7-night Captivating Rhine Wine Cruise

Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Captivating Rhine cruise.,

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, plus see other local sights. For a different view, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and 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),

Düsseldorf is a wealthy city -- the richest in Germany. It's big and commercial, full of banks and industrial offices and skyscrapers, but it's also refreshingly clean. Düsseldorf got its start as a settlement on the right bank of the Rhine, but today it's spread out on both sides -- the older part on the right, and the modern, commercial, and industrial part on the left. Five bridges connect the two sections, the most impressive being the Oberkassel. Parks and esplanades line the riverbanks.

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, Rüdesheimer 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. Or join a guided bike tour along the shores of the river Neckar and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg. (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. Or join a guided bike tour along the shores of the river Neckar and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg. (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),

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and famous sights, such as the Dolder Tower. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg's Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have "the most beautiful spire on earth". Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. (B,L,D); Please Note: Black Forest hike is weather dependent and may only operate at certain times of year. Please refer to your final documents for details.,

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and famous sights, such as the Dolder Tower. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg's Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have "the most beautiful spire on earth". Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. (B,L,D); Please Note: Black Forest hike is weather dependent and may only operate at certain times of year. Please refer to your final documents for details.,

The flower-filled Alsacian town called Riquewihr (pop. 1,230) is near Colmar and worth a stop if it's harvest time. The town has several nice 12th-century houses.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home. (B),