Traveling Troubadour presents...
The Enchanting Rhine River
Basil, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands

Begin your journey amidst Switzerland's snow capped vistas.  Then, relax as we follow the Rhine River through beautiful countryside vistas. Along the way, visit the majestic Gothic cathedral in Cologne, Germany, the university town of Heidelberg and medieval Strasbourg. Our cruise concludes in the legendary city of Amsterdam, with its myriad canals and distinctive architecture!

Travel to legendary destinations, beginning with
an optional 4 night stay in Switzerland,
2 nights in Zurich and 2 nights in Lucerne. 
Follow this with 7 nights cruising on the
enchanting Rhine River - Basel to Amsterdam!

July 25-August 1, 2016
(With optional pre-cruise package in Switzerland - July 21-25, 2016)

Enchanting Rhine - Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND	Arrive in Zurich and check-in to your hotel. Spend your day exploring this beautiful town.  (If you are doing the pre-cruise package)
Day 2 - ZURICH	Your morning walking tour of Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, includes Grossmünster Abbey, St. Peter (which boasts the world’s largest church clock face), Old Town, Town Hall and Fraumünster Abbey. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore the town on your own. Or, if you prefer, you may take an optional excursion to see the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe, and also visit Stein am Rhine, a town with a well-preserved medieval center and buildings painted with beautiful frescoes. (B)
Day 3 - ZURICH - LUCERNE	After a free morning in Zurich, check out of your hotel and head off on a scenic drive around the lake before reaching Lucerne. Upon arrival, enjoy a cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. (B)
Day 4 - LUCERNE	After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of this medieval gem. You will see some of the city’s lovely cobblestone streets, monuments, fountains, public squares, covered bridges and colorful frescoed buildings. The afternoon offers free time to shop for Swiss-made watches, knives and delicious chocolates. Or, if you prefer, join the optional tour and cable car ride to the top of a Swiss mountain with incredible views of the surrounding area (seasonal availability). (B)
Day 5 - LUCERNE-BASEL-EMBARKATION	This morning, depart from Lucerne, visiting the Lion Monument en route to Basel. Arrive in Basel for a city tour before embarking your luxurious river cruise ship. Switzerland’s second largest city is ideally located at the crossroads of Switzerland, France and Germany. 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. Tonight, gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. The ship moors in Basel overnight. (B,D)
Day 6 - BREISACH, GERMANY	You have two exciting excursions to choose from today. The first is a walking tour of Riquewihr, a picturesque town that looks much as it did back in the 16th century. A second option is a walking tour of Breisach and Freiburg. Breisach is a beautiful town on that houses one of Europe’s largest wine cellars. In Freiburg, you will visit the historical city center and the Augustinerplatz, site of Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral constructed of red sandstone. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - STRASBOURG, FRANCE	Capital city of France’s Alsace region, Strasbourg is situated on the Rhine at the German border. After arriving this morning, enjoy a panoramic tour that will take you past the Orangery, the town’s oldest park, the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique. Afterwards, explore on foot with a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood, where you will see the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish. The ship moors in Strasbourg overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - SPEYER - HEIDELBERG, GERMANY	Early this afternoon, arrive in Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its Cathedral, churches, and the Altpörtel – a 13th-century gate tower. Choose either a tour of Medieval Speyer or a half day excursion to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle and its Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask, and see beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. You will have free time to wander what is said to be the longest pedestrian shopping street in Germany, the “Haupstrasse,” or simply relax in a café. The ship moors overnight in Speyer. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - RÜDESHEIM - KOBLENZ	This morning, arrive in Rüdesheim and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Museum. You will also have time to explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants, followed by a wine tasting at a local vintner. As an alternative to the museum, treat yourself to a tasting of Rüdesheimer coffee. A third option for your Rudesheim visit is to take a Gondola Ride above the town to see the Niederwalddenkmal Statue. This afternoon, your ship departs for Koblenz and cruises through the Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, with hillsides dotted with fairy-tale castles. After arriving in Koblenz this evening, your Cruise Manager will take you on a walking tour through this charming town. The ship moors here overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - COLOGNE	The ship cruises to Cologne today, where you will have an afternoon walking tour of the old part of the city and visit the fabled 13th-century gothic cathedral. Enjoy some free time to explore on your own. The ship departs this evening for Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - AMSTERDAM	After arriving around noon, 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 house where Anne Frank once lived in hiding during WWII. You will also have a panoramic city tour of the great landmarks of Amsterdam, including a picturesque windmill. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore Amsterdam before returning to the ship, which moors here overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - DISEMBARKATION                DEPART AMSTERDAM	Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)

This cruise includes many things!  
Shore tours are included!
Wine, Beer and Soft Drinks are included with dinner!

All this is included:

•2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Zürich Hotel Continental including daily Buffet Breakfast  (if pre-cruise land package selected)
•2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Lucerne at the Radisson Blu including daily Buffet Breakfast
•Transfer from Lucerne to the ship in Basel (if land package selected)   Note:  Cruise leaves from Basel, Switzerland
•7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom-most with French balconies
•Life enriching tours and excursions daily
•State-of-the-art Infotainment System in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library & English language TV stations
•Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
•Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding in all staterooms
•Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise
•Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe's great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch & dinner on board
•Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
•Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
•Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and piano music
•Bicycles to explore on your own
•Services of professional Cruise Manager
•All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
•Transfers between hotel and ship are included with the purchase of cruise and land package; airport transfers are included with the purchase of airfare from AmaWaterways
•All local taxes