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Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Geneva (Switzerland)
Fly to Geneva (or Basel) today and overnight at your 4* hotel.
Day 2-3 - Zermatt and the Matterhorn
Fly or rail to Geneva (or Basel) today and overnight at your 4* hotel. The following day depart by rail to Zermatt where you'll have free time to settle into your surroundings. On day 3 you’ll have a full day to enjoy Zermatt, and we’ve included a return trip on the Gornergrat Railway from which you will enjoy the most outstanding views of the famous mountain at 3,089m above sea level.
Day 4 - The Glacier Express - Chur
Today it’s all aboard the “slowest express train in the world” – the Glacier Express trundles at 24mph and at that pace there is plenty of time for you to take in the ever-changing scenery perfectly framed by the train’s large-scale windows. We disembark at Chur for an overnight after our 4 hour journey. Alternatively if you prefer the full-length 8 hour journey to St Moritz this can easily be arranged.
Day 5 - Chur
After a free morning in Chur we travel by rail to Basel where we board our luxurious ship for 7 nights as we set sail along the Rhine river.
Day 6 - Strasbourg (France)
During the night, your ship left Switzerland and followed the Rhine into the Alsace region of France to Strasbourg, a city known not only for its romantic old town, but also for the numerous important European institutions. In the morning, explore the city independently, or as part of an organized tour. In the afternoon, a detour to the countryside is highly recommended, particularly along the famous wine route, where the quaint wine-growing villages will delight wine-lovers and the general public alike. Late tonight, your ship departs for Germany.
Day 7 - Speyer, Mannheim and Heidelberg (Germany)
Before breakfast, arrive in the Rhineland-Palatinate town of Speyer, which played an important role in the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages. Your ship remains here until lunchtime, offering time to explore this historic destination on your own or with the guided tour.During lunch, your cruise will continue for roughly 25 kilometers toward Mannheim, our next stop along the picturesque Rhine where it will dock for the remainder of the day. Take the excursion to the nearby city of Heidelberg, which boasts a beautiful Baroque old town. Late at night, your ship continues in the direction of Rüdesheim.
Day 8 - Rudesheim & The Rhine Gorge
Two charming stops await you today. In the morning, arrive in Rüdesheim, a town well known for its wine-making, especially Riesling wines. Explore the town on a guided tour with a stop to see the private collection of automated musical instruments at the Mechanical Music Cabinet museum. Or choose to go farther afield to a local vineyard for a tasting of the wines of the area, finishing with a walk along the lively Drosselgasse.Your AMADEUS ship will depart punctually at lunchtime to cruise the most picturesque section of the river - the legendary Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The view from the Sun Deck of the myth-enshrouded Lorelei Rock is sure to be a highlight of your cruise. After lunch, arrive in Koblenz, one of Germany's oldest towns, where you can end the day with a leisurely stroll through the pedestrian area and the cable car to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, located high above the hill.
Day 9 - Cochem and the Moselle
The vessel departs from Koblenz in the early hours, and makes a detour along the Moselle River to the most romantic part of the valley and the little town of Cochem. The magnificent Reichsburg Castle which overlooks the town, dominates the landscape. Down below, the town, with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses, and numerous restaurants, is an ideal setting to taste the wines of the region. Back on board, dinner is served as the journey continues to Cologne.
Day 10 - Cologne
The morning is dedicated to the fascinating cathedral city of Cologne, which has over a million inhabitants. You can expect a young, vibrant metropolis with a rich cultural history and world-famous sights, in particular the Cologne Cathedral.Enjoy a walking tour of the gothic old town as well as a tasting of the local Kölsch beer. Alternatively, if you have a love of chocolate, then a tour to the Chocolate Museum may be on your agenda for the day. After lunch, your AMADEUS vessel departs from Cologne for an afternoon of cruising. This evening, the Captain invites you to a festive Gala Dinner.
Day 11 - Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
By breakfast you will have crossed yet another country border to arrive in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. There are many things to do in this vibrant canal city. After breakfast choose to explore the city by canal boat.This afternoon offers the opportunity to join the excursion through the Waterland to the pretty villages of Volendam and Edam and a tasting of delicious Dutch cheese. Or perhaps venture out to the town of Haarlem with its medieval character and gothic Cathedral, just a short drive away. After dinner, enjoy a rousing Shanty Choir performance to end the evening. The vessel remains in Amsterdam overnight.
Day 12 - Amsterdam - UK
It’s time to disembark ship today in Amsterdam and head home with your flight to UK
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.