zCulture & Wine Legacy of the Rhine L&C 2013

Arrive in charming Amsterdam and embark your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Welcome Dinner. Meals D

After breakfast, your tour of Amsterdam begins with a scenic canal cruise through the city known as the “Venice of the North.” See the beautiful homes that line the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous Anne Frank House. Then, enjoy a panoramic city tour, where you will see the great landmarks of Amsterdam including a photo stop at a Windmill. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore Amsterdam before returning to the ship. This evening there will be an onboard wine lecture and wine tasting prior to dinner. Meals B,L,D

This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour through the historic heart of Cologne, including a visit to its famous 13th-century gothic cathedral. Your tour will also include a beer tasting to sample the city’s renowned Kolsch beer. As an alternative to the walking tour, a guided bike tour of Cologne is available (capacity controlled). You will then enjoy an onboard wine lecture as the ship cruises to Koblenz, where you will have a walking tour. This evening, the Captain’s Gala Dinner takes place on board. Meals B,L,D

This morning, sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge, passing castle after castle and the infamous Lorelei Rock. This afternoon, arrive in Rüdesheim, where you will tour Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. In the evening you will visit the Berg Rottland winery for a tour and wine tasting. Meals B,L,D

Enjoy an onboard wine lecture as you cruise to Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities. From Speyer you will take an excursion to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle, with its Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask, and beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. Late this afternoon, the ship sails to Strasbourg, France. This evening, enjoy a German-themed dinner with paired wines. Meals B,L,D

The principal city of the Alsace region in northeastern France, Strasbourg is situated on the Ill River, where it flows into the Rhine on the border with Germany. This morning, take a tour through this charming town lined with narrow cobblestone streets. See the European Parliament and visit the “La Petite France” district, where you will see the sandstone Gothic Cathedral with its famous Astronomical clock. Then, a canal cruise will take you through this picturesque town, known for its black and white timber-framed buildings, covered bridges and medieval watchtowers. In the alternative to your canal cruise and city tour, you may choose a guided bicycle tour (capacity controlled) which will take you past the Orangery, the town’s oldest park, the European Parliament, and Place de la Republique. In the afternoon, you will visit the charming wine town of Obernai. Nestled against the Vosges mountains in the heart of Alsace, Obernai is known for its half-timbered houses, traditional Alsatian wine, food and festivals. After a brief guided tour of Obernai, you will take a short drive to one of Alsace’s most beautiful wine estates. There, in the typical Alsatian setting of Caveau Klipfel, you will tour a unique wine-making exhibit featuring antique wine presses, Vosges wooden wine casks and old viticulture stock. Your visit will also include a wine tasting in a wood-paneled tasting room. Sample a classic Riesling, noble Gewurztraminer and other famous wines of this region, making a most memorable evening in Alsace. Meals B,L,D

This morning enjoy an onboard wine lecture as you cruise to Breisach. From Breisach, choose between a city tour of Colmar or a visit to the famous Black Forest region of Germany. On the Black Forest tour, you will visit a scenic forested area where you will encounter a number of lakes as well as charming examples of rural architecture. As an alternative, choose to travel to medieval Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and the self-proclaimed “Capital of Alsatian Wine.” During your city tour, you will see remarkable half-timbered framed houses; the German influenced old quarter filled with streets of unexpected twists and turns; canals and the Launch River. You will also enjoy a wine cellar visit and wine tasting, where you will enjoy several different wines. Meals B,L,D

Disembark after breakfast for a city tour of cosmopolitan Basel. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. After free time for lunch on your own, depart for Lucerne. You will visit the Lion Monument en route and arrive mid-afternoon to check in to the hotel. Meals B

Situated on Lake Lucerne, the city is a medieval gem. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour that will explore some of the city’s famous cobblestone streets, monuments, fountain-embellished public squares, covered bridges and colorful frescoed buildings. The afternoon offers free time to shop for watches, knives and world-famous chocolates. Or, you can join the optional tour and cable car ride (seasonal) to the top of Mount Pilatus, the mountain which dominates the city. Then return trip from the mountain on the engineering marvel, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Meals B

Enjoy a free morning in Lucerne before checking out of your hotel. Afterwards, you will cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne to Vitznau. Upon arrival in Vitznau, you will board a motor coach for a scenic drive to Zurich, where you will check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Meals B

Your morning walking tour of picturesque Zurich will include Grossmünster, St.Peter, with the largest church clock face in the world, Old Town, Town Hall and Fraumünster, which was fully renovated in 2004 and now offers an exceptional 360° panoramic view of Zurich. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore the town on your own. Meals B