Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland (2022)

2019 version

Amsterdam to Basel


Day 1 - Amsterdam (Embark)

Port - Amsterdam

Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.


Day 2 - Amsterdam

Port - Amsterdam

Enjoy the luxury of a full day in the “Venice of the North,” starting with a “Morning with the Masters” tour of the Hermitage Amsterdam. Afterwards, explore the city on foot or via a canal cruise.

This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Excursion(s) - "Morning with the Masters" at the Hermitage Amsterdam
Excursion Price - $70

The doors open early to give you a crowd-free viewing of an extraordinary collection of Dutch master paintings: 30 monumental group paintings from the golden age that have been called “cousins of The Night Watch.” Drawn from both the Amsterdam Museum and the Rijksmuseum, these works have rarely been displayed because of their enormous size. The Amsterdam Hermitage, however, devotes an enormous gallery space to this exhibit, which reveals the connections and activities of Amsterdam’s power elite in the 17th century. Meet mayors and regents, colonels of the civil guard, wealthy merchants and their wives and learn something of their lives and the lives of the artists who painted these massive portraits.

Excursion(s) - Floriade visit
Excursion Price - $70
Excursion(s) - Keukenhof Gardens (available March 24 through May 15)
$70
Excursion(s) - Tulip Grower
$70
Excursion(s) - Amsterdam canal cruise
Excursion Price - $70

It’s called the “Venice of the North” for a reason: Canals crisscross the heart of the old city, and bridges link some 90 islands. As the principal city in a newly independent Holland, Amsterdam was a boom town in the early 17th century, rapidly outgrowing its medieval walls. The city’s fathers responded by demolishing most of the old city and building an entirely new one, creating Europe’s first planned city. That “new” district is now 400 years old, and as you glide along the main canals, you’ll pass stately merchants’ houses built centuries ago (some of them are now house museums you can visit on your own). But the canals are not merely scenic; they are essential thoroughfares—people take water buses to work and live in houseboats along the banks—so a canal cruise also gives you a look at the busy modern city.

Excursion(s) - Visit to the Portuguese Synagogue and Jewish Museum
Excursion Price - $70

Anyone who has read The Diary of Anne Frank knows what happened to Amsterdam’s Jews under the Nazis. But not everyone knows that the Jewish community began in the city when Sephardic Jews fled Spain and Portugal after 1492, a group of successful merchants and professionals who in turn sponsored Ashkenazi migrants fleeing Central Europe in the 17th century. Visit the Jewish Historical Museum, with its meticulous re-creation of the Great Synagogue, compelling exhibit called “Friday Night” and lively children’s area, and the nearby Portuguese Synagogue, before strolling through the former Jewish Quarter (Rembrandt lived in in this neighborhood, and he often asked his Jewish neighbors to pose for his Old Testament scenes; his house is now a museum and is one of the few original houses still standing in the area). Today’s Jewish community is largely centered in Amstelveen, where some 15,000 Jews live, work and worship in one of the largest and most vibrant communities in Europe.

Day 3 - Harlingen

Port - Harlingen

You’ll spend your day exploring the coastal Netherlands city of Harlingen.

Excursion(s) - Harlingen "Village Day"
Excursion Price - $70

Harlingen is an attractive port town on the Wadden Sea—local legend has it that the only reason Harlingen isn’t under the Wadden Sea is because of the actions of a young boy, who plugged up the local dike with one finger and thereby saved the city from sinking. It is, of course, just a fun story, but a statue in his honor can be found near the docks nonetheless.

Today you’ll stroll through Harlingen’s canals and quaint alleyways with a local guide. Many of the buildings here have been around for three or four centuries, giving the town a historic feel. Keep an eye out for the gable stones on older buildings, small plaques with unique carvings used to help people find their way before numerical addresses were popularized.

After exploring the town on foot, you’ll have the opportunity to dive deeper into the Frisian area with one of three different experiences:

1. Head to a horse farm where the characteristically large and agile black Friesian horse is raised. After learning about the farm’s work and Frisian culture, you’ll be treated to a horse show.

2. Take a short drive to the city of Franeker, where you’ll find the oldest working planetarium in the world hanging from the ceiling of a beautiful canal house. This accurately moving model of the solar system was built between 1774 and 1781 by the Frisian wool comber, Eise Eisinga.

3. Visit a historic mill, still active today as a grain mill. Afterward, a little boat will take you to a nearby butterfly garden.

Day 4 - Arnhem

Port - Arnhem

Arnhem, almost completely destroyed in WWII, has blossomed into a burgeoning Dutch city, with several museums, shop-lined streets and historic landmarks.

