Trafalgar: Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam

Start your Rhine River Cruise in Basel, Switzerland, as you step aboard the elegant Trafalgar Verity, your floating home for the journey ahead. Settle into your cabin, explore the ship’s stylish interiors, and connect with fellow travellers over a welcome dinner hosted by your Experience Director. Raise a glass to the unforgettable landscapes, cultural treasures, and riverside towns waiting along the Rhine.

Journey north to Strasbourg, where the Rhine River winds between the Black Forest and Vosges Mountains, marking the border of France and Germany. Begin your day in Breisach, a colourful town overlooking the river, before enjoying a Be My Guest lunch with the Bohrer family on their traditional farm, featuring fresh, seasonal produce. In the afternoon, choose an optional visit to a charming Alsatian village, filled with half-timbered houses and scenic vineyards - an authentic taste of the Upper Rhine region.

Discover the cultural blend of Alsace, where French and German influences meet in a region rich with history. Join your Local Specialist for a walking tour of Strasbourg’s old town, featuring the stunning cathedral and the picturesque Petite France district. In the afternoon, choose an Optional Experience into the Black Forest, known for its fairytale villages, scenic landscapes, and traditional crafts—an enchanting highlight of your Rhine River journey.

Step ashore in Speyer, a medieval town rich in history and charm. Choose between two included experiences: a guided walking tour along Maximilian Street with visits to baroque townhouses, a medieval church, and the 11th-century Jewish quarter, or a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a private vinegar estate, where you’ll enjoy a tasting and learn about sustainable production. In the afternoon, opt for an Optional Experience to Heidelberg, exploring its romantic old town, crossing the Old Bridge, and visiting the majestic Heidelberg Castle.

Sail through the stunning Middle Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before arriving in Rüdesheim, a charming wine town known for its half-timbered houses and rich winemaking heritage. A mini-train tour introduces you to the town’s highlights, with time to explore at your own pace. Choose an Optional Experience with a vineyard hike offering panoramic views, or step back in time with a visit to Marksburg Castle, the only hilltop fortress on the Rhine never destroyed.

Continue on through the Middle Rhine, a region of fairytale castles, vineyard-covered hills, and romantic legends. Pass the iconic Deutsches Eck (German Corner), where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet beneath a monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I. Step ashore in Koblenz for a guided walking tour with your Local Specialist, exploring lively squares, historic churches, and unique landmarks. For a more active option, join an Optional Experience with a scenic bike ride along the Rhine, complete with a refreshing stop at a local beer garden.

Wake up in Cologne, where centuries of history meet modern creativity. Choose between two included experiences: a guided city tour with your Local Specialist, featuring the awe-inspiring UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, or a vibrant Street Art Tour showcasing the city’s edgy, artistic side. In the afternoon, opt for a visit to Düsseldorf, known for its blend of old and new, or explore the Michael Schumacher Private Collection, a must-see for Formula One fans. As your final night on the Lower Rhine unfolds, cruise through the Rhine Plain and past North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s historic industrial heart, before sailing into the Netherlands.

Cross into the Netherlands, your final country on this unforgettable Rhine River Cruise. Discover the heroic story of Operation Market Garden with a visit to the Airborne Museum in Hartenstein and the iconic “Bridge Too Far” in Arnhem. Later, transfer to Amsterdam, where you’ll bid farewell to the captain and crew of the Trafalgar Verity and settle in for two nights in the Dutch capital. The next day is yours to explore—wander scenic canals, visit world-class museums, or relax in a cosy café. Optional experiences include a foodie tour of the Jordaan district, a visit to a traditional windmill in Volendam, or, on seasonal departures, a trip to the Keukenhof Gardens. Celebrate your journey with a farewell canal cruise and dinner, shared with fellow travellers and your Experience team.