Depart the U.S. today on your flight to Switzerland.

Arrive today in Basel. A Grand Circle representative will meet you at the airport and assist with your transfer to the pier, where you'll embark on your Rhine and Mosel River cruise. Those who arrive early in the day will have a light lunch onboard, and the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your overseas flight or do some exploring on your own.

In the early evening, you'll gather for an introductory briefing about your ship. Throughout your journey, you'll receive these evening briefings - called "Port Talks" - as you sail toward your next destination so you can make the best use of your free time when you arrive.

After that, get better acquainted with your Program Director and traveling companions over dinner.

After breakfast, attend an orientation briefing. Your Program Director will go over the details of your upcoming trip and answer any questions you may have. Then explore Basel, Switzerland's second-largest city - and one with a split personality. On the one hand, giant, modern chemical concerns and pharmaceutical companies dominate the city. On the other, a network of narrow alleys weaves together the city's medieval architectural heritage. You'll enjoy the excellent public transport system with a streetcar ride, followed by a walking tour. You'll see the lively Marktplatz, the colorful town hall, and the twelfth-century, red sandstone Munster (Cathedral) among other highlights. To make it more convenient to explore on your own, you'll receive a one-day streetcar ticket.

After lunch onboard, you'll have the afternoon to explore Basel further at your own pace. For the rest of the day, you can continue to use your public transportation day pass. You can ride the streetcars to the border with either France or Germany, and walk across into either of these countries for a truly international day.

With more than 30 museums, Basel is a well-known center of art and culture. Dating to 1662, the Museum of Fine Arts is considered the oldest public art museum in Europe. Inside, you can view old masters, such as Hans Holbein, and modern masters like Jasper Johns. The Historical Museum, which is housed in 14th-century church, contains a collection relating to the history of culture in Central Europe. Its most notable piece is the Lallenkonig (Babbling King), a crowned head with moveable tongue and eyes.

Later, you'll enjoy a discussion about Switzerland Today before being welcomed onboard and meeting your ship's crew at the Captain's Welcome Drink and Dinner.

This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour by boat along Strasbourg's canals. Strasbourg has been strategically important since ancient times. It became a free imperial city of the German Empire in 1262, and then was occupied by France in 1681 and Germany in 1871. France recovered the city in 1919 after World War I. From your boat, you'll see the major sights (including the Palais de L'Europe, where the European Parliament meets) and admire the city's remarkable Renaissance architecture.

Your boat tour concludes in the town center at the Palais Rohan, which you may choose to visit during your free time. Palais Rohan, often called "mini-Versailles," houses a gallery and three museums: an archaeological museum, a museum of the decorative arts, and a collection of European paintings. If you like, you may walk on your own from the Palais to visit the city's magnificent cathedral, one of the finest of Europe's great Gothic cathedrals. Its lofty single spire dominates the city. You then have free time to walk the lanes of the town's center on your own.

Perhaps you'll use your included complimentary public transportation pass to explore more of the city on your own. Later, perhaps you'll join us on an optional Alsatian Highlights tour through the famous wine region of Alsace, where the culture is a delightful blend of French and German influences. Travel through the fertile Elsass region to the wooded foothills of the Vosges Mountains and drive part of the "Route de Vin," past rolling vineyards and flower-decked villages.

You'll visit the Stork Park, where this lovely white bird is being re-populated into the local area. At one time, the bird was so plentiful in this region that it was considered the symbol of Alsace and was often mentioned in children's stories. In 1900, thousands of storks could be spotted in Alsace during the warmer spring and summer months, but by the 1980s their local population had been reduced to fewer than ten. Their numbers are again increasing, and the Stork Park offers a safe refuge for this long-legged bird. On your route, you might even spot some of their nests, high atop a local home or a church roof.

Then, enjoy an info stroll through the quaint town of Riquewihr to discover its main points of interest. You may wish to explore the town's medieval fortress, city gates, and towers. If shopping is your interest, you'll find that the shops on the main street are cozy and inviting year-round. If you arrive during the fall harvest, you might even spot local wine-growers delivering the grapes that produce the region's white wines. Perhaps you'll end the afternoon sampling that wine for yourself at a sidewalk cafe and tasting one of the area's other typical specialties, such as goose liver, macaroons, or almonds.

Join us tonight after dinner for entertainment in the ship's lounge.

Explore Strasbourg at your own pace this morning.

After lunch onboard, you'll visit the spa town of Baden-Baden, nestled in the thick, deep green forests. Baden-Baden has been renowned for its thermal baths since Roman times. You'll have a tour of the resort town and free time to explore on your own.

Before dinner, join your Program Director for an informative Port Talk as we cruise toward Speyer.

Today, enjoy a walking tour of Speyer, a town founded by the Romans in approximately AD 50 that flourished during the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, much of Speyer was destroyed in the 17th century during the Palantine War of Succession, and few remnants of its glorious past survive. One exception is the Romanesque Cathedral, which you'll explore during your tour. Built between 1030 and 1125, it set a new architectural standard for the time.

