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OPTIONAL: 2 NIGHT PRE-CRUISE TOUR IN AMSTERDAM

Tuesday, November 7 – Thursday, November 9, 2023

Day 1: Tuesday, November 7

ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM

You will be met upon arrival in Amsterdam and transferred to your hotel.

OVERNIGHT: NH City Center Amsterdam (2 nights) or similar

Day 2: Wednesday, November 8

AMSTERDAM

Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture. Tonight dinner tonight at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 3: Thursday, November 9

ZAANSE SCHANS – EMBARKATION

Check out of your hotel and, before transferring to your ship, visit Zaanse Schans, observing life as it used to be lived in the Netherlands. Authentic windmills, houses and shops were relocated to this picturesque area, creating a typical 17th- to 18th-century village. (B,D)

Captivating Rhine Cruise

Thursday, November 9- Thursday, November 16, 2023

Day 1: Thursday, November 9

ARRIVE AMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION

Arrive in Amsterdam and board your luxurious river cruise ship, the M/S AmaSiena. (D)

Day 2: Friday, November 10

AMSTERDAM

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Saturday, November 11

COLOGNE, GERMANY

Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, plus see other local sights. For a different view, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen mit apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Sunday, November 12

RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Monday, November 13

LUDWIGSHAFEN

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or join a guided bike tour along the shores of the river Neckar and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Tuesday, November 14

STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Wednesday, November 15

BREISACH, GERMANY

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. (B,L,D)

Please Note: Black Forest Hike is weather dependent and may only operate at certain times of year. Please refer to your final documents for details.

Day 8: Thursday, November 16

BASEL – DISEMBARKATION

Cruise only passengers disembark after breakfast. Those who have purchased the the 4-night post-cruise Switzerland tour will depart 9am for Lucerne. (B)

OPTIONAL: 4 NIGHT POST-CRUISE TOUR IN SWITZERLAND

Thursday, November 16 – Monday, November 20, 2023

Day 1: Thursday, November 16

BASEL TO LUCERNE

Disembark the ship and, before transferring to Lucerne, go on a highlights tour of Basel. Once in Lucerne, discover the unrivaled beauty and charm of this pristine city on a walking tour. Check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening. (B)

Day 2: Friday, November 17

LUCERNE

Today, stop at the iconic Lion Monument, sculpted in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution. You’ll also visit the spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century. (B)

Day 3: Saturday, November 18

LUCERNE TO ZURICH

Check out of your hotel and before your transfer via motorcoach to Zurich, enjoy a scenic lake cruise. Later, check into your Zurich hotel. (B)

Day 4: Sunday, November 19

ZURICH

Switzerland’s largest city seamlessly blends its historic past with its progressive future—all of which will be on full display during your city tour. One of the top experiences in Zurich is a visit to Old Town where you will find yourself amongst medieval houses, churches and the modern Bahnhofstrasse. (B)

Day 5: Monday, November 20

DEPART ZURICH

After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home. (B)

PLEASE NOTE:

A reasonable degree of mobility is required for all passengers on this program. Most of the guided tours provided on your cruise are walking tours. Many historic villages in Europe are located on hilltops, where it is necessary to walk up and down hilly, cobblestone streets that may have narrow passageways. Ships docked in port are often rafted side-by-side to another river ship. Passengers are then required to ascend and descend flights of 12 or more stairs to walk up to observation deck, down to gang planks to enter or exit the rafted ships. To participate in tours and get on and off the ship, travelers must be able to walk unaccompanied.

Disabilities and Wheelchairs
Persons with a walking disability or an injury, or who require a wheelchair/scooter or other mobility device, must have another dedicated person traveling with them to assist/push etc. The ship’s crew and other cruise guests are not available to assist persons with limited mobility. On customized pre or post cruise land programs, the Expanding Horizons tour manager is authorized to remove, or ask to leave from the tour, any traveler incapable of, unwilling to, or impeding the overall movement and progress of the tour group.

Expanding Horizons reserves the right to amend the program and provide alternative arrangements without notification.