Experience the Rhine and Cologne River Cruise (Basel - Amsterdam)

Upon arrival in Zurich or Geneva, we will be met by our local guide who will assist us in the transfer to Basel port. A Basel city tour will be provided en route. (dependent on flight times). Highlights will include the City Hall, the Basel Cathedral, the Barfüsserkirche, the picturesque corners of the Old Town, Museum der Kulturen and the Tinguely fountain. 

After some time at leisure, we will be transferred to Basel port with assistance. Settle into our cabin and explore the range of facilities on board our MS Amadeus ship has to offer as you set sail along the Rhine River. Sit back with a welcome cocktail in one of the lounge areas, followed by a tasty welcome dinner. 

This morning our ship will arrive into the French city of Strasbourg, which lies just across the German border, west of the Rhine. An optional walking tour of the city will be offered by Lueftner Cruises in the morning (payable locally). Alternatively, you can explore Strasbourg at your own pace with the use of the complimentary Travel Department shuttle taking in the city's highlights, including its famous 15th Century cathedral, with its impressive spire and medieval astronomical clock.

This morning, our ship will be docked in Speyer. Speyer is one of Germany's oldest cities which is located along the banks of the Rhine, in the Rhineland-Palatinate state of southwest Germany. The 11th century Imperial Cathedral of Speyer is one of Germany's largest and most important. Its crypt contains the tombs of eight German emperors and kings as well as several bishops. Speyer was also a centre for Jewish scholarship in the medieval period.

Following lunch on the boat, we will sail to Mannheim and from here, we will be taken on an included excursion to Heidelberg. Heidelberg is a world famous university city on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the Castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone is now in ruins. However, it is arguably the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads into the castle garden. From the Grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late-gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall. The ship will depart for Rüdesheim that night.

Today we will wake up in the romantic town of Rüdesheim, surrounded by gentle sloping vineyards and famous for its local wine, brandy and specialty coffee (careful - the local coffee and brandy are married in the "Rüdesheimer Kaffee" concoction!). After we have had time to enjoy our visit at our own pace, our ship leaves the harbour at mid-day, just in time to enjoy a fabulous lunch on board and savour the first-class culinary delights.

Later in the day we will arrive in Koblenz where we will enjoy an included guided walking tour of the city. Koblenz is one of the most beautiful and oldest towns in Germany, with over 2,000 years of history. On the guided walk through the romantic streets between the St. Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of our Beloved Lady) we will discover the most important sights of Koblenz. This tour would not be complete without a visit to the Emperor Wilhelm Memorial at the famous German Corner and the town’s landmark, the Schängel Fountain at the Town Hall. At the end of the walk you will reach the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers and the ropeway of Koblenz.

We will begin our morning cruising along the Rhine, we will have some free time to enjoy the boat and take in the passing landscape of the Moselle valley as we sail onto the town of Cochem where we will arrive in the early afternoon.

In the most romantic part of the Moselle Valley, where the river curves between two hiking paradises - Eifel and Hunsrück - lies the old town of Cochem. There will be an optional walking tour this afternoon (payable locally). The magnificent Reichsburg Castle, situated on a precipitous rock high above the town, dominates the landscape. The town of Cochem itself is a sight worth seeing; highlights include its narrow streets and twisty alleys, the lovingly restored half-timbered houses with the typical slate roofs, the historical market-place, medieval town gates, churches and walls.

Today we will arrive at Cologne in the early morning. Following breakfast, lets get together and enjoy an included walking tour of the city where we can explore the surroundings of the famous Cathedral and the Old Town. In the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town and in the busy squares, such as the Old Market or the Hay Market, you will get a feeling for life in this city, both past and present.

We will depart Cologne at lunch time on this day and enjoy the final journey of the cruise as the ship travels to Amsterdam in the evening.

This morning, we will arrive into Amsterdam, where we will have the day at leisure to explore this compact city at our own pace. 

After a full day in Amsterdam tonight we will enjoy the Captain’s Gala Dinner while on board the ship

It is time to say goodbye after a full week of delights aboard the Amadeus ship. After breakfast, we will meet with your local guide and be transferred to Amsterdam city centre for a guided tour including a canal cruise prior to continuing your journey to Amsterdam airport for our flight home. (Luggage will be stored in coach)