Cruising the Rhine: vineyards & villages

Leaving Zurich, you'll take a scenic train journey to the Alpine town of Grindelwald, where you'll check into your hotel at the base of the Swiss Alps.

Today, you'll be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Here, you'll experience Switzerland’s famous Trümmelbachfälle, before continuing to Mürren, a cliffside village that combines local charm with modern Alpine life. On your return journey, you'll pass Winteregg and Grütschalp before descending back to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.

Travel by train with your private guide to Jungfraujoch, stopping at Eismeer to view the Ischmeer glacier. Continue to Europe’s highest railway station for Alpine panoramas, including the Sphinx observation deck and Aletsch Glacier. Explore the Ice Palace, a cave of tunnels deep inside the glacier, filled with wildlife sculptures hewn from ice.

Leaving the Swiss Alps, you'll enjoy a train ride around Lake Thunersee and north to Basel, Switzerland's medieval city nestled along the border with Germany and France. Check-in to your hotel and take a stroll around Marktplatz at your own leisure.

Experience Switzerland’s culinary heritage with a private tour including a countryside drive, chocolate tasting at Maison Cailler, visits to Gruyère and Emmental cheesemakers, and a vineyard stop by Lake Geneva to enjoy regional wines amid stunning Alpine scenery.

Today you'll be transferred to the pier to board your river ship and begin your cruise. After settling into your cabin, you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation as the journey along the Rhine begins.

Spend the day exploring Basel via a guided walking or bike tour, viewing its medieval old town, market square, and historic buildings. Alternatively, take an excursion to Lake Lucerne, known for dramatic Alpine scenery and preserved medieval architecture.

Visit Strasbourg in France’s Alsace region, where French and German influences blend in architecture and culture. Highlights include the charming “La Petite France” district and the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, or you can explore by bike through parks and canals.

Dock in Ludwigshafen, the gateway to excursions such as Heidelberg, famous for its castle and Old Town, or Speyer with its Romanesque cathedral. Later, sail to Rüdesheim, a picturesque wine town where you can taste local wines or visit unique attractions like the Mechanical Music Museum.

Enjoy more time in Rüdesheim with options like vineyard hikes, wine tastings, or cultural visits. Then cruise through the UNESCO‑listed Rhine Gorge, one of the most scenic stretches of the river, lined with hilltop castles and steep vineyards.

Arrive in Cologne and explore its historic Old Town on a guided tour, including landmarks such as the Cologne Rathaus and the Great St. Martin Church. You can also visit the iconic Cologne Cathedral or sample the region’s signature Kölsch beer, with optional bike tours for active visitors.

Cruise into Amsterdam and discover its canal‑lined streets and historic neighborhoods. A canal cruise is a highlight, offering a relaxing way to see the city’s architecture and waterways before enjoying free time or guided tours.

After breakfast, you'll disembark the ship in Amsterdam. From here, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.