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70 For complete itinerary details and videos, visit vikingcruises.com.au RHINE GETAWAY 8 day cruise with 6 guided tours in 4 countries DAY 1 Basel, Switzerland Welcome to Basel, on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland. Transfer from the airport to your ship. After boarding, enjoy time on your own getting acquainted with the city, or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and get oriented. (D) DAY 2 Breisach, Germany Arrive in Breisach this morning, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area's renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach or choose an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar. Colmar World War II Tour: Museum & Memorial Visit the Colmar Pocket, where American and French forces pushed back Nazi troops during the brutal winter of 1944–1945. (B, L, D) DAY 3 Strasbourg, France Arrive in Kehl this morning and disembark for your guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city's famed cathedral. Free time allows you to further explore this Alsatian city's blend of French and German cultures, resplendent churches, medieval covered bridges, verdant parks and handsome Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. Alsatian Wine Tour & Tasting Explore the treasures of Alsace, from its Renaissance beauty and distinct culture to its crisp, clean white wines. (B, L, D) DAY 4 Heidelberg & Rüdesheim, Germany Wake up in Mannheim and disembark for a tour of Heidelberg to see Germany's oldest university, founded in 1386. Then, visit the B R E I S A C H , G E R M A N Y beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city's many red rooftops from this hilltop post. Dine in Rüdesheim am Rhein Raise your glass and give a hearty "Prost!" to a delicious and fun evening. (B, L, D) DAY 5 Koblenz, Germany This morning, sail along the most scenic stretch of the Rhine, where castles overlook the river from their hilltop posts. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this part of the Middle Rhine Valley is so beautiful. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Ascend to the mighty fortress of Ehrenbreitstein, set high on a hill with magnificent views of Koblenz, the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers and the Eifel Hills. Return to your ship for lunch. Later, enjoy some time in this charming town at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. (B, L, D) DAY 6 Cologne, Germany Continue along the Rhine this morning; arrive in Cologne and disembark for a walking tour. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin's Church, and spend some time inside Cologne's Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral whose construction began in 1248 and was only completed in 1880. Brühl UNESCO Palaces Peer into the lives of royalty at two estates built for the prince-archbishops of Cologne, each a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B, L, D) DAY 7 Kinderdijk, The Netherlands We sail along the Rhine during the morning hours, enjoying scenic views. Spend your morning enjoying some popular Dutch diversions: sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and try your hand at sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard). After lunch, your ship arrives in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an afternoon tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. (B, L, D) DAY 8 Amsterdam, The Netherlands After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight. Or, extend your journey with two additional nights in Amsterdam; take time to explore the city's neighbourhoods, museums and exciting nightlife. (B) The following meals are included: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner Key Example of Optional Shore Excursion