Respect in the Red Light District

The Red Light District—or, as it is referred to locally, De Wallen—has been the center of Amsterdam’s sex work industry for several hundred years. It’s famous for the neon lights, partygoers, and “coffeeshops” that proliferate in the area, as well as the windows where some of the sex workers stand to attract clients. Today, you’ll visit the Prostitution Information Center to discover the important work they’re doing to educate visitors on the lives of sex workers for a respectful take on the popular Red Light District tour. Meet one of their experts, a current De Wallen sex worker, for a fascinating talk on the history of the district and her story. After, she will give you pointers on places to explore in the area (guided walking tours past the windows are not allowed here), followed by a Q&A back at the center.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 4: Quality Education; and Global Goal 5: Gender Equality.

STRAAT Museum & Canal Cruise

In Amsterdam Noord, you’ll find the NDSM Wharf, a lively area known for its popular bars, restaurants, and artsy atmosphere. Street art proliferates here, where it is not only tolerated but a valued contributor to the culture. That makes the NDSM Wharf the perfect place for STRAAT, a unique Amsterdam museum dedicated to street art, built into a former NDSM wharf warehouse. Works by over 170 different street artists are displayed here, all created on site for a larger-than-life scale and ultra-immersive experience.

After your tour of STRAAT, partake in a classic Amsterdam experience: the canal cruise.

Amsterdam Canal Cruise

It’s called the “Venice of the North” for a reason: Canals crisscross the heart of the old city, and bridges link some 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 an entirely new one, 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 (some of them are now house museums you can visit on your own). 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 also gives you a look at the busy modern city.

Visit to the Portuguese Synagogue and Jewish Museum

Anyone who has read The Diary of Anne Frank knows what happened to Amsterdam’s Jews under the Nazis. But not everyone knows that the Jewish community began in the city when Sephardic Jews fled Spain and Portugal after 1492, a group of successful merchants and professionals who in turn sponsored Ashkenazi migrants fleeing Central Europe in the 17th century. Visit the Jewish Historical Museum, with its meticulous re-creation of the Great Synagogue, compelling exhibit called “Friday Night” and lively children’s area, and the nearby Portuguese Synagogue, before strolling through the former Jewish Quarter (Rembrandt lived in in this neighborhood, and he often asked his Jewish neighbors to pose for his Old Testament scenes; his house is now a museum and is one of the few original houses still standing in the area). Today’s Jewish community is largely centered in Amstelveen, where some 15,000 Jews live, work and worship in one of the largest and most vibrant communities in Europe.

Village Day: Harlingen

Harlingen is an attractive port town on the Wadden Sea—local legend has it that the only reason Harlingen isn’t under the Wadden Sea is because of the actions of a young boy, who plugged up the local dike with one finger and thereby saved the city from sinking. It is, of course, just a fun story, but a statue in his honor can be found near the docks nonetheless.

Today you’ll stroll through Harlingen’s canals and quaint alleyways with a local guide. Many of the buildings here have been around for three or four centuries, giving the town a historic feel. Keep an eye out for the gable stones on older buildings, small plaques with unique carvings used to help people find their way before numerical addresses were popularized.

You will have the opportunity to dive deep into the Frisian area with one of two different experiences:

1. Head to a horse farm where the characteristically large and agile black Friesian horse is raised. After learning about the farm’s work and Frisian culture, you’ll be treated to a horse show.

2. Take a short drive to the city of Franeker, where you’ll find the oldest working planetarium in the world hanging from the ceiling of a beautiful canal house. This accurately moving model of the solar system was built between 1774 and 1781 by the Frisian wool comber, Eise Eisinga, and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will also visit a historic mill, still active today as a grain mill.

Visit of Palace "Het Loo'"

Immerse yourself in the history of the Dutch Royal family today as you visit the palace known as “Het Loo.” Built at the behest of William of Orange in the 17th century, it was a summer residence for his family. Now, in the 21st century, the palace serves as a museum, so travelers and locals can marvel at the stunning decorations and gardens that were once reserved for Dutch royalty. The heritage of this building and the House of Orange-Nassau are excellently preserved, all of which you can learn about at your leisure as you admire the beautiful property.

Let's Go: Nijmegen Riverland Biking

This picture-perfect outing offers you the chance to pedal past everything from the oldest Dutch city and a tiny polder village to quaint tea gardens and the Bay of Bison. Apart from the many natural wonders you are sure to encounter, you’ll enjoy a glimpse into the technological advances in water management of the Nijmegen area. Cycle along the beautiful terrain of the Dutch countryside, starting next to the Waal Bridge, where U.S. forces famously got stuck for nine months amid World War II. You’ll bike past the Valkhof, a Roman fortress featuring ruins, a historic chapel, and a new art museum.

