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The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Switzerland - Fly

 
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202520262027
Duration
8 days
From per person
£1,999 £1,799
Tour code
RHZ25
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Experience a leisurely cruise, from the vibrant canals of Amsterdam and the medieval charm of Cologne to the picturesque Moselle Valley and the enchanting landscapes of the Rhine Gorge

Fly to Amsterdam to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Netherlands to Switzerland on a luxury river cruise. Sail through four countries, admiring stunning forested valleys, charming half-timbered towns and historic cities lining this incredible river's picturesque banks before returning by air from Zürich.

Marvel at the spectacular scenery of the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site adorned with stunning castles, lush forests and sprawling vineyards. Discover the sights of attractive Strasbourg, the magical landscapes of the Black Forest and timeless German cities including Heidelberg on the way.

Interested in this tour but haven't found a date that works for you?
You might also like our similar tour The Majestic Rhine: Switzerland to Amsterdam!

Unforgettable experiences

Admiring views of the romantic Rhine Gorge
Admiring views of the romantic Rhine Gorge
Sail through this enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site brimming with hilltop castles, verdant forests and vineyard-clad slopes, and discover the legends of the Lorelei Rock.
Visiting Heidelberg, the ‘Jewel of Germany’
Visiting Heidelberg, the ‘Jewel of Germany’
Delve into the history of this picturesque riverside city a guided tour, marvelling at the ruins of a red sandstone castle that towers over this renowned university city.
Uncovering picturesque Rüdesheim
Uncovering picturesque Rüdesheim
Choose between a wine tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet on an exploration of this charming village, famed for its quaint Drosselgasse alley.
Riding the Drachenfels Cog Railway
Riding the Drachenfels Cog Railway
Reach the summit of the towering Drachenfels on the heritage Drachenfelsbahn and enjoy panoramic views across the Rhine Valley.
Discovering the beautiful Moselle town of Cochem
Discovering the beautiful Moselle town of Cochem
Explore the well-preserved riverside town of Cochem, at the heart of the Moselle Valley wine region and dominated by the fairytale Reichsburg Castle.
Exploring the German city of Cologne
Exploring the German city of Cologne
Discover the city’s bustling streets and squares, as well as its famous cathedral, a twin-spired Gothic masterpiece that took more than 600 years to complete.

Extend your holiday

Experience the perfect blend of river cruising elegance and iconic rail adventure with our exclusive tour and cruise pairings.

Glacier Express

Glacier Express & The Romantic Rhine

Cruise the romantic Rhine, sailing through stunning scenery and exploring historic cities before experiencing the iconic Glacier Express, staying in the alpine resort of Zermatt.

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GoldenPass & The Romantic Rhine

Discover the magnificent GoldenPass Express, staying in Interlaken set between two peaceful lakes and enjoy an enchanting cruise on the romantic Rhine.

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Itinerary

DAY1Flight to Amsterdam and boarding our luxurious ship

Your holiday begins as you meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London Heathrow, ahead of a flight to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport*.

On arrival in the Dutch capital, we transfer to our ship where we're greeted by the friendly crew and can sip on a welcome cocktail while taking in the waterside views. There is time to unwind and familiarise yourself with the luxurious new surroundings and settle into your cabin.

Later this evening, we enjoy our first dinner together in the panoramic restaurant accompanied by a performance from a traditional Dutch Sea Shanty choir - the perfect start to your fantastic cruise down the Rhine.

*If you would like to travel by rail, view our Rail & Cruise option here.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2Amsterdam canal boat cruise and optional trip to Volendam

Awaking on our floating hotel, we enjoy breakfast onboard before getting to know Amsterdam on a sightseeing canal boat cruise, soaking up stunning views of the city's picturesque canals and architecture.

Alternatively, take the optional excursion, visiting Volendam and Edam to uncover their cheese heritage. As well as being famed for Dutch cheese, Volendam is a stunning old town, with traditional houses lining serene canals and a small harbour.

Later, we begin sailing to Cologne, embarking on our first relaxing cruise of the holiday and enjoying on board dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Optional Excursions

DAY3Cultural Cologne and the wonderful Drachenfelsbahn

As we approach the striking city of Cologne this morning, admire the fantastic cityscape of magnificent bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral. After breakfast, a guided tour of the city introduces us to the joyful atmosphere of its streets and squares.

We admire the Romanesque townhouses before visiting the city's impressive Gothic cathedral which is the largest in Northern Europe. The intricate spires and magnificent stained glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark are captivating as we marvel at the grand architecture. Following lunch, we head for Königswinter to experience the Drachenfels railway.