Join us this afternoon for a Discovery Series Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch with a local family. Sample coffee and fresh, homemade cake as you glimpse everyday German home life.

In the evening, gather for a Port Talk in the lounge and then enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.

Please note: It is not always possible to dock in Speyer, so sometimes we dock in Worms or Germersheim. If that happens, you will be transferred to Speyer by bus and all program features will take place as scheduled.

This morning, you'll be inspired as you sail the most beautiful part of the Rhine. Pass Lorelei, the imposing rock rising 440 feet above the river. Since ancient Greek mythology, there have been legends of sirens, women-creatures who lure sailors to their death with sweet songs. Ancient Germanic legend places one such siren (Lorelei) here, and it is said she enticed sailors to destruction on the reef below the rock.

You'll disembark and join your Program Director for a walking tour of Boppard - a lovely town that's been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its importance as a cultural and historic center for the middle Rhine region. During your stroll, perhaps you'll see its famous Rhine Promenade and the white towers of the Church of St. Severus.

After returning to the ship for lunch, join us on an optional excursion to one of the most beautiful castles standing on the hills that line the Rhine River, Marksburg Castle. The only 13th-century castle unchanged by war or reconstruction, it offers an unprecedented glimpse into the daily life of the time. Walking through the three towers and the connecting rooms, you will fully feel what it was like to live in a castle. You'll climb a stone staircase leading to the romantic bed chamber (the only room heated with a stove), see the great hall with its enormous fireplace (large enough to grill a steer whole), and take in a commanding vista from the east bank of the Rhine as you stand atop the towers. Then make a discovery of a different nature as you sample regional beer before returning to Boppard.

Or, stay on board and sail to Koblenz, set at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. Originally established as an outpost of the Roman Empire and named Castellum apud Confluentes, the town became a city in the 13th century and served as the home of French refugees during the French Revolution.

Enjoy a Port Talk and dinner onboard this evening.

Please note: The Optional Marksburg Castle tour features a considerable amount of walking uphill and on uneven surfaces; steep inclines; rocky terraces; narrow passages, no handrails; and dim lighting, at times.

Disembark this morning for a tour of Reichsburg Castle, believed to have been originally constructed some time in the eleventh century. The castle was was burned to the ground by King Louis XIV of France in 1689 during the War of the Palatine Succession. The castle remained derelict and in a state of detritus until 1868 when it was purchased by Louis Ravene, a Berlin entrepreneur who converted the castle into a summer home for himself and his family. In 1978, ownership of the castle fell into the hands of the city of Cochem, which has since opened it to the public.

Your minivan will take you on a scenic ascent from the river valley to the top of the rocky hill on which the castle sits. You'll explore the exterior and interior, and have free time in Cochem, before returning to your ship to sail toward your next destination.

This morning, join your Program Director for a stroll around Bernkastel, one of the prettiest towns in the Mosel Valley. Actually, Bernkastel is two towns; its sister town, Kues, sits on the opposite bank of the Mosel. You'll enjoy strolling through the town's market area.

Then, tour one of the area's most famous wineries to get a firsthand understanding of the art of winemaking - and a sample of their fine product, of course - during today's exclusive Discovery Series event.

Finally, spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the scenery as your Rhine and Mosel river cruise heads toward the small river town of Issel.

Disembark in Trier this morning for an included tour of this ancient Roman city. There were settlements here in the third millennium before Christ, and the Roman Emperor Augustus founded a thriving city here in 15 BC.

You'll visit the renowned Porta Nigra, an ancient Roman fortress gate, and the pedestrian-only Market Square, one of the most magnificent squares in all of Germany. Here you can admire the central fountain built in 1595. You can take some free time on your own here at the market, or view the massive basilica, built by Constantine in AD 310.

Set your own agenda this afternoon. You can use our shuttle service to revisit Trier and then set out to explore it on your own. You may want to visit the Frankenturm (Tower of Franko), built in the twelfth century. This "tower" is typical of the fortified stone houses built by wealthy merchants during the Romanesque period. Named for its 14th-century resident, Franko von Senheim, the tower contains the medieval family's living quarters.

Before dinner on board, join an informative discussion about the European Union.

Please note: It is not always possible to dock in Trier, so we sometimes dock in Riol or Schweich. If that happens, you will be transferred to Trier by bus and all program features will remain as scheduled.

Enjoy an informational walk in Zell - in the heart of one of the biggest wine-producing regions of Germany. Founded by the Romans in the first century, Zell is well-known for its vintages, which purportedly date to 2000 years ago. Today called Zeller Schwarze Katz, or Zell's Black Cat after the town's most famous feline, images of this frisky creature are ubiquitous here, and you're sure to spot them on street signs, in shop windows, and during a stroll by the center of town, where a basalt cat statue arches its tail in the same manner as the cat that's on the label of every bottle of wine produced here.

Or, join our full-day optional tour to Luxembourg, the tiny nation whose territory comprises less than 1,000 square miles. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy located between Belgium, France, and Germany. Here, the everyday language is Letzebuergesch, which symbolizes the national identity of the people.

