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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise

The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel - Fly

River cruise through four countries from Amsterdam to Basel aboard luxury ship

Illustration of The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel - Fly

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted river cruise aboard the five-star MS Amadeus Amara, flying you from London Heathrow to Amsterdam and returning from Basel. The ship carries you through four countries, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, with seven nights onboard and included meals and drinks at every turn. Days follow a leisurely rhythm: sail through the morning, arrive for lunch and an afternoon excursion, return for dinner. Day 3 takes you to Cologne for a guided city tour and German beer tasting beside the Gothic cathedral. Day 4 includes the Drachenfels Cog Railway, ascending the mountain past a fairytale castle to sweeping Rhine Valley views. Day 5 drifts through the romantic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site lined with vineyards and hilltop castles, arriving in Rüdesheim where you choose between wine tasting and a mechanical music museum. Day 6 visits Heidelberg's ruined red sandstone castle and Old Town. Day 7 offers a choice between the Black Forest and a Strasbourg city tour. This suits luxury-seekers and couples who value all-inclusive comfort, guided structure and historic European scenery without the need to arrange transport or meals.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 2,499 (USD 3,337) covers the package and flights from London Heathrow; regional departures are available at different prices.
  • The single supplement starts at GBP 3,699 (USD 4,932), substantially above half the double price, making solo travel significantly more expensive.
  • The optional excursion to Volendam and Edam on Day 2 is not included in the base price.
  • No current departures are listed beyond May to July 2027.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)

    Flight to Amsterdam and boarding our luxurious ship

    Meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London Heathrow ahead of a flight to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport. On arrival, transfer to the ship where you are greeted by the Amadeus crew with a welcome cocktail. Time to unwind, familiarise yourself with the surroundings and settle into your cabin. Enjoy the first dinner together in the panoramic restaurant accompanied by a performance from a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)

    Amsterdam canal boat cruise and optional trip to Volendam

    Enjoy breakfast onboard before a sightseeing canal boat cruise of Amsterdam, soaking up stunning views of the city's picturesque canals and architecture. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Volendam and Edam to uncover their cheese heritage. Later, embark on the first relaxing cruise of the holiday, sailing through the Lower Rhine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Cologne)

    Exploring the historic city of Cologne

    Sail towards Cologne, arriving around lunchtime. After lunch onboard, embark on a guided tour of the city's squares and Romanesque townhouses. Visit the iconic cathedral, the largest in northern Europe, a UNESCO-listed Gothic masterpiece begun in 1248. Marvel at its ornate carvings and stained-glass windows before a local beer tasting. Return to the ship for dinner moored in Cologne.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing to Koblenz)

    Riding the scenic Drachenfelsbahn

    Enjoy a morning of relaxed sailing south along the Rhine, passing through Bonn. After lunch, dock in Königswinter for a trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway, passing the fairytale Drachenburg Castle and ascending to the summit for wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region. Depart Königswinter this evening sailing towards Koblenz, passing the highest cold-water geyser in the world near Andernach.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Rüdesheim)

    Through the magical Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim

    Free time in the morning to explore Koblenz, including a stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. After lunch, drift through the romantic Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage site, hearing the legend of the Lorelei Rock. Dock in Rüdesheim and travel to the centre by land train. Choose between a wine tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. After dinner, explore the town's cobbled streets including Drosselgasse.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)

    Along the Upper Rhine to Heidelberg and Speyer

    Arrive in Mannheim after breakfast, then journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour of the Old Town, riverfront and the magnificent ruined red sandstone castle. Return onboard and sail to Speyer after lunch. Explore one of Germany's oldest cities at your own pace, including the 11th-century cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to the ship for dinner ahead of an overnight sailing upstream.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing to Basel)

    Reaching Strasbourg and optional Black Forest excursion

    Sail into historic Alsace city of Strasbourg after breakfast. Choose between a trip into the magical Black Forest (Germany's largest nature park) or a city tour of Strasbourg visiting its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to the ship for lunch and begin the final cruise towards Switzerland.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, disembark and say goodbye to the crew. Transfer to Basel airport and fly back to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Guided tour of Cologne Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, begun in 1248, followed by a local beer tasting.
  • Day 4Ride the Drachenfels Cog Railway from Königswinter past Drachenburg Castle to the mountain summit for panoramic views across the Rhine Valley.
  • Day 5Drift through the romantic Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage site, hearing the legend of the Lorelei Rock, before docking in Rüdesheim.
  • Day 6Guided tour of Heidelberg's Old Town, riverfront and the magnificent ruined red sandstone castle.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Amsterdam and Basel to London Heathrow
  • Regional departures available
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Superb excursions included
  • Amsterdam sightseeing canal boat cruise
  • Guided tour of Cologne
  • Beer tasting in Cologne
  • Drachenfels Cog Railway trip
  • Guided tour of Heidelberg including castle visit
  • Choice of excursions in Rüdesheim (wine tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet)
  • Choice of excursions in Strasbourg (city tour or Black Forest trip)
  • Welcome cocktail on boarding
  • Traditional Dutch sea shanty choir performance on first evening
  • Nightly entertainment onboard
  • Fitness centre, massage facilities, shuffleboard, giant chess, wine bar and Amadeus Club access

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Optional excursion to Volendam and Edam
  • London hotel (available as optional extra)
  • UK rail connections (available as optional extra)

Questions travellers ask

Is this trip escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.
What ship is used?
MS Amadeus Amara, a five-star river cruise vessel. You sleep onboard every night of the cruise.
Are flights included?
Yes. Flights from London Heathrow to Amsterdam and from Basel back to London Heathrow are included in the from-price of GBP 2,499.
What meals and drinks are included?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily. A drinks package accompanies dinner every night, including a spectacular gala dinner.
Which excursions are included?
Included excursions are the Amsterdam canal boat cruise, Cologne city tour with beer tasting, Drachenfels Cog Railway, and guided Heidelberg tour including castle visit. In Rüdesheim and Strasbourg, you choose between two options each (wine tasting or museum in Rüdesheim; city tour or Black Forest excursion in Strasbourg).
When does the trip run?
Three departures are scheduled: May 2027, June 2027 and July 2027.

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