As you ride along the hills of Ubbergen and Beek, you’ll marvel at the many handsome homes and views of the polders below. Leave the Dutch “mountains” behind as you descend into the charming polders, with their verdant landscapes, farms, and some of the smallest towns and churches in the country.

Cologne Walking Tour with Old Town Visit

Meander through the narrow, cobbled lanes of Old Town, lined with traditional houses in every color and a plethora of restaurants and pubs. Along the way, you will be treated to a traditional Krapfen, a jam-filled donut that is popular in the area.

One of the city's 12 Romanesque churches provides a castle-like backdrop to this quaint, riverside quarter of Cologne. Your local expert will take you to the Domplatte, the square where you'll find the Cologne Cathedral. Should you wish, you can head inside this Gothic building on your own to see the Shrine of the Three Kings, which is believed to contain the relics of the Magi, and the beautiful stained-glass windows. Otherwise, try asking your guide for tips on what to explore. Whatever your interests, our local expert knows all the best spots in town!

NOTE: On Sundays and Catholic holidays, tours inside the cathedral are not allowed, but individual visits are still welcomed.

Cologne’s Jewish History

The history of the Jewish people in Cologne is nearly as long as the history of Cologne itself. The first documented mention of the Jewish community is a 321 AD edict allowing Jews to become members of the curia, a class of public office in the Roman Empire. The community fluctuated over the centuries, and eventually came to number around 19,500 people before Nazism and World War II. In the years since, the Jewish community of Cologne has slowly re-established itself, now numbering about 4,500 members. Because of its history, today’s synagogue calls itself “the oldest Jewish congregation north of the Alps.”

Meet our guides and head towards the site of the thriving medieval Jewish Quarter, where a museum dedicated to Jewish history is currently being constructed around the archeological site. Learn about some of the discoveries they’ve made from excavations here before moving on to the final portion of the tour, where you’ll meet a member of Cologne’s Jewish community at either a synagogue or at a memorial site known as Jawne. Formally the only Jewish grammar school in the Rhineland, Jawne is now a small, volunteer-run learning and center dedicated to the memory of a school head who saved many of his pupils from deportation and death.

Oberwesel with Riesling Tasting

What would a cruise on the Rhine be without a stop at one of the picturesque and historic wine villages that dot its banks? Oberwesel has a long history, perhaps getting its start even before the Romans as a Celtic settlement. A walk through town will show you remnants of the town's medieval history, particularly the old town walls—paid for by the city's flourishing wine trade. Following your tour, you'll have a chance to taste Oberwesel's excellent Rieslings.

Let’s Go: Rheinfels Castle & Tunnels

This excursion offers an active twist on the classic Rhineland castle tour, perfect for those looking for an invigorating hike and who are comfortable with some uneven terrain. Your guide will take you through the ruins of this 13th-century fortress, so extensively fortified that it withstood attacks from the nearly 30,000-strong French army force. For an extra dose of medieval mystique, we’ll make sure to head into the tunnels underneath the castle during our visit.

Wiesbaden Walking Tour

Wiesbaden, which translates to “Meadow Baths,” stands as one of Europe’s oldest spa towns thanks to its plentiful hot springs. This, coupled with its balmier climate, has also granted it the nickname of “The Nice of the North” and the reputation of a town of leisure. Walk the streets of Wiesbaden and discover this nuanced and architecturally rich city. One of the region’s most opulent opera houses, the neoclassical Kurhaus spa-house, an historic casino, and the Kochbrunnen hot-spring fountain can all be found in this fabulous city.

Idstein Discovery Tour

Journey to tucked-away Idstein, where colorful half-timbers and stone alleyways lend the town an irresistible charm. As you stroll around with your expert guide, pay close attention to the buildings lining the streets; some of them have interesting embellishments that add a distinctive flair to Idstein’s iteration of the classic German half-timber. Before returning to the ship, we’ll sample a local favorite treat, the Idsteiner Nuss, a sweet confection comprised of nougat, walnuts, and chocolate.

Let's Go: Bike the Rhine

Speyer Walking Tour with Local Treats

Start your tour with a walk down Maximilian Street. First laid-out by Roman soldiers, it is now Speyer’s most popular promenade, open only to pedestrian traffic and lined by neatly restored baroque houses. Follow this path to the medieval church, where you’ll discover the remnants of an 11th century Jewish community and its vaulted ritual baths. You’ll also see the former mint and Holy Trinity Church on your tour. And to fuel your walk around town, we’ll be treating you to a couple of delicious local snacks along the way.

