Cruising on the Rhine River
The 820-mile-long Rhine River flows through six countries, The Netherlands, Lichtenstein, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, often incorporating its major tributaries too, Moselle, Main and the Neckar rivers. Many begin in Amsterdam, with key stops including Cologne, Koblenz, Baden-Baden, and Strasbourg, typically concluding in Basel. Cruises on the Rhine highlight medieval castles and beautiful vineyards, along with charming villages and the historic grandeur of centuries-old cities.
With numerous flights from international airports throughout North America to Amsterdam, the Dutch capital is easy to reach – you can catch a nonstop flight from New York City, Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, or Chicago. Upon your arrival, take time to beat the jet lag by doing a little exploring. This is a very bike-friendly city, with bicycles readily available to rent by the hour or the day, making it easy to tour on two wheels, visiting classics like the Anne Frank House, Van Gough Museum, the canals, or even the tulip fields, if you’re embarking on a spring cruise.
The highlights you can expect to enjoy include 2,000 years of history in Cologne, like Roman ruins and medieval churches, along with fascinating museums. Simply strolling the Old Town, capturing photos or sitting down for a drink in a cozy pub is enjoyable here. Baden-Baden is renowned as one of Europe’s most fashionable spa towns, located atop underground hot springs at the edge of the Black Forest, filled with original 19th-century French-influenced architecture, with ruins of Roman baths in the city center.
Strasbourg’s Old Town is especially lovely with its half-timbered houses, and you may be able to take an excursion to Mittelbergheim in the Alsace to sample tasty wines. Ending in Basel brings the opportunity to enjoy its medieval Old Town that’s centered around the Marktplatz and taking in views from the 12th-century gothic cathedral which contains the tomb of Erasmus, the 16th-century Dutch scholar.
