Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam

Arrive in the vibrant Dutch capital and check in to your hotel before heading out for a memorable first evening. Get your first taste of river life with a canal cruise and dinner with your fellow travellers, Experience Director and Experience Manager.

Today is yours to experience Amsterdam as you like. Wander along scenic canals, explore world-class museums or soak up the local atmosphere in a cosy cafe. For something extra, join an Optional Experience and taste your way through one of Amsterdam's most Bohemian quarters on a foodie tour or visit a traditional windmill in Volendam. On select seasonal departures you can opt to explore the colourful blooms of Keukenhof Gardens.

Depart Amsterdam and travel to Arnhem where you’ll uncover the story of Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation of WWII, aimed at securing key bridges in the Netherlands. Visit the Airborne Museum in Hartenstein and see the “Bridge Too Far,” where British paratroopers fought a heroic but ill-fated battle. This afternoon, board the Trafalgar Verity, your Rhine River Cruise ship. Settle in and explore the ship as you begin your journey along the legendary Rhine.

Your first night on the Lower Rhine takes you through the Rhine Plain and past North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s historic heart of industry. Dock in Cologne after a night cruising the Rhine and step ashore. With two included experiences to choose from, you can join a Local Specialist to explore the historic streets and see the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece over 600 years in the making. Or see a different side of the city on a Street Art tour, uncovering the alternative creative scene. In the afternoon, choose an Optional Experience and sample local brews on a Cologne Beer Experience, or visit the Michael Schumacher Private Collection, a must for motorsport fans.

Sail to the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), where the Moselle meets the Rhine, marked by the grand monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I. On land, join a Local Specialist to explore Koblenz. You can explore further with an optional bike ride along the Rhine, passing charming villages and historic castles along the way. Sit back and take in the scenery on your Rhine River cruise, as you begin to cruise through the Middle Rhine, a region straight out of a fairy tale, famous for its hillside vineyards and storybook castles. Arrive at Boppard and explore Rheinstein Castle, perched high above the river.

Your Rhine River cruise continues as you cruise through the Middle Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before arriving in Rüdesheim, a wine-making town known for its half-timbered houses. Take a mini-train tour to get acquainted with the area, then enjoy time to explore. You can choose to join an Optional Experience vineyard hike, winding through scenic trails with beautiful views alongside.

This morning, step ashore in Speyer, a town with deep medieval roots. With two included experiences to choose from, you can join a Local Specialist for a walking tour along Maximilian Street, passing baroque townhouses and visiting a medieval church. Discover the history of the 11th-century Jewish community and enjoy some local treats. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a private vinegar estate near Speyer, where you’ll enjoy a tasting and learn all about its sustainable production. Why not join an Optional Experience to Heidelberg? You’ll walk through its charming old town, cross the Old Bridge and see the striking Heidelberg Castle.