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Treasures of the Rhine River Cruise

Cruise the Rhine through Switzerland, Germany, France & the Netherlands; see Basel, Strasbourg, Cologne, Amsterdam & more

Overview

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Style Value VacationTravel in larger groups than our Small Group tours, but at fantastic value prices. These group tour packages are operated by our carefully selected partners and may be shared with other English speaking passengers ensuring guaranteed departures. More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout
Departures
Themes River Cruises
What to Expect This moderately-paced, escorted river cruise/tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness.
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Experience a journey through four countries in the heart of Europe, on a stunning Rhine River cruise starting in Basel and ending in Amsterdam. Dine on superb French cuisine paired with an unlimited selection of wine and beer. Take part in daily shore excursions to visit the picturesque cities of Basel, Strasbourg, Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum, Amsterdam and more. After dinner, relax with musical entertainment, a Gala evening, or venture into the quaint towns for an evening stroll.

Package includes

  • Flights
  • Cruise
  • Coach
  • Transfers
  • Meals
  • Guides
  • Round trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
  • All ground transportation and transfers
  • 8 nights’ accommodation in lower deck cabins on superior first class MS Douce France
  • 23 meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
  • Complimentary unlimited beverages including bottled mineral water, coffee, tea, wine, beer and spirits throughout cruise
  • Evening entertainment
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
  • Complimentary Samsung Galaxy Tablet for use during cruise
  • Included daily Classic Shore Excursions
  • Wireless audio system during Shore Excursions
  • Daily briefing on the ports of call
  • Professional, English-speaking cruise manager and local guides
  • All port charges and local taxes

Optional add-ons

  • Upgrade to upper deck cabins are available.

Why you'll love it

  • Cruise the Rhine River through 4 countries
  • Welcome cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Superb French Cuisine
  • Shore excursions in Basel, the Rhine Falls, Colmar & Unterlinden Museum, Strasbourg, Mainz, Koblenz, Cologne, Dutch Open Air Museum of Arnhem, Amsterdam, Haarlem
  • Evening entertainment on board

Videos

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA

  • Depart the USA on your flight bound for Basel, Switzerland

Day 2: Basel

8 nights on board MS Douce FranceDinner.

  • Arrive in Basel, be met and transferred to your river cruise ship for boarding at 6:00 pm.
  • This evening, an introduction to the crew over a welcome cocktail
  • Dinner on board

Full Day Itinerary: Arrive at Basel Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the port. Luggage can be stored as of noon, and check-in will be at 6:00 pm. After settling into your cabin, get to know the crew over a welcome cocktail and dinner on board. 

Day 3: Basel & Schaffhaussen

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning guided tour of Basel
  • Afternoon excursion to the Rhine Falls
  • Cruise to Breisach

City Hall, BaselFull Day Itinerary: This morning, travel by coach to the city center for a guided walking tour of Basel. Discover the longstanding Grossbasel section with its numerous medieval monuments and passageways. See the Basler Münster, the Protestant cathedral and one of Basel’s most important landmarks.  The market place is dominated by the ornate Town Hall. Stroll along the well-known Feie Strasse, a main transit route during the Middle Ages and today a trendy shopping area. Return to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon, set off by coach to see the Rhine Falls, one of the most spectacular sites in Switzerland. View the Laufen Castle, which boasts an impressive view point over the falls. Return to the ship for dinner and dancing, as you cruise towards Breisach.

Day 4: Breisach

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Free morning in Breisach
  • Afternoon excursion to Colmar and the Unterlinden Musuem

St. Stephan's Catherdral, BreisachFull Day Itinerary: Enjoy a free morning in Breisach.  After lunch on board, depart for Colmar, with its typical and authentic Alsatian architecture of brightly painted timber façades dating from the Middle Ages, and discover the quintessential neighborhood of “Little Venice”. Visit the Unterlinden Museum featuring a large collection of local and international artworks and artifacts from prehistoric to contemporary times, as well as the Isenheim Altarpiece. The museum is housed in a 13th century Dominican convent, which in 1906 was also a public bath.  Return to the ship for dinner and entertainment.

Day 5: Breisach & Strasbourg

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning cruising to Strasbourg
  • Afternoon guided tour of Strasbourg
  • Enjoy an evening of dancing as you sail toward Mainz

Strasbourg in winterFull Day Itinerary: Relax on board as you cruise toward Strasbourg.  After lunch, depart for a guided visit of Strasbourg. Begin with a panoramic tour of the town, driving through many of its districts, such as the “German Quarter”, past the Place de La République, continue to the European district, passing by the Palace of Europe, the Human Rights Building and the European Parliament Building. Continue exploring this European capital during a guided walking tour around the Cathedral where you will view the façade of the famous Kammerzell house. Then, amble along in the Petit France District, a famous district in Strasbourg much loved by the locals and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the ship later this afternoon for an evening of dancing as you sail toward Mainz.

