River Cruise on The Rhine
This evocative river runs it course through The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France and Switzerland. So it provides a deep well-spring of appealing itineraries in Europe. It is easy therefore, to combine a river cruise with, say, a self-drive tour, a villa stay, rail journeys or a city stay and combine visits to several European countries.
The Rhine River passes through the incredible history and epic landscapes of Europe. Some of the most stunning highlights of this beautiful stretch of water include: Strasbourg where influence from French and German culture are equally in evidence; the thousand year old cathedral of Holy Roman Emporor Heinrich II in Bamsberg; Cologne Cathedral, Marksburg Castle and in Nuremberg, the Palace of Justice, site of the famous Nuremberg Trials.
In Switzerland there is Basel, where you can visit the museum of fine art to view the works of masters like Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. As for scenery, the
highlight of any Rhine River voyage is the medieval castles, in the greatest concentration to be found of any river valley in the world. And the backdrop for these magnificent fortresses is quaint old-world towns and spectacular vineyards.
Autumn and winter in Europe are the time to take advantage of crispness in the air. Only cruises during the weeks of late November to December are dubbed “Christmas Markets” cruises. Cities such as Nuremberg, Regensburg, Salzburg and Vienna, each have their own particular Christmas appeal. These market cruises, of course, are the perfect way to combine sightseeing on both the Rhine and Danube Rivers.
The quality of the cuisine onboard a Rhine River cruise is generally excellent, and local wines and specialties are a feature of the dining experience. From tiny Nuremberger sausages, Côtes du Rhône wines and deliciously cooked epicurean meals prepared from freshly-procured ingredients, the end of each day is marked with an elegant dining ambience and well-honed service.
Shore excursions offer a satisfying variety of sightseeing options. On a Rhine River cruise you might begin or end your journey in Amsterdam. You could take a canal
cruise in a glass-top boat to take in the city’s architecture – 17th C century homes, charming churches and 16th C merchant houses. Alternatively, opt for a visit to the Van Gogh Museum. Elsewhere on the Rhine, in Rüdesheim for instance, you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, take a ride in a gondola or visit a Rhine Valley winery for a tasting. At Christmas time the ambience of Rüdesheim puts on a magical mantle. You can explore the town and its’ Christmas Market of Nations’ where
more than 120 stalls represent 12 nations, their specialities and traditions. Along the Drosselgasse and in the Old Town, shops and stalls offer a variety of produce, and the town’s winemakers open their cellars to serve wine and other winter treats.
Rhine River cruising allows you to effortlessly take in the iconic attractions and charming secrets of Europe’s heartland.
River cruise on the Danube River
River cruise on the Seine River
River cruise on the Volga River
River cruise on the Nile River
River cruise on the Yangtze River
River cruise on the Mekong River
