served in a narrow cylindrical glass called a Stange. You'll also enjoy Reibekuchen mit Apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D),

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO World Heritage-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town's iconic vineyards. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town's beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town's special delights, Rüdesheim coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee, and whipped cream. (B,L,D),

Winding from Bingen to Bonn, the 'heroic Rhine' has created a beautifully picturesque gorge. The river-scape has been an inspiration to both artists and authors.

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO World Heritage-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town's iconic vineyards. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town's beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town's special delights, Rüdesheim coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee, and whipped cream. (B,L,D),

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany's Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosophers' Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany's oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. (B,L,D),

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany's Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosophers' Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany's oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. (B,L,D),

Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its location at the border between the two countries. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l'Orangerie, the European Parliament, and the Place de la République, before walking through its iconic "La Petite France" district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre-Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l'Orangerie. (B,L,D),

Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland's third-largest city. Long an important university, banking, and trade center, Basel's glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square, and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France, and Germany. Alternatively, venture off on a full-day guided excursion to Lucerne, known for its Lion Monument — the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792 — which Mark Twain described as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world". You'll also see Lucerne's spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century. In the afternoon, for those not participating in the full-day tour, visit Lucerne for a half-day tour or choose a wine-themed excursion to Weingut Röschard, a family winery where you will enjoy a tasting of local wines. (B,L,D),

Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland's third-largest city. Long an important university, banking, and trade center, Basel's glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square, and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France, and Germany. Alternatively, venture off on a full-day guided excursion to Lucerne, known for its Lion Monument — the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792 — which Mark Twain described as "the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world". You'll also see Lucerne's spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century. In the afternoon, for those not participating in the full-day tour, visit Lucerne for a half-day tour or choose a wine-themed excursion to Weingut Röschard, a family winery where you will enjoy a tasting of local wines. (B,L,D),

Bid farewell to Basel and prepare for your flight home. (B),