Zurich to Helsinki: Rhine River Cruise & Scandinavia Touring

Welcome to Zurich! Check into your hotel at any time, then settle in and freshen up before heading out to explore the city at your leisure. Explore Zurich's Old Town, stroll the lakeside promenade and find a charming dinner spot. Get an early night – tomorrow, your journey begins.

This morning, you’ll officially meet your whole group at a brief gathering, then take a scenic drive to Lucerne for a panoramic lake cruise. You’ll also have some free time to explore Lucerne, one of Switzerland's most beautiful cities. Next, head to Basel to board the Rhine River Cruise. Tonight, enjoy the Welcome Cocktails event and your first dinner on board.

Wake up on the Franco-German border surrounded by vineyards. Explore Breisach on your own, or choose an optional experience to Colmar, known as “Little Venice”. This afternoon, you can also book a Black Forest experience, including a walk through Freiburg and a tasting of authentic Black Forest Cake in the heart of Germany's famous evergreen forest.

Today, sail into Strasbourg! Explore the city at your own pace, walk across the historic bridges, and see the medieval watchtowers and waterways. Alternatively, join the optional Strasbourg Sights & Canal Cruise. See the Gothic masterpiece of Strasbourg Cathedral, admire the grand Place de la République, and see the Petite France quarter from the water.

Welcome to Mainz, the birthplace of the printing press. Explore on your own, or join the optional guided tour and Gutenberg Museum visit. See the Mainz Cathedral, the Chagall windows at St. Stephen's Church and explore the Old Town. Enjoy a festive evening of dancing after dinner tonight!

Today, more scenery awaits as the ship sails from Koblenz through the Rhine Gorge. Spend time enjoying the onboard entertainment or yoga on the sun deck before lunch. This afternoon, watch castles and fortresses pass you by in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in Düsseldorf this evening.

Leave Düsseldorf for Nijmegen, the Netherlands’ oldest city. Revel in 2000+ years of Roman history, medieval architecture, the tranquil River Waal, and the WW2 battlefields. Opt for the Nijmegen & Western Front Walking Tour that takes you to key historic sites like Operation Market Garden and the Waal Bridge, where American paratroopers landed in 1944. Tonight, move on to Amsterdam.

Today, Amsterdam is your playground! Stroll through the Rijksmuseum Gardens, or find a cosy coffee spot. Alternatively, opt for the optional experience with a Stroopwafel workshop and cheese tasting. You can also book the Amsterdam Signature Experience this afternoon, including a visit to the Heineken brewery and a canal cruise through the charming Jordaan neighbourhood.

Today, your Rhine River Cruise ends in Amsterdam. Disembark and set off on the next part of your adventure. Stop in Bremen for a city orientation and explore landmarks like the Marktplatz and the Roland statue. Then, arrive in Hamburg for a guided city tour where you can stand in the ruins of St Nikolai in Hamburg — the bombed-out spire still standing.

Leave Germany and embark on a Scandinavian crossing into Denmark. First, pause in Odense — birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen — then drive across the spectacular Great Belt Bridge to Copenhagen for a guided tour of one of Europe's most beautiful capitals. Tonight, the city is yours. Why not have dinner at the vibrant Torvehallerne market or Nyhavn waterfront?

Today, uncover Copenhagen at your own pace. See Osenborg Castle, visit the National Museum, or walk around the alternative community of Freetown Christiania. Alternatively, book the optional experience and step into Danish royalty with a guided tour of Amalienborg Palace, watch the Changing of the Guard in the grand palace square, and indulge in a premium Danish lunch in the heart of Copenhagen.

Leave Copenhagen for Helsingør, where you’ll board the ferry to Sweden. Explore Gothenburg on a short orientation walk, seeing highlights like the Poseidon Statue and Kingsgate Avenue. Then, continue to Oslo, a city of Viking and polar exploration history, and your home for the night. This evening, enjoy a hearty Norwegian dinner in this electric city.

Start off with a guided tour of Oslo, where you’ll see famous landmarks like the Tiger Statue and the Parliament building. Then, explore further at your own pace. Perhaps visit the MUNCH Museum or wander through Vigeland Sculpture Park. Alternatively, opt for the Bygdøy Museums & Nordic Heritage tour for a deeper dive into Norwegian culture with lunch included.

Today, you’ll leave Oslo for Örebro and have a look at the castle on the lake before continuing the journey to Stockholm. Here, discover the city on a guided tour and see charming Gamla Stan, Djurgården park, and City Hall. Tonight, enjoy a Swedish dinner in this truly Scandinavian city.

This morning gives you more time in Stockholm. Why not visit the Vasa Museum with its Viking relics, grab lunch in the Old Town, or see the Abba Museum? This afternoon, make your way to the ferry terminal for the overnight crossing into Helsinki. On the ferry, a Baltic-inspired ship, you can enjoy on-board entertainment, duty-free shopping and an included buffet dinner.

The included driving and walking guided tour gives you a great introduction to the city and includes attractions like the Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, and Market Square. This afternoon, opt for the Suomenlinna experience and see this island’s maritime heritage. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner in Helsinki tonight as you exchange memories with your tour mates.

After a last breakfast, say your farewells, exchange contact details with your new travel buddies and make your way home. Or, extend your tour by spending some more time in Helsinki. Perhaps browse Sibelius Park, or grab lunch for a last taste of local cuisine. We hope to see you on tour again soon!