Radiant Rhine River Cruise with Amsterdam

With its characteristic canals surrounded by narrow, low, and crooked 17th-century houses, Amsterdam is without a doubt, one of the most charming capital cities in Europe. With a rich cultural life and a wide range of entertainment, Amsterdam is a full-scale city, which has managed to retain its small-town feel. Our morning begins with a canal cruise through Amsterdam’s fabled canals followed by a city walking tour to introduce us to all the major highlights: we'll see the exterior of Anne Frank's House, the marketplace, and the many canals that crisscross the city. Return to the ship for lunch. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the city further.

North of the port lies one of the biggest attractions of the Netherlands, the Open Air Museum of Arnhem. Here, completely reconstructed historical monuments are manned by volunteers who will immerse us into the life of the past. This included tour will take us back to a setting of merchant's houses, 19th-century farmhouses, and mills of the golden age with samples of life on the farms, fields, factories, wine taverns, and shops. The people, dressed in authentic costumes and settings, will regale us with stories about their "way of life" and maybe serve you a cup of coffee or a pint of beer in 'the good old way'. A lively and humorous presentation of old Dutch customs and habits. Sail on to Cologne.

Welcome to Germany! Enjoy the passing vistas while at sail. Our walking tour of this fabulous city will include the Haymarket, Festival Halls, Town Hall, Jewish Baths, Old Market, and Cologne's the Dom, the remarkable Gothic cathedral whose construction began in 1248 and was only completed in 1880! We'll return to the ship for lunch and the balance of the day is at your leisure.

Today we'll enjoy a delightful walking tour of the Old Town including St. Castor’s Basilica, the Monument of Emperor Wilhelm I, and the town’s landmark, the “Schängel” Fountain. The balance of the day is at leisure. After dinner on the ship, consider exploring Ruedesheim, an ancient town of timber houses and cobblestone streets dating back to the 1500s!

Located at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers, Mannheim is an industrial city and home to Mercedes Benz and many other major corporations. Today, we'll enjoy an excursion to Heidelberg. One of the oldest and most famous university towns in Germany, Heidelberg is one of the country's most endearing small cities, famous for its historical baroque center, spirited student atmosphere, beautiful riverside setting, and ancient bridge crossing the Neckar River. The impressive hilltop castle is also home to the largest wine barrel in the world, holding over 220,000 liters of wine!

Welcome to France! Our tour begins with a one-hour boat cruise along the canals, offering unique views of the half-timbered houses and impressive European institutions. Afterward, our walking tour features sights such as the Place de la Republique, Orangerie, EU Parliament, and Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame. After our tour, we'll delight in the delicious flavors of authentic French cuisine and local wine during our lunch at a popular local restaurant. This evening, we'll enjoy the Captain's Farewell Dinner!

Our tour comes to an end after we enjoy breakfast and disembark today.