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Rhine River Cruise - Basel to Amsterdam
The Middle Rhine
Rudesheim & Winzerexpress
Rijksmuseum
Volendam & Edam with Cheese Tasting
Local Culture & Food
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.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Amsterdam
Explore the Netherlands’ charismatic capital city, nicknamed “Venice of the North.” Marvel at how the city is shaped by water with 165 canals that make up the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Canal Ring and experience it for yourself on an enchanting canal cruise. Take in its rich history during our guided tour, featuring sights of Dam Square, and the Royal Palace. We also visit the iconic Rijksmuseum, boasting nearly a millennium of Dutch art with a magnificent collection of 16th and 17th-century masterpieces by renowned artists such as Rembrandt.
Mount Rigi
Venture into the heart of central Switzerland for a historic journey to “Queen of the Mountains,” a massif of the soaring Swiss Alps. Europe’s first mountain railway brings us to the very top, coined Rigi Kulm, where otherworldly 360˚ panoramic views of plummeting valleys, shimmering lakes, snow-capped peaks, and the Swiss plateau await. We then descend on an aerial cable car, gliding above the lush forest below.
Zaanse Schans
Explore Dutch history in this expansive open-air museum. Admire the iconic windmills, distinctive green houses, and workshops that showcase 18th and 19th-century life in Holland. Stroll past the bakery museum to enjoy the smell of fresh cookies and see an interactive chocolate making exhibit. Marvel at the talent of local artisans as they craft wooden clogs, then visit the cheese factory, a replica of a traditional farm from Oostzaan, to enjoy delicious samples.
- Day 1: Fly to EuropeOur journey begins with an overnight flight to Switzerland.
- Day 2: Mount RigiUpon arriving in Zurich, we motorcoach to Lucerne, a city known for its medieval architecture and mountain landscapes. Next, a relaxing ferry ride takes us across the glistening blue water of Lake Lucerne to Vitznau for a special cogwheel rail journey up Mount Rigi. Take time to relax and soak up breathtaking panoramic views of Swiss Mittlelland at the highest point, Rigi Kulm, before descending by cable car. Later, we return to Lucerne and check in to our accommodations, then get to know fellow travelers over a delicious Welcome Dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner
- Day 3: Lucerne & Set SailAfter breakfast, we embark on a walking tour of Lucerne to see the most iconic sights such as Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden footbridge decorated with interior paintings that spans the river Reuss. This afternoon, experience a Swiss folklore lunch at Stadtkeller with hearty fare and traditional Swiss music that features cowbells, flag throwing, and yodeling by locals dressed in customary outfits. We then board the luxurious AMADEUS Star cruise ship in Basel. Enjoy beautiful views from the comfort of your stateroom and all meals included on board. Once settled, we gather for a reception and dinner together.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4: StrasbourgOur first port of call is Strasbourg, located on the French border with Germany and home to the European Parliament. Settle into a comfortable motorcoach with a local guide for a city tour to view incredible architecture and the historic center, where we visit the famous Strasbourg Cathedral and the Grand Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our sightseeing continues with a delightful canal cruise on the river, featuring vistas 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 & HeidelbergWe start our day docking in the beautiful town of Speyer. Enjoy a guided walking tour to see the most noteworthy attractions, like the Speyer Cathedral, which dominates the landscape with its grand structure and beauty. Afterwards, there’s time to grab lunch and relax aboard the ship on our way to Mannheim. Once docked, we take a short drive to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town that’s known for its Baroque narrow streets, picturesque red tiled roofs, and stunning 18th-century bridges. Our time here includes an enchanting tour of Heidelberg Castle from the early 1200s, the country’s most popular castle ruin.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 6: Vineyards & the Middle RhineThis morning’s port is Rudesheim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the heart of Reingau wine region, especially known for its Rieslings. We board the Winzerexpress for a tram ride through the scenic Rhine Valley vineyards to a local winery and indulge in various regional flavors. Next, spend time strolling down the area’s charming alley, Drosselgasse, to see fabulous wineries, markets, and historic buildings. This afternoon, head to the ship’s top deck for spectacular views of castles and steep hillsides as we cruise the gorgeous Middle Rhine into the Rhine Gorge. Later in the day, we arrive at one of the oldest and most diverse cities in Germany, Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Marvel at the architecture of churches, castles, and palaces during our exploration, then take a cable car ride above the Rhine to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Dating back to 1000 AD, it houses the Koblenz State Museum with expansive, interesting exhibits and is one of Europe’s largest preserved fortresses.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7: Moselle River & CochemToday, we depart Koblenz and cruise through one of Germany’s most beautiful river valleys along the Moselle. Gaze upon vineyards, castles, and ruins dotting the rolling hillsides with quaint villages and towns near the riverbanks. Our ship docks in the enchanting town of Cochem, known for its traditional half-timbered houses and wine culture dating back over a thousand years. Here, we visit medieval Reichsburg Castle, famously rebuilt in a fairytale style and perched on a rugged rock above the town. Admire its Renaissance and Baroque interior, then take in spectacular vistas of the Moselle Valley below.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8: CologneOur port of call today is 2,000-year-old Cologne. This cultural hub is a landmark of High Gothic architecture, with the extraordinary twin-spired cathedral being the most impressive example. On our guided walking tour, learn how 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. We also enjoy a tasting of Cologne’s famous beer, called Kolsch! Our cruise ship departs in the afternoon, allowing time for relaxation before this evening’s dinner at the Captain’s Gala.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9: Amsterdam, Volendam & EdamThis morning, we embark on an incredible guided tour of Amsterdam and a quintessential canal cruise for unique views from the city’s waterway. Later, we board our motorcoach for an afternoon excursion to charming fishing villages. Our first stop is Volendam, known for its vibrant harbor, distinctive music, and time-honored traditions, including authentic costumes that can still be seen 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 returning 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 Weighhouse.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10: Rijksmuseum & HaarlemWe 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 featuring works by Vermeer, Frans Hals, and Rembrandt. Our exploration continues with a walking tour in Haarlem to see exterior 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 SchansOur last full day begins with a step back in time at Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum that brings Dutch heritage to life with a recreated 18th-19th century village. Admire the traditional buildings and restored windmills, 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 HomeWe board our flight today and return home with unforgettable memories of our time in Europe.
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 1 night in the Lucerne area
- 7 nights aboard the AMADEUS Star with complimentary Wi-Fi
- 2 nights in the Amsterdam area
Attractions & Highlights
- Lucerne guided walking tour, Mt. Rigi cog railway & gondola ride
- Strasbourg, France; Speyer, Germany; Mannheim, Germany; Rudesheim, Germany; Koblenz, Germany; Cochem, Germany; Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Strasbourg guided city tour feat. canal cruise
- Heidelberg guided walking tour feat. castle visit
- Speyer guided walking tour
- Koblenz guided walking tour feat. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress by cable car
- The Middle Rhine & Moselle River scenic cruising
- Rudesheim wine tasting & vineyards
- Cochem guided walking tour feat. Reichsburg Castle
- Cologne guided walking tour feat. Kolsch tasting
- Excursion to Volendam & Edam feat. cheese tasting
- Amsterdam guided city tour feat. canal cruise
- Rijksmuseum guided tour
- Haarlem guided walking tour
- Zaanse Schans
25 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Dinner in Lucerne
- All meals included aboard the ship
- Swiss folklore lunch at Hotel Stadtkeller
- Farewell Dinner in Haarlem
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport