DAY 1

• ZURICH
• Get In and Get Some Rest
• Upon arrival to Zurich Airport, an English-speaking representative will be waiting for you near the luggage pick-up area, holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver who will transfer you to your hotel.
• A welcome package with a city map, train tickets (if relevant), local contact list, various brochures of the destinations you will be visiting and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon arrival at the first hotel on your trip.

DAY 2

• ZURICH TO LUCERNE

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• Pound the Pavement
• Explore the city center of Zurich on a relaxing walking tour through Switzerland’s largest city and one of the world’s most important financial centers. With your private guide, wander along the streets and take in a good overview of Zurich’s many sides. Stroll through the business district, lined with ample shopping opportunities, through the Old Town, and along the lake to recharge amongst the greenery of the city’s recreational areas on the outskirts. Visit Fraumünster to see Chagall’s stained-glass church windows, and stop at the lake for a wonderful panoramic view of the city. Please note, as this is an orientation tour, admissions (if desired) are payable on the spot.
• Meet your private driver and settle in for a transfer by private vehicle from Zurich to Lucerne. Approximate transfer time is 45 minutes.

DAY 3

• LUCERNE

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• Treasures and Pleasures
• Explore the picturesque storybook city of Lucerne, a charming city with many faces, with your private English-speaking guide. Situated on banks of Lake Lucerne, the city has a long and fascinating history. Begin with a stroll across the 14^th century Chapel Bridge and cross the Mill Bridge to see the macabre “Dance of Death” paintings. Pass by the Musegg Wall, the old city ramparts and the stately Town Hall, displaying suits of armor reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Continue to the Lion Monument, built in tribute to the Swiss Guards who defended the Royal Palace in Versailles during the French Revolution. An optional visit to the Swiss Transport Museum can be arranged. Famous for its huge collection of rail vehicles, aircraft cars, bicycles, and motorbikes as well as other exhibits and models connected with the history of transport and communication. Entrance fees are not included as this is a scenic orientation tour, any entrance fees required must be paid locally.
• Chocolate is often synonymous with Switzerland – a must taste experience for anyone with a sweet tooth. Enter a chocolate lover’s paradise at the Max Chocolatier Design Studio for a private tour of the chocolate-making facilities with a tasting to follow. The chocolate experts will take you on a journey into the world of cocoa and impart knowledge about the quality and ingredients of their chocolate gems. Learn the history of chocolate, sample some of their offerings, and then take the unique opportunity to try your hand at the traditional craft yourself. Learn their handcrafting skills and put it to practice as you make your very own chocolate delicacy and soon discover whether you too are a secret chocolatier.  
• Please note that your tour will be conducted by a member of Max Chocolatier, and transportation to and from the venue is included.

DAY 4

• LUCERNE TO BASEL TO RHINE RIVER CRUISE

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• All Aboard!
• This morning, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
• Meet your private English-speaking driver for a transfer from Lucerne to Basel. Approximate travel time is 1.5 hours.
• Welcome aboard!
  Take some time to get settled into your stateroom, and to explore the length of your cruise vessel. This evening, join your fellow cruise mates at a Welcome Dinner, as your boat departs en route to Breisach.

DAY 5

• BREISACH TO RHINE RIVER CRUISE

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• The Land of The Brothers Grimm
• Today, head for Breisach, at the foot of the Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border. With a guide, enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine. Here you’ll find the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. You'll have the option to join a full-day shared tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration. Alternatively, visit Badischer Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Learn about German winemaking in the vineyards of Baden, and enjoy a wine tasting. You may also choose to join a guided group excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

DAY 6

• STRASBOURG TO RHINE RIVER CRUISE

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• Taste and Tipple on a Vineyard Visit
• Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, and marvel at the red-sandstone Gothic-style cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. With a group guide, choose to explore the city by bike and stroll through the magical La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade. You may also choose to join a guided excursion to the historic Maginot Line, the pre-WWII fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country. Alternatively, take some free time in Strasbourg to visit a museum, or stroll across the city center.

DAY 7

• MAINZ TO RHINE RIVER CRUISE

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• Quintessential Castles
• Continue your Rhine River cruise to Mainz for a shared guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum to learn about the history of printing. Alternatively, join a group excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle, towering magnificently over the city, as well as its famed Great Vat, the world's largest wine barrel. In Heidelberg, you may also choose to hike up Philosopher's Way for an inspiring view of the city below.
  
