Summary
Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous European river cruise vacation along the Rhône and Rhine Rivers. The views will be spectacular so be sure to pack your camera so you can capture the romance and splendor of this magical journey. Your river cruise vacation begins in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater. The city of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards and you’ll go on a guided walk of this medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Lyon is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. You’ll stop in Breisach, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest, well known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and cuckoo clocks. In Strasbourg, France, stroll through the picturesque La Petite France district. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg’s castle, or stop in Mainz for a guided walk and a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Your last stop in Germany is Cologne, where a guided walk shows you the highlights of this 2,000-year-old city. A stay in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam is the perfect way to conclude this sensational European river cruise. And the best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age."
Short Itinerary / Route
- Day 1
- Arles, France
- Day 2
- Arles
- Day 3
- Avignon
- Day 4
- Viviers
- Day 5
- Tain L'hermitage
- Day 6
- Lyon
- Day 7
- Tournus–Chalon-Sur-Saône
- Day 8
- Chalon-Sur-Saône
- Day 9
- Breisach, Germany. Excursion To Black Forest
- Day 10
- Kehl. Excursion To Strasbourg
- Day 11
- Mainz. Excursion To Heidelberg
- Day 12
- Rüdesheim–Rhine Gorge
- Day 13
- Cologne
- Day 14
- Amsterdam*, Holland
- Day 15
- Amsterdam*
Countries (4): France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland
Travel Cities (17): Amsterdam, Arles, Avignon, Basel, Breisach, Chalon-Sur-Saone, Colmar, Cologne, Heidelberg, Keukenhof, Koblenz, Lyon, Mainz, Marseille, Rotterdam, Rüdesheim, Strasbourg