Destination:
France,
Germany,
Luxembourg,
Netherlands,
Switzerland,
Duration:
12 days
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period:
March 2027 - September 2027
Gallery
5+ Gallery Photos
Overview
11-night from Amsterdam to Basel
Pages from fairytales come to life as you find inspiration along the fabled, castle-laden Rhine and its breathtaking tributary, the Moselle, with fascinating scenery of Europe’s steepest vineyards lining its shores. Encounter some of the prettiest towns of the Alsace—Strasbourg and Riquewihr—that blend their German and French heritage into one enchanting masterpiece. Cochem and Bernkastel, towns that grew up below a castle, give you a sense of what it was like to live during the Middle Ages. Visit Trier, once known as the second Rome as no other city in Germany has so many monuments from Roman times; and Koblenz, where history meets at two rivers. Bygone grandeur of a different kind can be found at Mannheim’s glorious Baroque Palace. Colorful canals and glistening lakes, hilltop towns and majestic alps, mighty fortresses and storied castles, and hearty beer and delicate wines can all be experienced on this fairytale journey through time.What's Included
- Board the ship for your Rhine & Moselle Fairytales cruise. (D)
- There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
- Join a guided tour through Cologne’s enchanting Old Town, where you will see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall; the Fishmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century and the Great St. Martin Church. End your city tour with a visit to a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
- Visit Lahneck Castle, a 13th-century medieval fortress in the riverside town of Lahnstein. There are a treasure trove of legends surrounding this castle, some including the twelve Knights Templar. Hear these stories and more on a guided tour through this historic castle. Alternatively, take the aerial cable car over the Rhine to Koblenz, which boasts a rich history spanning more than 2,000 years, for a guided city tour. For those seeking a more active adventure, explore the area on the “Two Rivers Bike Tour,” which takes you along both the Rhine and Moselle rivers; or go on a hike around Lahnstein to Burg Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
- Spend the morning taking in the beauty of the Moselle on this scenic stretch of the river before reaching Cochem with its half-timbered houses and Reichsburg Castle. Join a guided tour through the castle and then walk through its Old Town. For those wishing to have a more active exploration of the area, you can go on a guided hike to the castle or a bike tour through Cochem. (B,L,D)
- Explore Trier, Germany’s oldest city, where you can discover on a city tour why it has been called the “Rome of the North” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alternatively, go in search of the secrets of the Porta Nigra Gate on a tour that takes you back to a time when Rome ruled the world from the Emperor’s seat in Trier. You may also join a hike high above Trier to Petrisberg. (B,L,D)
- Bernkastel will enchant you as you walk through its colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided tour that also includes a winery visit and tasting. Cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike tour and hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century. (B,L,D)
- Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, before reaching Rüdesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, and afterwards, be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour through the Rheingau wine region. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B,L,D)
- You have a choice of several excursions, depending on your interest. Visit Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Alternatively, relive a bygone era on an excursion to the glorious Schwetzingen Baroque Palace. Tour this splendid palace furnished with over 800 exhibits. You can also hike the historic Philosopher’s Path along the Neckar River or bike to the charming town of Ladenburg and glide past its half-timbered architecture. (B,L,D)
- Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, the active adventurer can take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie. (B,L,D)
- Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Those wishing for a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside, or hike through the heart of the Kaiserstuhl, a volcanic region in the Rhine plain known for its unique landscapes, vineyards, and exceptional biodiversity. (B,L,D)
- Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Switzerland as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)
Start:Amsterdam, Netherlands
Finish:Basel, Switzerland
Finish:Basel, Switzerland
Type:Group tour (max 228)
Tripcode:
1081-2027
Options and details
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Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Amsterdam
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Day 2 - Amsterdam
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Day 3 - Cologne
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Day 4 - Lahnstein
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Day 5 - Moselle Valley
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Day 6 - Wasserbillig
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Day 7 - Bernkastel
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Day 8 - Rhine Gorge
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Day 9 - Ludwigshafen
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Day 10 - Strasbourg
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Day 11 - Breisach
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Day 12 - Basel
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Travel Partner
Price from
$8,618*
per person*
Tripcode: 1081-2027
Start:Amsterdam, Netherlands
Finish:Basel, Switzerland
Finish:Basel, Switzerland
Type:Group tour (max 228)
Tripcode:
136239
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