Excursion(s) - Kröller-Müller Museum visit
Excursion Price - $70

Helene Kröller-Müller bought seven Van Goghs in a single day in 1912, valuing the painter’s then-little-appreciated work for his “great and novel humanity.” She went on to purchase many more of his paintings, and in the process, she almost single-handedly rescued him from obscurity and established his modern-day reputation. The Kröller-Müller Museum, which she founded in the 1930s on a family estate, features some 97 works by the master, including The Bridge at Arles. But Kröller-Müller didn’t stop with Van Gogh; her goal was to found the first museum in the Netherlands devoted to modern art, so the collection also boasts exceptional works by Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian and Auguste Rodin, among many other late-19th- and 20th-century artists. Join an expert guide for a one-hour tour, then revisit the galleries for a closer look or go out into the extensive sculpture gardens on your own. The museum has commissioned a sculpture a year for decades, so the collection is unusual, contemporary and diverse.

Excursion(s) - "Let's Go" Arnhem airborne cycle route
Excursion Price - $70

Bike through Arnhem and its neighboring towns at the site of Operation Market Garden, a failed World War II attempt by Allied forces to seize several Rhine river bridges in order to push back the Axis occupying soldiers.

We begin our ride at John Frost Bridge, named for the Lt. Col. leading the Allies’ 2nd Battalion of the battle. From there, this 27km route takes you through the major landmarks of the Battle of Arnhem. Following the south banks of the Rhine, you’ll reach the ferry at Driel and cross to Doorwerth Castle, which faced heavy damages in the war and has since been restored. From there, you’ll head to Heelsum, where the first paratroopers landed. You’ll stop in Oosterbeek, where you can visit the Airborne Cemetery and Airborne Museum “Hartenstein,” before following a very similar route to the one John Frost and his men took on your way back to Arnhem.

Day 5 - Cologne

Port - Cologne

You have an array of choices for how you wish to experience Cologne’s many treasures. Those interested in history and architecture will want to stroll through the Old Town, featuring 12 stunning Romanesque churches. Guests interested in the city’s Jewish past are welcome to explore the centuries-old mikveh and Cologne’s Jewish quarter.

Excursion(s) - Cologne walking tour with Old Town visit
Excursion Price - $70

Meander through the narrow, cobbled lanes of Old Town, lined with traditional houses in every color and a plethora of restaurants and pubs. Along the way, you will be treated to a traditional Krapfen, a jam-filled donut that is popular in the area.

One of the city's 12 Romanesque churches provides a castle-like backdrop to this quaint, riverside quarter of Cologne. Your local expert will take you to the Domplatte, the square where you'll find the Cologne Cathedral. Should you wish, you can head inside this Gothic building on your own to see the Shrine of the Three Kings, which is believed to contain the relics of the Magi, and the beautiful stained-glass windows. Otherwise, try asking your guide for tips on what to explore. Whatever your interests, our local expert knows all the best spots in town!

NOTE: On Sundays and Catholic holidays, tours inside the cathedral are not allowed, but individual visits are still welcomed.

Excursion(s) - Visit Cologne’s Jewish Quarter
Excursion Price - $70

The history of the Jewish people in Cologne is nearly as long as the history of Cologne itself. The first documented mention of the Jewish community is a 321 AD edict allowing Jews to become members of the curia, a class of public office in the Roman Empire. The community grew over the centuries, eventually coming to number around 19,500 people before Nazism and World War II.

In the years since, the Jewish community of Cologne has slowly re-established itself, now numbering about 4,500 members. Because of its history, today’s synagogue calls itself “the oldest Jewish congregation north of the Alps.”

Meet our guides and head towards the Jewish Quarter, passing by the Ma'alot sculpture on the way. We’ll pass by the mikveh and arrive at Jawne, where you’ll meet up with some members of the community. Founded in 1919 and closed in 1942, Jawne was once the only Jewish grammar school in the Rhineland. Today, it is the sight of a small, volunteer-run learning and memorial center.

Day 6 - Oberwesel

Port - Oberwesel

Bacharach is an ancient village that appears straight out of the pages of a storybook. Enjoy a guided stroll through town and taste some locally grown Rieslings, a specialty of the region. Alternatively, join a “Let's Go” hike that will take you past the old town walls and up to a fortified 12th-century castle.

