Embark on an 8-day cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard the River Empress. Experience the romantic beauty of the Rhine on this enchanting cruise—Sail between Germany and France, exploring Alsace's rich culinary and winemaking heritage. Visit historic cities like Cologne and Strasbourg, marvel at majestic castles, and savor fine white wines in charming villages. Discover the fairytale town of Rüdesheim and get an insider's view of Rheinstein Castle.
Highlights
Wander Strasbourg’s cobbled lanes and half-timbered homes
Stroll through Boppard’s picturesque village along the Rhine
Discover Koblenz’s eclectic architecture and colorful past
Visit Cologne’s Old Town and its three medieval gates
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Breisach is your gateway to the Alsatian wine road and your launching point for an excursion along the celebrated Route des Vins, which hugs the foothills of the Vosges mountain range.
This morning, enjoy leisure time as you sail the scenic Upper Rhine to Breisach.
Featured Excursions: Alsatian Villages
A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
See Strasbourg on foot with an insightful local expert, where this historic town with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, giant stork nests, and impossible-to-resist pastry shops will win your heart. Kehl, directly across the river from Strasbourg, will be your ship’s base while you explore the Alsatian capital. If you’re feeling adventurous, take advantage of Uniworld’s bicycles or Nordic walking sticks and explore the banks of the river.
Featured Excursions: Strasbourg Panoramic Tour with Cathedral and Old Town Walk
You have the entire afternoon to see more of Strasbourg on your own.
Experience Germany's fabled Rhine River in the towns of Rüdesheim and Boppard. Enjoy a private tasting of estate-grown Rieslings at Castle Vollrads, stroll through beautiful Boppard, or hike through some of the most beautiful landscapes that line the Rhine.
This morning, cruise out of Rüdesheim and into the sublimely beautiful and romantic Upper Middle Rhine Valley.
Featured Excursions: Castle Vollrads Wine Tasting
Choose between Boppard Village Stroll or Let's Go: Rhine Hiking.
Get to know Koblenz, a historic town with a colorful past and eclectic architecture, and visit the stunningly medieval Marksburg Castle. As you come upon picture-perfect Koblenz, you sail past Deutsches Eck (German Corner) with its historic monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I.
Choose between the Rheinstein Castle Visit, The Four Lakes Cable Car, the Koblenz Walking Tour, or Let’s Go: Bike Koblenz along the Rhine.
History buffs will enjoy an expertly led tour through Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its Renaissance facade. Wander through the city’s historic center and take in its charming atmosphere, narrow alleyways flanked by old houses, and countless breweries. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you can also have ample free time to explore independently.
Featured Excursions: Cologne Walking Tour
A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you in the evening.
Day 8: Amsterdam | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Rhine River Cruises.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Classic
Magnificently appointed riverview stateroom located on the Moselle Deck (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) . Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hairdryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen, and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, cozy bathrobes, and slippers.
Deluxe
Sumptuously appointed riverview stateroom located on the Danube and Main Deck (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) . Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hairdryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen, and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, cozy bathrobes, and slippers.
French Balcony
Luxuriant appointed riverview stateroom located on the Rhine Deck (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) with a French balcony. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hairdryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen, and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, cozy bathrobes, and slippers.
Suite
Lavishly appointed riverview suite located on the Rhine Deck (214 sq ft - 20 sq m) with a French balcony. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hairdryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen, and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Hermès bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, and slippers. Additional special amenities and services.
Notes
Please Note: Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice.
- All fares are per guest in US Dollars based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted.
- Single Supplement applies for single accommodation. Solo occupancy pricing is dependent on cabin type, contact us for details.
Initial deposit is 15% of cruise fare plus any additional port charges, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
3 days ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
5 days ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.
Lucy Greenway
5 days ago
Adventure Life was a pleasure to work with. They helped us find different options for our charter and answered a lot of questions with patience and clarity.
Brooke Hopper
6 days ago
Excellent service, great hotels and well organized excursions with expert guides! Highly recommended!
