7/8day cruise "Classical Rhine from Basel"

Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland, a cosmopolitan city with a Rhine port, an important center for banking and commerce. Basel lies in the “Dreiländereck”, the meeting place of Switzerland, France and Germany. Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18th-century homes. Basel is one of Europe’s most vibrant centers of arts and culture. You’ll begin your exploration in its remarkably preserved Old Town, an entrancing cluster of medieval squares and structures, such as the splendid Cathedral, built from red sandstone in Gothic and Romanesque style.

Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg blends the cultures of both countries in a delightful way. From the Roman era up until the present day, Strasbourg has played a significant role and had an eventful history. Its impressive buildings still bear testament to this today. Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace and a European metropolis with many educational and cultural institutions and the seat of the European Council of Ministers. Enjoy a panoramic city tour that will take you past the Orangery, the town’s oldest park, the European Parliament, and the Place de la Republique. Afterwards, take a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” district, where you will see the monumental red-sandstone Gothic cathedral with its ancient murals, stained-glass windows, and fascinating astronomical clock. Also spend time exploring Place Kléber, a large historic square in the heart of the city, and Place Gutenberg in the heart of medieval Strasbourg, which features a statue of the inventor of the printing press.

Speyer is a historic old imperial city, which is situated on the west bank of the Rhine. It suffered severe destruction in 1689 during the war over the Palatinate succession. Its stunning Romanesque imperial cathedral is considered a pivotal structure in the evolution of European architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the burial place of eight emperors including some of the most famous Holy Roman Emperors. Stroll Speyer’s charming, shop-lined main street and see the impressive clock tower of the Altpörtel, the Old Town Gate.

Mannheim is located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Neckar. Its streets and avenues are laid out in a grid pattern, leading to its nickname "city of the squares”. At every street corner you will soon notice that in Mannheim quality of life has much to do with extraordinary experiences.

Rüdesheim, an ancient little town, stretches along the Rhine under the hills of the Niederwald. The best vineyards are traditionally said to have been planted with Traminer vines by Charlemagne. The excellent local wines and the charming and varied scenery have enabled Rüdesheim to develop into one of the busiest tourist centers on the Middle Rhine.  Rüdesheim has two castles – the Oberburg and the Vorderburg – both built in the 12th century. Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where you’ll see and hear a large collection of music boxes from the 18th to the early 20th centuries.

Koblenz is not just where history meets modernity, but also where the Rhine meets the Mosel: at the “Deutsches Eck” (“German Corner”) the two rivers join each other in front of the equestrian statue of Emperor William I. We cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping in Koblenz to visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed. After your tour, we continue cruising this stunning stretch of the Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cochem, located on the beautiful and picturesque Mosel is regarded as one of the most romantic places in Germany. Cochem is known for its beautiful half-timbered houses and its charming town centre. The wine-making history of the region dates back nearly 2,000 years to Roman times. Enjoy a guided tour of Cochem that takes you to the spectacular hilltop Reichsburg Castle, offering fantastic views of the river valley below.

Cologne is one of Germany’s largest cities and capital of the Rhineland. The city straddles both sides of the Rhine. Cologne developed out of a Roman colony and looks back on a history of more than 2000 years. In the Middle Ages it was one of the leading towns in Germany. The Second World War destroyed most of the inner city and these parts were rebuilt in a modern style. The landmark and emblem of the city is the Cathedral, a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. You will have a guided tour of the city, strolling through the Old Town and Cathedral Square, and visiting the fabled 13th- century Cathedral. After your tour, spend the rest of the day exploring Cologne on your own: there are Roman ruins, interesting neighborhoods and wonderful museums like the Fragrance Museum and the Chocolate Museum

The town of Volendam is located northeast of Amsterdam. Enjoy a late afternoon tour of Volendam Harbor and admire its fishing fleet and fish auction building. The city has tiny streets and traditional houses and is now predominantly a tourist town with souvenir and gift shops, boutiques and restaurants. During tourist season the residents enhance this image by dressing in traditional regional costumes and demonstrating the local crafts. From here you can also visit the world-renowned Keukenhof Gardens, flooded in the spring with flowering bulbs.

The Port of Amsterdam is one of the most impressive harbors of Europe. Its industrial appearance turns it into a mysterious spectacle. The city is the economic and cultural center of the Netherlands. It is an "open museum", with beautiful canals, bridges, endless walkways and bike lanes.

The Port of Amsterdam is one of the most impressive harbors of Europe. Its industrial appearance turns it into a mysterious spectacle. The city is the economic and cultural center of the Netherlands. It is an "open museum", with beautiful canals, bridges, endless walkways and bike lanes.