Excursion(s) - Bacharach village stroll with Riesling tasting
Excursion Price - $70

What would a cruise on the Rhine be without a stop at one of the picturesque and historic wine villages that dot the banks? Bacharach, first documented in the 11th century, was once critically important to the wine trade as a port where wine casks were transferred from smaller boats, which could navigate the rocky narrows above the town, to larger ones. Join a local guide to stroll among the timbered houses—the oldest dates to 1368 (it’s now a restaurant called, appropriately, Altes Haus)—pausing for a look at the remains of the old town walls, demolished by the French during the Nine Years’ War, the gothic ruins of the Werner Chapel and the single spired St. Peter’s Church. Vineyards rise in terraces all around the town, producing excellent Rieslings; following your tour, you’ll have a chance to taste some of them and find out for yourself just how good they are.

Excursion(s) - “Let’s Go” Castle Stahleck hike
Excursion Price - $70

The round tower and sturdy stone walls of Castle Stahleck guard the heights above Bacharach. The counts Palatine used the fortress to defend their territories from other German lords and from numerous French incursions, so it suffered considerable damage over the centuries, but it has been beautifully restored and enjoys a new life as a youth hostel. Join your guide for a hike—it won’t be too strenuous but you will be climbing the hill outside the village—through the vineyards up to the castle. You’ll be rewarded with fabulous views of the Rhine and the Lorelei valley as well as the town below.

Day 7 - Frankfurt

Port - Frankfurt

Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe, a financial powerhouse with soaring skyscrapers as well as traditional Old Town architecture.

Excursion(s) - Frankfurt city tour
Excursion Price - $70
Excursion(s) - Frankfurt's Jewish history
Excursion Price - $70

Choose between two museums today to learn about the Jewish heritage of Frankfurt. One option, the Museum Judengasse, outlines the history of Jews in Frankfurt and their relations with the Christian community through the centuries. It abuts the Jewish cemetery and the memorial to victims of the Shoah, listing the names of 12,000 Frankfurt Jews who died in death camps.

The museum is named for the quarter-mile-long street where all of Frankfurt’s Jews were required to live between 1462 and 1811. Though none of the houses on Judengasse are still standing, you can see the foundations of some of them when you visit the Museum Judengasse.

Your other option is the new Jewish Museum, an extension of the Museum Judengasse built into a permanent exhibition at the historic home of the Rothschild family. Whereas the Museum Judengasse focuses primarily on Jewish history and culture in Frankfurt up to the Early Modern period, the new exhibit focuses on Jewish life in Frankfurt from around the Enlightenment period to the present day.

After the museums, we will return to the ship by coach. Along the way, we’ll pass by some more significant Jewish Heritage sights in town, including the local synagogue.

Day 8 - Speyer (Mannheim)

Port - Speyer

Expect the unexpected in Speyer, where ancient treasures harmoniously coexist with modern-day innovation. Explore the baroque palace of Mannheim, visit a a vinegar estate for a tour and tasting, or join our “Jewish Heritage” excursion to an ancient center of learning and religion in Worms.

Excursion(s) - Baroque palace of Mannheim
Excursion Price - $70

On this tour, you are going to visit the beautiful Baroque Palace of Mannheim. Locally known as Barockschloss Mannheim, the palace was intended to be the second-largest Baroque palace complex in Europe, after Versailles. Its grand scale was designed to highlight the important role of the Palatine Prince Electors in the Holy Roman Empire. For this reason, it was also designed to showcase Palatinate wealth with extravagant interiors and a thriving artistic court. In the 18th century, the royal family were patrons to music, opera, theater and science.

Some exhibitions still remain from this period, though much was lost or damaged along with a significant portion of the original architecture during World War II. Parts of the palace have since been carefully reconstructed and are open to visitors. The rooms of the bel-étage, the main floor, are magnificently decorated to replicate the style of the palace’s best years, with hundreds of antique paintings, furnishings, tapestries and more exhibited.

Excursion(s) - Private Doktorenhof vinegar estate visit and tasting
Excursion Price - $70

For a different spin on the Palatinate wine region, visit the Weinessiggut Doktorenhof estate for a special vinegar tasting. Yes, you read that right—a vinegar tasting. Founded by Georg Wiedemann some 30 years ago, Doktorenhof produces vinegars from premium wines, rather than inexpensive ones. Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, Riesling and Pinot Noir are aged with a century-old vinegar “mother,” as the bacteria that makes vinegar is known, and flavored with a variety of herbs and fruits. Most importantly, Wiedemann and his family run their farm and vineyards with the utmost care, tending to them with natural materials only.

