The Best of Austria & Switzerland with Romantic Rhine 2024

Begin your European adventure in the beautiful city of Vienna. Meet your tour director and fellow travelers at 6 pm for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, take the opportunity to explore the city's historic center, including the magnificent Hofburg Palace.

Immerse yourself in the imperial splendor of Vienna with a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace and Heldenplatz. Spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring the city's cultural gems at your own pace. Don't miss the chance to visit the palace's extravagant gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Embark on a delightful Danube River cruise in Krems before heading to Mondsee to visit the Parish Church. Continue to Salzburg, where a guided walking tour will take you to the Mirabell Gardens, the Great Festival Hall, and Residenz Square. Enjoy the scenic drive and the beautiful landscapes along the way.

Enjoy a free day to explore Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Wander through the city's charming gardens, admire its medieval and Baroque architecture, and soak up the unique atmosphere of the pedestrian Old Town. Don't miss the chance to explore Salzburg's scenic Alpine landscape and architectural treasures.

Travel to Innsbruck, where you'll take a walk through the Old Town to the Golden Roof. Enjoy some free time to explore before driving into the Swiss Engadine en route to St. Moritz. Marvel at the alpine vistas surrounding this paradise of deep blue lakes, rolling green meadows, forests, and snow-capped summits.

Take the Glacier Express train from St. Moritz to Zermatt, enjoying a slow, breathtaking ride through some of Switzerland's most stunning scenery. Lunch will be served on board. Don't miss the chance to take in each passing postcard scene while reaching an altitude of 6,670 feet above sea level.

Enjoy a free day in Zermatt. Spend the day leisurely strolling around the car-free town or join an excursion to the Matterhorn Glacier, an Alpine paradise of sky slopes, panoramic vistas, ice carvings, and unique views. This is an amazing experience you do not want to miss.

Take a mountain train ride from Zermatt to Täsch. Then, head to Chillon for a guided visit of the castle and a wine tasting. Discover the castle's secrets as you stroll through it, and complete your visit with a taste of local wines.

Travel to Berne for a guided walking tour, including a stop at Bear Park, panoramic views of the city from the Rose Garden, and a visit to the Old Town. Enjoy some free time for lunch in Interlaken en route to Lucerne. Explore the 'City of Fountains' and its medieval architecture in the Altstadt (Old Town).

Explore Lucerne with a walking tour that includes the Lion monument, the Old Town, and the Chapel Bridge. In the evening, enjoy a private boat cruise on Lake Vierwaldstättersee, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Experience the sheer beauty of Lucerne and its surroundings from the water.

Transfer from Lucerne to Basel, where your Suite Ship is ready for boarding. Enjoy dinner and explore the ship on your first night on board. As the evening falls, embark on a cruise to Breisach, a charming town on the Rhine River.

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host. You can choose to take a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine, join a full-day guided tour to the magical Black Forest, or visit a local winery in Breisach for a wine tasting. You may also choose to join a guided optional excursion to the charming village of Colmar.

Discover Strasbourg by bike or join a city sightseeing tour, including the Gothic cathedral and the magical La Petite France District. You may also choose to join a guided optional excursion to the historic Maginot Line or visit Alsace's wine country. Alternatively, take some free time to visit a museum or stroll across the city center.

Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, or enjoy a guided tour to Heidelberg Castle and its famed Great Vat, or enjoy a guided city walk in Mainz including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship after a short sailing to Rüdesheim.

Enjoy a hike through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim or take a guided tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum. En route to Koblenz, sail through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei. Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.

Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne or choose a guided walking tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, or take a guided city walk of Cologne with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral. Spend free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager, locally brewed for over 100 years, before cruising to Amsterdam.

Start your day with an early morning walk in Amsterdam or explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a guided canal cruise. During tulip season, you may take a guided optional excursion to Keukenhof gardens. Outside of tulip season, join a guided optional excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam's colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.

Your unforgettable European adventure comes to an end. After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and prepare for your onward journey. We hope you've enjoyed your tour and look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure soon.