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Cologne, Germany

8-Day Cologne River Cruises

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Discover the enchanting city of Cologne, Germany, on an 8-day river cruise. This journey offers a blend of cultural experiences and urban exploration as you wander through the historic Cologne Old Town and explore Mainz’s charming streets. Admire the festive decorations at Basel’s Christmas Market and sample delicious treats. Whether you choose to join a Christmas Market tour, visit local markets, or enjoy a river cruise, this trip promises an unforgettable experience. To start planning your adventure to Cologne in 2026 or 2027, contact one of our Trip Planners.
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    • Cologne
Old city of Koblenz by night
from $7,990
OBC
EXPLORE

Jewels of the Rhine

Amsterdam - Zurich - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Emerald Dawn
  • Explore Alkmaar's historic charm
  • Sail Rhine’s scenic landscapes
  • Stroll Dusseldorf's vibrant streets
  • Discover Cologne's Gothic cathedral
Starts / Ends
Amsterdam / Zurich
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on an 8-day river cruise from Amsterdam to Zurich aboard the Emerald Dawn. Discover Alkmaar’s cheese traditions, Cologne’s Gothic cathedral, the Rhine Gorge’s castles, and the Black Forest’s culinary delights.
Cruise Details
0
Ehrenfels Castle on Rhine River near Rudesheim
from $2,979
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Enchanting Rhine - Cruise Only

Basel - Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amalucia
  • Explore Heidelberg's castle views
  • Savor Rudesheim's famed Riesling
  • Stroll Strasbourg's streets
  • Discover Breisach's scenic past
Starts / Ends
Basel / Amsterdam
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on an 8-day river cruise aboard the MS Amalucia, exploring cities where rich history meets modern progress. Journey along the scenic Rhine, passing 40 castles, timeless traditions, and inspiring towns like Heidelberg, where Mark Twain wrote A Tramp Abroad.
Cruise Details
0
Explore the inspiring Amsterdam
from $4,049
EBD $4000
EXPLORE

Swiss Alps and Rhine Castles - Cruise Only

Basel - Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaserena
  • Explore Basel’s medieval charm
  • Discover Lucerne’s landmarks
  • Stroll Strasbourg’s streets
  • Taste Rudesheim’s coffee
Starts / Ends
Basel / Amsterdam
Activity Level
Variable
Experience an 8-day Rhine River cruise on the MS Amaserena, visiting festive cities like Basel, Strasbourg, and Cologne. Enjoy Christmas markets, cultural highlights, and beautiful winter scenery, concluding your journey in historic Amsterdam.
Cruise Details
0
Explore the historic old town Koblenz
from $3,999
EXPLORE

Rhine Holiday Markets

Basel - Cologne - 8 Day Itinerary aboard S.S. Antoinette
  • Visit Basel’s Christmas Market
  • Tour to Doktorenhof vinegar estate
  • Savor mulled wine at Cologne
  • Walk through the Cologne Old Town
Starts / Ends
Basel / Cologne
Activity Level
Variable
Experience the holiday season on an 8-day Rhine Holiday Market river cruise from Basel to Cologne aboard the S.S. Antoinette. Discover Strasbourg, known as the "Capital of Christmas,". Sail through the romantic Rhine Valley, past historic castles and quaint villages. Each stop brings traditions, delightful excursions, and unforgettable memories.
Cruise Details
0
Explore Cologne
from $11,190
OBC
EXPLORE

Rhine Christmas Markets

Amsterdam to Zurich - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Amber
  • Visit Cologne Cathedral landmark
  • Explore historic Heidelberg Castle
  • Attend Bruchsal Palace concert
  • Tour Strasbourg holiday markets
Starts / Ends
Amsterdam / Zurich
Activities
Christmas Market Visits, Spa Relaxation
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on an 8-day Rhine Christmas Markets cruise from Amsterdam to Zurich aboard Scenic Amber. Explore festive Düsseldorf, historic Cologne, and vineyard-framed Rüdesheim. Visit Heidelberg and attend an exclusive concert at Bruchsal Palace. Wander Strasbourg’s markets, discover Alsace charm in Colmar, or explore Freiburg near the Black Forest before disembarking in Basel.
Cruise Details
0
La Petite district in Strasbourg
from $6,990
OBC
EXPLORE

