Great Rail Journeys
The Majestic Rhine: Basel to Amsterdam
8 daysfrom $3,337
Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail & river cruise holiday
Luxury 7 night Enchanting Rhine Cruise
Sail the majestic Rhine in luxury, gliding past fairytale castles, medieval towns, and lush vineyards on this enchanting 7-night river cruise.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: On board, Basel
London to Basel and onwards to your luxury 5 star cruise ship
Your holiday begins at London St. Pancras station as you travel by Eurostar to Paris, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at the Gare du Nord, your taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue your journey to Basel. On arrival in Basel your transfer will take you to your cruise ship, such as the AmaPrima, or one of her sister ships depending on departure date. Embarkation begins at 3pm; check in and settle into your comfortable cabin before the first of many delightful meals.
- Day 2overnight: On board
Breisach, Germany
Over breakfast choose between two excursions: a walking tour of Riquewihr, a picturesque town which retains many of its features from the 16th century, or a walking tour of Breisach and Freiburg. Breisach houses one of Europe's largest wine cellars; in Freiburg you will visit the historical city centre and the Augustinerplatz, site of Freiburg's Münster, a Gothic cathedral of red sandstone.
- Day 3overnight: On board, Strasbourg
Strasbourg, France
Capital of France's Alsace region, Strasbourg is situated on the Rhine at the German border. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the Orangery, the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique, then continue on foot with a walking tour of the lovely 'La Petite France' neighbourhood, seeing the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. The ship is moored overnight in Strasbourg.
- Day 4overnight: On board, Rüdesheim
Into Germany – Speyer, Heidelberg and Rüdesheim
Arrive in Ludwigshafen with a choice of excursions: a guided tour of Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities, with its imperial Romanesque Cathedral and the 13th-century Altpörtel gate tower, or the Heidelberg excursion, taking in the harmonious ensemble of castle, Old Town and river. Later you sail to the attractive town of Rüdesheim, where you can visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum with around 350 automated musical instruments, and explore the famous Drosselgasse. The ship is moored in Rüdesheim for the night.
- Day 5overnight: On board
Rüdesheim and the Rhine Gorge
Your exploration of Rüdesheim continues with a choice of three excursions: a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards, a guided bike ride along the Rhine to Schloss Johannisberg, or a hike through the town's beautiful vineyards. During the afternoon, sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein, where you'll enjoy a visit to Lahneck Castle.
- Day 6overnight: On board
Cologne
Home to one of Germany's most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral, this 2,000 year-old city is also a bustling cosmopolitan hotspot. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral, ride a bike along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten, or visit a local tavern to taste Kölsch beer and Reibekuchen.
- Day 7overnight: On board, Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Free time this morning before your Amsterdam Canal Cruise and City Tour. Visit the poignant Anne Frank House and the pretty flower market, discover quieter areas like the Jordaan or the Pijp, or feast on the cultural splendour of the Museum quarter. After a busy afternoon relax back on board and enjoy your farewell dinner.
- Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast say farewell to your floating hotel and make your own way to Amsterdam Centraal station to join the comfortable Inter City train to Brussels, where you join the Eurostar service back to London, relaxing over a light meal and drinks in your Standard Premier Class seat before arrival into London St Pancras.
Included
- First Class rail travel from London (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
- 7 night Rhine cruise in a spacious outside stateroom on a 5 star ship
- All meals, and wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Transfers
- Shore excursions
