Rhine Connoisseur: Lake Geneva to Belgium - Northbound

Tour begins: 2:00 PM. A transfer is included from Geneva Airport, Geneva train station (approximately 1.5 hour drive) or Montreux train station to Fairmont Montreux Palace, nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, overlooking the Alps. This afternoon, you may choose to join an optional guided visit to Château de Chillon, a romantic medieval fortress on the lake. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at your elegant hotel.

The slopes above Lake Geneva tell a story in rows of vines—terraced and tidy, sun-drenched and centuries old. This morning, set out to explore the UNESCO-designated Lavaux wine region, where Cistercian monks first carved these hillsides into agricultural art. Choose a gentle walk through the vineyards, ending in a wine tasting at a local winery, or hop aboard a mini-train for panoramic views and a visit to a nearby village cooperative. Alternatively, stay in Montreux for a guided walking tour to discover the city through the eyes of Freddie Mercury and Queen—whose time here shaped both sound and story. Using tablets and rare images collected by close friends of the band, you'll trace a cultural legacy both intimate and iconic. Afterwards, enjoy lunch on your own, perhaps along the lakeside promenade. This afternoon, you may choose to return to the hotel or visit Chaplin's World, a whimsical museum dedicated to the life and artistry of Charlie Chaplin. The evening is yours in Montreux to dine and wander as you please.

Venture to Glacier 3000 for an Alpine adventure that truly makes your spirit soar. Ride a cable car to the summit to enjoy the Peak Walk by Tissot, the only suspension bridge in the world connecting two mountain peaks. After lunch with panoramic views, continue your journey by coach directly to Basel. Board your riverboat and settle into your floating home for the week, with a Swiss cheese tasting and welcome dinner onboard.

Spend the morning in Strasbourg, disembarking for a choice of excursions after breakfast. Blending Franco-Germanic culture, architecture, and ambiance, this Alsatian city is nestled on the Rhine across the border from Germany and boasts a compelling and complex history. Join a local guide for an epicurean-inspired walking tour of its city center, along with tastings of wine, cheese and other Alsatian specialties. See its Gothic-inspired Notre Dame Cathedral and half-timbered houses and explore its Petite France quarter, criss-crossed by canals and a swing bridge reminiscent of days gone by. Or do as the locals do and explore the sights by bicycle as your local guide leads the way. Have lunch onboard your riverboat as it sails for the Middle Rhine Valley.

Spend a leisurely morning cruising through the Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage region renowned for iconic landscapes crowned by castles and fortresses, along with terraced vineyards established more than 1,000 years on the steep slopes of the valley. The strategic location of this dramatic stretch of the Rhine between Bingen, Rüdesheim and Koblenz reflects its importance as a transportation route; the sixty small towns, terraced vineyards and the castles ruins found here reflect how prosperous this trade route once was since prehistoric times. Your Tauck Director provides commentary as you glide past vine-covered, terraced slopes, and rocky bluffs, sharing the stories of the Lorelei Rock and ancient castles standing watch onshore. Arrive in Koblenz this afternoon for a guided e-bike ride* or a scavenger hunt across the city. Enjoy dinner and musical entertainment onboard ship.

Wake up in in Düsseldorf, one of Germany's wealthiest cities, known for its charming Altstadt (Old Town) and avant garde architecture. Walk off the riverboat into town for your choice of a walking tour focused on the city's history, architecture and culinary traditions, along with some tasty local treats; or a craft beer tour where samplings of the varieties of dark Altbier the region is known for are sure to be a highlight. After lunch, you may either enjoy free time to explore Rotterdam as you like, or join your Tauck Director for an optional activity. Dinner is at leisure onboard the riverboat this evening.

Voted "the most beautiful fortified town in the Netherlands," Gorinchem was founded in 1,000 AD, fortified in the 13th and 14th centuries, and today boasts the largest fully intact fort in the Netherlands. Join our local guide for a walking tour of its historic heart, viewing its charming canals, the well-preserved Renaissance-style and medieval architecture, and pretty parks and gardens. Explore as you wish this afternoon, before joining us for a Tauck Exclusive reception and dinner at Slot Loevestein. Set in a nature reserve on a private island, the 14th-century castle has served as a prison, residence and toll taker, reigning unrivaled over its strategic location where the Maas and Waal rivers come together. Tonight it will be yours to enjoy as the island and castle are open for Tauck guests only.

With a history dating back to the Middle Ages, the port city of Antwerp was one of Europe's most important cities in the mid-16th century. Home to the artist, Pieter Paul Rubens, it welcomes with cobblestone charms, a riverside fortress, guildhalls and a Gothic cathedral that took 169 years to build. Join a local guide for an insightful walking tour that explores the historic gems of this lively town, from bustling Grote Market to medieval guild houses, baroque churches, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and atmospheric squares. Following a morning of exploration in Antwerp proper and lunch aboard your ship, you'll be met with a choice of excursions this afternoon! One option offers you a visit to the newly renovated and recently reopened Royal Museum of Fine Arts for a look at its impressive collection of art from the 14th through the 20th century, with an impressive hall dedicated to the art of its native son, Pieter Paul Rubens. The other takes you on brewery tour across the city highlighted by tastings of the city's famous Belgian beers at local establishments. Tonight, please join us for the Chef's Signature Dinner in the Compass Rose.

Explore the best of Brussels today on your choice of guided excursions, including an informative city tour that views its landmark sights or a guided look at the Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture that's found throughout the city. Belgian chocolate is renowned the world over; a chocolate demonstration this afternoon reveals its delectable secrets. Join us tonight for a farewell toast and dinner.

Tour ends: Brussels. Disembark ship by 9:00 AM. Fly home anytime; a transfer from your riverboat to Brussels Airport is included. Allow three hours for flight check-in.