The results make complex and elegant aperitifs, intended to be sipped from a specially designed long-stemmed glass between courses or after a meal. The atmospheric tasting room (think candles, cloaks and choir music) is like no other you’ll ever experience. You’ll have plenty of time to explore their enticing gift shop, too.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Excursion(s) - Excursion to Worms
Excursion Price - $70

Will you leave a pebble on the headstone of Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg? The great medieval scholar was born in Worms and is buried there, in the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in Germany. In his day, Worms was one of three important centers of Jewish learning and trade in the Middle Ages, along with Mainz and Speyer, and was known as “little Jerusalem on the Rhine.” Rabbi Meir taught in Rothenburg for 25 years and died a prisoner in Alsace—and his reasons for refusing to allow anyone to ransom him were cited in discussions in 2011 when Israel exchanged 1027 Hamas prisoners for a single Israeli soldier. Today when you visit Worms’ ancient cemetery, with headstones dating to the 11th century, you’ll find a peaceful place that bears testimony to the long history of Jews in the region. Your tour will also include the re-created 12th-century synagogue and mikveh, which were destroyed on Kristallnacht.

Day 9 - Strasbourg

Port - Strasbourg

See Strasbourg on foot with an insightful local expert, where this historic town with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, giant stork nests and impossible-to-resist pastry shops will win your heart. Or take an in-depth look at the city’s rich Jewish history, which dates back an astonishing 2,000 years.

Excursion(s) - Strasbourg panoramic tour with cathedral and Old Town walk
Excursion Price - $70

Controlled over the centuries by either France or Germany, Strasbourg—cross-cultural and bilingual—offers a delightful combination of old and new, as well as French and German characteristics. You’ll see all the highlights on a city tour before venturing inside the cathedral, one of the city’s most famous sites. The same craftsmen who built Chartres worked on it, and the rose window may be Chartres’ equal. Don’t miss the astronomical clock or the truly remarkable statuary and carvings.

Excursion(s) - Alsace’s Jewish past
Excursion Price - $70

Since at least the 12th century, the Jewish community in Alsace remained small as its members faced many attacks over the centuries. The worst of these came in 1349 during the Strasbourg Pogrom when the Jews of Alsace were wrongfully accused of poisoning the wells with the Black Plague. Hundreds were publicly executed and the rest were expelled as it was made illegal for Jews to settle in the town. These restrictions weren’t lifted until the French Revolution, after which French Jews were finally granted some degree of civil rights and the Alsatian community began to expand. By 1939, approximately 20,000 Jews lived in Alsace. Many were able to escape before the Nazi occupation in WWII, and by the latter half of the 21st century, around 50,000 Jews lived in Alsace.

Today you’ll see both the historical and the modern community, starting with a guided bus tour through Strasbourg. You’ll pass by Orangerie Park, the Parliament of the European Union and the Synagogue de la Paix, meaning “Synagogue of Peace.”

At the synagogue, we’ll leave the bus to explore the city on foot, stopping at a local cafe for refreshments and a chat with a member of the local Jewish community. From here, we’ll walk down through the Rue des Juifs, the former Jewish Quarter, and on to the Alsatian Museum. You can choose to join your guide for a tour through the museum or spend more time on your own in town before we return to the ship.

Day 10 - Basel

Port - Basel

Ramble with your guide through the historic heart of Basel. Every historic square you see will hold a special charm.

This evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Excursion(s) - Basel walking tour with local treats
Excursion Price - $70

Basel is a moderately sized city with a population of just 170,000 and only a couple small skyscrapers to its name, but don’t let its size fool you—Basel is a thriving trade hub with a markedly international feel. It’s position at the borders of France and Germany makes it a popular place to work for commuters from three countries.

Start your local discovery with a unique ferry trip across the Rhine to Kleinbasel. The ferry works by natural current only. Take a scenic walk along the Rhine promenade for the best views of the Patrician houses and historic facades on the opposite Grossbasel side. Once we pass Mittlere Brücke and stop briefly for Basler Läckerli (a gingerbread cookie), we board the ferry again to cross over to Grossbasel.

We land at the famous Basel Münster and climb the stairs to the Münster terrace, where we’ll find a wonderful panoramic view of the city and its bridges, squeezed between the Black Forest and Jura Mountains.

Afterward, we’ll weave our way through cobbled streets and narrow alleys to see a variety of beloved local spots. Along the way, you’ll taste authentic regional treats.

Excursion(s) - “Let’s Go” Basel by bike
Excursion Price - $70

Fasten your helmet, mount your bike and pedal with your guide along the Wiese River (a tributary of the Rhine) through the lovely riverside forests hugging the border between Switzerland and Germany. This light, easy bike ride is a very pleasant way to get a closer look at the natural landscapes you sail by.

Excursion(s) - Awareness walking tour
Excursion Price - $70

Day 11 - Basel (Disembark)

Port - Basel

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg airport for your flight home.

