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Rhine

Rhine

The Rhine is the true essence of romance, what begins as a tumultuous Alpine stream churning through deep gorges in the beautiful Rheinwaldhorn Glacier in the Swiss Alps, flows out towards Amsterdam in the Netherlands to become one of the most fascinating rivers in Europe..

Second to only the legendary Danube, the Rhine is an immense river system winding through six countries while covering 766 miles of marvellous landscape. Cruises along the Rhine are truly unforgettable. Flowing across large parts of Western Germany, the Rhine gives its travellers a wonderful sample of the rich culture and deep history.

The charming scenery along the Rhine is magical throughout all four seasons of the year. UNESCO has recognised the importance of the region by designating the Upper Middle Rhine Valley a World Heritage area.

The Rhine is a popular first choice for new travellers who are lured by both the majestic and romantic sights it has to offer, including many picturesque countryside’s, delightful cities, castle-dotted hillsides, vibrant vineyards and much more. Since the Rhine connects to the Moselle and Danube (via Main), there are also many opportunities for longer cruises, such as Amsterdam to Budapest.

River cruises along the Rhine offer a great chance to explore the many towns and cities nestled along its river banks. Basel, Strasbourg, Mainz, Bonn and Cologne are but a few of the many delightful ports of call that have never been more accessible. With so many exciting things to see and do in this region of the world, Cruising along the Rhine will leave a lasting impression.

Upper Rhine

The Upper Rhine flows through the medieval old town of Basel in Switzerland offering incredible scenic views of the Alps. Situated at the heart of the tri-national region known as the Dreiländereck (three countries' corner), as its located at the apex where Swiss, German and French boarders collide. Basel offers a unique cosmopolitan vibe and is an important cultural centre in Switzerland. Home to the country's highest concentration of museums, the beautiful Munster Cathedral, the World’s most influential yearly Art Market and the biggest Carnival in Switzerland called Fasnacht.

The Rhine cuts deep through Southern Germany’s beautiful landscape presenting a stunning blend quaint villages, old medieval castles and idyllic forested hillsides. Sailing along the Rhine valley in Germany will introduce you to the rich history and traditional culture of the region. Aside from stunning views onboard a River Cruise, guests have the chance to discover some of Germany’s finest cities. The city of Koblenz sits at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, historic Strasbourg on the Franco-German border, and the gate to the Black Forest, Breisach.

The city of Koblenz sits at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, the historic city of Strasbourg lies on the Franco-German border and the town of Breisach is the gate to the fascinating Black Forest. Dusseldorf, Cologne, Mannheim, Germersheim, Heidelberg, Rudesheim and the Rhine Gorge are also potential port of calls on a Rhine River cruise through Germany.

Rhine Gorge

An impressive display of natural erosion, the 65km Rhine Gorge sits between Bingen and Koblenz and offers the Rhine’s most picturesque scenery. Littered with terraced vineyards and a number of iconic castles, this part of the Rhine has been the subject of many historic and romantic literatures, gaining status as a UNESCO Heritage Site. Travelling the Gorge presents you with the sights of the Rhenish Slate Mountains and the Lorelei Rock.

Lower Rhine

Moving further down the Rhine, the famous city of Cologne and its gothic Cathedral is another ever popular stop on a Rhine cruise along with the nearby commercial city of Dusseldorf. As The Rhine travels through the Netherlands it begins to divide into several branches before flowing towards its mouth in the North Sea.

Sailing along the Rhine through the beautiful and calming Dutch landscape will weave you through colourful tulip fields and windmills, before arriving at the Dutch towns of Amsterdam, Volendam, Arnhem, Rotterdam and the iconic Keukenhof Gardens.

There are also many opportunities to experience Dutch highlights such as trips to Van Gogh and Rembrandt museums. Cruisers can also soak up the exquisite 17th century architecture, scenic canal rides and unique stores. Don't forget to sample the local traditional cheeses in the vibrant street markets.

Weather & When to go

Cruising on the Rhine operates for most of the year, from March to October, with a few Christmas Market sailings in December. Spring and autumn temperatures can range from 10°C (50°F) to 19°C (66°F) during the day and as low as 5°C (40°F) at night. Summer reaches up to 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) during the day and down to 12°C (54°F) at night. Rain occurs mostly during afternoon thunderstorms during the warmer period.

Where will my cruise start?

The most common Rhine cruise starting points are Amsterdam, Cologne, Basel or Zurich.

Popular ports in Rhine

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