Travel
Signposts Newsletter |
|
|
The Rhine and Moselle - European River Cruise Routes
Here is a typical itinerary for a river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle that visits Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, in this case on the River Queen with Trafalgar. Most of these cruises last from 7 - 15 days, this is certainly one of the most extensive. Trafalgar and Uniworld uses the River Queen and River Baroness, INTRAV uses the Rembrandt, Avalon uses the Tapestry, Viking uses the Viking Sun.
Below the itinerary we quote some of the descriptions of the route, so please keep scrolling!
| Day 1 - Antwerp (embark) |
Day 2 - Antwerp: Included excursion: Diamond City
|
Day 3 - Antwerp: Included excursion: Bruges – Belgian Treasures |
Day 4 - Rotterdam: Included excursion: Explore Delft |
Day 5 - Cologne: Included excursion: 2000 Years of Culture |
Day 6 - Cochem: Included excursion: Castles in the Sky |
Day 7 - Trier: Included excursion: Romans along the Rhine |
Day 8 - Remich: Included excursion: Luxembourg Deluxe |
Day 9 - Bernkastel: Included excursion: Wines along the Moselle |
| Day 10 - Rüdesheim: Romantic Rüdesheim |
Day 11 - Speyer: Included excursion: Heidelberg Highlights |
| Day 12 - Strasbourg: Heart of the Alsace |
Day 13 - Breisach: Charming Colmar |
| Day 14 - Basel: Between Two Countries |
| Day 13 - Basel: (disembark) |
And this is what the Trafalgar guys have to say about the places they visit. When you check out the different tour aggregators' or agents' websites, you'll notice that many of them use the same copy, this is usually because they're taking it direct from the riverboat operator's brochure. In fact, I've noticed that even the different operators have very much the same information, so to some extent it's a case of read one, read 'em all (the links go to photos in our Destinations Gallery):
Antwerp
Antwerp is one of the largest port cities in the world. It is also known as the diamond capital of the world. Enjoy leisurely time shopping for diamonds in the diamond district by the railway station. Visit the many museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts to see the paintings by Flemish masters such as Van Eyck, Breugel, and Rubens. After your visit to the museum, you can stroll down one of Antwerp’s streets, such as Meir, with its regal 18th- and 19th-century buildings, and pass by the former house of Rubens, which also home a lovely collection of his paintings. Be our guest for dinner at the highly-rated gourmet restaurant, Huis de Colvenier. |
Bruges
Bruges is a lovely city rich in history. Its winding lanes and picturesque canals are lined with magnificent Medieval buildings. One of the city’s most distinctive landmarks is the Belfry Tower (Belfort) with its stunning octagonal tower and lovely music of a 47-bell carillon. Explore the charming town filled with Belgian treasures. Shop for beautiful lace, and savor some of the best chocolate and beer in the world. |
Rotterdam
The picturesque town of Delft is known for its blue-and-white pottery and is associated with one of the most talented painters from the Dutch Golden Age, Johannes Vermeer. Birthplace and home to Vermeer, the town was featured in the film, “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” inspired by the painting of the same name. Vermeer created a number of paintings in the 17th century showing everyday life in the city of Delft and in The Netherlands. His paintings are admired for their transparent colours, careful composition and unique use of light. |
Cologne
Founded by the Romans, Cologne is one of Germany’s oldest cities, over 2,000 years old. Cologne’s Gothic Cathedral is certainly one of its top attractions. It took over 600 years to build and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Toast the town with Cologne’s own beer style, called Kölsch, or wander through the Old Town, a warren of streets, squares, underground passages, and home to innumerable pubs and cafés. |
Cochem
A favorite respite in the splendor of the Moselle Valley, Cochem has an idyllic setting amid vine-clad hills and neo-Gothic castles. The little town has three fortified gates, quaint narrow alleys and beautiful half-timbered houses. Visit Reichsburg Castle, a castle in the sky perched high above the town. Originally built in the 11th century, the castle was destroyed by French soldiers in 1689 and reconstructed in the 19th century. |
Trier
One of the oldest cities in Germany, Trier has played an important role in history since Roman times. Explore the city’s many ancient monuments, including the impressive Porta Nigra, an imposing and well-preserved fortified gate, the basilica and the ruins of the imperial baths. |
Remich (Luxembourg City)
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is an independent sovereign state, one-third smaller than Rhode Island, tucked between Belgium, France and Germany. The Grand Duchy capital, Luxembourg City, was founded in 963 by Count Siegfried and became one of the most powerful fortresses of Europe, known as the “Gibraltar of the North.” The casemates (subterranean tunnels and chambers) and the ruins of the fortifications are listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. |
Bernkastel
Bernkastel is a picture postcard town, complete with castle ruins, Medieval marketplace and architectural styles spanning nearly 2,000 years. This wine village is strategically located in the middle of the Moselle region, which stretches from the French border to the Rhine. Bernkastel boasts more than 500 years of documented wine history. Wander through the historic city center and visit the Moselle Wine Museum. |
Rüdesheim
This lovely town has been a magnet for romantics ever since the early 19th century. The historical monuments, romantic winding alleyways and the rolling hillside vineyards are a delight for all the senses. Visit the Niederwald Monument, a memorial to the founding of the German Empire in 1871, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Rhine Valley. |
Speyer (Heidelberg)
Situated on the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is one of Germany’s most beautiful cities. The city is famous for its romantic castle and its picturesque Old Town with its winding alleys steeped in history. Towering over the town is Heidelberger Schloss, a once well-fortified Gothic castle. |
Strasbourg
Located in the heart of Alsace, halfway between Paris and Prague, this cosmopolitan city is often referred to as “the crossroads of Europe.” A canal cruise along the waterways encircling the Old Town is the best way to see the bridges with Medieval watchtowers, and the old tanners’ district, dotted with beautiful half-timbered houses. Explore Petite France, the historic district and note the French and German influences that have molded the Old Town. |
Breisach (Colmar)
Colmar is so quaint and charming that you almost feel as if you’re on a film set. Explore the town with its picturesque houses, and perhaps enjoy a canal ride around “petite Venice.” There is also the Musée d’Unterlinden, a fantastic collection of art housed in an old convent and a magnificent cathedral. |
Basel
Switzerland’s second-largest city is ideally located at the crossroads of Switzerland, France and Germany. Long an important university, banking and trade centre, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its striking Medieval Town Hall. The Old Town remains the heart of the city and is a maze of fine streets and squares. |
As you can see, the descriptions are a bit florid, but they give a pretty fair idea of the kind of experiences you can expect.
OUR ADVICE: concentrate on the ship you want to travel on and the route you want to travel, rather than the tour aggregator (of course, there's also price!). Be sure to check out our "Things to watch for" page too!
Back to: River Cruise Routes in Europe |
 |
