Experience a journey along the river less traveled and the fairytale sites of Germany and the Netherlands. Venture to meccas of music and art in Bonn, the hometown of Beethoven, and Dusseldorf, a hub for contemporary fashion and architecture. Explore the famed Mosel Wine Region that embraces the Moselle River, and trace the path of history along cobbled alleyways and charming town squares.
Highlights
Explore Düsseldorf's edgy art culture and innovative business landscape
Discover squares lined by classic Germanic architecture in Koblenz
View 12th-century Eltz Castle in Trier
Visit unofficial second capital of a reunified Germany - Bonn
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Everyone has an image of Amsterdam. For some, it’s small boats gliding on the canals and locals two-wheeling on bikes to work and, as frequently, to meet friends for drinks. For others, it’s gabled buildings leaning, seemingly precariously, over cobbled streets and cozy taverns illuminated by candles. Still others imagine tulips in bloom and the paintings Vermeer, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Each vision is even more beguiling when experienced in person.
For a city whose history can be traced to the 7th and 8th centuries, Düsseldorf's edgy art culture and innovative business landscape are all the most impressive. The capital city of the North is decidedly posh, pushing the boundaries of high fashion and high-rise design, and a culinary and nightlife scene caters to the international elite who populate the city. Banking and tech industries have brought the city great wealth, making Dusseldorf one of the world’s most livable cities.
Located where the Rhine and Moselle rivers and three mountain ranges meet, Koblenz’ scenery is unmatched. Add to that the city’s 2,000-year-old history, hilltop fortress and squares lined by classic Germanic architecture and you have a place ready-made for photos. Ambling along the town’s narrow lanes and river promenade, you might encounter medieval churches, flower-filled parks, sidewalk cafes and perhaps a weinstube, or wine tavern, ideal for sipping Riesling and drinking in the atmosphere.
A well-preserved medieval town, Bernkastel’s colorful Market Square is among the most authentic and lovely of those that line the riverside, with a Renaissance-era Town Hall and the bustling activity of shops and cafés. Don’t miss the Spitzhaüschen (pointed house) that famously towers above the other rooftops. With its ground floors built narrower than the upper floors, the building appears to wobble off balance but has stood strong since 1416.
Germany’s oldest town was founded by Romans and still bears remarkably preserved evidence of the culture – Roman baths, amphitheater and the imposing Porta Nigra gateway. It has since become synonymous with the rolling wine vineyards of the Rhineland that follow the Moselle, with the commanding 12th-century Eltz Castle standing guard.
With its half-timbered buildings, steep terraced slopes, lush vineyards and a picturesque castle overlooking the Moselle River, this charming town’s riverside promenade allows a chance to savor the atmosphere of a fairytale come to life. Take in the beauty of the surrounding hills, sometimes laced with mist, and see bridges spanning the lazy waters of the river. Perhaps you will feel somewhat lazy yourself, reluctant to move too quickly through a town seemingly stopped in time.
With its lovely riverside setting, Bonn is still considered the unofficial second capital of a reunified Germany, home to several governmental operations, as well as more than 20 United Nations institutions. Founded by Romans, it was the onetime capital of the Electorate of Cologne and the site of the largest known Roman fortress. Its favorite son, Ludwig van Beethoven, turns 250 in 2020, so the excitement here is reaching a high note.
People have been fighting over Arnhem for centuries. It’s no mystery, given its natural beauty, abundant parks and bicycle pathways, and lively scene of cafés and creative hubs. Its darkest hour came during World War II, when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, occupying the whole country within one week. In resistance, Arnhem became the site of the largest airborne military operation in history. Today, this prosperous town is known as a center of fashion and design.
Day 11: Amsterdam | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast aboard the Crystal Bach, disembark at your final destination - Amsterdam.
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.
Notes
Solo Supplement: A select number of cabins are available for single use. The single supplement varies by cabin type, please contact us for details. Child Discount: Children age 11 or under receive 50% off when sharing a cabin with two full paying guests. Children, regardless of age pay full rate in a double occupancy cabin.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 135 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 135 reviews on
8 hours ago
The agent had great response to questions and coordinated well to create an itinerary that met our expectations.
Bob Sunshine
1 day ago
Very responsive to all questions
Teresa Cardoso
2 days ago
Kelly and Rhenee were excellent to work with on planning our trip. The logistics all worked smoothly and everyone was friendly and on time. Our accommodations were very good, particularly the incredible Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine! Our guides on every excursion were outstanding and made the hikes memorable! Overall we had a wonderful trip with incredible memories!
Scott Gibson
2 days ago
Adventure Life is definitely a first-class safari tour company, and our representative was Franny Friesz. First of all, she responded immediately after we contacted Adventure Life. We told Franny that we had never been on a safari, and she was more than eager to offer a mountain of information about the trip. She informed us fully about all the ups, downs, and all arounds! She even prepared a number of packages for us to review -- even after we made changes to the areas we wanted to explore. Friendly, helpful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable -- these words describe Franny, and what a wonderful trip she prepared! We couldn't have asked for better service than Franny of Adventure Life. We HIGHLY recommend her and her outstanding company! Bon Voyage!
Prima Burke
3 days ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.