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Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Amsterdam
Your magical Rhine journey begins with two nights in the beguiling surroundings of Amsterdam. Old worlds and modern sensibilities collide in the bike-filled streets to offer an idyllic introduction to Europe.
• Familiarise yourself with Amsterdam with an unhurried stroll around the compact city centre, savouring the picturesque backdrop of this exciting city.
• Feast on cones of freshly cut fries doused in thick mayonnaise before heading to absorbing museums.
• Start by visiting the moving Anne Frank House.
• Then head to the world-class Rijksmuseum or be inspired in the van Gogh museum.
• End the day with a glass of Amstel or alcohol-free pilsner in a welcoming brown café in the photogenic De Negen Straatjes (nine streets) of the Jordaan district.
Day 2
Full day in Amsterdam
Your only full day in Amsterdam is a chance to discover the magnetic appeal of the Netherlands' most-visited city.
• Join the locals on two wheels (tour or hire) to reach all corners of the city, from buzzing Dam Square to the genteel Vondelpark.
• Or float around the serene canals on a glass-topped boat cruise.
• Grab some early souvenirs or irresistible bargains at the buzzing Albert Cuyp street market.
• Take a moment to see the notorious red light district before moving to the energetic Dam Square.
• End the day feasting on Indonesian-inspired rijsttafel around the convivial Rembrandtplein.
Day 3
Short train ride to Arnhem
We catch our full first sight of the Rhine upon arrival in Arnhem. The Dutch call their section of the major river, Nederrijn. It is a focus of life in this unassuming city.
• See the Netherlands of popular imagination at the Netherlands Open Air Museum. Reachable by tram, the museum is home to windmills, traditional farmhouses, canal locks, and exhibits showcasing Dutch history.
• Arnhem is infamous as the scene of an allied defeat in World War II, immortalised in the film “A Bridge Too Far”. Visit the viciously contested John Frost Bridge to understand its importance.
• Learn more about this bloody battle at the Airborne Museum at the Bridge.
• Grab some gouda-filled boterhammen (sandwiches) and enjoy a peaceful moment in the genteel Park Sonsbeek.
• Learn more about how the Dutch maximise the potential of water from the Rhine at the Nederlands Water Museum.
Day 4
ICE train ride to Cologne
From Arnhem, slick ICE trains whisk you to Cologne, a city that realised the advantages of the Rhine in ancient Roman times.
• Start with a visit to the imposing Kölner Dom, Cologne Cathedral. Started in 1248 and still officially unfinished, it is Germany’s most-visited landmark.
• Afterwards, head into Cologne's comely old town. Stop for a glass of ultra-fresh Kolsch beer in the lively Alter Markt public square.
• Make time to see another magnificent Romanesque structure, the soaring (and finished) Great St. Martin Church.
• Take a calming moment in the aromatic Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln botanical gardens.
• Savour a plate of schnitzel or more international fare at a restaurant with views over the Rhine and Kölner Dom.
Day 5
Full day in Cologne
Make the most of your final day in Cologne with some action-packed sightseeing.
• Rouse yourself with some inspiring modern art, including Picasso masterpieces, at the Ludwig Museum.
• Tickle your tastebuds at the Cologne Chocolate Museum on the banks of the Rhine.
• Grab a savoury moment and sample piquant currywurst and fries from a street vendor.
• Relish airborne panoramas over the Rhine on a cable car in the Rheinpark, one of Germany’s finest public green spaces.
• Enjoy dinner and an evening stroll along the Rhine on the easy-to-follow Rheinboulevard, followed by a nightcap of refreshing Kolsch in a traditional brauhaus.
Day 6
Scenic train ride to Koblenz
Koblenz is just an hour from Cologne by train, passing through Bonn, the erstwhile capital of West Germany. Sitting at the point where the Moselle and Rhine meet, it is an essential stop on any Rhine tour.
• Visit the Deutsches Eck promontory at the confluence of two mighty rivers.
