DAY 1  AMSTERDAM

This afternoon, embark the vessel and get settled into your cabin. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially-prepared Welcome Dinner.

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Stay Amsterdam

Get Up and Breakfast on Hoorn

DAY 2  AMSTERDAM > HOORN

 Canal boat tour in Amsterdam & Dutch cheese tasting

Begin your exploration with a relaxing cruise through a myriad of landscapes along the Rhine river. For more active pursuits, spend the morning exploring the canal city of Amsterdam and the surrounding countryside, rejoing the vessel in the town of Hoorn.

This evening join your fellow travelers for dinner.

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Stay Amsterdam > HOORN

Get Up and Breakfast on COLOGNE

 1pm - 1.30pm

DAY 3 COLOGNE / KöLN

 Visit Cologne Cathedral, the town's landmark

After lunch, view our arrival into the beautiful city of Cologne. Every year visitors from all over the world are drawn to the historical city and its 2000-year history. Explore the historic Old Town, visit the famous twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, or perhaps sample some of the famous Kölsch beer brewed in Cologne. There are many medieval houses, bridges, and gates that will delight the historian in you, while the more modern skyscrapers that tower overhead are sure to impress. After an exciting day, we return to the vessel and make our way south.

excursion

During the city walk, explore the surroundings of the famous cathedral and the old town. Many attractions are concentrated in just one square kilometre around the cathedral, the town hall and the old town with large Romanesque Church of St. Martin. You can take a look at the Roman Dionysus mosaic. In the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town and in the busy squares, such as the old market or the hay market, you will get a feeling for life in this city, both past and present. Take a tour of the inside of the Cologne Cathedral, either accompanied by your guide or on your own (depending on the opening hours of the cathedral and/or if a mass is celebrated, etc.). Since its completion in 1880, the Cologne Cathedral is, due to its two tall towers with a height of 157 m each, not only the landmark of the town and best known architecture monument but also the most often visited sight in Germany.

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Stay Amsterdam > HOORN

Get Up and Breakfast on COLOGNE

DAY 4 COCHEM

 Reichsburg Castle and Moselle wine tasting

Today our FairCruise  vessel takes a special trip down the romantic Moselle river, the largest tributary of the Rhine, and anchors at the old town of Cochem. The scenery in the Moselle Valley has been dominated by vineyards for millennia. Cochem itself has narrow streets, twisting alleys and medieval town gates, churches and walls.  Discover the beauty of Cochem and perhaps sample some of the Riesling wines produced in this region. This evening we set off towards Koblenz.

excursion

Cochem walking tour with wine tasting

The harmonious trio of the unique Mosel landscape, thousands of years of wine growing and rich culture makes Cochem especially popular. During the walk you will discover the city with its narrow, winding streets. In the course of this tour you will also visit the Reichsburg Castle. Thanks to its size and location on a precipitous rock high above the city, this magnificent castle dominates the cityscape. Equally impressive is the view you can enjoy from the castle. You will see the Moselle Valley with its dreamy, mixed forests, meadows and vineyards and the old town. At the end of the tour, enjoy a taste of local Mosel wines.

IV: Moderate walking tour. You may need to climb some stairs.

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Stay COCHEM

Get Up and Breakfast on RüDESHEiM

2pm - 9.45pm

DAY 5 KOBLENZ > RüDESHEiM

 Romantic cruise along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley

This morning arrive in Koblenz, ideally situated at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle rivers. The Romans, the Franks, the Holy Roman Empire, the French, and the Germans have all had a hand in this strategic city’s 2000 year history.   St. Castor Basilica, the Church of our Beloved Lady, and the Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm’s memorial at the German Corner, are just a few of the sites which reflect the history of the area.

