Group members from across Canada fly to Europe.

After clearing arrival formalities we head into the city to start exploring. Our panoramic city tour will include Grossmünster Abbey, the Church of St. Peter, the Old Town, and Fraumünster Abbey, home to five world-famous Chagall windows. After some free time for lunch, we check into our hotel with the balance of the day at leisure before we gather for dinner. Crowne Plaza Zurich (2 nights)

Just north of the capital is the town of Schaffhausen, home to the Rhine Falls, the largest in Europe. Witness the magnificent falls from water level with a boat ride on the Rhine. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore the town on your own.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Zurich before checking out. Our driver this morning takes us past three lakes before we reach Viztnau. We board our cruise across Lake Lucerne surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Hotel Monopol (2 nights)

Enjoy a walking tour of this lakeside medieval gem. See some of the city’s lovely cobblestone streets, monuments, fountains, public squares, covered bridges, and colorful frescoed buildings. The afternoon offers free time to shop for Swiss-made watches, knives, and delicious chocolates. This evening we enjoy a Swiss Folklore Show and dinner.

In the morning we shall visit the Lion Monument that was built to honor the Swiss Guards killed during the French Revolution. Basel is Switzerland’s second largest city and is ideally located at the crossroads of Switzerland, France, and Germany. Long an important university town, banking and trade centre, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18th century patrician homes. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially-prepared Welcome Dinner. MS Amadeus Queen (7 nights)

Our journey this morning takes us to the dynamic capital of Alsace. Discovery the beautiful city of Strasbourg on a coach tour and cruise. After a short coach trip through the city, we continue on foot through the historic old part of the town, including a visit to the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster. During a boat cruise on the river, discover the famous quarter, “Petite France”. This former mill and tanner district still maintains its medieval charm. See the centuries old half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, the Council of Europe, and all the other wonders that Strasbourg offers. This afternoon’s excursion takes us picturesque landscapes, romantic wine villages, and parts of the famous wine route. Visit a local winery for a tasting of the local wines. Take a stroll through this idyllic Alsatian village of Obernai, steeped in rich history and charm.

Speyer, the venerable emperor’s city on the Rhine, has had a rich and turbulent past. Religious architecture steeped in history, impressive facades of various styles, winding alleys, and romantic squares express the character of the city. The city tour includes a visit to the Romanesque Imperial Cathedral from the exterior, with its striking twin tower portal, and visits to the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate (Altpoertel), and the Jewish Ritual Bath. Later a comfortable coach will take us to Heidelberg, the world famous university city on the Neckar River. This is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Our tour begins with a visit to the castle ruins and garden. From the Grand Terrace, there is a wonderful view of the city and river meandering into the distance. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late-gothic Church of the Holy Spirit, and the town hall.

Rüdesheim is a town well known for its Riesling wines. The unique Winzerexpress train brings us from the dock to the “Siegfried Mechanical Music Cabinet” for a musical adventure with historical self-playing instruments. A guided tour leads us through the heart of this picturesque town where wine houses and garden taverns invite beg us to linger. Visit the Eagle Tower, a part of the city wall, and the fortifications from the 15th century. In the afternoon we discover Koblenz, one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in Germany, with over 2,000 years of history. On our guided walk through the romantic streets between the St. Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of our Beloved Lady), we will discover the most important sights of Koblenz. This tour would not be complete without a visit to the Emperor Wilhelm Memorial at the famous German Corner and the town’s landmark, the Schängel Fountain at the town hall.

Our ship will make an early morning detour along the Mosel River to the little town of Cochem. During our walking tour, we shall discover the city with its narrow, winding streets, and the highlight being Reichsburg Castle. Thanks to its size and location on a precipitous rock overlooking the city, this magnificent castle dominates the landscape. The view is impressive and encompasses the Moselle Valley with its dreamy, mixed forests, meadows and vineyards, and the old town. At the end of the tour, enjoy a taste of local Mosel wines.

Our morning is dedicated to the fascinating cathedral city of Cologne. During the city walk, explore the surroundings of the famous cathedral and the old town. Many attractions are concentrated in just one square kilometre around the cathedral, the town hall and the old town with the large Romanesque Church of St. Martin. In the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town and the busy squares, one can get a feeling of life in this city, both past and present. Take a tour of the Cologne Cathedral, either accompanied by your guide or on your own (Cathedral access is subject to changing opening hours and/or if a mass is celebrated, etc.). Since its completion in 1880, the Cologne Cathedral is, due to its two 157m tall towers, not only the landmark of the town and best known architectural monument but also the most often visited sight in Germany.

Our ship ventures further north and enters into the Netherlands to the town of Hoorn. Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age as a result of its innovative developments in trade. Today, the city has one of the largest historic centers in Europe, with about 7,500 registered historic buildings. The street pattern is largely unchanged since the 19th century. On the city tour through the Dutch metropolis, we will see the Royal Palace, numerous canals, and the Museum Quarter. Stop and stroll along the flower market before we see the city from our canal cruise. Next, we shall visit the fishing village of Volendam, built on the shore of the former Zuiderzee. Take a stroll through the old village and see people still dressed in traditional costumes. Our coach brings us into the countryside to visit a local cheese farm. Learn how Dutch cheese is made and enjoy a sample. On our way back to the ship we stop for a short walk through the quaint village of Edam. See the Carillon tower, once part of a church that was destroyed in the 19th century, the cheese weighing house, and the Dam with its 18th century town hall.