Heritage Stories · Cruise Journeys · Europe
From Swiss Valleys to the Rhine
Following the River that Shaped the Heart of Europe
Overview
Itinerary
Pricing
Expert
OVERVIEW
From Swiss Valleys to the Rhine
Following the River that Shaped the Heart of Europe
September 14 – 25, 2027
From $7,689 USD | $10,610 CAD
Rivers have long shaped Europe’s story, carrying people, cultures, and traditions through valleys, cities, and generations. Your journey begins in Switzerland’s quiet Emmental countryside, where rolling hills hold deep ancestral roots for many families in the group. The Swiss land experience is thoughtfully shaped around these heritage connections, with opportunities to encounter ancestral villages, family regions, homesteads, and communities tied to generations past.
From there, you follow the water north to Basel and board a Rhine cruise through France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Along the way, vineyard-covered hillsides, castle-lined banks, and historic cities such as Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Cologne, and Amsterdam reveal how rivers, migration, landscapes, and human stories shaped Europe’s cultural heart.
To Be Confirmed
Tour Expert
12 Days
Duration
France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland
Countries Visited
Moderately Active
Activity Level
Trip Highlights
Family Roots in the Swiss Countryside - Explore ancestral villages, family regions, and homesteads connected to generations of Swiss family history and migration.
The Emmental & Bernese Oberland - Experience Switzerland’s rolling valleys, alpine scenery, and rural communities where stories of faith, resilience, and belonging took shape.
Rhine River Journey - Cruise through France, Germany, and the Netherlands aboard AmaFiora without changing hotels.
Castles & Landscapes of the Rhine Gorge - Sail through one of Europe’s most dramatic river landscapes, lined with vineyards, medieval towns, and hilltop castles.
Historic Cities Along Europe’s Waterways - Discover Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Cologne, Utrecht, and Amsterdam—cities shaped by rivers, movement, culture, and centuries of European history.
DAY 1 • September 14, 2027
Arrival in Uzbekistan
Arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital and historic gateway to the Silk Road. After time to settle into the hotel, gather in the evening for a welcome dinner and introduction to the journey ahead. Over the coming days we will follow ancient caravan routes across Central Asia while exploring the cultures, faith traditions, and remarkable stories that shaped this region.
Overnight: Tashkent
DAY 2 • September 15, 2027
A Capital of Contrasts and the Opening of the Silk Road Story
Discover the contrasts of Tashkent, where broad modern boulevards stand alongside historic religious sites and bustling markets. Visit the Hazrati Imam complex, home to one of the world’s oldest Qur’ans, and explore lively bazaars where traders continue traditions that date back centuries. Throughout the day we begin tracing the broader story of the Silk Road and its role in connecting cultures, ideas, and faith traditions across Asia.
Overnight: Tashkent
DAY 3 • September 16, 2027
Journey to Samarkand, Crossroads of Empires
Travel through Uzbekistan’s fertile valleys to Samarkand, one of the great crossroads of the Silk Road. Known as the “Pearl of the East,” the city flourished under Timur as a center of science, culture, and architecture. Upon arrival, begin exploring its legendary squares, domes, and stories of empire.
Overnight: Samarkand
DAY 4 • September 17, 2027
The Grandeur of Samarkand and the Legacy of Knowledge
Spend the day discovering Samarkand’s architectural and intellectual legacy. Explore Registan Square, framed by magnificent madrassas adorned with intricate tilework, and visit the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum. Learn about Ulugbek’s remarkable contributions to astronomy, revealing a city where scientific discovery and artistic brilliance flourished together.
Overnight: Samarkand
DAY 5 • September 18, 2027
A Story of Hospitality and Faith in Zirabulak
Journey west through landscapes once crossed by Silk Road caravans to Zirabulak, where Mennonite travelers were welcomed by local Muslim families in the 1880s. Share a traditional meal with descendants of those hosts and visit the Kyk-Ota Mosque, a powerful symbol of hospitality, coexistence, and shared sacred space. Continue onward to Bukhara.
Overnight: Bukhara
DAY 6 • September 19, 2027
Bukhara, Heart of the Silk Road
Explore the historic heart of Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has preserved the character of a Silk Road trading city. Wander through the ancient trading domes where merchants once sold silk, spices, carpets, and precious goods. Visit the towering Kalon Minaret and the great mosque that has anchored the city’s religious life for centuries. The maze of narrow streets and courtyards reveals a city that once stood at the center of commerce, scholarship, and faith across the Islamic world.
