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You can't get lost in the city, as the UNESCO-listed cathedral's 515-foot spires dominate the skyline (and are visible from all cruise docking spots). The Cologne Cathedral took more than 600 years to build and the panoramic views from the top of the south spire make the climb up 509 steps worth the effort. Afterward, enjoy a locally brewed beer at one of the waterfront bars along the Rhine -- hoppy and slightly bitter kolsch brews are the norm around Cologne. The Anne Frank House is the city's most popular attraction, where poignant exhibits include the Jewish schoolgirl's wartime diary.
The Best Rhine River Cruise Destinations
The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.
Viking Rhine River Cruise: Best For First-Time Cruisers
Rhine River cruise destinations frequently include Strasbourg, the intriguing capital of France's Alsace region, which borders Germany and Switzerland and has been shaped by different cultures over time. Although it's the smallest region in France, Strasbourg has been called the principal city of Europe, as the European Parliament and other important E.U. Strasbourg highlights include the charming Petite France district, where canals are lined by half-timbered buildings, and the lop-sided one-towered cathedral with a remarkable astronomical clock that features moving figures. Viking's eight-day Christmas on the Rhine cruise between Amsterdam and Basel includes time in Cologne which has seven Christmas markets. A giant twinkling Christmas tree forms the centrepiece of the most famous one held in front of the city’s landmark cathedral.
Discover The World
Smaller markets along the way include Rudesheim, where you can stroll down the colorful Drosselgasse street and try the town's warming coffee laced with local brandy. If you enjoy city breaks then Viking's 12-day Cities of Light sailing is the cruise for you. The itinerary is bookended by two of Europe's greatest cities, Paris and Prague, and there's an overnight stay in both so you can make the most of the respective "City of Light" and the "Golden City of 100 Spires". Wherever you are, Viking ships dock in the heart of each city so the sights are on your doorstep.
The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is flanked by lush vineyards that make up Germany's most renowned wine-growing region. Alongside sips of riesling, expect commentary on the many points of interest in the region, including legendary Lorelei Rock where a siren is said to have lured passing sailors with her haunting songs. Excursions will take you to Trier, with its Roman history, and Germany's oldest university town of Heidelberg with its imposing red sandstone castle.
Christmas Market Cruises on the Rhine
Some itineraries leave the Rhine at Koblenz to meander along the Moselle tributary and stop at Cochem. This postcard-perfect town is topped by a medieval castle where you can see a giant suit of armor, and the old town is filled with traditional half-timbered black and white houses. One of the best Rhine River destinations to round out your travel photos is at Kinderdijk, which has the Netherlands' biggest concentration of historic windmills. Here, you can get a close-up view of 19 windmills, including the chance to look inside some of them, watch a movie and learn how the Dutch manage to live on land that sits below sea level. The gift shop at the entrance is a great place to buy another famous Dutch symbol -- a pair of wooden clogs.
Riviera River Cruises waives single supplement on 500-plus cabins - Travel Weekly
Riviera River Cruises waives single supplement on 500-plus cabins.
Posted: Sat, 06 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
More to explore
Avalon Waterways was one of the first lines to recognize that not all river cruise passengers want to do the same thing. With that in mind, Avalon offers Active & Discovery itineraries on the Rhine with options to suit both active travelers and those who prefer to explore in a more laid back manner. Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey. Whether you are looking for a Rhine cruise at the weekend or a Rhine cruise lasting several days - at VIVA Cruises you are sure to find a river cruise on the Rhine with a duration to suit you. You have a whole two days to discover the many highlights of the Dutch metropolis for yourself.
To the beat of the pendulum, the man with the moustache and helmet twists his eyes – and every half hour he sticks out his tongue. According to legend, the robber baron Johann Lutter did this in front of his executioners. But that’s just a small feature in a city that otherwise has great things to offer. The equestrian statue of Wilhelm I at the Deutsches Eck, for example, where the Moselle and Rhine rivers meet. Or the Electoral Palace and, of course, right outside the city gates, the castle Burg Stolzenfels, which was built in 1250 and extensively restored, indeed almost rebuilt, in 1826 according to plans by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Novalis wrote, “I romanticise something when I give the commonplace a higher meaning.” And Heinrich Heine’s “The Lorelei” is probably the romantic poem par excellence.
Experience More
No wonder, millions and millions of tourists flock to the city on the canals every year to enjoy the flood of sights and cultural offerings. The best way to discover Amsterdam is by taking a boat ride along the canals or a walk along the unique canals. Art lovers will be immediately drawn to one of the world-famous museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum or the Van Gogh Museum. Party people will find their happiness in the nightlife and red light district De Wallen. In 2022, the Rhine River experienced one of the worst droughts in recent history—some parts of the river in Germany dropped to below 16 inches of water in key navigational areas.
Those interested in history can walk through the casemates, a 14-kilometre-long underground defence system from the 18th century. Back in the present, a visit to one of the terrace cafés or a cosy pub is recommended. Short and sweet, short Rhine River sailings last three, four or five nights.
Once you board the riverboat, your passport will be held by the purser temporarily to make copies. Amsterdam is a vibrant blend of the historic and the contemporary, from its medieval core and 17th-century canals to the rich cosmopolitan life of a 21st-century European metropolis. Our berth in Amsterdam is usually located at Haven Amsterdam, Ruyterkade Oost IJ RO1. You will receive further information with your travel documents two weeks before the start of your trip.
Some of the major cruise lines operating on the Rhine River include Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope, Emerald Cruises, Riviera Travel, Scenic, Uniworld, Vantage Deluxe World Travel, Tauck and Viking River Cruises. We'll go over the most popular cruise lines and the itineraries they offer on the venerable Rhine River. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach or choose an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar.
It’s free to enter and explore the cathedral at your own pace, though making a donation is encouraged. The tour takes visitors into the ceilings of the church, including the vast restoration workshops, before ascending the 140 stairs to reach the very top. A walk through Bonn is a short journey through time in the old Federal Republic of Germany. There is the “Haus der Geschichte” or “House of History”, which reminds us of Ludwig Erhard, of “raisen bombers” and of the Germans’ incipient longing for Italy. There is the old town with the historic fortress belt, the Old Town Hall and the university, where Konrad Adenauer, Ludwig von Beethoven and Karl Marx studied. It is discovered under the tower clock of the old department stores’ on Florinsmarkt.
If you’re new to river cruising, this is a great way of testing it as part of a longer European vacation. Cruise through the morning as you enjoy breakfast and the passing scenery. Arrive in Mannheim and disembark for a tour of Heidelberg to see Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Then, visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from this hilltop post. Continue with a walking tour through Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates. Spend free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars.
Spectacular scenery lined with fairytale castles and wine-growing villages are among the many highlights on the Rhine, making it one of the most popular destinations for a European river cruise. On an Adventures by Disney river cruise, families are the only passengers onboard. Programming and excursions are geared toward kids, with a focus on stories rather than history, and activities designed to burn off energy and keep children engaged, such as tobogganing in the Black Forest. The ships also have small pools onboard, so kids can take a break from touring and just have fun (while their parents relax).
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