This fabulous cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle - whose name translates to 'Dragon's Rock', inspiring many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher. After dinner we depart Königswinter and head for the serene waters of the Moselle river.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY4Lovely Cochem – the heart of the Moselle wine trade

After an early morning of relaxed cruising through delightful river scenery, our ship pulls into the port of Cochem where the stunning Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, half-timbered houses and the majestic castle (the Reichsburg) perched on top of a hill. The town itself is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-coloured buildings, quaint boutiques and wine cellars.

On our guided tour this morning we admire the Reichsburg dramatically located overlooking the Old Town. In the old quarter of Cochem, you'll find well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and a fascinating arts centre in a former monastery.

Following our tour, there's time to explore the picturesque streets at leisure. The town's central square is a hub of activity, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops. It's a great place to soak up the local atmosphere and taste some renowned Moselle wines. Later this evening, we continue our cruise downstream towards Koblenz, where we leave the Moselle behind and rejoin the Rhine.

Please note - For departure 20/05/2025 due to lock closures we will be unable to cruise on the Moselle River, we will dock in Koblenz and transfer by coach to Cochem for our guided tour and travel back by coach to Koblenz.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY5Through the magical Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim

There's free time this morning to explore Koblenz, once a Roman stronghold. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

Setting sail, we encounter a highlight of our cruise after lunch as we drift through the romantic Rhine Gorge. This UNESCO-listed section of the river is renowned for its spectacular views. Winding around bends surrounded by miles of vineyards, hilltop castles and picturesque towns, we also hear the legend of the Lorelei Rock. Soaring almost 500 feet out of the water, this monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, including the tale of a siren whose song has enchanted passing sailors.

We dock in Rüdesheim and travel to the centre of this renowned wine town by land train. Here, there's a choice of excursions. You could savour Rüdesheim's most famous produce with a tasting of the finest local varieties of wine or visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. After dinner, you're free to explore the town's cobbled streets, including colourful Drosselgasse.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY6Traditional Heidelberg and Lovely Speyer

During breakfast we arrive in the city of Mannheim and from here we journey by coach to charming Heidelberg for a guided tour. The picturesque university town is known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape.

Back onboard, we begin sailing to Speyer after lunch. Arriving later this afternoon, you can discover the city at your own pace. There's a beautiful Old Town and among the highlights is the city's cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Returning to our ship, we enjoy dinner and a restful overnight sailing upstream.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY7The enchanting Black Forest or striking Strasbourg

Sailing into to the enchanting city of Strasbourg after breakfast, there's a choice of two wonderful excursions. The first is a magical trip into the Black Forest, to witness stunning fairytale panoramas. Experience the beauty of Germany's largest nature park filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests, and meadows dotted with wildflowers. As you explore this fairytale setting, you'll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg, where you'll discover its fascinating history, admire its grand architecture and experience its unique character. The city sits on the French-German border and blends the best of the two cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. On our tour, we visit the cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.

Following your excursion this afternoon, we return to our ship for lunch and begin our final cruise towards Switzerland, enjoying the wonderful vistas enroute.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Optional Excursions

DAY8Homeward bound

The changing landscapes of the Rhine have been revealed on this journey from Amsterdam to Strasbourg and the Black Forest. Enroute, we have soaked up breathtaking scenery from our front-row seats, gliding through the stunning Rhine Gorge and along the meandering Moselle.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our crew. Making our way by rail from Basel to Zürich Airport, your Rhine cruise experience comes to an end as we fly back to London Heathrow.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

What’s included on the tour?

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Cabin DS
Deluxe Suites - Upper Deck

Travel in luxury and style when you choose one of our Deluxe Suites. Our largest en-suite cabins, at 26.4 square metres, a walk-out balcony, walk-in wardrobe an river-view lounge area.

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Cabin A1
Deluxe Stateroom - Upper Deck

These en-suite cabins are stylish and impressively spacious at 17.5 squre metres, with a panoramic window balcony, walk-in wardrobe and seating area.

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Cabin B1
Deluxe Stateroom - Middle Deck

These en-suite cabins are stylish and impressively spacious at 17.5 squre metres, with a panoramic window balcony, walk-in wardrobe and seating area.

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Cabin C1
Classic Stateroom - Lower Deck

Our Classic Staterooms offer quality, and elegance with space to relax in comfort at the end of the day. And we recognise the importance of having somewhere inviting to retire to after an engaging day of cruising or excursions. These 16 square metre en-suite cabins offer a wide picture window and large walk-in wardrobe.

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Enhance your holiday

London Hotels

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

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We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

London hotels
UK rail connections

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

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We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

UK train tickets
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