• Take a cable car up to the imposing Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the banks of the Rhine. The sprawling Prussian fortification is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Cruise down the Rhine to see breathtaking castles like the beautiful Stolzenfels Schloss.
• Call into the elegant Schloss Koblenz, a former residence of the Prussian crown prince.
• Cap a jam-packed day with dinner around the Münzplatz square, or head back onto the Rhine for a romantic dinner cruise.
Day 7
ICE train ride to Frankfurt
The incredible Rhine rail tour reaches Frankfurt in under two hours by high-speed train from Koblenz. Drop your bags at the hotel and head out to explore the thriving city on the banks of the river Main, a tributary of the Rhine. It's a city full of surprising perspectives on German history.
• Start with a taste of old Frankfurt in the charming DomRömer Quarter, the recently reconstructed old town.
• Stop for a glass of Frankfurt’s favourite tipple, apfelwein (cider), in the Römerberg public square.
• Admire the expansive collection at the Städel Museum overlooking the river Main.
• End the evening with a plate of frankfurter sausages and potato salad in bohemian Bornheim.
Day 8
Full day in Frankfurt
See the different faces of a fascinating city on day 8 and sample Frankfurt's divergent personality.
• See the city's highlights on a hop-on-hop-off bus, a bike tour, or on the old trams of the Ebbelwei-Express.
• Taste foodie delights in the vibrant Kleinmarkthalle covered food market.
• Enjoy spectacular vistas from the top of the soaring Main Tower.
• Learn about the legacy of a German icon at the Goethe House museum.
• Finish the day sampling modern German cuisine in the enticing restaurants of upscale Fressgass street (Grosse Bockenheimer Strasse).
Day 9
Full day in Frankfurt
If you're not heading onto Basel, this might be your last day to enjoy German hospitality.
• Get the day going by visiting the small riverside museums of Sachsenhausen.
• Experience contemporary life in the dynamic Innenstadt. Germany's primary financial hub is filled with shops and bars that enliven the neighbourhood.
• For a more peaceful activity, head to the lush Palm Gardens botanical and butterfly parks just outside the city centre.
• Complete your river cruise itinerary with a sojourn down the river Main.
• Finish the day with drinks and dinner in the shadow of history in the Altstadt (old town).
Day 10
ICE high speed train ride to Basel
If you’re not heading to Basel, it’s time to conclude the captivating Rhine route. Otherwise, it’s a few hours flashing through picturesque landscapes to reach the final destination for one last Rhine experience, this time with a Swiss twist.
• Start by meandering around the walkable old town for your first snapshot of beautiful Basel.
• Visit the landmark Spalentor City Gate.
• Stop at the gothic Basel Minster church, first built in the 11th century, it boasts a compelling vista over the Rhine.
• Admire the Basel Town Hall in the handsome Marktplatz public square.
• Wrap the day up by gorging on gooey fondue or melted raclette in a traditional Swiss restaurant in the ever-lively old town.
Day 11
Full day in Basel
There is a wealth of appealing things to see and do in Basel, long considered the capital of Swiss culture.
• The Kunstmuseum is home to the oldest public art collection in the world and is a Swiss cultural institution par excellence.
• Grab a bite to eat from the dizzying array of international vendors in the Markthalle indoor market.
• For surreal moments that delight young and old children, visit the Museum Tinguely, which showcases the playful works of the kinetic sculptor Jean Tinguely.
• Be sure to see one of his most celebrated public works at the Tinguely Fountain.
• End the evening in the effervescent Rheingasse neighbourhood dinner with a plate of the unofficial Swiss national dish, rösti.
Day 12
Departure from Basel
It's time to say goodbye to the Rhine and to a compelling rail tour through contrasting cities dripping in culture and history.
• Sneak in one last revealing snapshot of Basel at the fascinating historical museum.
• Stock up on attractive gifts at Jakob's biscuit bakery, the oldest in Switzerland.
• Cherish a last moment with the Rhine on the iconic Mittlere Brücke bridge spanning the river.
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