Overnight: Bukhara
DAY 7 • September 20, 2027
Centers of Learning and Spiritual Life
Continue exploring Bukhara’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Visit the Ark Fortress, former seat of the city’s rulers, and learn about the Sufi traditions that shaped religious life across Central Asia. Later, enjoy time wandering old city plazas where artisans and teahouses continue traditions passed down through generations.
Overnight: Bukhara
DAY 8 • September 21, 2027
Crossing the Desert Caravan Routes
Depart Bukhara and journey across the vast Kyzylkum Desert, following routes once traveled by camel caravans transporting silk, spices, and precious goods between distant trading cities. The landscapes evoke the long and demanding journeys undertaken by merchants, pilgrims, and migrants who crossed Central Asia for centuries. By late afternoon arrive in Khiva, one of the most beautifully preserved Silk Road cities in the region.
Overnight: Khiva
DAY 9 • September 22, 2027
Khiva, A Living Silk Road City
Step inside the walled city of Itchan Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels like a living museum of Silk Road architecture. Within its ancient walls rise turquoise domes, madrassas, mosques, and slender minarets that once guided travelers toward the oasis city.
Khiva is also remembered as the homeland of the brilliant scholar Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, whose writings helped introduce algebra to the world and profoundly influenced the development of mathematics and science.
Overnight: Khiva
DAY 10 • September 23, 2027
Ak Metchet and a Legacy of Migration
Travel to Ak Metchet, site of a former Mennonite settlement where families built lives alongside Muslim neighbors for more than fifty years. Learn about their peaceful coexistence before the community’s deportation in 1935. Returning to Khiva, visit the Mennonite Museum and Nurullabai Palace, where Mennonite craftsmen once left their mark.
Overnight: Khiva
DAY 11 • September 24, 2027
Return to Tashkent and Journey Reflections
Transfer to Urgench and return to Tashkent. As the journey draws to a close, we gather in the evening for a farewell dinner, reflecting on the landscapes, encounters, and stories experienced along the Silk Road.
Overnight: Tashkent
DAY 12 • September 25, 2027
Departure from Tashkent
Transfer to the airport for flights home, departing Uzbekistan with deeper insight into the cultures, histories, and connections that shaped the Silk Road across centuries.
Pricing
Stateroom Categories
Total tour fare based on shared and single occupancy.
Early Bird Rate: Save 10% off your Tour Fare until September 14, 2026 (per person)
-
Shared Occupancy (per person):
$7,689 USD | $10,610 CAD
Single Occupancy (per person):
$9,991 USD | $13,788 CAD
Features:
Available on the Piano Deck
Fixed Window
160 sq. ft.
-
Shared Occupancy (per person):
$9,238 USD | $12,748 CAD
Single Occupancy (per person):
$13,602 USD | $18,771 CAD
Features:
Available on the Violin or Cello Deck
French Balcony
170 sq. ft.
-
Shared Occupancy (per person):
$9,838 USD | $13,576 CAD
Single Occupancy (per person):
$14,502 USD | $20,013 CAD
Features:
Available on the Cello Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
210 sq. ft.
-
Shared Occupancy (per person):
$10,238 USD | $14,128 CAD
Single Occupancy (per person):
$15,102 USD | $20,841 CAD
Features:
Available on the Cello Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
235 sq. ft.
What’s Included
PRE-CRUISE LAND TOUR IN SWITZERLAND4 nights in thoughtfully curated properties chosen for their comfort, quality, regional character, and sense of place
Daily breakfasts and dinners, including a thoughtfully-selected group lunch
Heritage and cultural experiences guided by TourMagination experts and knowledgeable local guides
All excursions, sightseeing, and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary (including gratuities)
Gratuities for included meals, guides, and driver services
Comfortable, private motorcoach and local transportation throughout
LUXURY RIVER CRUISE ON THE RHINE RIVER 7 nights aboard the AmaFiora in your selected stateroom
All onboard gourmet meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Regionally inspired, award-winning dining prepared with locally-sourced ingredients
The Chef’s Table specialty dining experience
Complimentary wine, beer, and cocktails with lunch and dinner
Personalized service from a dedicated Cruise Manager and professional crew
Guided shore excursions and wellness activities in every destination with knowledgeable local guides
What’s Not Included
International airfare and associated taxes or fees
Airport Transfers
Port charge of $280 USD (per person)
Select meals and beverages during the pre-cruise land portion (water is included)
Visas, entry permits, and any required digital travel authorizations (if required)
Optional excursions, activities, transportation, and personal purchases
Gratuities for hotel staff, cruise crew, porters and personal services not explicitly included
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Questions?
Reach out to our team at office@tourmagination.com
or by phone at (877) 668-2732.