Day 1 - July 18 - Arrive Amsterdam and embark your luxury shipStep aboard the intimate, 5-star
River Ambassador and settle in to your spacious, light-filled stateroom. Then gather with fellow guests in the ship’s elegant restaurant for a sumptuous 4-course dinner accompanied by your choice of fine regional wine, beer or soft drinks. Meals D
Day 2 - July 19 – Cologne’s Glorious CathedralYour visit to this picturesque city features the spectacular twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, one of the largest in Europe and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Six centuries in the making, it was constructed in seven stages between 1280 and 1880! Inside you will see the Three Kings Shrine, a finely wrought gold altar piece, and lovely stained glass windows that escaped destruction during World War II. Your walking tour through the Old Town also shows you the “Praetorium”, the ancient Roman-era foundations of this historic city. This evening, gather with fellow guests for the Captain’s Welcome Dinner. Meals B,L,D
Day 3 - July 20 - Cruising the Rhine to KoblenzToday you’ll step ashore in Koblenz for a guided walking tour. Stroll along winding narrow lanes and through medieval squares graced with fountains and finely preserved architecture. In the historic Old City, you’ll see two 12th century churches, St. Florin and Our Lady. Graced with more than 40 castles and the fabled Lorelei Rock, the middle Rhine Valley is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Relax with fellow guests in the lounge, retreat to the privacy of your river-view stateroom, or head up to the Sun Deck to take in these unforgettable vistas. Enjoy another sumptuous dinner, accompanied by your choice of fine wine, beer or soda. Meals B,L,D
Day 4 - July 21 - Wine Tasting in Rüdesheim, GermanyWith a rich history dating back to Roman times, the picture-perfect town of Rüdesheim is celebrated today for its architecture, captivating ambience… and wine! Though less than 500 feet long, the world-famous Drosselgasse is a narrow winding alley lined with numerous wine taverns, pubs and shops. From spring through autumn, it’s bustling with music and revelry every afternoon and evening. You’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own before your afternoon wine tasting at Castle Vollrads, a historic wine estate set amidst the vineyard-covered hills of the Rheingau. Meals B,L,D
Day 5 - July 22 - 1,000 Years of History in Speyer, GermanySet on the banks of the Rhine, the ancient city of Speyer was one of the great cities of the Holy Roman Empire. Today’s escorted excursion takes you on a fascinating walking tour through the town’s historic center, filled with finely preserved architecture of centuries past. The highlight of your visit is the Speyer Cathedral#WHS#. This celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site is a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture. Founded in the 11th century, the basilica is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross with four imposing towers and two grand domes. For nearly 300 years, this was the burial site for the emperors of Germany. Back onboard, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow guests in the inviting Panoramic Lounge, take in the scenery from the expansive Sun Deck, relax back in your stateroom, or invigorate with a visit to the Fitness Center. Tonight, another sumptuous dinner awaits in the restaurant. Meals B,L,D
Day 6 - July 23 - Cruising the Charming Canals of Strasbourg, FranceToday’s excursion explores this handsome medieval town set in the heart of Alsace. Journey into Old Town with your guide for a leisurely canal cruise, the perfect way to appreciate the fine half-timber homes, picturesque covered bridges and medieval watchtowers that grace the fairy tale district of La Petite France. See the city’s imposing Gothic cathedral, constructed from the region’s distinctive rose-hued stone, and then return to ship for a relaxing evening onboard. Meals B,L,D
Day 7 - July 24 - Wine Roads of AlsaceAlight in the medieval town of Breisach and cross the Rhine for a memorable excursion along the romantic Wine Roads of Alsace, one of France’s premier wine-producing regions. Discover the charming villages and vineyard-laced landscapes that wind along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. You’ll tour Colmar, famed for its historic medieval center and walk along cobbled streets to see St. Martin’s Church, a Gothic masterpiece of the 13th century. A stop in the 16th-centuiry wine village of Riquewihr reveals picturesque half-timber homes surrounded by rolling vineyard estates famed for their Riesling wines. You’ll have time to relax and refresh onboard before this evening’s festive Captain’s Farewell Dinner. Meals B,D
[Note: Lunch will be served onboard ship for those choosing not to join today’s full-day Shore Excursion]
Day 8 - July 25 - Disembark and journey to Lucerne & the Black ForestAfter breakfast, you’ll disembark the
River Ambassador in Basel, Switzerland. Meet your German Tour Manager and travel through the magnificent Swiss country to Lucerne. Set along the shores of a deep blue lake and surrounded by forested slopes and mountains, this enchanting lake side town is every bit as beautiful as you imagine Switzerland to be! The historic Chapel Bridge dates back to the 14th century and is named after the nearby St. Peter’s Chapel. You also explore with your guide through the Old Town, where inviting city squares are graced by historic buildings clad in colorful frescos. After a tour of Lucerne, continue on to southern Germany and drive through the scenic Black Forest to Freiburg where you enjoy a tour of the city on arrival. Afterwards, check-in to the deluxe Colombi Hotel, settle into your comfortable room and then gather together again for dinner. Meals B,L,D
Day 9 - July 26 – On to Lake Constance, Neuschwanstein & OberammergauJourney eastward this morning to Lake Constance and make a stop along the lake shore to stroll across a bridge to the . Our guided walk explores the charming maze of small streets and cobbled lanes flanked by medieval and Renaissance homes – set against a dramatic backdrop of lake, mountain, and sky. Then you’ll journey into the magnificent Bavarian Alps to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, the iconic mountainside castle of King Ludwig II. No matter how many times you may have seen the photos and posters, it’s a breathtaking thrill to gaze upward to the towers and turrets that inspired Walt Disney himself! Your scenic journey continues on toward Oberammergau where you check-in to your comfortable hotel for dinner and overnight in this peaceful Alpine region. Meals B,L,D
Day 10 - July 27 - Oberammergau & the Passion PlayYou’ll enjoy a guided stroll through this enchanting village, set in a picturesque Alpine valley in the shadow of towering peaks. Visit the Oberammergau Museum to learn the inspiring history of this town, and delight in Oberammergau’s colorfully painted homes, centuries old and wonderfully preserved. Along the way, charming shops reveal the woodcarving skills of many of the town’s residents, whose families have perfected this craft over the past 800 years. Following lunch, you’ll be escorted to the historic Passion Play Theater, extensively renovated for the Millennium. This impressive venue now offers theater-style seating and a heated floor, ensuring your comfort as 2,000 actors take to the open-air stage, framed by a natural backdrop of spectacular Alpine scenery. The once-in-a-lifetime Passion Play is presented in two parts, including dinner in-town during intermission. Following the performance, you return to your hotel. Meals B,L,D
Day 11 - July 28 – Depart OberammergauFollowing breakfast, you’ll have an escorted transfer to Munich Airport for your homeward flight. Or, extend your stay here in Europe. Our travel planning experts can assist you and your travel agent with all arrangements including hotels, meals, sightseeing, and transportation. Meals B