From Basel to Amsterdam · Europe (River) · 7 nights
From Basel to Amsterdam
These identical ‘Rhine Class’ vessels offer a welcoming range of lounges and facilities, with spacious and beautifully decorated suites.
The Riverside Luxury Cruises experience is defined by comfort,
space, fine cuisine and service and these ships have all of these
hallmarks and so much more. Contemporary, light-filled suites shine
and allow for an unforgettable and refined luxury river cruise.
Basel lies where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, a sophisticated and multicultural city with a picturesque setting astride the river Rhine. The medieval Old Town is exceptionally well preserved, best appreciated from the summit of the hilltop cathedral, which offers incredible views across the city. Basel boasts a wealth of museums and galleries, and plays host to events including the renowned Art Basel contemporary art fair, held during the summer, and Fasnacht, Switzerland's most famous winter carnival.
Strasbourg is the capital of France’s Alsace region, right next to the border with Germany, and there is a tangible Germanic influence that sets the city a little apart from the rest of France. Highlights include the beautiful Gothic cathedral, the old town’s fairytale half-timbered houses, and the pictureque canals of the Petite France district.
Hugging the river Rhine to the south of Frankfurt, the pleasant little town of Speyer has a long and distinguished history. This was one of the Holy Roman Empire’s most important cities, as evidenced by the beautiful Romanesque cathedral, and is also home to a delightful Christmas market during the winter months.
Situated near the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers, Mannheim is an important industrial centre with a lively cultural scene. It’s also conveniently located for exploring the pretty town of Heidelberg and the wine growing region around Nierstein.
The pretty little town of Rüdesheim, situated on a bend in the Rhine surrounded by vineyards, is a popular destination for travellers looking for a slice of quintessentially German village life. The Drosselgasse, a narrow cobbled lane flanked by old timber frame buildings, is particularly atmospheric.
Cologne is a wonderfully warm and welcoming city, its skyline dominated by one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Europe. You will likely spend most of your time in the attractive Altstadt (Old Town), home to beer halls aplenty and some fascinating museums.
In September 1944 the Allies launched Operation Market Garden, a huge airborne assault designed to establish a bridgehead on the river Rhine. The operation went disastrously wrong at Arnhem, as immortalised in the 1977 film ‘A Bridge Too Far’, and your visit offers the chance to learn more about this infamous battle.
Amsterdam is one of our very favourite cities to visit, as well as also being a perfect base to explore the nearby landscape of windmills and dikes. There is a wealth of famous museums and galleries to choose from, such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House.