12 Days
Airfare Included

Rhine River Cruise - Basel to Amsterdam - WISC TV

Tour Style:

Cruises

Activity Level:

Very Active

Highest Elevation:

1,427 feet in Lucerne

26 Meals:

10 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 9 Dinners

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Explore one of the most spellbinding river systems in Europe with a cruise down the Rhine River in the luxurious Amadeus Star ship and all meals included onboard. Begin in Lucerne, Switzerland with a tour of the medieval city, take a cog railway ride to the top of Mount Rigi, and have a delightful ferry ride across the sparkling blue waters of Lake Lucerne. We then begin our opulent seven-night cruise with many ports of call throughout France, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as sightseeing along the Middle Rhine and Moselle River. Enjoy a group tour to view the best attractions in each city and a variety of included excursions, from canal cruises to wine, beer, and cheese tastings! Disembark in Amsterdam to visit the Zaanse Schans open-air museum and Holland’s largest art museum, the Rijksmuseum, before concluding our spectacular getaway with a celebratory Farewell Dinner.

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Day 1: Overnight Flight to Europe
Our journey begins with an overnight flight to Switzerland.
Day 2: Mount Rigi
We land in Zurich this morning and motorcoach to Lucerne, a city known for its medieval architecture and mountain landscapes. Next, a relaxing ferry ride takes us across beautiful blue Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, where we embark on a special cogwheel train journey up Mount Rigi. Upon reaching the highest point, Rigi Kulm, we have time to relax and soak up the breathtaking panoramic views of Swiss Mittlelland. We then descend by cable car and return to Lucerne where we check into this evening’s accommodations. Later, enjoy getting to know your fellow travelers over a delicious Welcome Dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 3: Lucerne
After breakfast, we begin our day with a walking tour of Lucerne to explore some of the city’s most iconic sights including Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden foot bridge decorated with interior paintings that spans the river Reuss. Next, experience a Swiss folklore lunch at Stadtkeller, a wonderful treat of hearty fare and traditional Swiss music including cow bells, flag throwing, and yodeling by locals dressed in customary outfits. We then travel by motorcoach to Basel and board the luxurious Amadeus Queen. Enjoy a panoramic window, drop-down window, or balcony for beautiful views from the comfort of your stateroom and all meals included onboard. Once settled, we gather for a reception and dinner together.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Strasbourg
Our first port of call is Strasbourg, located on the French border with Germany and home to the European Parliament. We begin with a comfortable motorcoach tour through the city to view incredible architecture, then travel into the historic part of town, where we visit famous Strasbourg Cathedral and the Grand Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour continues with a delightful canal cruise on the river with sights of old half-timbered houses and a former mill in “Petite France.” We also see the Palais de Rohan, Council of Europe, and Ponts Couverts- a set of three bridges and four towers from the 13th century. Later, relax on the sun deck or treat yourself to a massage as we sail to Germany.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Speyer & Heidelberg
We start our day docking in the beautiful town of Speyer. Enjoy sights on a walking tour, the most noteworthy being the Speyer Cathedral, which dominates this city’s setting with its grand structure and beauty. Afterwards, indulge in lunch aboard the ship on our way to Mannheim. We then take a short drive to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest and most famous university town. It’s known for its Baroque narrow streets, picturesque red roof tiled houses, and beautiful 18th-century bridges. Our time here includes an enchanting tour of Heidelberg Castle from the early 1200s, Germany’s most popular castle ruin.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Middle Rhine
