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From Switzerland to the Netherlands, this spectacular cruise reveals the majestic allure of the Rhine River, in all of its fairytale glory. We uncover beautiful valley gorges, splendid half-timbered towns and all the remarkable cities along the banks of this grand old river. This tour is operated by our sister company Great Rail Journeys.
Fly from your choice of airport to Basel where you'll be met by a Great Rail Journeys representative who will escort you to the ship. This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before a delicious Swiss themed first meal.
Our vessel sails into the German town of Kehl on Day 2. Sat across the Rhine from Kehl is the beautiful city of Strasbourg. You have two choices here. Your first option is a city tour of Strasbourg, uncovering its charm and history. Your second alternative sees you travel along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße into the famous Black Forest of Germany, passing through fairytale panoramas with free time in the spa town of Baden-Baden.
We arrive into Speyer this morning, where you have free time to explore. This town is home to one of the largest privately owned collections of vehicles in the world, the Technik Museum Speyer. Later in the afternoon, we have an excursion to the delightful town of Heidelberg where we are treated to a guided tour.
On Day 4 we sail into the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its formidable wine production, especially of the dry Riesling variety. Perhaps walk along the river during your free time here this morning, before our ship departs for Koblenz. This afternoon includes one of the highlights of the tour as we pass through the glorious Rhine Gorge, one of the most beautiful sections of the river and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sheer banks rise up, towering over the river below, covered in deep forests and miles of green vineyards, lending an almost ethereal feel to the waterway. We enjoy commentary from our knowledgeable Cruise Director during this passage.
Our lunch today sees us tuck into a wonderful themed buffet with several dishes from this part of the world making up the delicious offerings. Weather permitting, we'll enjoy our lunch on the sun deck as we take in the majesty of the glorious Rhine Gorge. We sail this evening into the enchanting city of Koblenz.
We depart from Koblenz this morning and discover the marvellous Upper Rhine, a stretch of river characterised by lush green meadows and postcard villages. In the afternoon, we dock in Koenigswinter, where we embark on a journey on the Drachensfelbahn railway. This rack railway rises into the mountains and high into the forests for wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. In the evening, we indulge with a traditional gourmet dinner which features Spargelzeit, a kind of white asparagus famous in this area. (Please note, Spargelzeit depends on seasonal availability).
Arriving in Cologne on Day 6, we venture forth into this vibrant German city on a walking tour. We see the resplendent cathedral, a centuries-old building which survived 14 aerial hits during bombing carried out in World War Two. Tonight we enjoy a gala dinner with the captain.
We arrive into Amsterdam where we have a choice of two excursions, the first of which is a city tour of Amsterdam. From idyllic canals and large parks to contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, this is a city that boasts something for everyone. The second option is an excursion to Hoorn where we board the splendid Medemblik Steam Train and enjoy a nostalgic trip through splendid scenery.
On Day 8, we disembark the ship and here your cruise concludes. Here, you are escorted to the airport for your flight back home.
Not Included
Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.
Reveal the allure of the Rhine River in all of its fairytale glory
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