Jewels of the Rhine

Amsterdam to Zurich - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Emerald Destiny
  • Discover Heidelberg Castle gardens
  • Cruise the Rhine Gorge
  • Taste flavors of Alsace
  • Visit Cologne Cathedral
Starts / Ends
Amsterdam / Zurich
Activity Level
Variable
Sail from Amsterdam to Zurich on an 8-day Rhine River cruise aboard Emerald Destiny. Visit iconic destinations including Alkmaar, Cologne, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg. Join guided walking tours, enjoy scenic bike rides, and experience local flavors across Germany, France, and Switzerland.
Cruise Details
0
Brilliant tulips growing near Amsterdam
from $8,390
OBC
EXPLORE

Tulips & the Rhine

Amsterdam to Zurich - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Emerald Luna
  • Visit Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
  • Tour Strasbourg Neustadt District
  • Explore Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
  • Bike Around Breisach
Starts / Ends
Amsterdam / Zurich
Activities
Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on the Rhine River on an 8-day Emerald Luna cruise from Amsterdam to Zurich. Explore tulip gardens, medieval towns, and cultural landmarks across the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. Enjoy guided tours, excursions, and scenic cruising for a complete experience of the Rhine’s historic and picturesque waterways.
Cruise Details
0
Enjoy a cozy Christmas market in Cologne
from $10,790
OBC
EXPLORE

Rhine Christmas Markets

Zurich - Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Jasper
  • Wander Freiburg’s old town
  • Stroll Strasbourg markets
  • Tour Cologne Cathedral
  • Explore Colmar markets
Starts / Ends
Basel / Amsterdam
Activity Level
Variable
Experience a festive 8-day Rhine River cruise from Zurich to Amsterdam on the Scenic Jasper. Discover historic Christmas markets charming towns, and enjoy special traditions like glühwein and festive shopping.
Cruise Details
0
Cruise the rivers of Germany
from $7,990
OBC
EXPLORE

Jewels of the Rhine

Zurich - Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Emerald Sun
  • Explore Freiburg’s historic center
  • Discover Strasbourg’s Old Town
  • Tour Heidelberg’s castle ruins
  • Wander Koblenz’s Old Town
Starts / Ends
Zurich / Amsterdam
Activity Level
Variable
Join an 8-day cruise from Zurich to Amsterdam on the Emerald Sun, featuring a welcome dinner in Basel, guided tours, and a private concert at Bruchsal Palace. Experience the Rhine Gorge, visit Koblenz and Cologne, and enjoy a canal cruise or cycling tour in Amsterdam.
Cruise Details
0
Stop in beautiful Basel, Switzerland
from $3,699
EXPLORE

Castles along the Rhine

Basel - Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard S.S. Antoinette
  • Discover Alsatian wine villages
  • Visit Marksburg Castle in Koblenz
  • Savor Rieslings at Castle Vollrads
  • Explore Cologne's historic center
Starts / Ends
Basel / Amsterdam
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on an 8-day Rhine River cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard the S.S. Antoinette. Discover the charm of medieval towns like Breisach and Braubach, explore the cobbled streets of Strasbourg, and visit the majestic Marksburg Castle. Delight in guided walking tours, bike rides along the Rhine, and panoramic views from cable cars.
Cruise Details
0
Basel at Christmas, Switzerland
from $2,799
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Christmas on the Rhine

Amsterdam - Basel - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Viking River Cruises
  • Discover Basel
  • Explore Breisach
  • Experience Strasbourg, France
  • Explore Rüdesheim, Germany
Starts / Ends
Amsterdam / Basel
Activities
Festival Visits
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on an 8-day Christmas on the Rhine Cruise with Viking Cruises from Amsterdam to Basel. Experience festive charm in picturesque villages, savor holiday treats at vibrant stalls and revel in the Rhine Valley's joyful atmosphere, including Cologne's sparkling lights.
Cruise Details
0
Explore Basel
from $4,699
EXPLORE

Castles along the Rhine

Basel - Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard S.S. Victoria
  • Tour the capital of Alsatian wines
  • Enjoy a visit the Romanesque cathed
  • Visit the Marksburg Castle
  • Walk through Strasbourg
Starts / Ends
Amsterdam / Basel
Activity Level
Variable
During this 8-day cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard the S.S. Victoria, cruise along the impressive Rhine River —Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans.
Cruise Details
0
Western Church with water canal view in Amsterdam
from $4,699
EXPLORE

