Compare Great European Journey by Smithsonian Journeys vs From Amsterdam to Basel: The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River by CroisiEurope

Days 1-2: U.S., Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Meals: Lunch, Welcome Reception and Dinner

Depart the U.S. for Amsterdam. Following your morning arrival, enjoy a private cruise along Amsterdam’s delightful canals lined with 16th- and 17th-century gabled row houses, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Embark the ship and join fellow participants this evening for the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner.

Day 3: Cologne, Germany

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Enjoy the morning while cruising along the picturesque Rhine River. One of Germany’s most ancient cities, Cologne was founded as a Roman military outpost in 38 B.C. From the time of Charlemagne to present day, it has flourished as the Rhineland’s foremost mercantile and religious center and is the birthplace of the original world-famous Eau De Cologne perfume. Explore the Altstadt (Old Town) and visit the historic Kölner Dom (cathedral), a UNESCO World Heritage site and the finest example of High Gothic architecture in Germany; construction began on the cathedral in 1248 and lasted for six centuries. Among its artistic treasures are the Milan Madonna and the Shrine of the Three Holy Kings.

Day 4: Koblenz, Rüdesheim

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Go ashore this morning in Koblenz, where Germany’s Roman past dates to 9 B.C., during the reign of Augustus Caesar, when it was strategically established at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. From the famous Deutsches Eck (German Corner), enjoy a view of the impressive 19th-century fortress of Ehrenbreitstein, once the residence of the powerful Archbishop-Electors of Trier. The twin-towered Basilica of St. Castor, built between the 9th and 13th centuries, features the Rhineland’s distinctive Romanesque architecture.

Cruise through the spectacular Rhine River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, legendary for its scenery and riverside architectural treasures. Be on deck for a front row view of the steep terraced vineyards rising on the slopes of the riverbanks. With each bend in the river, a medieval castle crowns the crags and a tranquil village nestles along its banks. See the famous Lorelei Rock—legend holds that a beautiful siren lured sailors here with her enchanting song.

Dock in the medieval town of Rüdesheim, the heart of Germany’s wine country. Enjoy a tour aboard the unique Winzerexpress mini-train, traveling through bucolic countryside vineyards and passing historic castles, followed by a private tasting of German wines.

Reboard the ship and cruise through the Rheingau, Germany’s most famous wine-growing region, known particularly for its Riesling.

Day 5: Mannheim for Heidelberg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, from Mannheim, transfer to Heidelberg, where luminaries such as Goethe and Schumann came to experience the intellectual atmosphere of Heidelberg University, Germany’s oldest, founded in 1386. To many on the “Grand Tour” of Europe, fashionable in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, Heidelberg epitomized Germany, nestled in the densely wooded valley of the Neckar River and alive with the spirit of German Romanticism. Heidelberg has preserved its authentic Renaissance-Baroque character, including the eight remaining arches of the famous Alte Brücke (Old Bridge) that span the Neckar River. Visit imposing Heidelberg Castle, a magnificent, 13th-century edifice perched above the river. The stately ruins preserve Heidelberg’s links to its medieval past.

Day 6: Strasbourg, France

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The lively Alsatian city of Strasbourg fuses the Old and New Europe. The Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a treasure trove of medieval houses, and the charming Ponts-Couverts, covered bridges flanked by watchtowers at each end, span the picturesque canals. It was in Strasbourg that John Calvin first established a reformed parish. See remnants of the Reformation in the beautiful Protestant and Catholic Church of St-Pierre-le-Vieux; and see the graceful sandstone Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame, a Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece that, according to the poet Goethe, rises “like a most sublime, wide-arching tree of God.” In the Petite-France district, the historic millers’, tanners’ and fishermen’s quarter along the Ill River, the fairy-tale look of a past era lives on, while nearby, 28 nations engage in the daily discourse of the European Union Parliament.

Enjoy lunch aboard ship. The afternoon is free for independent pursuits. This evening, attend the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Day 7: Basel, Switzerland, Berne, Interlaken, Lucerne

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Disembark in Basel and enjoy a scenic transfer across the rolling Swiss countryside to Berne, Switzerland’s historic capital. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site and beautifully preserved medieval gem noted for its arcaded sidewalks. Have lunch in a traditional Bernese restaurant.

