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Amsterdam- Your cruise will start in Amsterdam, undoubtedly one of the jewels of Europe. The bustling Dutch capital is among the most popular destinations in the world with travellers of all ages, thanks to its unique mix of historic sites, cultural diversity, freedom, and tradition. Tonight you can join our optional excursion exploring the historical heart of the city from a fascinating perspective with a local waterbus tour along its many canals. |
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Amsterdam- This morning you have the chance to see more of this wonderful city on your own or to visit one of the many museums. The recently reopened ‘Rijksmuseum’ is a real “must” and hosts one of the country’s most famous paintings; Rembrandt’s Nightwatch. You can also join us on an optional excursion to the typical fishing villages of Volendam and Marken, where you will learn about traditional Dutch life and history. In the afternoon the MS Switzerland II slips effortlessly from its mooring to cruise along the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal , passing Utrecht en route to join the river on which we will cruise upstream for the rest of our journey, the mighty Rhine, one of Europe’s greatest rivers. |
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Cologne- After a morning crossing the gentle lands of northern Germany, we arrive this afternoon in Cologne, the most populous city on the Rhine. Cologne is most famous for the ‘Kölner Dom’, Germany’s largest cathedral and a truly magnificent sight towering above the river, but religion and business are not the only important aspects of life in this city – the inhabitants of Cologne love life, especially in summer. The terraces along the river, the many bars in the old centre and the large shopping streets make Cologne a very enjoyable place in which to stopover. |
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Koblenz – The sensation of awakening somewhere different from the previous day is one of the great pleasures of river cruising, and this morning is no different as we arrive in the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz, beautifully situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Its abundance of cultural monuments and historic buildings, narrow alleyways and relaxed atmosphere make Koblenz a friendly town to explore and its guests feel right at home. We also offer two interesting excursions today. Enjoy a visit to the delightful spa town of Bad Ems, first taking in a city tour through Koblenz itself then continuing by coach to explore the beautiful landscape of the Lahn valley. In Bad Ems you’ll enjoy a short city walk taking in the fascinating mineral springs and the impressive casino. Our second option is a full day coach trip to explore the delightful Moselle Valley and its legendary towns; Cochem and Bernkastel . You will visit the remarkable ‘Reichsburg’ castle which towers high above the town of Cochem and offers a unique view of the picturesque half timbered houses and the surrounding vineyards. In Bernkastel visit the historic centre by foot and taste some of the great Moselle-wines for which the town is so famous. |
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Rüdesheim – We leave Koblenz early in the morning to cruise the most impressive section of the whole Rhine valley, the Rhine Gorge, where castles appear at every sinuous turn of the river! It is here that we pass the legendary ‘Loreley Rock’, so steeped in myth and legend, soaring some 120 metres above the waterline and marking the narrowest reach of the Rhine on its journey from Switzerland to the North Sea. After lunch we berth in Rüdesheim, a popular, charming and historic “wine town”. It’s long narrow street, the Drosselgasse, is famous throughout the land and lined on both sides with wine taverns and quaint half timbered cottages and this is a great place to take in a taste of some of the exquisite white wines from the region. |
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Mannheim / Heidelberg- A gentle overnight cruise upstream on the Rhine brings us to our next port of call, Mannheim, early in the morning. With approximately 315,000 inhabitants, Mannheim is a lively city, the impressive Mannheimer Palace and the 19th century water tower being the city’s main attractions. From Mannheim you can join the excursion to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town and one of the country’s most endearing small cities, famous for its historical centre and the beautiful castle set in a stunning location overlooking the main square. In the castle’s wine cellar lies the biggest wine barrel in the world with a capacity of 221.726 litres and another impressive sight is the Alte Brücke, the ancient bridge across the River Neckar. |
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Strasbourg- Today we arrive in France and moor in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region. The city is renowned for its enchanting medieval quarter with many historic buildings, the most famous of which are the superb Gothic cathedral and the Baroque Palace at its heart. Make the most of your time here on our optional tour taking in all the highlights of the city both contemporary and classic; Petit France, Gutenbergplatz, the Human Rights Building, the cathedral interior and more. |
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Basel- We reach our final destination early this morning and sadly it’s time to bid farewell to the friendly crew of the MS Switzerland II after a cruise through the heart of Europe that will live long in the memory. Why not end your cruise in style and join our panoramic coach excursion to explore the relatively unknown city of Basel , home of many of Switzerland’s premier cultural buildings. |
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