Day-By-Day Cruise/Land Itinerary

* Sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary with inside visits (including admission charges) and special features are shown in UPPER CASE in the tour description.  Sightseeing is with local guides where applicable.  Included meals are indicated for each day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on river cruise.

22 May (Wed) – Departure for Europe

Day 1 – 23 May (Thu) – Arrive London
Welcome to London! An individual transfer from the airport to the hotel is provided. Your Tour Director will meet you upon your arrival at the hotel and will be available to help you make the most of your stay. This evening, enjoy a traditional dining experience combined with a relaxed, nighttime river cruise. A three-course welcome dinner is followed by a private, narrated CRUISE on the Thames River to admire some of the capital’s most beautiful illuminated sights, including Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament. (Dinner)

Day 2 – 24 May (Fri) – London
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the Thames River, and Buckingham Palace. The morning’s highlights include a visit to WESTMINSTER ABBEY. This afternoon includes a visit to The TOWER OF LONDON, one of the most famous historic buildings in the world. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066-1067, it has been guarded by Yeoman Warders (popularly known as the Beefeaters) since the 14th century. It has been a fortress, a royal palace, a prison, a place of execution, and an armory. It is most famously known as the home to the priceless Crown Jewels, including the solid gold crown used at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.   Evening is at leisure, your Tour Director is on hand for suggestions. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – 25 May (Sat) – London

After a hearty English breakfast, visit ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece built between 1675 and 1708.  Our next stop is the CHURCHILL MUSEUM & CABINET WAR ROOMS. Dedicated to the life of the “greatest Briton,” the Churchill Museum examines Sir Winston Churchill’s life, leadership, and legacy, while the Cabinet War Rooms reveal the secret underground headquarters that drove Britain’s war effort. Explore the maze of rooms where Churchill and his aides strategized—rooms that remain exactly as they were when they were last used in 1945. Discover how war shapes lives at the IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM LONDON. Explore six floors of galleries and displays, including a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Holocaust and a changing program of special temporary exhibitions. Evening is at leisure, your Tour Director is on hand for suggestions. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – 26 May (Sun) – London – Paris, France. Excursion to Versailles
Board the high-speed EUROSTAR TRAIN for an exciting ride to Paris. Continue to historic VERSAILLES the beautiful, restored palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. After the GUIDED TOUR of the palace where you will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent internal decorations, furniture and huge shining chandeliers, you can stroll in the magnificent terraced gardens with their fountains and statues. Enjoy dinner at a local Parisian restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 – 27 May (Mon) – Paris

Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the La Sorbonne, Boulevard St. Germain, Opéra, Champs-Elysées, and Rue de Rivoli. Visit magnificent NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL with its Rose Window. Next, a true highlight: visit MONTMARTRE, Paris’ renowned art district. Ride the little TRAIN through narrow lanes, then follow your Tour Director on a walking tour and enjoy the spectacular view of Paris from the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Visit NAPOLEON’S TOMB and the MUSEUM of LES INVALIDES. The museum is dedicated to the Ordre de la Libération, France’s second national order after the Légion d’honneur, which was created in 1940 by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces. Climb the ARC DE TRIUMPHE and enjoy a scenic overview of the city of Paris. Enjoy dinner at a local Parisian restaurant.  (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 – 28 May (Tue) – Paris – Mont Saint Michel Area

Today, stop in Bayeux on the way to Mont Saint Michel to admire QUEEN MATILDA’S TAPESTRY, depicting in extraordinary detail William the Conqueror’s conquest of England.  Upon arrival in Mont Saint Michel, visit the famous ABBEY OF MONT ST. MICHEL, spectacularly perched on a rocky isle in the Gulf of Saint Malo. Take time at leisure to refresh before your included dinner this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 – 29 May (Wed) – Mont Saint Michel Area – Landing Beaches – Bayeux

This morning, drive to OMAHA BEACH, with a visit to the nearby AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERY & MEMORIAL. Next is POINTE DU HOC; Ranger’s Assault; and UTAH BEACH to see the MEMORIALS and the MUSEUM. Then, in Sainte-Mère-Église, visit the AIRBORNE MUSEUM, next to the church where John Steele’s parachute got caught in one of the steeples, as filmed in the movie The Longest Day. Continue to the MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY, commemorating the Invasion of Normandy. Next is Arromanches, where you will watch the movie at the ARROMANCHES 360 CIRCULAR CINEMA. Also see the remains of the Mulberry Harbor in the bay, a temporary harbor built by the Allies to quickly offload men and cargo onto the beaches during the invasion of Normandy. Continue to Arromanches-les-Bains and visit the D-DAY MUSEUM, and to Longues-sur-Mer to see the German artillery bunkers. A pleasant drive through the rural area west of Paris brings you to Bayeux. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 – 30 May (Thu) – Bayeux – Ranville – Paris

