Join us in September 2024 as we explore one of Europe’s most loved river. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. With calls in Amsterdam, Cologne and Lucerne, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture.
Tour Inclusions
- Round Trip Airfare
- Round Trip Motor Coach Transportation
- Deluxe Hotels
- All meals As Indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- Tours As Indicated
- Siouxland Travel Tour Guides
- Local Guides In Each Country
- Baggage Handling
- All Gratuities
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Our adventure begins in Orange City, IA with a deluxe motor coach transfer to the Minneapolis Airport with the Siouxland Travel representatives. We will depart from Minneapolis on a non-stop flight to Amsterdam. In Amsterdam, we will catch a connection to our first stop, Zurich. (B, D)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 (ZURICH-LUCERNE)
Upon arrival at Zurich Airport, we will go through customs, gather our luggage, and board our transfer to charming Lucerne. After checking in to our hotel, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy the breathtaking alpine scenery before our dinner. (B,D)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 (LUCERNE)
We will start our day with a relaxing breakfast in the hotel restaurant. After breakfast, we will discover the spectacular natural beauty of the Swiss Alps during a trip from Lucerne to Mt. Pilatus. Here, we will enjoy a panoramic gondola ride, a cogwheel train ride, and a cruise on Lake Lucerne. (B)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (LUCERNE-BASEL)
After breakfast in the hotel restaurant, we will set out on a guided walk through Old Town and see Chapel Bridge, the iconic Water Tower and many burgher houses. Following our walking tour, we will be transferred to the Basel where we will board our beautiful Viking longship. This will be our home for the next week. (B,L,D)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 (BREISACH)
Our first stop is Breisach. Here we will explore Germany’s fabled Black Forest and witness a cuckoo clock-making , a glass blowing demonstration, or learn to make a decadent Black Forest cake for which this region is known. You can also choose from optional excursions including a scenic cycle through slow-paced villages, or a visit to the medieval village of Colmar. (B,L,D)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 (STRASBOURG)
You’ve arrived to Strasbourg! Here we will encounter this multicultural city that is steeped in equal parts French and German. We will join a local guide for a drive through the German Imperial District and the European Quarter. Continuing past remarkable Renaissance architecture, we will proceed to the city center for a walking our of the picturesque Petite France area surrounded by the small Ill River and crisscrossed by charming canals. In Cathedral Square we will view the magnificently restored Strasbourg Cathedral, towering above the merchant houses. We will have time to admire the great Gothic rosette window, beautiful red sandstone portal, and remarkable astronomical clock. Optional excursions include climbing to the rooftop of the Strasbourg Cathedral and wandering its historic quarter, sampling Alsatian and French flavors, touring the Mercedes-Benz factory, or tasting France’s other region of spectacular wines. (B,L,D)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 (SPEYER)
Rise and shine! We’re in Speyer! Upon arrival we will explore Speyer’s profound history and magnificent architecture. Starting with a fascinating stroll through the city that’s home to the largest of the three Romanesque imperial cathedrals. During our walk we will marvel at the exterior of the red sandstone cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will pass the Jewish courtyard, once home to one of the most important medieval synagogues, and Speyer’s Old Gate, the last remains of the town’s fortifications. We will also have time to stroll the city’s charming, shop-lined main thoroughfare. You can also choose to do an optional excursion that includes a visit to Germany’s oldest university town and it’s students– Heidelberg. (B,L.D)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 (RUDESHEIM-RHINE RIVER-KOBLENZ)
We will start the day enjoying spectacular views of the castles of the middle Rhine. Speckled with medieval castles, ancient towns and verdant vineyards first begun by the Romans, the 40-mile stretch of the Rhine River to Koblenz is not just stunningly alluring, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After this scenic morning, we will arrive in Koblenz where we will take a leisurely stroll around through Old Town and tour Deutsches Eck– the city’s famed German Corner. After time in the park, we will continue our walk among the narrow streets, visiting Jesuitsenplatz, or Jesuit Square, in the heart of the Old Town. As we explore, our guide will point out influences from ancient Rome, the Middle ages, and the Napoleonic era. Optional excursions include a tour of the medieval Marksburg Castle, ascending to the mighty fortress of Ehrenbreitstein, or journeying upriver to Moselle Win Country. (B,L,D)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 (COLOGNE)
Willkommen in Köln (Cologne)! Today we will learn about Cologne’s heritage and view its iconic cathedral, towering over the city in all its Gothic splendor. During this walking tour, our guide will regale us with tales of local folklore figures, and the city’s flourishing Jewish community. In Old Cologne, we will pass the elegant silhouette of St. Martin’s church and stop to view Colone’s magnificent Gothic cathedral. Optional tours include pedaling through Cologne’s historic sights, exploring lavish 18th-century residences in Bruhl, ascending to the roof of the Cologne cathedral, or sipping beer from the barrel at three German brewhouses. (B,L,D)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 (KINDERDIJK)
Welcome to Kinderdijk! Here we will see the picturesque Dutch countryside and Kinderdijk’s working windmills. Included in this stop is a tour to see the picturesque Dutch countryside and the original technological marvels of historic Kinderdijk. We will walk with our guide into the serene polder lands of South Holland. We will have a look at the 19 windmills that helped shape the legendary Dutch landscape. Optional excursions include a bike tour, exploration by vintage barge, or a visit to a historical cheese farm. (B,L,D)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 (NETHERLANDS)
After disembarking the boat, we will meet up with Simone, our tour guide and drive to the Corrie ten Boom House in Haarlem, where she hid many Jews during World War II before she was betrayed. We will learn all about her life during a tour of this hiding place. After visiting the huge St. Bavo church in Haarlem, we will enjoy lunch and drive to the Medieval harbor town of Enkhuizen, where we will also visit the open air Zuiderzee Museum. We will end the day in the picturesque (former) island of Marken, where we will enjoy its museum and the green painted houses during a short walk on this island. You will take the ferry from the island to Volendam, where the coach will pick you up to check into boutique hotel Fortuna in the cheese town of Edam, where we will also enjoy dinner. (B,L,D)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 (NETHERLANDS)
This morning we travel to Franeker to see the oldest still working planetarium in the world. This accurately moving model of the solar system was built between 1774 and 1781 by the Frisian wool comber, Eise Eisinga. Afterwards, we will enjoy lunch in this beautiful Frisian town and continue to the conservative village of Staphorst, where we might spot some inhabitants who are still wearing traditional costumes. Afterwards, we will enjoy a boat tour through the farm-village of Giethoorn, also called the Venice of the north because it has canals instead of roads. We will enjoy dinner in the Medieval town of Elburg before checking into our hotel near the Schiphol airport. (B,L,D)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7
We will grab breakfast and board our bus to the Schiphol Airport to check in for our final leg of the trip—home and the USA. (B, L)
Optional Travel Insurance Available
Itinerary Subject to Change