  This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

DAY 8

• RUDESHEIM TO RHINE RIVER CRUISE

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• Of Vineyards and Vintages
• Today, sail to the charming wine town of Rudesheim, and with a group guide, enjoy a visit to the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum for a one-of-kind instrumental experience. Alternatively, hike through the picturesque vineyards of Rudesheim. Later, relax on the deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge on your way to Koblenz. Enjoy dramatic views of the Rhine River, where ancient castle stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water and sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei, where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.
• This evening, enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.

DAY 9

• COLOGNE TO RHINE RIVER CRUISE

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• A Healthy Dose of History
• Your last stop in Germany is Cologne, a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic style architecture. See its soaring twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with its many shops, cafes and taverns. Live like a local and enjoy a group guided bike ride through the city or stroll along its streets by foot. Alternatively, choose a shared walking tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sights. Later, spend your free time over a glass of Kolsch pale lager, locally brewed for over 100 years.

DAY 10

• AMSTERDAM TO RHINE RIVER CRUISE

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• Cross an Item off the Bucket List
• Conclude your memorable Rhine River cruise in the colorful capital of Netherlands, Amsterdam. Start your day on an early morning group guided walk or explore the treasures of this 700-year-old city on a canal cruise along its iconic waterways, passing stately homes dating back to the city’s Golden Age. During tulip season, you may choose to join a guided excursion to Keukenhof gardens, where more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, are planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a shared excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. You may also choose an optional Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Later, spend some free time discovering world-famous museums, and explore its vibrant streets, canal houses, shops and abundance of restaurants.

DAY 11

• AMSTERDAM

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• Marching through the Museum
• Bid farewell to the crew as your voyage comes to a close, and you disembark from your cruise vessel this morning.
• Meet your private English-speaking assistant who will be waiting for you upon disembarkation, holding a sign with your name on it. They will direct you to your awaiting private transfer, and accompany you to your hotel for check-in.
• A welcome package with  a city map, train tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be given to you by your driver upon arrival. Alternative arrangements will be made if you do not have a private transfer at the start of your itinerary.
• With a private guide, depart from your hotel on foot for a half-day walking tour to visit Amsterdam's famous Van Gogh Museum. Located at Museum Square, the Van Gogh Museum has the world's largest collection and display of works by renowned Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. As you walk, learn about the city sights you pass along the way, while gaining a more in-depth background on this miraculously unique, misunderstood and tortured soul, ranging from his mental health to the bizarre circumstances surrounding his death. Arriving to the museum, spend the next few hours discovering the impressive works on display, reveling in the post-impressionistic prowess of paintings like The Potato Eaters (1885), Sunflowers (1889), and Self-Portrait (1888). Take a return walk back to your hotel, or bid farewell to your guide and continue to explore the museum at your leisure.

DAY 12

• AMSTERDAM

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• Hone Your Skills
• With a private guide and driver, embark on a tour to Delft, one of the highlights of South Holland. Nearly an hour and a half southwest of Amsterdam, Delft is celebrated as the birthplace of famous painter Johannes Vermeer, while over time having also become synonymous with pottery. Head to the historical city center for a tour on foot, seeing the late 15th century New Church, with its massive 357-foot tower looming over all of the nearby two and three story buildings. See the canals, admire the medieval Eastern Gate with its dual spires, and spot the 17th century City Hall building boasting traditional red shutters and Renaissance style. Learn about the city's iconic Delft Blue pottery on a visit of Royal Delft, the only remaining earthenware factory that was established in Delft in the 17th century. A chance to explore your artistic side, you'll be treated to a hands-on private pottery workshop where you'll be lead by a professional in an effort to make your very own Delft Blue tile creation. The tile will need to be left in order to bake and properly cure, though if you're keen on the souvenir you can arrange to have it shipped home when ready. Conclude with a return transfer to Amsterdam.

DAY 13

• AMSTERDAM

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• Iconic Beauty
• Embark on a half-day tour into traditional Dutch scenery, discovering Zaanse Schans and Volendam with a private guide and driver. The picturesque area of Zaanse Schans is renowned for its collection of historic windmills, offering stunning postcard-perfect views best experienced on a riverside stroll. While here, you'll visit the Mill De Kat to get insight on how the world's only still-operational paintmill processes its raw materials. In Volendam, you'll be greeted by quaint fishing village charm. Soak up the authentic atmosphere enhanced by historic houses, old fishing boats, and a few elderly citizens who can still be spotted going about their daily routine in traditional wear. Conclude with a return transfer back to Amsterdam.

DAY 14

• AMSTERDAM
• Until Next Time…
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.

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