After breakfast return to Paris. Stop in Ranville, where you will visit the MEMORIAL PEGASUS MUSEUM and see the original bridge. This afternoon enjoy a GUIDED TOUR of the LOUVRE, once a royal palace and now a museum housing one of the most famous art collections in the world including Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, “Mona Lisa.” The wonder of Paris at night truly comes to life on this incredible DINNER and RIVER CRUISE. Begin with an unforgettable dinner overlooking the city at the legendary Restaurant Le 58 Tour Eiffel, located on the first floor of the iconic Eiffel Tower. Then, embark your ship for a relaxing and romantic illumination cruise along the Seine, where you’ll discover just why it’s called the “City of Light”! (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9 – 31 May (Fri) – Paris to Amsterdam, Netherlands

This morning you will board a HIGH-SPEED THALYS TRAIN (first class) to Amsterdam. Welcome to Amsterdam, Holland’s sophisticated, modern capital. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, and restaurants has a distinct ambiance. The streets, squares, canals, and bike paths throughout the city make for a vibrant atmosphere, and with over 60 museums, Amsterdam has the highest museum density in the world.  Arriving in Amsterdam, you will transfer to your hotel (normal check-in times apply) and begin to explore at your leisure the beautiful capital of the Netherlands. Your tour host and hotel concierge desk will help you make the most of the day by giving directions to places you would like to visit—most of which will be in walking distance from the hotel.  (Breakfast)

Day 10 – 1 JUN (Sat)  – ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

Enjoy the day at your leisure. Perhaps you would like to take an optional excursion to Zaanse Schans with its traditional houses and Dutch craft workshops. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welcome reception. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.  OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

Day 11 – 2 JUN (Sun) – AMSTERDAM

There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” There’s free time in the city this afternoon to explore on your own. Join a guided optional culinary walk through Amsterdam to sample savory and sweet Dutch specialties, or a guided optional excursion to Muiderslot Castle—Holland’s most beautiful, best-kept medieval castle. You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam’s many fascinating museums or galleries. Later, bid farewell to Holland and set sail for Germany.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

Day 12 – 3 JUN (Mon) – COLOGNE, GERMANY

Today, enjoy a peaceful morning of cruising before reaching Cologne in the afternoon. One of Germany’s largest cities and capital of the Rhineland, Cologne straddles both sides of the Rhine, and is known for its soaring, twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Choose between an included guided city walk or a Jewish heritage walk.

OVERNIGHT SAILING TO KOBLENZ

Day 13 – 4 JUN (Tues) – KOBLENZ—RHINE GORGE—RÜDESHEIM

Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. Here, join a Local Guide for a walking tour of the city that reveals an eventful past through its castles, fortress walls, towers, squares, and monuments. Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the river. Here, ancient castles stand sentry on lofty cliffs rising 400 feet above the waters. Cruise past the legendary rock of the Lorelei. In Rüdesheim, the quintessential Rhine Valley town, visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum to see and hear a large collection of self-playing calliopes and music boxes from the 18th to the early 20th centuries.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM

Day 14 – 5 JUN (Wed) – MAINZ—EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Strategically located at the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers is Mainz. Join your local guide for a guided walk through the Altstadt (Old Town) with its many intriguing shops and the whimsical Fastnachtsbrunnen (Carnival Fountain) on the Schillerplatz, a tribute to the jesters at the city’s annual Carnival celebration. Gutenberg, father of modern printing, was born here—and you’ll visit the captivating GUTENBERG MUSEUM. After lunch, travel to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany. With a local guide, visit the imposing ruins of HEIDELBERG CASTLE, towering magnificently over the city and among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG

Day 15 – 6 JUN (Thurs) – STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg blends the cultures of both countries in a delightful way. As capital of the Alsace region and seat of the Council of Europe and European Parliament, it is without a doubt an important city that manages to retain its historic charm. On your guided sightseeing tour, visit the monumental red-sandstone Gothic cathedral with its ancient murals, stained-glass windows, and fascinating astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France district, home to half-timber houses, quaint shops, inviting bistros, and a waterfront promenade. Also spend time exploring Place Kléber, a large historic square in the heart of the city, and Place Gutenberg in the heart of medieval Strasbourg, which features a statue of the inventor of the printing press. After dinner, enjoy an onboard woodcarving demonstration.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH

Day 16 – 7 JUN (Fri) – BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO THE BLACK FOREST

Located at the foot of Kaiserstuhl Mountain on the French-German border, Breisach is the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest region, an area of unrivaled natural beauty with its forests of thick pine trees. The area got its name because the forests are so dense that local residents described them as black. Surely the most well-known products from this region are Black Forest ham, Black Forest cherry cake, and cuckoo clocks. You may opt for a visit to the workshop of a local woodcarver who produces clocks and other carvings, or to the open-air Museum of Vogtsbauernhof to see how life was lived in this area centuries ago.

EVENING CRUISE TO BASEL

Day 17 – 8 JUN (Sat) – BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. NOTE: Departure flights should not leave Zürich Airport before 10:00am. You can extend your stay with overnight(s) in Zurich.