Great European Journey with Reach the World

After arrival, take a scenic drive to Engelberg and check in to the deluxe Belle Époque Hotel Kempinski Engelberg.

Enjoy lunch and the afternoon at your leisure.

This evening, gather at the hotel with your fellow passengers for a Welcome Reception, then enjoy dinner on your own.

On a walking tour of Lucerne, see wonderfully painted buildings, stately churches and picturesque town squares. Marvel at the imposing Water Tower and iconic Chapel Bridge, Europe’s oldest covered bridge. Crossing the bridge, arrive in the medieval old town, with its frescoed buildings and fountains.

Savor a traditional Swiss lunch, including fondue, at an authentic restaurant in town. Enjoy music and folklore entertainment during the meal. Wrap up with a pleasant cruise across Lake Lucerne, taking in the glittering town and its neighboring alpine peaks from another beautiful vantage point.

This evening, make your own dinner plans. The Gohagan Travel Hospitality Desk stands ready with restaurant suggestions.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, join your fellow passengers on a scenic ride to the gorgeous alpine valley of Lauterbrunnen, a valley of incredible vistas, including wildflower meadows, enormous mountains and 72 waterfalls. (Lauterbrunnen translates to “many fountains.”) One of the most famous of these is Staubbach Falls, which you will visit. Plunging almost 984 feet from an overhanging rock face, it is one of the highest and most spectacular free-falling waterfalls in Europe. Many artists, writers, composers and nature lovers have made a pilgrimage to Staubbach Falls over the years; indeed it is said to have inspired Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to write the poem "Song of the Spirits over the Waters."

Next, walk to the Lauterbrunnen Train Station for an amazing cogwheel train ride up to Kleine Scheidegg, elevation 6,761 feet. This mountain pass is known for its stunning, unparalleled views of three mighty peaks—the Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch—which make up Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Soak up the beautiful views, and don’t forget your camera! We will lunch at an authentic restaurant in Kleine Scheidegg.

After lunch, continue by train to Eigergletscher and embark a cable car to descend the mountain through incredible alpine scenery to the picturesque village of Grindelwald. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring this charming village. Browse the shops, take in the lovely views, and maybe sample a coffee and pastry in one of the many restaurants, cafés and bakeries.

Take a scenic drive from Grindelwald back to the hotel in Engelberg. Tonight make your own plans for dinner. The Gohagan Travel Hospitality Desk stands ready with dining recommendations.

Savor a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Marvel at the beautiful scenery on a drive to Basel, Switzerland’s only port. Ancient Basilia was a Roman settlement established in 44 B.C. — nowadays it’s a vibrant, modern city known for its annual Art Basel festival of contemporary art. Enjoy a guided city tour and lunch at a local restaurant.

Embark Viva Enjoy and settle in.

During a walking tour, discover the medieval grandeur of Grand-Île, the historic center of Strasbourg and a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the bridges and watchtowers of the 13th-century Ponts Couverts, and meander past the many half-timbered houses in the canal-lined Petite France district, where tanners, millers and fishermen once lived during the Middle Ages. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, an exquisitely ornamented Gothic beauty. Gaze at its famed Astrological Clock, created by a team of artists, mathematicians and technicians during the Renaissance. Across from the Cathedral, notice the Kammerzell House, now a hotel and restaurant. This beautiful building dates to 1427; cheese merchant Martin Braun, then owner, commissioned the incredible exterior work in 1589.

Return to the ship for a delicious lunch. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. If you’d like to return to town, hop on a shuttle or borrow a bicycle from the ship.

This evening, join the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner.

Dock in Mannheim and journey to romantic Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its grand castle, built in the 13th century, overlooking the picturesque Neckar Valley. Take in the ancient castle walls, surrounding grounds and gorgeous views. One of the more intriguing features of the castle is the world’s largest wine barrel in its basement, complete with a dance floor on top. Take a walking tour in the lively, cobblestoned Altstadt (Old Town), filled with Renaissance and Baroque gems, such as the old bridge, Alte Brücke. As you cross it, keep your eyes peeled for a singular statue—of a monkey with a mirror!

Return to the ship for a delicious lunch and free time in the afternoon.

Arrive in the heart of Riesling wine country today. Ride on the Winzerexpress, a mini-train that will take you on an informative tour through the vineyards, including a stunning view of Rüdesheim and the Rhine. The tour ends with a wine tasting in the picturesque old town. Head back to the ship to settle in for a delicious lunch on board, or stay and lunch in town, if you wish.

The enchanting Upper Middle Rhine Valley, also known as the Rhine Gorge and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles, palaces and fortresses. As we cruise, marvel at the breathtaking vistas, complete with vineyard terracing along the steep valley walls. These views have inspired great artists, poets and composers over the past few hundred years—as you glide along this magnificent stretch of river, perhaps you will be reminded of the paintings of J.M.W. Turner, the words of Lord Byron or the music of Richard Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” Admire the striking outcrop called Loreley Rock—a symbol of Rhine Romanticism that inspired myriad poems and songs.

Sail through a splendid, narrow section of the Moselle River, lined with colorful towns and tiered vineyards, then dock in charming Cochem. As you disembark, delight in the brightly painted houses on the riverfront. On a walking tour, stroll the narrow cobblestoned streets and take in the squares and half-timbered houses. Visit Reichsburg Castle, perched atop a tree-covered cliff high above the town. The castle offers the most stunning views of the river, valley and town…a wonderful photo opportunity!

Return to the ship for lunch on board. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. If you wish, stay in town to lunch and explore Cochem on your own.

One of the largest European cities in medieval and Renaissance times, Cologne is known for its lively spirit. On a walking tour, meander down winding lanes in the medieval old town, appreciating the colorful houses, leafy squares and picturesque courtyards. Have you ever wondered why your bottled fragrance is called Eau de Cologne? The term is French for “water of Cologne,” and the world’s oldest perfume factory has been located here since 1723.

But Cologne may be most famous for its magnificent Gothic cathedral, Kölner Dom, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Christian churches have occupied this location since the 4th century, and the current cathedral was built over a period of more than 630 years, finally completed in 1880. The cathedral houses the Shrine of the Three Kings, a gilded reliquary, the largest one in Europe. Admire the cathedral’s impressive exterior on our walking tour.

Return to the ship for lunch on board. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. If you wish, stay in town to lunch and explore Cologne on your own.

As we sail to the Netherlands, enjoy time on the ship this morning. Exercise in the fitness center, indulge in a sauna or steam bath in the wellness area, or simply relax on deck with a book. After a delicious lunch, disembark in Amsterdam.

Embark on a private cruise through Amsterdam’s world-famous UNESCO-inscribed canals, which have been connecting the city since the early 17th century. Glide under iconic bridges and past brightly colored houses, stately stone buildings and hundreds of cyclists!

This evening, attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner, and raise a glass to your great European journey!