Arrive in Amsterdam this morning and transfer to our exclusively chartered riverboat, the 102-passenger Switzerland II. Enjoy a light buffet lunch aboard ship and an afternoon at leisure to explore this quintessential Dutch city on your own. Tonight, enjoy the captain's welcome aboard reception and dinner.

Travel along tree-lined canals and through colorful parks during a tour of Amsterdam's notable landmarks this morning. Along the way, see the Royal Palace, Mint Tower, Skinny Bridge, and the famous Portuguese Synagogue, absorbing the eclectic blend of old and new that makes Amsterdam one of Europe's most enticing capitals. Cruise to the delightful town of Arnhem this afternoon, where we dock overnight. If you feel like an evening stroll, wind your way through the attractive alleyways of this charming Dutch city to the Kornmarkt.

This morning, enjoy a visit to the distinguished Kröller-Müller Museum, renowned throughout the world for its outstanding collection of works by European artists, including Fernand Léger and Vincent van Gogh. While here, stroll through the sculpture park, where works by such artistic giants as Rodin and Giacometti are surrounded by vibrant flower beds. Rejoin the Switzerland II in Arnhem, and cruise to the beautiful medieval city of Cologne.

With its great cathedral, Roman ruins, exquisite medieval buildings, and world-class museums, Cologne is one of the jewels in Europe's crown. The largest city on the Rhine River and the fourth-largest in Germany, Cologne has been a dominant power in the Rhineland since Roman times. Discover Cologne's great cathedral -- which took more than 600 years to build -- on this morning's walking tour. Then relax and take in the scenery later as we sail leisurely toward Koblenz, where we'll tie up this evening.

Sail the Rhine Gorge today, enjoying a 50-mile stretch of the river considered by many to be the most evocative scenery bordering the Rhine. While sipping a cool refreshment on the Switzerland II's spacious deck, view dramatic landscapes where fertile vineyards cling to steep hills crowned by imposing castles. Pass the slate crag of Lorelei, which rises more than 400 feet from the river, and listen carefully for the song of the mythical river maiden whose music is said to have drawn sailors to their watery graves. Arrive in the picturesque town of Rüdesheim, where you will have time on your own to explore. Meander through its charming streets, perhaps stopping for a glass of wine in one of the many wine gardens. Continue your cruise to Mainz, arriving in this town at the confluence of the Rhine and Main rivers late in the afternoon. Following a delicious dinner aboard ship, perhaps take a stroll around town.

During the Middle Ages, Heidelberg was the political, intellectual, and cultural center of Germany. Today, its red roofs, romantic towers, and castle ruins are carefully preserved tributes to the architecture and unique cultural legacies of medieval Europe. We'll explore this beautiful town today on an all-day tour that introduces us to everything a romantic German town should have: narrow, cobblestone streets flanked by intricate baroque architecture; market squares bordered by outdoor cafés; densely wooded mountains threaded with scenic trails; and a picturesque castle ruin that overlooks it all. Once here, you'll understand why Mark Twain lauded the town's splendor in A Tramp Abroad. Return to the ship in Speyer and continue your cruise along the Rhine.

Strasbourg has the scale, atmosphere, and attractions of a big city without being overwhelming to visitors or citizens alike. A town to which everyone hopes to return because of its variety and cosmopolitan appeal, this cultural capital of Alsace offers a wealth of gracious architecture, including the cathedral and the Petite France area, which we will visit during a morning walking tour of Old Town.

After a leisurely lunch aboard ship, venture out to explore Strasbourg on your own. Wander along cobblestone streets, browse through the interesting shops that form a colorful border in the narrow alleyways, or take time simply to sit at one of the sidewalk cafés and watch the life of the city flow by while enjoying a café au lait. Depart Strasbourg tonight, sailing along the Rhine to Rhinau.

This morning, we travel overland from Rhinau through the pine-covered highlands of southern Germany's magnificent Black Forest. Contrary to popular conceptions of it as an impenetrable wilderness inhabited by wild animals and the cruel characters brought to life by the Brothers Grimm, the Black Forest today is one of Germany's foremost playgrounds. Pass through ancient villages and towns once famous for the manufacture of the area's traditional cuckoo clocks, and enjoy the dense forest, clear streams, and rustic Alpine houses tucked away in quiet valleys. Stop for a visit in Freiburg, the sophisticated capital of the Black Forest region and a university city with an almost 900-year history. While here, visit Munster Cathedral, a true masterpiece of medieval building, with a unique tower that is one of the most outstanding examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. As you wander through the old city center with its lively market, historic buildings, Bächle (small streams in the streets), and alleyways, you will be delighted by the irresistible charm of this southern German city.

Following lunch on board ship in nearby Breisach, disembark for an afternoon tour of the Alsatian town of Colmar. Here, ancient houses -- well-preserved since the Middle Ages -- churches, cloisters, facades with ornate wood sculptures, balconies, paintings, gables, and Renaissance edifices add to the city's very special charm. In the wine country that surrounds Colmar, visit the cellars of Dopff & Tion and Domaines du Chateau de Riquewir for a taste of the vintages that have made this region near the border of France and Germany famous.

The cosmopolitan city of Basel sits at the convergence of two great European cultures -- French and German. It is first and foremost a Renaissance city with an intellectual and artistic rebirth that was fueled by its flourishing river commerce. A tour of Basel introduces you to its distinctive beamed houses, arched stone city gate, and the Gothic-Romanesque St. Gallus Cathedral. Walk through Old Town to the promontory high above the Rhine known as "Three Countries Corner," from where you can see the borders of Switzerland, Germany, and France. On board the Switzerland II this evening, enjoy the captain's farewell reception and dinner.

Following breakfast this morning, disembark the Switzerland II and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the United States. Upon arrival, connect with the flight to your home city.