Ride first by motorcoach to see the Battle of the Bulge Cemetery. Luxembourg was occupied by German forces in May 1940, and its liberation (primarily by American troops) began in September 1944. The Battle of the Bulge began with Hitler's desperate attack through the Ardennes to attempt to drive out the Allied forces. The resulting battle, called "the greatest American battle of the Second World War" by Winston Churchill, raged here from the 16th of December 1944 through the 28th of January 1945, during which period the American troops suffered tremendous losses.

In the city of Luxembourg, you'll see the market square, the Palais of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and the cathedral. In addition to your tour, you'll also enjoy lunch and some leisure time to explore on your own. Then you'll transfer to the Mosel Valley and reboard your ship in the late afternoon. Once you embark ship in the evening, you'll set sail for Bonn and have dinner onboard.

Gather for a walking tour of the city. Founded by the Romans, Bonn was the provisional capital of West Germany from the years following World War II until Germany's reunification in 1990. Today, Bonn is home to numerous museums and gardens, and a large student population who live near the University of Bonn's campus. Reboard your ship in time for lunch. The rest of your afternoon is at leisure to explore Bonn on your own.

Or, you can join an optional excursion to Augustusburg Palace, located in Bruhl, a small town on the edge of the Naturpark Kottenforst-Ville Nature Reserve. You'll enjoy a guided tour of Schloss Augustusburg, a horseshoe-shaped palace widely considered to be a masterpiece of Rococo architecture. Built in the 18th century for Clemens August of Wittelsbach, the powerful Archbishop of Cologne, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was used by the German government until 1994 to receive special guests of state.

Please note: Schloss Augustusburg is closed on Mondays. Travelers visiting on Mondays will instead have the option to explore the Remagen Palace Museum.

Following breakfast onboard, you'll join your Program Director for an included tour of Nijmegen, the Netherlands' oldest city. During this tour, you'll see the intertwining of past and present - evident in the city's combination of historic streetscapes and modern architecture. Located along the Dutch River Waal, Nijmegen is surrounded by a diverse natural setting of riverbank landscapes, woods, hills, moors, and bodies of water.

For the balance of the morning, you'll have free time to spend as you please. Perhaps you'll shop at Nijmegen's historic Grote Markt, or visit its Museum Het Valkhof - where ancient Roman finds and remains intermingle with contemporary artwork. After lunch onboard, you can relax or continue sightseeing at your own pace.

Or, you can join an optional tour to nearby Groesbeek for a visit to the Liberation Museum (Bevijdingsmuseum). Situated in the area where, in September 1944 the Allies launched "Operation Market Garden" in an attempt to cross the River Rhine into Germany. The museum vividly re-creates the occupation and liberation of wartime Holland through interactive displays.

Later, attend a briefing to prepare you for disembarkation a couple of days from now. You'll also receive a briefing on Bruges, Belgium, if you have chosen to extend your trip with our optional post-trip extension.

This morning, you'll visit Kinderdijk to see the 19 famous windmills that were built along the river there in approximately 1740. Holland, of course, is known for its windmills, and nowhere will you find more than near this little village. These sturdy windmills have been well-preserved, and in 1997 they were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You have time to stroll around the site and take pictures of these signature attractions of Holland, which are supported by Grand Circle Foundation, before you board ship and set sail for Willemstad.

Your afternoon is at leisure, or, if you choose this optional tour, you'll ride by motorcoach to see the Delta Works, a restoration project known worldwide for its hydro-engineering, begun after flooding had devastated Holland. Originally, the province was a collection of islands - easy prey to the sea. Now the islands are connected and protected by a series of dams, dikes, and bridges. The destructive tides that flooded the islands in 1953 and claimed the lives of 1,800 people are still remembered by the inhabitants of Zeeland. Since then, Dutch technology and the gigantic Delta Works have prevented a recurrence. This tour shows you several of the ingenious technical achievements designed over the past 35 years, and gives you an impressive idea of how the Dutch have claimed, reclaimed, and protected their homeland from the threat of the sea.

Set off on a walking tour of this great city. You'll explore Antwerp's well-preserved Old Town, built around the Grote Markt (Town Square), and graced by the lovely old Town Hall and beautiful guild houses. Or, marvel at the elegant spires of the Cathedral of Our Lady, or stroll along the Meir, Antwerp's main shopping street, lined with historic buildings.

Your afternoon is free to further discover the city on your own. You may want to visit the house of the great painter, Peter Paul Rubens. He purchased a 16th-century house off the Meir when he returned from Italy in 1608 and transformed it into one of the most elegant Renaissance-Baroque houses in the Low Countries. Today it is a museum housing many of Rubens' finest works, as well as works by some of his contemporaries. Or you could visit the Steen, the small stone castle that stands at the entrance to the city. Begun as part of a 13th-century fortification, the castle has served as a prison and today houses the National Navigation Museum. Or explore the Jewish District, which has contributed to Antwerp's rich heritage since before the 13th century.

Gather this evening for the Captain's Farewell Drink and Dinner to toast a memorable River Cruise with your fellow travelers.

Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.