Castles along the Rhine

Basel to Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard S.S Elisabeth
  • Explore Breisach wine region
  • Discover Speyer Cathedral views
  • Taste wines at Vollrads
  • Tour Cologne’s Old Town
Starts / Ends
Basel / Amsterdam
Activities
Small Ship Sailing
Activity Level
Variable
During this 8-day Rhine River cruise aboard the S.S. Elisabeth, cruise from Basel to Amsterdam, visiting Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Cologne. Enjoy guided tours, wine tastings, scenic cruising, and cultural experiences across Switzerland, France, and Germany in 8 unforgettable days.
Cruise Details
0
Wander a cozy Christmas Market
from $4,049
EXPLORE

Christmas Markets on the Rhine - Cruise Only

8 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaprima
  • Admire Amsterdam's famous canals
  • Bike along Rüdesheim
  • Visit Strasbourg’s Christmas Market
  • Enjoy Europe's Christmas markets
Activity Level
Variable
Enjoy a 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard the MS Amaprima. As you sail the Rhine River, visit classic Christmas markets, bike along Rüdesheim, boat down canals, and visit historic castles that highlight this region of central Europe, including stops in Cologne, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Breisach.
Cruise Details
0
La Petite district in Strasbourg
from $3,951
No SS
EXPLORE

Romantic Rhine (Southbound)

Amsterdam to Basel - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Avalon Envision
  • Cruise Amsterdam’s canals
  • Bike ride in Cologne
  • Sail the Rhine Gorge
  • Taste Rüdesheim coffee
Starts / Ends
Amsterdam / Basel
Activities
Archaeological Site Visits
Activity Level
Variable
Experience an 8-day Romantic Rhine cruise aboard Avalon Envision, sailing through Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Explore Amsterdam, Cologne, Rüdesheim, Mainz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Breisach, with castles, cathedrals, and the Black Forest along the way.
Cruise Details
0
Brilliant tulips growing near Amsterdam
from $4,030
EXPLORE

Romantic Rhine (Northbound)

Basel to Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Avalon View
  • Black Forest excursion
  • Strasbourg cathedral visit
  • Heidelberg castle tour
  • Rhine Gorge sailing
Starts / Ends
Basel / Amsterdam
Activities
Hiking
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on an 8-day Rhine River cruise, traveling from Basel to Amsterdam aboard Avalon View. Explore Germany’s Black Forest, Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral, and Heidelberg Castle. Walk through Mainz, sail the Rhine Gorge past ancient castles, and visit Cologne’s cathedral before ending among Amsterdam’s canals.
Cruise Details
0
Bridge in Amsterdam, Netherlands
from $3,930
EXPLORE

Romantic Rhine (Southbound)

Amsterdam to Basel - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Avalon View
  • Guided walking tour in Amsterdam
  • See Cologne’s twin-steepled Gothic
  • Sail along Rhine Gorge
  • Discover Strasbourg’s Iconic Sights
Starts / Ends
Amsterdam / Basel
Activities
Biking, Wine Tasting, Village Visits, Urban Exploration
Activity Level
Variable
Experience an 8-day Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard Avalon View. Explore Amsterdam canals, Cologne’s Gothic cathedral, Rhine Gorge castles, Rüdesheim vineyards, Heidelberg Castle, Strasbourg’s La Petite France, the Black Forest, and Basel’s city center. Optional guided excursions are available throughout the journey.
Cruise Details
0
Stop in beautiful Basel, Switzerland
from $5,099
EXPLORE

Rhine Holiday Markets

Basel to Cologne - 8 Day Itinerary aboard S.S Elisabeth
  • Stroll Basel’s Christmas Street
  • Explore Strasbourg’s markets
  • Tour historic Baden-Baden
  • See Cologne Cathedral
Starts / Ends
Basel / Cologne
Activities
Local Market Visits
Activity Level
Variable
During the 8-Day Rhine Holiday Markets Cruise aboard S.S. Elisabeth, celebrate the holiday season on a scenic Christmas Market Rhine river cruise from Basel to Cologne. Visit charming cities like Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, Mainz, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Cologne.
Cruise Details
0
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