This morning’s port is Rudesheim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the heart of Reingau wine region, especially known for its Rieslings. We take an incredible tram ride on the Winzerexpress through the scenic Rhine Valley vineyards to a local winery and indulge in various regional flavors. Afterwards, there’s time for us to stroll down the area’s famous and charming alley, Drosselgasse. This narrow cobblestone walkway has fabulous wineries, markets, and historic buildings. Next, head to the top deck for spectacular views of castles and steep hillsides as our vessel cruises the scenic Middle Rhine through the Rhine Gorge. Later in the day we arrive at Koblenz, one of the oldest and most diverse cities in Germany, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. The architecture of churches, castles, and palaces tell of times gone by as we explore the area. Our sightseeing continues with a cable car ride above the Rhine to the magnificent Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Dating back to 1000 AD, it is one of Europe’s largest preserved fortresses and now houses the Koblenz State Museum with expansive, interesting exhibits.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Moselle River & Cochem
Today we depart Koblenz and take the scenic route along the Moselle River, cruising through one of Germany’s most beautiful river valleys. Gaze upon vineyards, castles, and ruins covering the rolling hillsides, with quaint villages and towns near the riverbanks. Our ship docks in the charming town of Cochem, known for its traditional half-timbered houses, Middle Age history, and wine culture dating back over a thousand years. Here, we visit impressive Reichsburg Castle, a medieval castle famously rebuilt in a fairytale style that sits perched on a rugged rock above the town. Admire its Renaissance and Baroque interior, then look down onto the spectacular vistas of the Moselle Valley below.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Cologne
Our port of call today is 2,000-year-old Cologne. This cultural hub is a landmark of High Gothic architecture, starting with the extraordinary twin-spired cathedral. The city was rebuilt after the World War II bombing and has since become an affluent area boasting numerous museums and art galleries, including many masterpieces by Picasso. While here, enjoy a tasting of Cologne’s famous beer, called Kölsch. This evening, a fantastic dinner awaits us at the Captain’s Gala.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Amsterdam, Volendam & Edam
This morning we embark on an incredible guided tour of Amsterdam, featuring a delightful canal cruise for unique views from the city’s iconic waterway. Later, we board our motorcoach for an afternoon excursion to the charming fishing villages of Volendam and Edam. Volendam is known for its vibrant harbor, distinctive music, and time-honored traditions including authentic costumes that can still be seen in old town today. A short drive out to the countryside brings us to a local cheese farm, where we learn the fascinating process of how Dutch cheese is made and sample some ourselves. Before we journey back to our ship, we also visit Edam, known for its cheese and Carillon tower. Stroll down its narrow cobblestone streets to appreciate the beautiful historic buildings and visit the cheese weighing house.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Rijksmuseum & Haarlem
We disembark in Amsterdam for a morning packed with fine arts on a guided tour of the country’s largest museum, Rijksmuseum. Immerse yourself in 800 years of Dutch history as you stroll the halls decorated with 16th and 17th-century art including works by Vermeer, Frans Hals, and Rembrandt. We then enjoy a walking tour in Haarlem with views of St. Bavo Church and the Corrie ten Boom Museum, a hiding place for Jews during World War II. Our accommodations for the next two evenings are at a wonderful hotel in Haarlem.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 11: Zaanse Schans
After breakfast at the hotel, we step back in time at Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum that brings Dutch heritage to life. Admire the traditional buildings and restored windmills in this recreated 18th-19th century village. Visit the museum, learn about regional costumes, explore exhibits on chocolate making, and watch artisans make cheese, clogs, and other crafts. Tonight, we gather to celebrate our travels with a Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Fly Home
Meals Included: Breakfast

All Accommodations

1 night in the Lucerne area
7 nights aboard the Amadeus Queen
2 nights in the Amsterdam area

Attractions & Highlights

Mt. Rigi cog railway
Lucerne walking tour
Strasbourg, France; Speyer, Germany; Mannheim, Germany; Rudesheim, Germany; Koblenz, Germany; Cochem, Germany; Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Strasbourg city tour with canal cruise
Heidelberg walking tour with castle visit
Speyer walking tour
Koblenz walking tour feat. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress by cable car
Rudesheim wine tasting & vineyards
The Middle Rhine
Moselle River scenic cruise
Cochem walking tour feat. Reichsburg Castle
Cologne walking tour with Kölsch tasting
Amsterdam city tour with canal cruise
Excursion to Volendam and Edam with cheese tasting
Rijksmuseum
Haarlem walking tour
Zaanse Schans