Castles along The Rhine

Day 1: Amsterdam
Once you’ve cleared customs, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel. There you will check in, drop off your bags and, if you wish, go out and explore the city on your own. Your Uniworld local host can offer suggestions for your leisure time. The best-known city in Holland boasts an amazing panorama of history, art, culture, architecture, food and drink, canals, cobblestone streets, museums, and bicycles.

Day 2: Amsterdam
FEATURED EXCURSION: The Famous Rijksmuseum & Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Start your morning with a tour of the Rijksmuseum. You’ll walk to the famous museum, where an expert guide will help you navigate the largest and most renowned collection of Dutch and Flemish art and artifacts in the world, now arranged to reveal the history of Dutch art. After your guided tour, you’ll have some time to explore the museum on your own.

Additionally, your tour manager will provide a canal cruise ticket for you to use at your own leisure. Amsterdam is called the Venice of the North for a reason: canals crisscross the heart of the old city, and bridges link approximately 90 islands. As the principal city in a newly independent Holland, Amsterdam was a boom town in the early 17th century, rapidly outgrowing its medieval walls. The city’s fathers responded by demolishing most of the old city and building anew, creating Europe’s first planned city. That “new” district is now 400 years old, and as you glide along the main canals, you’ll pass stately merchants’ houses-built centuries ago. But the canals are not merely scenic; they are essential thoroughfares—people take water buses to work and live in houseboats along the banks—so a canal cruise gives you a look at the busy modern city too.

Day 3: Amsterdam
You’ll have some free time today before your river cruise adventure begins. Amsterdam is full of amazing museums, lively street life and intriguing shops, all of which you can easily explore on your own. Your local host can offer suggestions. In the afternoon, you’ll board the motorcoach and transfer to the ship to begin your all-inclusive river cruise.

MASTERPIECE COLLECTION EXCURSION*: Hidden Amsterdam
Embark on an exploration of Amsterdam’s icons, starting with a look behind the scenes at something most visitors only admire from the outside: one of the city’s most beautiful canal houses. You’ll see many of them as you walk around town, but Museum Van Loon stands apart from the rest. Built in the 17th century, this private-residence-turned-museum is an immaculately preserved homage to Dutch Golden Age style.

Next, stop for a cup of coffee and a slice of the country’s famous apple pie before heading to a colorful flower market or a hidden courtyard known as the Begijnhof, the historic home of a collective of unmarried religious women.

*Masterpiece Collection are optional experiences that go above and beyond our daily selection of included excursions and can be booked for an additional fee. Masterpiece Collection excursions may not operate if they occur on a holiday or if they require a minimum number of participants and that minimum is not met.

Day 1: Amsterdam
FEATURED EXCURSION: The Famous Rijksmuseum & Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Start your morning with a tour of the Rijksmuseum. You’ll walk to the famous museum, where an expert guide will help you navigate the largest and most renowned collection of Dutch and Flemish art and artifacts in the world, now arranged to reveal the history of Dutch art. After your guided tour, you’ll have some time to explore the museum on your own.

Additionally, your tour manager will provide a canal cruise ticket for you to use at your own leisure. Amsterdam is called the Venice of the North for a reason: canals crisscross the heart of the old city, and bridges link approximately 90 islands. As the principal city in a newly independent Holland, Amsterdam was a boom town in the early 17th century, rapidly outgrowing its medieval walls. The city’s fathers responded by demolishing most of the old city and building anew, creating Europe’s first planned city. That “new” district is now 400 years old, and as you glide along the main canals, you’ll pass stately merchants’ houses-built centuries ago. But the canals are not merely scenic; they are essential thoroughfares—people take water buses to work and live in houseboats along the banks—so a canal cruise gives you a look at the busy modern city too.

Day 2: Amsterdam
How do you choose among Amsterdam’s sights and delights? You could ramble through the Jordaan district, not far from the Anne Frank house. It has always attracted artists—Rembrandt himself is buried at the West Church here. Today you’ll find charming and unique little shops, just like in the nearby Nine Streets neighborhood. Enjoy the street performers on Leidseplein Square or check out the huge and lively Albert Cuyp Market, home to a vast array of international foodstuffs. Visit the unique former Jewish Quarter where the Portuguese synagogue seems virtually untouched since the 17th century. Next door is the former Ashkenazi synagogue complex. Nowadays, it hosts the biggest Jewish Historical Museum outside Israel. Call upon your guide’s deep local knowledge for recommendations; they will be happy to suggest sights and destinations that will delight you.

MASTERPIECE COLLECTION EXCURSION*: Hidden Amsterdam
Embark on an exploration of Amsterdam’s icons, starting with a look behind the scenes at something most visitors only admire from the outside: one of the city’s most beautiful canal houses. You’ll see many of them as you walk around town, but Museum Van Loon stands apart from the rest. Built in the 17th century, this private-residence-turned-museum is an immaculately preserved homage to Dutch Golden Age style.

Next, stop for a cup of coffee and a slice of the country’s famous apple pie before heading to a colorful flower market or a hidden courtyard known as the Begijnhof, the historic home of a collective of unmarried religious women.

Day 3: Amsterdam
You have sampled culinary delights and experienced the best that Amsterdam has to offer. Now it’s time to check out of the hotel and be transferred to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for your trip home. Your Uniworld adventure may be over, but we know you’ll enjoy the memories you’ve made for years to come.

*Masterpiece Collection are optional experiences that go above and beyond our daily selection of included excursions and can be booked for an additional fee. Masterpiece Collection excursions may not operate if they occur on a holiday or if they require a minimum number of participants and that minimum is not met.