Day 6 : Mainz & Koblenz

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning guided tour of Mainz and Gutenberg Museum
  • Sail past Lorelei rock to Koblenz
  • Evening walking tour of Koblenz with the cruise director

Rebstockplatz, MainzFull Day Itinerary: After breakfast, set off on foot with your guide to visit the town of Mainz, capital of the Rhine Palatinate and founded more than 2000 years ago by the Romans. Mainz is situated on the banks of the Rhine River opposite the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers. Admire the magnificent historic houses which date to 17th and 18th centuries. Enter the cathedral, where construction began in 975, and houses historical treasures including tombs and funerary monuments. Wander up and down the colorful streets of the old town. Visit the Gutenberg Museum, spread over five floors. Johannes Gensfleisch Gutenberg himself prepared the copy of the Bible referred as “the 42-line Bible” published in 1455 and is the oldest printed book in the world, and houses one of the 46 remaining copies in existence. Also see the “Mainz Psalter” the first document ever printed using three ink colors.  Board the coach to rejoin the ship at Worms. Cruise towards Koblenz, passing by the legendary Lorelei rock. After dinner on board, join your cruise director for a casual walk in Koblenz.

Day 7: Koblenz, Cologne & Dusseldorf

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning cruising to Cologne
  • Afternoon guided tour of Cologne
  • Free time in Cologne, then transfer to Dusseldorf to meet the ship
  • Gala dinner

Cologne cathedral at nightFull Day Itinerary: Enjoy the morning as the ship cruises to Cologne. After lunch, depart on foot with your guide. Cologne or Köln, has been at the crossroads of Europe since the Middle Ages, and is still a vibrant and important commercial and industrial city as well as a cultural and religious center. Admire the exterior facades of the high Gothic Köln Cathedral, built over the course of five centuries, and finally completed in 1863 and for a short time was the tallest building in the world. The cathedral is surrounded by 12 Romanesque style churches representing the 12 apostles. Walk through the Old Town and admire the new-Gothic building, home of the famous “Eau de Cologne”. There will be some free time in town, and then continue by coach to meet the ship in Dusseldorf. Gala Dinner and music on board.

Day 8: Dusseldorf, Xanten, Nijmegen & Amsterdam

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning cruise to Xanten
  • Visit Dutch Open Air Museum of Arnhem
  • Afternoon cruise to Amsterdam

Windmill in XantenFull Day Itinerary: Enjoy the morning as the ship cruises to Xanten. Depart by coach with a cruise director for the Dutch Open Air Museum at Arnhem, situated in a beautiful wooded park. Visit the museum at your own pace

There are many buildings, farms, windmills, workshops, a school, a church and other structures. There are demonstrations inside each building.  See the HollandRama on the lower level, with its panoramic theatre, films, sounds, lights that evoke many different landscapes, from city panoramas to the inside of houses. Return by coach to meet the ship in Nijmegen. Cruise toward Amsterdam in the afternoon, This evening, entertainment on board after dinner.

Day 9: Amsterdam

Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

  • Morning guided tour of Amsterdam
  • Afternoon guided tour of Haarlem

Aerial view of AmsterdamFull Day Itinerary: After breakfast, depart by coach for a guided tour of the unique city of Amsterdam, from its romantic canals to its world-renowned museums and historical significance. Stop to view the De Rieker Windmill, one of the eight windmills in the greater Amsterdam area. Originally built in 1636 in the town of Sloten to help drain water, it was dismantled and rebuilt 1961 on the banks of the Amstel River between Kalfeslaan and Borcht. Rembrandt drew inspiration from these sites and a statue of him was erected nearby. Then, head to the Diamond District for a diamond cutting demonstration and an explanation of how diamonds are valued. There will be some free time to browse the shop. Drive by the Bloemenmarkt, the famous floating flower market, and the most fragrant place in Amsterdam. Return to the ship by coach.

After lunch on board, depart this afternoon for Haarlem, known as the “City of Flowers” and for centuries the main production and export center for tulip bulbs. This charming town has been the inspiration for painters and artists throughout the centuries.  See the Amsterdamse Poort (Amsterdam Gate) built in 1400 and the only remnant of the city’s fortifications; The Grote Markt (Main Square); the Corrie Ten Boom House used as a hiding place during World War II and the impressive Gothic Cathedral of St Bavo. After some free time, return to Amsterdam by coach.

Enjoy a final dinner on board this evening.

Day 10: Depart Amsterdam/Arrive USA

Breakfast.

  • Disembark from the ship at 9:00 am
  • Transfer to the airport for your return flight
  • Arrive in the USA later today

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