Continue on through one of the most beautiful areas of Switzerland, the spectacular Bernese Oberland, traveling from subtropical lowlands to the snow-crowned heights of the Alps. Admire its impressive natural treasures, including soaring jagged peaks, rolling green hills, crystal-clear glacial lakes, and densely wooded forests.

Stop in the charming resort town of Interlaken, located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Here, you will find the perfect vantage point for admiring the towering Jungfrau, an imposing summit in the Bernese Alps known as the “Top of Europe.”

Then, enjoy a scenic motorcoach transfer to Lucerne, where you will check into the lakeside, deluxe Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 8: Lucerne

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

A long-favored destination of travelers, Lucerne is set against the backdrop of its deep blue lake and the rugged grandeur of Mounts Pilatus and Rigi. Begin your morning walking tour in the Weinmarkt (wine market), surrounded by historic burghers’ houses. See the Hofkirche (Court Church), one of the finest examples of German Renaissance architecture, and the Lion Monument, dedicated to the Swiss Guards who gave their lives defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Walk across Lucerne’s most famous landmark, the delightful, 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge, which spans the Reuss River and is adorned with 17th-century paintings.

Ascend Mount Pilatus by panoramic gondola to its 7000-foot summit for a magnificent 360-degree panorama of central Switzerland’s mountains, peaks, forests and lakes. Enjoy lunch in a summit restaurant followed by free time. Board the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, then descend more than 5,300 feet in less than three miles on return to the shores of Lake Lucerne, where you will enjoy a scenic lake cruise.

Day 9: Lucerne, Andermatt, Zermatt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Relax during a scenic transfer from Lucerne to Andermatt. Lunch is included in Andermatt before you board the fabled Glacier Express, “the world’s slowest fast train,” and travel through the heart of the Alps, where the natural beauty of the mountains rivals the skill and ingenuity of the engineers who created this rail route across Europe’s most challenging terrain—requiring the construction of 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.

Arrive in the Alpine resort of Zermatt, dramatically located beneath the pinnacle of the iconic Matterhorn. Check into the chalet-style Hotel Alex and enjoy dinner in the hotel.

Day 10: Zermatt

Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Reception and Dinner

Today, travel aboard the famous Gornergrat Bahn, the highest cog railway in Europe. Ascend through forests of pine and larch and cross meadows ablaze with wildflowers to the 10,000‑foot‑high Gornergrat. From the observatory atop the Gornergrat, look out over sweeping vistas of Europe’s most breathtaking Alpine scenery—the serrated profiles of the Matterhorn, the Liskamm and Dufourspitze mountains and vast Gorner Glacier. Return to Zermatt at your leisure, with the option to stop en route at Riffelberg for the panoramic view of Monte Rosa and the majestic Matterhorn. The Farewell Reception and dinner will be in the hotel tonight.

Day 11: Zermatt, Geneva, U.S.

Meals: Breakfast

Following breakfast, transfer to Geneva for your return flight to the U.S.

Day 1 AMSTERDAM or surroundings(3)

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll enjoy dinner on board.

Day 2 AMSTERDAM or surroundings(3)

This morning, we offer two excursions depending on your package.CLASSIC package: Panoramic tour of the city and a visit to a diamond merchant. Amsterdam is one of the most unique and extraordinary cities in the world. Enjoy a highlight tour of all the major sites, including the tallest windmill in the Netherlands, the De Gooyer. We’ll then heading over to the dazzling floating flower market. DISCOVERY package: An off-the-beaten-path bike tour of Amsterdam. We’ll leave on foot to head to the bike rental office. Once equipped, we'll set out on a bike tour to discover places only the locals know about. As we ride, we’ll pass in front of many famous monuments and sites, including Dam Square, the Royal Palace, the Anne Frank House, Nieuwmarkt, the Rembrandt House Museum, and much more!This afternoon, join us for an excursion for both packages: A visit to the Keukenhof Gardens.(1)(only on pre-booking before departure) Tour the beautiful spring gardens at your own pace. Don’t forget to visit the Orchid House, the Japanese Garden, and the 19th-century windmill on the edge of the tulip fields! Keukenhof also contains the works of 25 artists. To make your visit more active, you can take a boat trip through the fields or bike ride through the surrounding area.During the off-season, we’ll visit Haarlem instead.We’ll return on board in Amsterdam. Join us for an evening of dancing in the lounge. Our ship will cruise to Nijmegen overnight.