This afternoon, spend time on deck as we cruise the most beautiful section of the river – the legendary Upper Middle Rhine Valley.  Late this afternoon, the vessel arrives in Rüdesheim, a winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge.  Discover the region’s rich history of winemaking  - perhaps visit the local museum -a great place to start. Back onboard your crew awaits with a delicious dinner.

excursion

Koblenz walking tour

Discover Koblenz, one of the most beautiful and oldest towns in Germany, with over 2,000 years of history. On our guided walk through the romantic streets between the St. Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of our Beloved Lady) you will discover the most important sights of Koblenz. Obviously this tour would not be complete without a visit to the Emperor Wilhelm Memorial at the famous German Corner and the town’s landmark, the Schängel Fountain at the town hall. At the end of the walk you will reach the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine and the ropeway of Koblenz – well known since the German Federal Garden Show.

approx. 1,5 hours

Rüdesheim walking tour incl. music cabinet museum

The unique Winzerexpress train takes you from the dock of the ship to the “Siegfried Mechanical Music Cabinet” for  a musical adventure with historical self-playing instruments. Thereafter, a guided tour leads you through the picturesque town. Explore the heart of the old town of Rüdesheim – the Drosselgasse – where wine houses and garden taverns invite you to linger. Immerse yourself in the history of the city and visit the Eagle Tower, a part of the city wall, and the fortifications from the 15th century.

approx. 2 hours

IV: Moderate walking tour. You may need to climb some stairs.

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Stay KOBLENZ

Get Up and Breakfast on MANNHEiM

KOBLENZ   6am - 11am

RüDESHEiM  5pm - 10pm

DAY 6 MANNHEiM SPEYER

 Visit to Heidelberg Castle & Captain's Gala Dinner

After breakfast, explore the bustling metropolis of Mannheim. This unique city has many sights to see including the University of Mannheim, the National Theater Mannheim, and St. Sebastian’s Church. It is also home to Luisenpark, one of the most beautiful parks in all of Germany. Nearby Heidelberg is another old university city which is also a worthwhile visit. This afternoon’s call is at Speyer, a city known for its Cathedral where eight Roman Emperors and German Kings are interred. The Old Town Gate, Memorial Church, and Transportation Museum are all highlights of this beautiful city. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Gala Dinner after your exciting day.

excursion to Heidelberg

A comfortable coach will take you to Heidelberg, the world famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads also into the castle garden. From the Grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late-gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall.

III: The excursion by bus is followed by a longer walk. You may need to climb several stairs.

approx. 4.5 hours

Speyer walking tour

Speyer, the venerable emperor’s city on the Rhine, has had a rich and turbulent past. Religious architecture steeped in history, impressive facades of various styles, winding alleys and romantic squares express the character of the city. The city tour includes a visit to the Romanesque Imperial Cathedral from the exterior, with its striking twin tower portal, and visits to the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate (Altpoertel) and the Jewish Ritual Bath.

approx. 2 hours

IV: Moderate walking tour. You may need to climb some stairs.

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Stay MANNHEiM

Get Up and Breakfast on STRASBOURG

 6am - 1pm

DAY 7 STRASSBOURG 

This morning we arrive in the dynamic capital of Alsace. This beautiful city’s sights include the famous cathedral Strasbourg Münster and the Petite France quarter, a former mill and tanner district that still maintains its medieval charm. Half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, the Council of Europe are among the wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you. The Grand Island, the city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is connected to the rest of the city by 22 stone bridges. After lunch onboard, take in the sites of the romantic Rhine as we move towards Switzerland, our final destination.

excursion City Tour of Strasbourg

Enjoy a discovery tour through the beautiful city of Strasbourg. After a short coach trip through the city, the tour continues with a walk through the lovely, historic old part of the town and includes a visit to the famous Straßburger Münster (not possible on Sundays and public holidays, sometimes with security check).During a boat cruise on the river, you will discover the famous quarter, “Petite France”. This former mill and tanner district still maintains its medieval charm. Some of the beautiful, half-timbered houses on the banks of the river Ill are up to 500 years old. You will enjoy Strasbourg’s half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, the Council of Europe and all the other wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you. Please note that the riverboat cruise is not available in the winter season.

II: The excursion by bus is followed by a moderate walking tour. You may need to climb some stairs.

approx. 4 hours

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Stay STRASSBOURG

Get Up and Breakfast on BASEL

DAY 8 BASEL

 Farewell

After breakfast we bid you farewell. We hope to welcome you again soon!

Get Up and Breakfast on BASEL

Arrival 9am