Basel to Amsterdam


Day 1 - Basel (Embark)

Port - Basel

Arrive at EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Important Note: Uniworld's airport services and transfers to the ship will take place on the Switzerland side of the Basel-Mulhouse Airport. Be sure to enter Customs on the Switzerland side, as guests cannot return to the Switzerland side after they have exited the airport from the France side.


Day 2 - Basel

Port - Basel

Ramble with your guide through the historic heart of Basel. Every historic square you see will hold a special charm.

This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Excursion(s) - Basel walking tour with local treats
Excursion Price - $70

Basel is a moderately sized city with a population of just 170,000 and only a couple small skyscrapers to its name, but don’t let its size fool you—Basel is a thriving trade hub with a markedly international feel. It’s position at the borders of France and Germany makes it a popular place to work for commuters from three countries.

Start your local discovery with a unique ferry trip across the Rhine to Kleinbasel. The ferry works by natural current only. Take a scenic walk along the Rhine promenade for the best views of the Patrician houses and historic facades on the opposite Grossbasel side. Once we pass Mittlere Brücke and stop briefly for Basler Läckerli (a gingerbread cookie), we board the ferry again to cross over to Grossbasel.

We land at the famous Basel Münster and climb the stairs to the Münster terrace, where we’ll find a wonderful panoramic view of the city and its bridges, squeezed between the Black Forest and Jura Mountains.

Afterward, we’ll weave our way through cobbled streets and narrow alleys to see a variety of beloved local spots. Along the way, you’ll taste authentic regional treats.

Excursion(s) - “Let’s Go” Basel by bike
Excursion Price - $70

Fasten your helmet, mount your bike and pedal with your guide along the Wiese River (a tributary of the Rhine) through the lovely riverside forests hugging the border between Switzerland and Germany. This light, easy bike ride is a very pleasant way to get a closer look at the natural landscapes you sail by.

Excursion(s) - Awareness walking tour
Excursion Price - $70

Day 3 - Strasbourg

Port - Strasbourg

See Strasbourg on foot with an insightful local expert, where this historic town with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, giant stork nests and impossible-to-resist pastry shops will win your heart. Or take an in-depth look at the city’s rich Jewish history, which dates back an astonishing 2,000 years.

Excursion(s) - Strasbourg panoramic tour with cathedral and Old Town walk
Excursion Price - $70

Controlled over the centuries by either France or Germany, Strasbourg—cross-cultural and bilingual—offers a delightful combination of old and new, as well as French and German characteristics. You’ll see all the highlights on a city tour before venturing inside the cathedral, one of the city’s most famous sites. The same craftsmen who built Chartres worked on it, and the rose window may be Chartres’ equal. Don’t miss the astronomical clock or the truly remarkable statuary and carvings.

Excursion(s) - Alsace’s Jewish past
Excursion Price - $70

Since at least the 12th century, the Jewish community in Alsace remained small as its members faced many attacks over the centuries. The worst of these came in 1349 during the Strasbourg Pogrom when the Jews of Alsace were wrongfully accused of poisoning the wells with the Black Plague. Hundreds were publicly executed and the rest were expelled as it was made illegal for Jews to settle in the town. These restrictions weren’t lifted until the French Revolution, after which French Jews were finally granted some degree of civil rights and the Alsatian community began to expand. By 1939, approximately 20,000 Jews lived in Alsace. Many were able to escape before the Nazi occupation in WWII, and by the latter half of the 21st century, around 50,000 Jews lived in Alsace.

Today you’ll see both the historical and the modern community, starting with a guided bus tour through Strasbourg. You’ll pass by Orangerie Park, the Parliament of the European Union and the Synagogue de la Paix, meaning “Synagogue of Peace.”

At the synagogue, we’ll leave the bus to explore the city on foot, stopping at a local cafe for refreshments and a chat with a member of the local Jewish community. From here, we’ll walk down through the Rue des Juifs, the former Jewish Quarter, and on to the Alsatian Museum. You can choose to join your guide for a tour through the museum or spend more time on your own in town before we return to the ship.

Day 4 - Speyer (Mannheim)

Port - Speyer

Expect the unexpected in Speyer, where ancient treasures harmoniously coexist with modern-day innovation. Explore the baroque palace of Mannheim, visit a a vinegar estate for a tour and tasting, or join our “Jewish Heritage” excursion to an ancient center of learning and religion in Worms.

Excursion(s) - Baroque palace of Mannheim
Excursion Price - $70

On this tour, you are going to visit the beautiful Baroque Palace of Mannheim. Locally known as Barockschloss Mannheim, the palace was intended to be the second-largest Baroque palace complex in Europe, after Versailles. Its grand scale was designed to highlight the important role of the Palatine Prince Electors in the Holy Roman Empire. For this reason, it was also designed to showcase Palatinate wealth with extravagant interiors and a thriving artistic court. In the 18th century, the royal family were patrons to music, opera, theater and science.

