Basel to Amsterdam, NL
DAY 1 - BASEL, SWITZERLAND
Arrive at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, where you will be transferred to the ship.
DAY 2 - BREISACH (KAYSERSBERG AND RIQUEWIHR OR COLMAR)
Look up “charming and “picturesque” in the dictionary and it could very well show images of today’s choice of destinations—two of Alsace’s best-known wine villages or a town some have hailed as the prettiest in the world. Is it really? See for yourself from our uniquely Uniworld perspective. A charming town dominated by a 17th-century hilltop cathedral, Breisach is your gateway to the Alsatian wine road. This is your launching point for one of two excursions along the celebrated route des vins, which hugs the foothills of the Vosges mountain range.
You can visit Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, two of the most picturesque villages in the region, or take a tour of the larger town of Colmar, considered one of the most beautiful destinations along the wine road and the capital of Alsatian wines. If you’re interested in doing something a bit more physically challenging, you could stay in Breisach and walk or bike through the surrounding vineyards.
Choice of Alsatian “Village Day” or Colmar city tour
Spend the afternoon onboard, simply enjoying the views from the ship’s lounges or decks and sampling some of the ship’s amenities. Sip a cocktail on the Sun Deck or relax with a massage. A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
DAY 3 - KEHL (STRASBOURG)
Strasbourg is invariably described as quaint, a rather overused word that in this case is perfectly apropos. Whether you see it via a canal boat or on foot with an insightful local expert, this historic town with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, giant stork nests and impossible-to-resist pastry shops will win your heart. Kehl, directly across the river from Strasbourg, will be your ship’s base while you explore the Alsatian capital, which is known as the “Crossroads of Europe” for its strategic location halfway between Paris and Prague.
You may choose to see Strasbourg, which would give you an enlightening and relaxing overview of this historically important city. Or you may experience the historic core as the locals do, with a walking tour. If you’re feeling adventurous, take advantage of Uniworld’s bicycles or Nordic walking sticks and explore the banks of the river.
Then spend your afternoon at leisure in this beautiful city.
DAY 4 - GERMERSHEIM (SPEYER)
Expect the unexpected in Speyer, where ancient treasures harmoniously co-exist with modern day innovation. For something really unexpected, venture into a spooky, candlelit tasting room to sample flavorful elixirs made from wine vinegars. Utterly unique and surprisingly delicious, and something you’ll experience with no other river cruise line.
The ship docks in Mannheim, where you’ll have to choose between boarding a motorcoach to the nearby town of Speyer for a guided walking tour or taking in an exclusive tasting at a local vinegar estate.
DAY 5 - RÜDESHEIM, CRUISING THE ROMANTIC RHINE RIVER, BOPPARD
Your floating hotel arrives in Rüdesheim, one of the most charming ports of call in the Rhine Valley. This city has a long history going back to Roman times and is famous for the Drosselgasse, a narrow, bustling lane of shops and wine bars, as well as its impressive Niederwald Monument, built to celebrate the re-establishment of the German empire in the late 19th century.
Experience Germany’s fabled Rhine River in one of two ways—a tasting of estate-grown Rieslings at Castle Vollards or an invigorating vineyard hike.
Choice of Castle Vollrads wine tasting or “Let's Go” hike from Rüdesheim to Assmanshausen
DAY 6 - CRUISING THE ROMANTIC RHINE RIVER, KOBLENZ
No other river valley on earth boasts more castles than the Rhine, and today you’ll have an opportunity to experience real-life “Game of Thrones” ambiance deep within the medieval walls of Marksburg Castle. Not into dungeons and dragons? Get to know Koblenz, a historic town with a colorful past and eclectic architecture, and enjoy a scenic bike ride.
As you come upon Koblenz, you’ll sail past Deutsches Eck (German Corner) with its historic monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I, at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers. You have wonderful tours from which to choose today.
DAY 7- COLOGNE
You simply cannot visit Cologne without paying homage to its most notorious site, the Gothic masterpiece that serves as the city’s cathedral. A local expert will show you favorite haunts around the Old Town and share some of the cathedral’s most intriguing and Magi-cal secrets with you.
Cologne is the largest and oldest city of the Rhineland and a cultural mecca, with more than 30 museums and hundreds of art galleries. A congenial atmosphere and a mix of ancient, modern and reconstructed buildings characterize the heart of the city.
DAY 8 - AMSTERDAM
Disembark the ship and transfer to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in bustling Amsterdam.