Your adventure begins in the Netherlands, where you'll explore the many canals of historic Amsterdam.
Highlights include a tour of a Kinderdijk windmill and flood management systems, as well as a walking tour of Cologne and visit to its grand Gothic cathedral. Step back in time as you stroll the cobbled streets of charming towns and see traditional half-timbered houses. Explore the local culture as you tour the wine village of Rüdesheim.
In addition to admiring the charming castles along the hillsides, you'll have the opportunity to tour Marksburg Castle and the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. Continue to France, where Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace, welcomes you. Experience the lush landscape of the Black Forest before arriving in Basel, Switzerland.
R129 Operated by Viking River Cruises
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Amsterdam to Basel Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Travel from London to Amsterdam by air and then transfer to your ship. After boarding, enjoy free time and get acquainted with the city. Remain moored overnight. (D)
Day 2 - Kinderdijk
Sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy a tour of this fascinating network of windmills and other flood management devices. Learn why the windmills were built and see how they work. There is also the opportunity to enter an actual working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return aboard for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions. Try some of the many handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor. Cruise through the night. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Cologne (Germany)
Cruise along the Rhine this morning to Cologne. Disembark for your walking tour of this gem of the Rhine which includes a visit to Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral. Please note: A guided visit inside may not always be possible but you may tour on your own. Later, spend time at leisure. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Koblenz - Rudesheim
Head to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress which overlooks the point where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. Alternatively, take the optional excursion to Marksburg Castle. Rejoin the ship and cruise to Rudesheim where you can enjoy a stroll along the Drosselgasse. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Heidelberg - Speyer
The ship docks in Speyer enabling you to walk into town. A walking tour takes you to the UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral and the well-preserved mikwes or Jewish baths. Optional excursions include a visit to Heidelberg and its castle. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Strasbourg (France)
Dock in Kehl this morning and disembark for a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and enjoy a tour of the city's famed cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore the city's blend of cultures, magnificent churches and impressive architecture. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Breisach (Germany)
This morning, arrive in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Head through the area’s stunning mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Enjoy a visit to a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration, before returning to Breisach. Perhaps take our optional excursion to Colmar, a quaint Alsatian town. Dine aboard while you cruise on to Basel. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Basel (Switzerland) - UK
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Basel Airport for the return journey to London. (B)
This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction from Basel to Amsterdam. Visit sequence, tours and times may vary.
Basel to Amsterdam Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Basel (Switzerland)
Fly from the UK to Switzerland and embark your ship. After boarding, enjoy free time and get acquainted with the city. Remain moored overnight. (D)
Day 2 - Breisach (Germany)
Arrive in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Travel through stunning mountain scenery and rolling meadows to a local workshop for a cuckoo clock-making demonstration and learn how Black Forest Cake is made. Return to the ship for lunch. Dine on board this evening and cruise through the night. In 2020, there is an optional excursion to the Alsatian town of Colmar, exploring its World War II history. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Strasbourg (France)
Enjoy a guided tour of Strasbourg this morning taking in the European Parliament and the famed cathedral. Afterwards, spend time at leisure exploring the city which has a fascinating blend of French and German cultures. In 2020, an optional full day culinary excursion in Strasbourg. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Heidelberg (Germany) - Rudesheim
The ship docks in Mannheim, from where you'll travel by coach to Speyer for a guided tour. Alternatively, take the optional full day tour of Heidelberg. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Koblenz
Arrive in Koblenz and disembark for a tour of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Alternatively, join the optional tour of Marksburg Castle or the optional wine-themed tour with tasting at a local winery. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Cologne
This morning there is a tour of Cologne which includes a visit to the Dom, the UNESCO-listed cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy time at leisure exploring this fascinating city. Lunch and dinner are served on board the ship and we depart at midnight. There is an optional excursion exploring Cologne's beer culture. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Kinderdijk (Netherlands)
Enjoy the stunning scenery and enjoy a morning of Dutch diversions, including sampling Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and listening to a presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. This afternoon, arrive in UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk. Enjoy a tour of the network of windmills and other flood management devices plus enter a working windmill to see the mechanisms and living quarters. Cruise to Amsterdam, arriving around midnight. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Amsterdam - UK
Disembark in Amsterdam and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Itinerary is subject to change.