Cruise with the Getaway Guru® - Hosted by Larry and Cathy Gelwix!
Join Getaway Guru®, Larry Gelwix, as we visit the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland as we cruise down the Rhine River summer of 2024.
What makes the Rhine so attractive? This is a castle country! Contoured by vineyard-clad hills, small villages that charm you, and big cities with castles and cathedrals from yesteryear, the legendary Rhine River captivates! Experience the allure of France’s Alsace region at Strasbourg and its priceless gem, Riquewihr, a preserved 16th-century village preserved medieval town that was the inspiration for Belle’s village in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”. Discover Breisach, rising above the vineyards of the Rhine, and Freiburg, one of Germany’s sunniest cities and gateway to the Black Forest. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavors and to touch history up close with your shore excursions, including guided hikes and bike rides, which are included in your cruise fare. From Amsterdam’s colorful canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, journey into the heart of the destinations you visit.
*Please note that while the physical activity on this tour (walking distances) is not significant, your days will be full touring walking 2-4 miles a day usually. Please be sure you notify us of any physical limitations you might have at booking.
To book this cruise contact your favorite Morris Columbus Travel Advisor or the Group Tour Manager listed below:
Sarah Wangsgard, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6473
Email Sarah
Tour ID #9224H01
OPTIONAL PRE-TOUR: July 29-August 1, 2024
OPTIONAL AMSTERDAM PRE-TOUR
July 29-30: Monday you will depart the USA to arrive in Amsterdam at your leisure. Our hotel located at the Amsterdam Airport will allow for free transfers based on your arrival. The balance of the day and night is yours to enjoy at will. You can rest from your travel or jump on the train to the city to begin your exploration of this capital city.
July 31: Today we will meet together after breakfast and enjoy a beautiful city tour starting with a Panoramic bus excursion with stops at the Molen Van Sloten Windmill and the Clara Mia Cheese Farm and Clog factory before arriving at the heart of Amsterdam city to enjoy a walking tour of the area. This afternoon you will enjoy free time to visit one of the many famous museums, take a bike tour, or shop for wonderful souvenirs.
August 1: Today enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out of your room and enjoying a morning tour of the Anne Frank House, (subject to ticket availability) before we transfer to our cruise ship to board and settle in for our exciting week ahead!
Amsterdam Pre Tour Pricing - $538 per person based on double occupancy.
Day 1: Thursday, August 1
Amsterdam - Embarkation
Arrive in Amsterdam to board the ship today for your Captivating Rhine cruise. Please consider arriving early to enjoy our Group Pre Tour as listed above.
Day 2: Friday, August 2
Amsterdam, Netherlands
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Saturday, August 3
Cologne, Germany
Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, plus see other local sights. For a different view, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen mit apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Sunday, August 4
Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Monday, August 5
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or join a guided bike tour along the shores of the river Neckar and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Tuesday, August 6
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Wednesday, August 7
Breisach, Germany
Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions.
*Please Note: Black Forest Hike is weather dependent and may only operate at certain times of year. Please refer to your final documents for details.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Thursday, August 8
Basel, Switzerland - Flights Home
After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home. Safe travels!
Meals : Breakfast
OPTIONAL POST-TOUR: August 8-10, 2024
OPTIONAL POST-TOUR OF SWITZERLAND
August 8: Today as we leave our lovely ship, we'll be met at Basel port and enjoy a half-day guided city tour around this historic city seeing the main sights such as The Old Town, The Spalentor, and the Basel Monster. From here we will travel to the jewel city, Lucerne. En route, we'll view the “Lion Monument” and have lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, we'll get acquainted with the city with a guided city walking tour, taking in sights such as the Old Town, and the famous Chapel Bridge. Afterward, we'll check into our hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
August 9: Today after breakfast we travel to see the largest waterfall in Europe, the Rhine Falls, and take a one-hour boat ride to enjoy this special area. From here we have a short transfer to the historic city of Schaffhausen and take in views of the Rhine from Munot Fortress where there will be free time for lunch and time to explore the village and Baroque buildings. This afternoon we will complete our day by traveling into the capital city of Zurich and pay a visit to the Lindt & Sprungli chocolate shop, including the entrance to the Lindt Chocolate Museum, and then on to a hotel near Zurich airport to prepare for our journey home.
August 10: Today we leave Switzerland and travel home, or onward - wherever your journey may take you.
Switzerland Post Tour - $899 per person based on double occupancy.
Highlights of the Tour:
- The Getaway Guru®, Larry Gelwix will be your personal cruise host for the whole trip along with expert local guides
- Licensed, insured, and bonded travel agency with 60+ years of experience!! Yes, IT MATTERS!
