From Amsterdam to Basel · Europe (River) · 7 nights
Tauck’s Jewel-class vessels offer spacious suites, a choice of restaurants and comfortable public areas including an expansive sundeck.
Rich woods and plush fabrics give these ships a luxurious feel.
The alternative restaurant with outside seating at the back is an
idyllic place for a relaxed lunch as you cruise to your next call
and the regional cuisine served in the Dining Room is
excellent.
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. The Amsterdam canal belt is now officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and from them there are so many neighbourhoods to explore, such as the Jordaan with its higgledy-piggledy streets and its famed garden courtyards (hofjes). There are also a wealth of famous museums and galleries to choose from, such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House, not to mention some more, shall we say, quirky options.
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.
Koblenz was founded by the Romans, who valued the city’s strategically important location where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. Rebuilt from the rubble of the Second World War, modern Koblenz has a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, and serves as a gateway to the Romantic Rhine.
Historic Germersheim sits on the banks of the Rhine and is perhaps best known for its 19th-century federal fortress, which reflects its strategic importance at a key Rhine crossing, though most use Germersheim as a base to visit nearby highlights like Speyer Cathedral or the vibrant city of Mannheim.
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.
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.