Some exhibitions still remain from this period, though much was lost or damaged along with a significant portion of the original architecture during World War II. Parts of the palace have since been carefully reconstructed and are open to visitors. The rooms of the bel-étage, the main floor, are magnificently decorated to replicate the style of the palace’s best years, with hundreds of antique paintings, furnishings, tapestries and more exhibited.

Excursion(s) - Private Doktorenhof vinegar estate visit and tasting
Excursion Price - $70

For a different spin on the Palatinate wine region, visit the Weinessiggut Doktorenhof estate for a special vinegar tasting. Yes, you read that right—a vinegar tasting. Founded by Georg Wiedemann some 30 years ago, Doktorenhof produces vinegars from premium wines, rather than inexpensive ones. Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, Riesling and Pinot Noir are aged with a century-old vinegar “mother,” as the bacteria that makes vinegar is known, and flavored with a variety of herbs and fruits. Most importantly, Wiedemann and his family run their farm and vineyards with the utmost care, tending to them with natural materials only.

The results make complex and elegant aperitifs, intended to be sipped from a specially designed long-stemmed glass between courses or after a meal. The atmospheric tasting room (think candles, cloaks and choir music) is like no other you’ll ever experience. You’ll have plenty of time to explore their enticing gift shop, too.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Excursion(s) - Excursion to Worms
Excursion Price - $70

Will you leave a pebble on the headstone of Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg? The great medieval scholar was born in Worms and is buried there, in the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in Germany. In his day, Worms was one of three important centers of Jewish learning and trade in the Middle Ages, along with Mainz and Speyer, and was known as “little Jerusalem on the Rhine.” Rabbi Meir taught in Rothenburg for 25 years and died a prisoner in Alsace—and his reasons for refusing to allow anyone to ransom him were cited in discussions in 2011 when Israel exchanged 1027 Hamas prisoners for a single Israeli soldier. Today when you visit Worms’ ancient cemetery, with headstones dating to the 11th century, you’ll find a peaceful place that bears testimony to the long history of Jews in the region. Your tour will also include the re-created 12th-century synagogue and mikveh, which were destroyed on Kristallnacht.

Day 5 - Frankfurt

Port - Frankfurt

Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe, a financial powerhouse with soaring skyscrapers as well as traditional Old Town architecture.

Excursion(s) - Frankfurt city tour
Excursion Price - $70
Excursion(s) - Frankfurt's Jewish history
Excursion Price - $70

Choose between two museums today to learn about the Jewish heritage of Frankfurt. One option, the Museum Judengasse, outlines the history of Jews in Frankfurt and their relations with the Christian community through the centuries. It abuts the Jewish cemetery and the memorial to victims of the Shoah, listing the names of 12,000 Frankfurt Jews who died in death camps.

The museum is named for the quarter-mile-long street where all of Frankfurt’s Jews were required to live between 1462 and 1811. Though none of the houses on Judengasse are still standing, you can see the foundations of some of them when you visit the Museum Judengasse.

Your other option is the new Jewish Museum, an extension of the Museum Judengasse built into a permanent exhibition at the historic home of the Rothschild family. Whereas the Museum Judengasse focuses primarily on Jewish history and culture in Frankfurt up to the Early Modern period, the new exhibit focuses on Jewish life in Frankfurt from around the Enlightenment period to the present day.

After the museums, we will return to the ship by coach. Along the way, we’ll pass by some more significant Jewish Heritage sights in town, including the local synagogue.

Day 6 - Oberwesel

Port - Oberwesel

Bacharach is an ancient village that appears straight out of the pages of a storybook. Enjoy a guided stroll through town and taste some locally grown Rieslings, a specialty of the region. Alternatively, join a “Let's Go” hike that will take you past the old town walls and up to a fortified 12th-century castle.

Excursion(s) - Bacharach village stroll with Riesling tasting
Excursion Price - $70

What would a cruise on the Rhine be without a stop at one of the picturesque and historic wine villages that dot the banks? Bacharach, first documented in the 11th century, was once critically important to the wine trade as a port where wine casks were transferred from smaller boats, which could navigate the rocky narrows above the town, to larger ones. Join a local guide to stroll among the timbered houses—the oldest dates to 1368 (it’s now a restaurant called, appropriately, Altes Haus)—pausing for a look at the remains of the old town walls, demolished by the French during the Nine Years’ War, the gothic ruins of the Werner Chapel and the single spired St. Peter’s Church. Vineyards rise in terraces all around the town, producing excellent Rieslings; following your tour, you’ll have a chance to taste some of them and find out for yourself just how good they are.