Private Doktorenhof Vinegar Estate Visit and Tasting

For a different spin on the Palatinate wine region, visit the Weinessiggut Doktorenhof estate for a special vinegar tasting. Yes, you read that right—a vinegar tasting. Founded by Georg Wiedemann some 30 years ago, Doktorenhof produces vinegars from premium wines, rather than inexpensive ones. Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, Riesling and Pinot Noir are aged with a century-old vinegar “mother,” as the bacteria that makes vinegar is known, and flavored with a variety of herbs and fruits. Most importantly, Wiedemann and his family run their farm and vineyards with the utmost care, tending to them with natural materials only.

The results make complex and elegant aperitifs, intended to be sipped from a specially designed long-stemmed glass between courses or after a meal. The atmospheric tasting room (think candles, cloaks and choir music) is like no other you’ll ever experience. You’ll have plenty of time to explore their enticing gift shop, too.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Speyer and the ShUM

Speyer, Worms, Mainz, all UNESCO sites dedicated to the Jewish people of the Rhineland, are collectively known as the ShUM. Why? It’s a translation of the Hebrew acronym for all three cities: the Hebrew letter Shin (Sh) for Speyer, Waw (U) for Worms, and Mem (M) for Mainz. ShUM became the center of Jewish Ashkenazic Judaism in the middle ages. Visit markers of this legacy today on a walking tour through Speyer, including the medieval synagogue and mikveh.

Strasbourg Panoramic Tour with Cathedral and Old Town Walk

Controlled over the centuries by either France or Germany, Strasbourg—cross-cultural and bilingual—offers a delightful combination of old and new, as well as French and German characteristics. You'll see the city's highlights on a panoramic drive before disembarking the coach for a walking tour through the towns famously idyllic streets with your local guide.

Alsace’s Jewish Past

Meet a member of Alsace’s Jewish community for a morning of immersive cultural insights. As you walk around Strasbourg with your guide, they will introduce you to the city through the eyes of its modern Jewish community and share insights into the history of the broader region of Alsace. Amongst your stops for the day: a local Jewish school and a medieval mikveh that is likely the oldest surviving work of Jewish architecture in the region.

Please note: this excursion will not be available during Jewish holidays.

Nights Out: Feldschlösschen Brewery Visit and Beer Tasting

Discover the tradition of Swiss brewing with a private experience at one of the oldest factories in Europe. Visit Feldschlösschen Brewery, a stunning Swiss landmark with 145 years of history. Appreciate the building’s castle-like exteriors and original copper brewing barrels, sampling some of the country’s most popular brews along the way.

Please note: this excursion is available on the Amsterdam to Basel route of the itinerary only.

Basel Walking Tour with Local Treats

Basel is a moderately sized city with a population of just 170,000 and only a couple small skyscrapers to its name, but don’t let its size fool you—Basel is a thriving trade hub with a markedly international feel. It’s position at the borders of France and Germany makes it a popular place to work for commuters from three countries.

Start your local discovery with a unique ferry trip across the Rhine to Kleinbasel. The ferry works by natural current only. Take a scenic walk along the Rhine promenade for the best views of the Patrician houses and historic facades on the opposite Grossbasel side. Once we pass Mittlere Brücke and stop briefly for Basler Läckerli (a gingerbread cookie), we board the ferry again to cross over to Grossbasel.

We land at the famous Basel Münster and climb the stairs to the Münster terrace, where we’ll find a wonderful panoramic view of the city and its bridges, squeezed between the Black Forest and Jura Mountains.

Afterward, we’ll weave our way through cobbled streets and narrow alleys to see a variety of beloved local spots. Along the way, you’ll taste authentic regional treats.

Let's Go: Basel by Bike

Fasten your helmet, mount your bike and pedal with your guide along the Wiese River (a tributary of the Rhine) through the lovely riverside forests hugging the border between Switzerland and Germany. This light, easy bike ride is a very pleasant way to get a closer look at the natural landscapes you sail by.

Awareness Walking Tour

Discover Basel from an unexpected perspective today as you embark on a city tour led by a current or former member of the city’s unhoused population. Your guide will share insights into their everyday lives as they show you places most tourists miss. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll be privy to a uniquely immersive local experience, while also helping to support good work for some of Switzerland’s disenfranchised community.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 1: No Poverty.