Discover the wonders of the Rhine River on this magnificent 8-day cruise. Start with a city tour of picturesque Zürich, followed by two nights in this magical city, then enjoy a scenic drive to Vitznau on Lake Lucerne for a second two-night stay. Board the MS Amastella and visit Strasbourg in Alsace and the historic university town of Heidelberg before sailing the stunning Rhine River Gorge, lined with ruins of medieval castles and fortresses. After experiencing Cologne and its majestic Gothic cathedral, conclude your cruise in the grand capital of Amsterdam.
Highlights
Visit St. Peter, which boasts the world’s largest church clock face
Bike along Strasbourg and stop at the Parc de l’Orangerie
Admire beautiful 17th-century homes and charming churches in Amsterdam
Visit the iconic Lion Monument sculpted in memory of the French Revolution
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Arrive in Zürich and check-in to your hotel. The day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2: Zurich
1 Breakfast
Set alongside a glistening lake and framed by the Alps, Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich seamlessly blends its historic past with its progressive future—all of which are on full display during your city tour. One of the top experiences in Zurich is a visit to Old Town where you can find yourself amongst medieval houses, churches and the modern Bahnhofstrasse, a mile-long street featuring exclusive fashion boutiques, stores and street cafés.
Day 3: Zurich | Lucerne
1 Breakfast
Check out of your hotel and transfer to Lake Lucerne, where you’ll enjoy a cruise across its tranquil waters. As part of your included excursion, you will ascend a picturesque mountain on a cable car ride, Mount Rigi, known as the “Queen of the Mountains.” Take in breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscape below. Later, check into your hotel.
Day 4: Lucerne
1 Breakfast
The iconic Lion Monument, sculpted in memory for the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792. It has captured the hearts and minds of visitors for centuries, including Mark Twain who praised it as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” You can also visit the spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century. Located around the Musegg Wall area, the towers rise high over the city, giving great panoramic views of Lucerne, the Reuss River and the surrounding mountain scenery. There are a total of nine towers, including one featuring the oldest clock in the city.
Visit the iconic Lion Monument before transferring to Basel where you enjoy some free time for lunch before embarking on your ship.
Wine-themed Cruise:
Visit the iconic Lion Monument before transferring to Basel where you enjoy some free time for lunch before embarking on your ship. Later in the evening, enjoy a welcome aboard wine toast.
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 Colmar, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and perhaps get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, a small replica of the famous version in New York, to commemorate the sculptor’s Colmar birthplace. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside, or go on a hike to the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions.
Wine-themed Cruise:
Visit the iconic Lion Monument before transferring to Basel where you enjoy some free time for lunch before embarking on your ship. Later in the evening, enjoy a welcome aboard wine toast.
One of the most enchanting cities in Europe and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Grand Île, Strasbourg is a captivating destination. Discover its many treasures with a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République. Walk through its iconic “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Prefer to enjoy the city more actively, then join a guided bike tour, which also takes you through the Parc de l’Orangerie.
Wine-themed Cruise:
One of the most enchanting cities in Europe and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Grand Île, Strasbourg is a captivating destination. Discover its many treasures with a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République. Walk through its iconic “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Prefer to enjoy the city more actively, then join a guided bike tour, which also takes you through the Parc de l’Orangerie. Later in the afternoon, be treated to a special Alsatian wine tasting of some of the region’s most delicious and notable wine. Discover how the Vosges Mountains provide the Alsace with ideal winemaking conditions, and as such, Alsatian wines are not only delightful on the palate, but they’re also highly praised for their fragrant aromas, ranging from bright and fruity to crisp and spicy.
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy.
Your exploration of Rüdesheim continues with your choice of three excursions. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the river. Afterwards, indulge your taste buds with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards. If you prefer a more active adventure, you can join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg or hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein where you can enjoy an exclusive festive celebration.
As a leading hub for German culture, commerce and architecture, Düsseldorf is a must-visit city for any travelers on the Rhine. Here, you will have multiple options for the day’s excursion. Explore this grand city on the Rhine by joining a walking tour, concluding with a tasting of Altbier, a local specialty brewed using traditional techniques. Alternatively, cover more ground with an active bike tour of the city. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a brief trip to the nearby city of Cologne. Join a guided tour through the 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.
Eclectic Amsterdam boasts amazing history, art, architecture, and museums, and you have three choices as to how you wish to explore it. The famous canals of Amsterdam await discovery on your city tour beginning with a scenic canal cruise followed by a walk to Begijnhof, known for its Middle Age buildings. For a different view of the city, you can join the Jordaan District walking tour or the Jewish Heritage tour. The Jordaan District tour begins at the Westerchurch and takes you past the Noordermarkt, the Karthuizerhof and the “9 streets”; afterward, stop in a local café for a hot beverage and Dutch apple pie. The Jewish Heritage tour begins with a visit to the 17th-century Portuguese Synagogue and the Jewish Historical Museum chronicling the history of the Jews in Amsterdam.
Day 12: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,6592-3 travelers
Cat. E
Violin & Cello Deck
French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
Cat.D
Piano Deck
Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
Cat.CB
Violin Deck
French Balcony, 155 sq. ft.
Cat.CA
Violin & Cello Deck
French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
Cat.BB
Cello Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
Cat.BA
Violin Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
Cat.AB
Cello Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
Cat.AA
Violin Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
Suite
Violin Deck
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.
Notes
Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
THEY GET BACK TO YOU PROMPTLY WITH ANSWERS TO YOUR CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS.
L Boerma
6 days ago
The Adventure Life staff, for me it's Franny, always listens to what I say about what kind of travel my wife and I want and expect. It never goes wrong. The motto at AL seems to be I will get back to you right away if not sooner. Requested changes and special requests are encouraged and acted on ASAP.
Dick Philpot
1 week ago
The trip planners at Adventure Life were very helpful and always replied to my inquiries right away. The excursions, accomodations, and local guides were excellent
Avi Argaman
1 week ago
Be sure to sign up for all the tours, otherwise you will be sitting on the boat since not all stops are moored at a dock. Some are anchored.