June 24 - July 4, 2017

Join this Great Journey through Europe, the trip of a lifetime and an opportunity to retrace the traditional 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century “Grand Tour.” Travel through four countries and the western heart of the Continent on this carefully planned, exclusive itinerary. Cruise Holland’s waterways, surrounded by polder land reclaimed from the North Sea, and the fairy-tale beauty of the UNESCO-designated Rhine River and its Rheingau wine region; experience three of the world’s legendary railways and visit four important UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 | Depart the United States/Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Depart the United States for Amsterdam. On arrival, enjoy a private cruise along Amsterdams' UNESCO World Heritage Site canals, lined with 16th- and 17th-century gabled row houses. Then, embark the ship for the Captain's Welcome Reception and dinner.

Day 3 | Colgone, Germany
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising along the picturesque Rhine River to one of Germany's most ancient cities, Cologne. Explore the Altstadt (Old Town) and visit the historic Kölner Dom (cathedral), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest example of High Gothic architecture in Germany.

Day 4 | Koblenz/Rüdesheim
Go ashore in the picturesque city of Koblenz, positioned at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. From the famous Deutsches Eck (German Corner), view the impressive 19th-century fortress of Ehrenbreitstein and explore the historic city during a walking tour.

Cruise through the Rhine River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, legendary for its scenery and riverside architectural treasures before docking in the medieval town of Rüdesheim, the heart of Germany's wine country. Enjoy a tour aboard the Winzerexpress mini-train, traveling through bucolic countryside vineyards en route to a private tasting of German wines.

Reboard the ship and cruise through the pastoral Rheingau, Germany's most famous wine-growing region, known for its Riesling.

Day 5 | Mannheim for Heidelberg
From Mannheim transfer to Heidelberg, home of Germany's oldest university, founded in 1386. On the walking tour, see how Heidelberg has preserved its authentic Renaissance-Baroque character, including the eight remaining arches of the famous Alte Brücke (Old Bridge) that spans the Neckar River. Visit the imposing 13th-century Heidelberg Castle's stately ruins, which links Heidelberg to its medieval past.

Day 6 | Strasbourg, France
The lively Alsatian city of Strasbourg fuses Old and New Europe. The Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a treasure trove of medieval houses and the charming Ponts-Couverts which span picturesque canals. See remnants of the Reformation in the beautiful Protestant and Catholic Church of St-Pierre-le-Vieux and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, a Catholic church and Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece.

Lunch is served aboard the ship and the afternoon is free to enjoy independent pursuits. In the evening, attend the Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner.

Day 7 | Basel, Switzerland/Berne/Interlaken/Zermatt
In the morning, disembark in Basel to transfer across the Swiss countryside to Berne, Switzerland's historic capital, and visit the city's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, enjoy lunch in a traditional Bernese restaurant located in am 18th-century High Baroque-style converted granary.

Continue the journey through the spectacular Bernese Oberland, traveling from subtropical lowlands to the snow-crowned heights of the Alps. Stop in the charming resort town of Interlaken, located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, before transfering to Lucerne and checking-in to Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, a member of Historic Hotels Worldwide.

Day 8 | Zermatt
Travel aboard the famous Gornergrat Bahn, the highest cog railway in Europe, and ascend to the 10,000-foot high Gornergrat to delight in sweeping vistas of Alpine scenery. Return to Zermatt at leisure, with the option to stop en route at Riffelberg for panoramic views of Monte Rosa and Matterhorn. The Farewell Reception and dinner are at the hotel in the evening.

Day 9 | Lucerne/Andermatt/Zermatt
Relax during a scenic morning transfer from Lucerne to Andermatt. Enjoy lunch in Andermatt before boarding the fabled Glacier Express. Travel through the heart of the Alps and arrive in the Alpine resort of Zermatt, located beneath the dramatic pinnacle of the iconic Matterhorn. Check into the chalet-style Hotel Alex before dining in the hotel's traditional Swiss restaurant.

Day 10 | Lucerne
Begin the morning with a walking tour in the Weinmarket (wine market) before visiting the Hofkirche (Court Church) and Lion Monument. Walk across Lucerne's most famous landmark, the 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge.

Ascend Mount Pilatus by panoramic gondola to its 7,000-foot summit for magnificent views. Enjoy lunch in a summit restaurant followed by free time. Afterwards, board the Pilatus Railway, the world's steepest cogwheel railway, and descend more than 5,300 feet to return to the shores of Lake Lucerne to embark upon a scenic cruise.

Day 11 | Lucerne/Geneva/United States
Following breakfast, transfer to Geneva for return flights to the United States.

TOUR RATES FROM: $4,495 per person

Reservations
For questions or to book a tour, please contact our tour VIP desk by calling +1 202 772 8000 or emailing scalhoun@historichotels.org.

TERMS & CONDITIONS
Subject to change. Please click here to view terms and conditions.

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