Day 2 AMSTERDAM or surroundings(3)

This morning, join us for the excursions proposed:CLASSIC: Guided panoramic tour of Amsterdam.DISCOVERY: Bike tour of Amsterdam in search of its most secret and unique locations.In the afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit the Keukenhof Gardens(1)(only on pre-booking before departure). Outside the opening dates of the park, guided tour of Haarlem.We'll return on board in Amsterdam for an evening of dancing. Our ship will cruise to Nijmegen through the night.

Day 3 NIJMEGEN

Join us on an excursion for both packages: A visit to the Netherlands Open-Air Museum in Arnhem. This national museum focuses on the everyday life of Dutch people throughout the country’s history and includes old homes, farms, and factories from different regions. You can stroll through the attraction at your own pace or take the authentic trams.Our ship will cruise to  Cologne overnight. Enjoy an evening of entertainment on board.

Day 3 NIJMEGEN

This morning, join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of the open-air museum in Arnhem.Our ship will cruise to  Cologne overnight. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

Day 4 COLOGNE - KOBLENZ

Join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Cologne, the crossroads of Europe since the Middle Ages. We’ll see the immense, Gothic cathedral—the tallest twin-spire church in the world and the most visited landmark in Germany. We'll then head over to the Old Town to stroll the streets and pass in front of the famous Farina Fragrance Museum. Our ship will start to cruise up the Rhine to Koblenz early this morning. Enjoy a stroll to see the famous Deutsches Eck.

Day 4 COLOGNE - KOBLENZ

Join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Cologne. Our cruise will then continue along the Rhine to Koblenz. In the evening, enjoy a stroll to see the famous Deutsches Eck.

Day 5 KOBLENZ - MAINZ

We’ll cruise to Mainz in the early morning, traveling through the magnificent Rhine Valley.Excursion for both packages: Tour of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum. This tour on foot will take us to the city’s magnificent cathedral. We’ll then stroll down the picturesque streets of the Old City to the Gutenberg Museum.Join us for an evening of dancing in the lounge. Our ship will begin to cruise to Strasbourg.

Day 5 KOBLENZ - MAINZ

We'll cruise up the most beautiful part of the Rhine River all the way to Mainz. Join us for the excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum.Enjoy an evening of dancing after dinner. Our ship will cruise to Strasbourg through the night.

Day 6 STRASBOURG - BREISACH

We’ll arrive in Strasbourg in the afternoon.Excursion for both packages: Boat tour of Strasbourg and a visit to its cathedral (only on pre-booking before departure). Like many European cities, Strasbourg has a striking mix of architecture that includes a broad range of traditional structures next to bold modern designs.After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship. Our ship will begin to cruise to Breisach. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Day 6 STRASBOURG - BREISACH

We'll arrive in Strasbourg in the afternoon. Excursion for both packages: Boat tour of Strasbourg and a visit to its cathedral (only on pre-booking before departure).We'll return on board after our tour and cruise to Breisach. Tonight's our gala dinner and evening.

Day 7 BREISACH - BASEL

This afternoon, join us for an excursion for both packages: A guided tour of Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum.(2) Colmar is a colorful city bursting with Alsatian charm. We’ll spend time in the romantic Little Venice neighborhood before visiting the Unterlinden Museum. The museum exhibits span 7,000 years—from prehistoric times to modern art. The most regarded masterpiece in its collection is the polyptych by artists Niclaus of Haguenau and Grünewald.We’ll begin to cruise to Basel. Join us for dinner and an evening of entertainment.

Day 7 BREISACH - BASEL

This afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum(2).Afterwards, we'll cruise to Basel. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

Day 8 BASEL

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.