Excursion(s) - “Let’s Go” Castle Stahleck hike
Excursion Price - $70

The round tower and sturdy stone walls of Castle Stahleck guard the heights above Bacharach. The counts Palatine used the fortress to defend their territories from other German lords and from numerous French incursions, so it suffered considerable damage over the centuries, but it has been beautifully restored and enjoys a new life as a youth hostel. Join your guide for a hike—it won’t be too strenuous but you will be climbing the hill outside the village—through the vineyards up to the castle. You’ll be rewarded with fabulous views of the Rhine and the Lorelei valley as well as the town below.

Day 7 - Cologne

Port - Cologne

You have an array of choices for how you wish to experience Cologne’s many treasures. Those interested in history and architecture will want to stroll through the Old Town, featuring 12 stunning Romanesque churches. Guests interested in the city’s Jewish past are welcome to explore the centuries-old mikveh and Cologne’s Jewish quarter.

Excursion(s) - Cologne walking tour with Old Town visit
Excursion Price - $70

Meander through the narrow, cobbled lanes of Old Town, lined with traditional houses in every color and a plethora of restaurants and pubs. Along the way, you will be treated to a traditional Krapfen, a jam-filled donut that is popular in the area.

One of the city's 12 Romanesque churches provides a castle-like backdrop to this quaint, riverside quarter of Cologne. Your local expert will take you to the Domplatte, the square where you'll find the Cologne Cathedral. Should you wish, you can head inside this Gothic building on your own to see the Shrine of the Three Kings, which is believed to contain the relics of the Magi, and the beautiful stained-glass windows. Otherwise, try asking your guide for tips on what to explore. Whatever your interests, our local expert knows all the best spots in town!

NOTE: On Sundays and Catholic holidays, tours inside the cathedral are not allowed, but individual visits are still welcomed.

Excursion(s) - Visit Cologne’s Jewish Quarter
Excursion Price - $70

The history of the Jewish people in Cologne is nearly as long as the history of Cologne itself. The first documented mention of the Jewish community is a 321 AD edict allowing Jews to become members of the curia, a class of public office in the Roman Empire. The community grew over the centuries, eventually coming to number around 19,500 people before Nazism and World War II.

In the years since, the Jewish community of Cologne has slowly re-established itself, now numbering about 4,500 members. Because of its history, today’s synagogue calls itself “the oldest Jewish congregation north of the Alps.”

Meet our guides and head towards the Jewish Quarter, passing by the Ma'alot sculpture on the way. We’ll pass by the mikveh and arrive at Jawne, where you’ll meet up with some members of the community. Founded in 1919 and closed in 1942, Jawne was once the only Jewish grammar school in the Rhineland. Today, it is the sight of a small, volunteer-run learning and memorial center.

Day 8 - Arnhem

Port - Arnhem

Arnhem, almost completely destroyed in WWII, has blossomed into a burgeoning Dutch city, with several museums, shop-lined streets and historic landmarks.

Excursion(s) - "Let's Go" Arnhem airborne cycle route
Excursion Price - $70

Bike through Arnhem and its neighboring towns at the site of Operation Market Garden, a failed World War II attempt by Allied forces to seize several Rhine river bridges in order to push back the Axis occupying soldiers.

We begin our ride at John Frost Bridge, named for the Lt. Col. leading the Allies’ 2nd Battalion of the battle. From there, this 27km route takes you through the major landmarks of the Battle of Arnhem. Following the south banks of the Rhine, you’ll reach the ferry at Driel and cross to Doorwerth Castle, which faced heavy damages in the war and has since been restored. From there, you’ll head to Heelsum, where the first paratroopers landed. You’ll stop in Oosterbeek, where you can visit the Airborne Cemetery and Airborne Museum “Hartenstein,” before following a very similar route to the one John Frost and his men took on your way back to Arnhem.

Excursion(s) - Kröller-Müller Museum visit
Excursion Price - $70

Helene Kröller-Müller bought seven Van Goghs in a single day in 1912, valuing the painter’s then-little-appreciated work for his “great and novel humanity.” She went on to purchase many more of his paintings, and in the process, she almost single-handedly rescued him from obscurity and established his modern-day reputation. The Kröller-Müller Museum, which she founded in the 1930s on a family estate, features some 97 works by the master, including The Bridge at Arles. But Kröller-Müller didn’t stop with Van Gogh; her goal was to found the first museum in the Netherlands devoted to modern art, so the collection also boasts exceptional works by Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian and Auguste Rodin, among many other late-19th- and 20th-century artists. Join an expert guide for a one-hour tour, then revisit the galleries for a closer look or go out into the extensive sculpture gardens on your own. The museum has commissioned a sculpture a year for decades, so the collection is unusual, contemporary and diverse.