- Cruise on the beautiful AMA Siena River Ship
All This Is Included:
- 8-day cruise with river-view stateroom on the AMA Siena
- All meals on board and complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Deluxe/Air-Conditioned motor coach transportation for included tours
- Licensed Local guides at each port
- Experienced Tour host, Larry Gelwix
- Room steward & twice-daily housekeeping service
- Hotel-style bed with the optional twin-bed configuration; luxury linens & pillows
- 40" flat-screen LCD TV & complimentary movies on Demand
- Refrigerator, security safe, hair dryer
- 110/220-volt outlets & USB port
- Heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirrors
- Glass-enclosed shower
- Premium Freyja® toiletries, bathrobe & slippers (upon request)
Not Included:
- Government taxes and fees $210.00
- Airfare from your home city to Amsterdam and return from Basel, Switzerland. Rates are subject to availability 11 months prior to travel
- Any private sightseeing not included on the itinerary
- Cruise gratuities
- Items of a personal nature (e.g. phone calls, room service, internet, etc.)
- Travel insurance (plans start at $35)
Optional Pricing:
- Standard Cat E $2995.00 per person based on a double cabin SOLD OUT
- Standard Cat D $3165.00 per person based on a double cabin LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
- Standard Cat C $3747.00 per person based on a double cabin SOLD OUT
- Standard Cat BB $4193.00 per person based on a double cabin SOLD OUT
- Standard Cat BA $4335.00 per person based on a double cabin SOLD OUT
- Standard Cat AB $4507.00 per person based on a double cabin SOLD OUT
- Standard Cat AA $4645.00 per person based on a double cabin SOLD OUT
Pre- and Post-Tour Options: ALL PACKAGES SOLD OUT
- $538.00 per person/double occupancy - 2-night Amsterdam Pre Tour including hotel, transfers, and city tours - See details listed below
- $899.00 per person/double occupancy - 2-night Switzerland Post tour including touring in Basel, Luzurn, and Zurich, 2 nights hotel and transfers - See details listed below
Payment Terms:
- $500 per person deposit at the time of booking
- Final Payment due on 3 April 2024
- Terms & Conditions
Charter Cancellation Policy:
- All payments are non-refundable!!
- If the cancellation comes prior to final payment, if you resell your cabin to a friend and a name change is allowed, we will refund the deposit amount once paid in full
- Or, once the charter is fully booked, if we can resell your cabin for you a refund will be allowed of your deposit
Optional Amsterdam Pre Tour - $538 per person (based on double occupancy)
SOLD OUT
Monday - Tuesday, July 29-30 - Monday you will depart the USA to arrive in Amsterdam at your leisure. Our hotel located at the Amsterdam Airport will allow for free transfers based on your arrival. The balance of the day and night is yours to enjoy at will. You can rest from your travel or jump on the train to the city to begin your exploration of this capital city.
Wednesday, July 31 - Today we will meet together after breakfast and enjoy a beautiful city tour starting with a Panoramic bus excursion with stops at the Molen Van Sloten Windmill and the Clara Mia Cheese Farm and Clog factory before arriving at the heart of Amsterdam city to enjoy a walking tour of the area. This afternoon you will enjoy free time to visit one of the many famous museums, take a bike tour, or shop for wonderful souvenirs. (B)
Thursday, August 1 - Today enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out of your room and enjoying a morning tour of the Anne Frank House, (subject to ticket availability) before we transfer to our cruise ship to board and settle in for our exciting week ahead! (B)
Optional Switzerland Post Tour - $899 per person (based on double)
SOLD OUT
Thursday, August 8 - Today as we leave our lovely ship, we'll be met at Basel port and enjoy a half-day guided city tour around this historic city seeing the main sights such as The Old Town, The Spalentor, and the Basel Munster. From here we will travel to the jewel city, Lucerne. En route, we'll view the “Lion Monument” and have lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, we'll get acquainted with the city with a guided city walking tour, taking in sights such as the Old Town, and the famous Chapel Bridge. Afterward, we'll check into our hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L)
Friday, August 9 - Today after breakfast we travel to see the largest waterfall in Europe, the Rhine Falls, and take a one-hour boat ride to enjoy this special area. From here we have a short transfer to the historic city of Schaffhausen and take in views of the Rhine from Munot Fortress where there will be free time for lunch and time to explore the village and Baroque buildings. This afternoon we will complete our day by traveling into the capital city of Zurich and paying a visit to the Lindt & Sprungli chocolate shop, including the entrance to the Lindt Chocolate Museum, and then on to a hotel near Zurich airport to prepare for our journey home. (B)
Saturday, August 10 - Today we leave Switzerland and travel home, or onward - wherever your journey may take you! (B)
