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Day 1 : UK - Amsterdam (Holland)
Fly from Manchester to Amsterdam and embark your ship. Welcome Dinner this evening. (D)
Day 2 : Amsterdam
Admire beautiful 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th-century merchant houses on a guided canal boat tour. Walk to the historic Begijnhof and enjoy free to time to explore. Then enjoy a panoramic city tour of Amsterdam, including a photo stop at a Dutch windmill. (B,L,D)
Day 3 : Cologne (Germany)
Spend the day in Cologne with a walking tour through the old part of the city and visit the Gothic Cathedral before experiencing the renowned Christmas Market in Cathedral Square. There is the option to join the bike ride along the Rhine or visit a local tavern for a tasting of Cologne's traditional Kolsh beer and Reibekuchen. (B,L,D)
Day 4 : Rhine Gorge – Rudesheim
Cruise through the delightful Rhine Gorge, past the famous Lorelei Rock and on to Rudesheim. Here, choose from a wine tasting excursion, a gondola ride over the town or a guided bike tour along the Rhine river. This afternoon visit the Christmas Markets with over 120 stalls before exploring Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or enjoy some famous Rudesheimer Coffee. On the reverse itinerary enjoy an evening walking tour of Koblenz. (B,L,D)
Day 5 : Ludwigshafen – Heidelberg
From Ludwigshafen take a half-day excursion to Heidelberg, with its red-walled castle home to the Great Vat or perhaps explore Speyer renowned for its cathedral and medieval Altportel or Old Gate. (B,L,D)
Day 6 : Strasbourg (France)
Cruise to Strasbourg, capital of the Alsace region, and a city known for its timber-framed buildings. Enjoy a panoramic tour taking in the European Parliament, before exploring the Petite France district on foot. (B,L,D)
Day 7 : Breisach (Germany)
Today choose to visit the picturesque town of Riquewihr which looks just as it did in the Middle Ages, or enjoy a walking tour of historic Freiburg with its red sandstone Gothic cathedral. Alternatively join the guided bike tour through the countryside. (B,L,D)
Day 8 : Basel (Switzerland) - UK
Disembark ship in Basel and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Manchester. (B)
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary