Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam

Arrive in the vibrant Dutch capital and check in to your hotel before heading out for a memorable first evening. Get your first taste of river life with a canal cruise and dinner with your fellow travellers, Experience Director and Experience Manager.

Today is yours to experience Amsterdam as you like. Wander along scenic canals, explore world-class museums or soak up the local atmosphere in a cosy cafe. For something extra, join an Optional Experience and taste your way through the Jordaan district on a foodie tour or visit a traditional windmill in Volendam. On select seasonal departures you can opt to explore the colourful blooms of Keukenhof Gardens. 

Featured Excursions: Choice of Discover Foodie Amsterdam in Jordaan OR Visit a Windmill in Historic Volendam OR See the Tulips at Keukenhof Gardens

Uncover the story of Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation of WWII, aimed at securing key bridges in the Netherlands. Visit the Airborne Museum in Hartenstein and see the “Bridge Too Far,” where British paratroopers fought a heroic but ill-fated battle. This afternoon, board the Trafalgar Verity, your Rhine River Cruise ship. Settle in and explore the ship as you begin your journey along the legendary Rhine.

Featured Excursion: Visit the Airborne Museum

Your first night on the Lower Rhine takes you through the Rhine Plain and past North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's historic heart of industry. Dock in Cologne after a night cruising the Rhine and step ashore. With two included experiences to choose from, you can join a Local Specialist to explore the historic streets and see the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece over 600 years in the making. Or see a different side of the city on a Street Art tour, uncovering the alternative creative scene. In the afternoon, choose an Optional Experience and sample local brews on a Cologne Beer Experience, or visit the Michael Schumacher Private Collection, a must for motorsport fans.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Discover Cologne OR Tour the Street Art of Cologne OR Experience Kölsch Beer OR Visit Michael Schumacher's Private Collection

Sit back and take in the scenery on your Rhine River cruise, as you begin to cruise through the Middle Rhine, a region straight out of a fairy tale, famous for its hillside vineyards and storybook castles. You'll also sail past Deutsches Eck (German Corner), where the Moselle meets the Rhine, marked by the grand monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I. On land, join a Local Specialist in Koblenz before cruising to Boppard. Later, explore Rheinstein Castle, perched high above the river. You can explore further with an optional bike ride along the Rhine, passing charming villages and historic castles along the way.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Koblenz Orientation OR Explore Historic Rheinstein Castle OR Bike Along the Rhine to Spay

Your Rhine River cruise continues as you cruise through the Middle Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before arriving in Rüdesheim, a wine-making town known for its half-timbered houses. Take a mini-train tour to get acquainted with the area, then enjoy time to explore. You can choose to join an Optional Experience vineyard hike, winding through scenic trails with beautiful views alongside.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Ride Through Rüdesheim on a Mini-Train OR Hike Through Rüdesheim

This morning, step ashore in Speyer, a town with deep medieval roots. With two included experiences to choose from, you can join a Local Specialist for a walking tour along Maximilian Street, passing baroque townhouses and visiting a medieval church. Discover the 11th-century Jewish community, including its ritual baths and enjoy some local treats. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a private vinegar estate near Speyer, where you'll enjoy a tasting and learn all about its sustainable production. Why not join an Optional Experience to Heidelberg? You'll walk through its charming old town, cross the Old Bridge and visit the striking Heidelberg Castle.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Tour the Medieval Sights of Speyer OR Learn About Vinegar Production at Weinessiggut Doktorenhof OR Discover Romantic Heidelberg

Step ashore in Alsace, where French and German influences mix in this region rich with history. With a Local Specialist by your side, explore Strasbourg's old town, where you'll see its impressive cathedral and the charming Petite France district. In the afternoon, choose an Optional Experience into the Black Forest, known for its scenic landscapes, fairytale villages and traditional crafts.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Tour Strasbourg Old Town OR Experience Rural Life in the Black Forest

Cruise south of Strasbourg, along the Rhine River, marking the border between Germany and France. Drift through the Upper Rhine Plain, nestled between the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains, and take in the stunning scenery along the way. Step ashore and begin your day with a tour of Breisach, a historic town overlooking the Rhine, known for its colourful houses and centuries-old cathedral.

Then, join the Bohrer family at Bohrerhof for a Be My Guest experience with lunch on their family farm, where they grow seasonal produce using traditional methods. Enjoy a meal made with fresh ingredients straight from their fields, a true taste of their land and heritage. In the afternoon, you can take an optional visit to the Alsatian villages, filled with half-timbered houses and scenic vineyards.

Featured Excursions: Choice of See the Sights of Breisach OR Lunch with the Bohrer Family at Bohrerhof Farm OR Discover the Alsatian Villages of Kaysersberg and Eguisheim

Your scenic river cruise comes to an end as you disembark in Basel. Bid farewell with "fair winds and fond memories" to your Experience Director and Experience Manager, crew and fellow cruise companions, until you cruise again.