ABERCROMBIE & KENT
11 Days | Switzerland & the Rhine
Southbound Only

AMSTERDAM TO ZURICH

Day 1 | Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Arrive in Amsterdam, where you are met and transferred to your boutique hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. This evening, join your Resident Tour Director for a welcome dinner. (D)

Day 2 | Amsterdam. Canal Cruise. Rijksmuseum. Embark. Stop at the Douwes Fine Art gallery, seven generations in the same family, to learn how old-master paintings are restored for exhibition. Next, visit the famous Rijksmuseum to see some of the highlights of its extensive collection of Dutch masters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Brueghel and Rubens. After lunch at leisure, take a private canal cruise in Amsterdam, the best way to see this city famously linked by 165 canals, spanning more than 30 miles. Finally, enjoy priority boarding onto your river ship. After settling in to your premium cabin or suite, gather for a welcome cocktail and dinner aboard. (B,D)

Day 3 | Aalsmeer. Flower Auction. Rise early and meet your small group for a visit to the flower auction at Aalsmeer. More than 20 million flowers change hands here daily, in a building that occupies a greater footprint than any other in the world; the logistics that go in to making such a vast operation run smoothly are amazing to witness in person. Later, visit a clog maker and sample traditional Dutch cheeses. This evening, enjoy a private cocktail party. (B,L,D)

Day 4 | Cologne, Germany. Gothic Cathedral. Spend the morning cruising the Rhine en route to Cologne. On arrival, explore the major sites on a walking tour, including the Gothic cathedral, an edifice so massive its construction spanned centuries; it was only officially completed in 1880. Follow your visit with a beer tasting at a 100-year-old brewery. (B,L,D)

Day 5 | Cochem. Hilltop Fortress. Arrive in Cochem on the Moselle River, a tributary of the Rhine, this afternoon. Disembark to visit the neo-Gothic castle, including its famous Witches Tower, the only part of the original Gothic structure still standing. Tonight, sit down to a private Chef ’s Highlights dinner aboard. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Koblenz. Rudesheim. Cruising the Rhine Gorge. Cruise to Koblenz, where you rejoin the Rhine River. Koblenz’s history dates back to Roman times, when Julius Caesar built nearby the first bridge to span the Rhine. Take a guided walking tour of the city this morning. Then, cruise the lovely Rhine Gorge, one of the most scenic stretches in all of Europe. Its magical mix of rocky, winding riverbanks; quaint riverside towns; and castles perched high on the cliffside helped to earn it a spot on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Arrive later in Rüdesheim, known throughout the region for its excellent wines. Join your Resident Tour Director for a wine tasting and dinner ashore at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Heidelberg. A Charming University Town. Set out on a full-day excursion to Heidelberg, seeing the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. Abandoned in the 18th century, the crumbling fortress nevertheless remained a source of inspiration for later Romantic painters and poets, who seized on it as a symbol of faded glory. After lunch, proceed to the altstadt (old town) for time at leisure; the Market Square is an excellent place to soak up local life. Tonight, attend a captain’s gala dinner aboard your vessel. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Strasbourg, France. Charming Alsace Village. The capital of France’s Alsace region, Strasbourg has been a focal point of French-German conflict for centuries, and bears the combined stamp of both nations as a result. Experience this for yourself on a walking tour of the old town, with a specially arranged tasting at the Cave des Hospices, the city’s oldest wine cellar. Cruise to Basel, Switzerland’s third-largest city. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Lucerne, Switzerland. Lakeside Panoramas. Disembark. Disembark and drive to Mount Pilatus, journeying to the top via cog railway for lunch, accompanied by amazing, postcard-worthy mountaintop views. After a cable-car descent, take a walking tour of Lucerne. Since the mid-19th century, this beautiful city has been the most-visited in Switzerland, and today, it strikes an ideal balance between timeless historic beauty and modern development. The city’s most famous landmark is the Chapel Bridge, the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe. Its interior is decorated with vivid paintings, many of which date back to the 17th century and depict events from the city’s history. You also visit Corn Market Square and the nearby Old Town Hall, built in 1602. Continue to Zurich for time to explore on your own. (B,L)

Day 10 | Zurich. Chocolatier Experience. Switzerland is synonymous with chocolate, and no visit to Zurich is complete without a stop at the Lindt chocolate workshop, where you enjoy some delectable samples. After time at leisure for lunch, gather for a guided walking tour of the city, taking in its alluring mix of modern and Old World architecture while strolling its pedestrian-friendly avenues. Zurich is known for its churches, and your walk incorporates visits to several noteworthy ones, including the Fraumünster, with its Marc Chagall-designed stained glass windows, and the Grossmünster, supposedly founded by Charlemagne and later to play a key part in establishing the Reformation in Switzerland. Later, visit the city’s Watch and Clock Museum. Tonight, attend a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 11 | Zurich. After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. Accommodations vary by departure date. High or low water levels may impact sailing and require changes to the itinerary. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

ITINERARY 11 DAYS | AMSTERDAM TO ZURICH