Discover fairytale castles and historic vineyards as part of this spectacular Rhine River cruise fantasy showcasing the wines of the Rheingau and beyond. Start by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Then it’s off to Germany, where you’ll discover not only the grand city of Cologne but charming villages like the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim and the university town of Heidelberg. Enjoy cruising through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like pearls along the river banks. Cross the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg and take in spectacular panoramas of the Swiss Alps. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a dream come true.
Discover fairytale castles, historic vineyards and the stunning remnant of a world frozen over with glaciers, Italy’s Lake Como, as part of this all-encompassing Rhine River cruise and land fantasy showcasing the wines of the Rheingau and beyond. Start by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Then it’s off to Germany, where you’ll discover not only the grand city of Cologne but charming villages like the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim and the university town of Heidelberg. Enjoy cruising through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like pearls along the river banks. Cross the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg and take in spectacular panoramas of the Swiss Alps before spending time in Italy’s haven for the rich and famous, Lake Como. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a dream come true.
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Day 1 | Amsterdam | EMBARKATION |
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Board the ship for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps Wine Cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise |
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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)
Day 3 | Cologne | “Holy City” walking tour, cathedral visit and Kölsch beer |
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Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-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. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Rhine Gorge | Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising |
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| | OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau |
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| | Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum |
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Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-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 Musical Instrument 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)
Day 5 | Ludwigshafen | “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion |
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| | OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s Path hike |
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| | OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour |
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Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four 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 Philosopher’s 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 bike along the Neckar River to the medieval town of Ladenburg. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Strasbourg | “The Gem of Alsace” tour |
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Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. 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)
Day 7 | Basel | Full-day Lucerne excursion* |
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| | OR “Three Countries” bike tour
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| | Wine tasting at Weingut Röschard |
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| Lucerne | OR Half-day Lucerne excursion |
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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)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day
Bid farewell to Basel and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Amsterdam | Hotel check-in |
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Arrive in Amsterdam and check into your hotel.
Day 2 | Amsterdam | Walking tour |
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Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture. (B)
Day 3 | Amsterdam | Zaanse Schans and transfer to ship |
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Check out of your hotel and, before transferring to your ship, visit Zaanse Schans, observing life as it used to be lived in the Netherlands. Authentic windmills, houses and shops were relocated to this picturesque area, creating a typical 17th- to 18th-century village. (B,D)
Day 4 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise |
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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)
Day 5 | Cologne | “Holy City” walking tour, cathedral visit and Kölsch beer |
|
Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-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. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Rhine Gorge | Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising |
|
| | OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau |
|
| | Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum |
|
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-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 Musical Instrument 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)
Day 7 | Ludwigshafen | “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion |
|
| | OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s Path hike |
|
| | OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour |
|
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four 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 Philosopher’s 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 bike along the Neckar River to the medieval town of Ladenburg. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Strasbourg | “The Gem of Alsace” tour |
|
Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. 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)
Day 9 | Basel | Full-day Lucerne excursion* |
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| | OR “Three Countries” bike tour
|
|
| | Wine tasting at Weingut Röschard |
|
| Lucerne | OR Half-day Lucerne excursion |
|
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)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day
Day 10 | Basel | DISEMBARKATION |
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| | Transfer to Lake Como with Bellinzona tour |
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Disembark the ship and transfer to Lake Como, Italy, stopping in Bellinzona, Switzerland along the way, where you will enjoy a brief tour and free time for lunch. Once in breathtaking Lake Como, nestled at the foot of the Alps, check into your hotel for the evening. (B)
Day 11 | Lake Como | Walking tour |
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Be treated to a walking tour of Lake Como, a former glacial lake and popular resort area for the rich and famous since Roman times. Gaze at the azure waters and impressive villas that line the lakeside from the hills above and perhaps recognize the scenery from such Hollywood blockbusters as Ocean’s Twelve and Casino Royale. (B)
Day 12 | Lake Como | Lake Como boat excursion to the “Pearl of Lake Como,” Bellagio |
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Let the wind tousle your hair as you board your boat for a scenic ride along Lake Como to its stunning pearl, Bellagio. This intimate village offers postcard-perfect views whether you choose to stroll along the lakeside or venture up hill to its cobbled streets. Browse the shops or sample the local fare at Bellagio’s restaurants before returning to the boat. (B)
Day 13 | Lake Como | Return flight home |
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Bid farewell to Lake Como and prepare for your flight home. (B)