12th cruise home – genealogy – itinerary – ship – pricing and booking
Itinerary
(note: cruise starts and finishes 1 day earlier than initially advised)
- day 1 – Sat 30 Jul 2016 – Amsterdam, Holland (embarkation – afternoon)
- day 2 – Sun 31 Jul 2016 – Amsterdam
- day 3 – Mon 1 Aug 2016 – Cologne, Germany
- day 4 – Tues 2 Aug 2016 – Koblenz-Rhine Gorge-Rüdesheim
- day 5 – Wed 3 Aug 2016 – Excursions to Mainz and Heidelberg
- day 6 – Thu 4 Aug 2016 – Strasbourg, France
- day 7 – Fri 5 Aug 2016 – Breisach, Germany – excursion to the Black Forest
- day 8 – Sat 6 Aug 2016 – Basel, Switzerland (disembarkation)
Detailed itinerary
DAY 1—ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION).
Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland’s sophisticated, modern capital has a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafes, and restaurants has a distinct ambiance. The streets, squares and canals – not to mention the bike paths throughout the city – make for a vibrant atmosphere, and with over 60 museums, Amsterdam has the highest museum density in the world. Perhaps you would like to take an optional excursion to Zaanse Schans with its traditional houses and Dutch craft workshops. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welcome reception. (D) (NOTE: Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.)
DAY 2—AMSTERDAM
There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s ‘Golden Age.’ There’s free time in the city this afternoon – you might like to join an optional biking tour (weather permitting). Later, bid tot ziens (farewell) to Holland and set sail for Germany.
DAY 3—COLOGNE, GERMANY
Today, enjoy a peaceful morning of cruising before reaching Cologne in the afternoon. One of Germany’s largest cities and capital of the Rhineland, Cologne straddles both sides of the Rhine, and is known for its soaring, twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Choose between an included GUIDED CITY WALK or JEWISH HERITAGE WALK. The Old Town abounds with cafes, shops, and taverns. Be sure to try a Kolsch pale lager, locally brewed in Cologne for over a hundred years!
DAY 4—KOBLENZ-RHINE GORGE-RÜDESHEIM
Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business centre of the Middle Rhine region. Here, join a Local Guide for a WALKING TOUR of the city that reveals an eventful past through its castles, fortress walls, towers, squares, and monuments. The dramatic RHINE GORGE is the most beautiful stretch of river. Here, ancient castles stand sentry on lofty cliffs rising 122 metres (400 feet) above the waters. Cruise past the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where echoes of enchanted siren song lured unwitting sailors to their doom. In Rüdesheim, the quintessential Rhine Valley wine town, visit SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM, where you’ll see and hear a large collection of self-playing calliopes and music boxes from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT before returning to your ship for dinner.
DAY 5—MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers is Mainz, with ‘civilized’ origins dating back to around 38 BC. Today, this is Germany’s largest and most important wine market. Join your Local Guide for a GUIDED WALK through the Altstadt (Old Town) with its many intriguing shops and the whimsical Fastnachtsbrunnen (Carnival Fountain) on the Schillerplatz, a tribute to the jesters at the city’s annual Carnival celebration. Gutenberg, father of modern printing, was born here, and you’ll visit the captivating GUTENBERG MUSEUM. After lunch, travel to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany. With a Local Guide, visit the imposing ruins of HEIDELBERG CASTLE, towering magnificently over the city and among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. You’ll also see the famed GREAT VAT, the ‘World’s Largest Wine Barrel.’ At nearly 7 metres high (23 feet) and 8.5 metres wide (28 feet), the cask holds over 219,554 litres (58,000 gallons) of wine and has a dance floor built on top of it!
DAY 6—STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg blends the cultures of both countries in a delightful way. As capital of the Alsace region and seat of the Council of Europe and European Parliament, it is without a doubt an important city that manages to retain its historic charm. On your GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR, visit the monumental red-sandstone GOTHIC CATHEDRAL with its ancient murals, stained-glass windows, and fascinating astronomical clock, as well as the magical LA PETITE FRANCE district, home to half-timber houses, quaint shops, inviting bistros, and a waterfront promenade. Also spend time exploring Place Kleber, a large historic square in the heart of the city, and Place Gutenberg in the heart of medieval Strasbourg, which features a statue of the inventor of the printing press. An optional excursion into the Alsace wine country is available today. After dinner tonight, enjoy an onboard WOODCARVING demonstration.
DAY 7—BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO THE BLACK FOREST
Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border, Breisach is the gateway to Germany’s BLACK FOREST region, an area of unrivaled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. The area got its name because the forests are so dense that local residents described them as black. Surely the most well-known products from this region are Black Forest ham, Black Forest cherry cake, and cuckoo clocks. You may opt for a visit to the workshop of a local woodcarver who produces clocks and other carvings, or to the open-air Museum of Vogtsbauernhof to see how life was lived in this area centuries ago.
DAY 8—BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B) (NOTE: Departure flights should not leave Zurich Airport before 10 am.