Day 9 - Harlingen

Port - Harlingen

You’ll spend your day exploring the coastal Netherlands city of Harlingen.

Excursion(s) - Harlingen "Village Day"
Excursion Price - $70

Harlingen is an attractive port town on the Wadden Sea—local legend has it that the only reason Harlingen isn’t under the Wadden Sea is because of the actions of a young boy, who plugged up the local dike with one finger and thereby saved the city from sinking. It is, of course, just a fun story, but a statue in his honor can be found near the docks nonetheless.

Today you’ll stroll through Harlingen’s canals and quaint alleyways with a local guide. Many of the buildings here have been around for three or four centuries, giving the town a historic feel. Keep an eye out for the gable stones on older buildings, small plaques with unique carvings used to help people find their way before numerical addresses were popularized.

After exploring the town on foot, you’ll have the opportunity to dive deeper into the Frisian area with one of three different experiences:

1. Head to a horse farm where the characteristically large and agile black Friesian horse is raised. After learning about the farm’s work and Frisian culture, you’ll be treated to a horse show.

2. Take a short drive to the city of Franeker, where you’ll find the oldest working planetarium in the world hanging from the ceiling of a beautiful canal house. This accurately moving model of the solar system was built between 1774 and 1781 by the Frisian wool comber, Eise Eisinga.

3. Visit a historic mill, still active today as a grain mill. Afterward, a little boat will take you to a nearby butterfly garden.

Day 10 - Amsterdam

Port - Amsterdam

Enjoy the luxury of a full day in the “Venice of the North,” starting with a “Morning with the Masters” tour of the Hermitage Amsterdam. Afterwards, explore the city on foot or via a canal cruise.

This evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Excursion(s) - "Morning with the Masters" at the Hermitage Amsterdam
Excursion Price - $70

The doors open early to give you a crowd-free viewing of an extraordinary collection of Dutch master paintings: 30 monumental group paintings from the golden age that have been called “cousins of The Night Watch.” Drawn from both the Amsterdam Museum and the Rijksmuseum, these works have rarely been displayed because of their enormous size. The Amsterdam Hermitage, however, devotes an enormous gallery space to this exhibit, which reveals the connections and activities of Amsterdam’s power elite in the 17th century. Meet mayors and regents, colonels of the civil guard, wealthy merchants and their wives and learn something of their lives and the lives of the artists who painted these massive portraits.

Excursion(s) - Floriade visit
Excursion Price - $70
Excursion(s) - Keukenhof Gardens (available March 24 through May 15)
$70
Excursion(s) - Tulip Grower
$70
Excursion(s) - Amsterdam canal cruise
Excursion Price - $70

It’s called the “Venice of the North” for a reason: Canals crisscross the heart of the old city, and bridges link some 90 islands. As the principal city in a newly independent Holland, Amsterdam was a boom town in the early 17th century, rapidly outgrowing its medieval walls. The city’s fathers responded by demolishing most of the old city and building an entirely new one, creating Europe’s first planned city. That “new” district is now 400 years old, and as you glide along the main canals, you’ll pass stately merchants’ houses built centuries ago (some of them are now house museums you can visit on your own). But the canals are not merely scenic; they are essential thoroughfares—people take water buses to work and live in houseboats along the banks—so a canal cruise also gives you a look at the busy modern city.

Excursion(s) - Visit to the Portuguese Synagogue and Jewish Museum
Excursion Price - $70

Anyone who has read The Diary of Anne Frank knows what happened to Amsterdam’s Jews under the Nazis. But not everyone knows that the Jewish community began in the city when Sephardic Jews fled Spain and Portugal after 1492, a group of successful merchants and professionals who in turn sponsored Ashkenazi migrants fleeing Central Europe in the 17th century. Visit the Jewish Historical Museum, with its meticulous re-creation of the Great Synagogue, compelling exhibit called “Friday Night” and lively children’s area, and the nearby Portuguese Synagogue, before strolling through the former Jewish Quarter (Rembrandt lived in in this neighborhood, and he often asked his Jewish neighbors to pose for his Old Testament scenes; his house is now a museum and is one of the few original houses still standing in the area). Today’s Jewish community is largely centered in Amstelveen, where some 15,000 Jews live, work and worship in one of the largest and most vibrant communities in Europe.

Day 11 - Amsterdam (Disembark)

Port - Amsterdam

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for your flight home.