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Rhine River cruise destinations frequently include Strasbourg, the intriguing capital of France's Alsace region, which borders Germany and Switzerland and has been shaped by different cultures over time. Although it's the smallest region in France, Strasbourg has been called the principal city of Europe, as the European Parliament and other important E.U. Strasbourg highlights include the charming Petite France district, where canals are lined by half-timbered buildings, and the lop-sided one-towered cathedral with a remarkable astronomical clock that features moving figures. On an Adventures by Disney river cruise, families are the only passengers onboard. Programming and excursions are geared toward kids, with a focus on stories rather than history, and activities designed to burn off energy and keep children engaged, such as tobogganing in the Black Forest.
Rhine Enchantment, Milan to Amsterdam
Sail on a voyage of discovery on board a Rhine river cruise and unveil gems such as the Black Forest and the cultural mecca of Amsterdam. A mesmerizing route through mainland Europe, the Rhine offers an abundance of unique charm to lose yourself in. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below. Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.
Discover the beauty of Germany's longest river
Today, a glass cube in the city commemorates the terrible deportation of the Jews during the Second World War. A walk through Bonn is a short journey through time in the old Federal Republic of Germany. There is the “Haus der Geschichte” or “House of History”, which reminds us of Ludwig Erhard, of “raisen bombers” and of the Germans’ incipient longing for Italy. There is the old town with the historic fortress belt, the Old Town Hall and the university, where Konrad Adenauer, Ludwig von Beethoven and Karl Marx studied. In the past, Rüdesheim was regarded by young people as stuffy German and highly provincial.
Tauck: Rhine Enchantment, Amsterdam to Milan
A former Roman settlement, it's one of Germany's oldest towns and noted for is large Romanesque-style cathedral and rich Jewish heritage with a traditional bathhouse dating back to 1128. This fantastic three-in-one Viking vacation combines the highlights of the Rhine with hotel stays to discover the best of Paris, sparkling Reims in the heart of the Champagne region and scenic Switzerland. You can choose to start or end the 12-day Paris to the Swiss Alps itinerary with two days in the French capital or the largest Swiss city of Zurich, nestling on a shimmering lake.
Since the city was all but destroyed during the Second World War, it is not exactly considered the pearl of the country today. Mannheim is young, also due to the students at the university and the State University of Music and Performing Arts. Incidentally, the city’s National Theatre hosted the premiere of Friedrich Schiller’s drama “Die Räuber” in 1782.
In the meantime, even the hipster scene from Berlin can be seen here from time to time. The town is best known for its 144-metre-long “Drosselgasse”, the venue for wine events in small half-timbered houses and garden pubs. If you want to get an insight into the history of the Rüdesheim nobility, visit the beautiful courtyards on Oberstraße. The city of 6,000 inhabitants is known for its numerous colorful houses in the historic old town, which have also earned the city the nickname "The Colorful City on the Rhine". Other sights of the city are the parish church of St. Martin from the early 13th century and the former Capuchin monastery church from the 17th century.
Best Rhine River Cruise for Older Travelers: Viking River Cruises
Novalis wrote, “I romanticise something when I give the commonplace a higher meaning.” And Heinrich Heine’s “The Lorelei” is probably the romantic poem par excellence. The Lorelei can be found between Bingen and Königswinter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The river winds its way through spectacular gorges and it’s not for nothing that there are good locations for cultivating wine here. And among all this beauty there are castles, ruins and schlosses, almost as picturesque as in fairy tales. Such as Burg Sooneck, where bloggers have been in residence for a few years to report on the fascination of the Upper Middle Rhine.
Ultimate European Journey (
Spectacular scenery lined with fairytale castles and wine-growing villages are among the many highlights on the Rhine, making it one of the most popular destinations for a European river cruise. The best river cruises blend refined onboard accommodations with exciting itineraries along some of the world’s most memorable waterways. European river cruises are especially popular around the holiday season when Christmas markets are in business. River cruise lines have long catered to the over-50 crowd, but the industry has been shaking things up in recent years with the emergence of several family-friendly river itineraries. Both riverboats include rare connecting staterooms and suites, designed with families in mind, and fun onboard activities like cooking classes, karaoke nights, and swimming in the heated pool. Viking, which bills itself as “the thinking person’s cruise,” is a major player on the Rhine, where it operates more than 40 riverboats—nearly identical sister ships with a capacity for 190 guests.
Discover The World
They're a great introduction to the region and will leave you wanting to come back for more. Cruises include Viking's Rhine Getaway, which runs between Amsterdam and Basel and sails through captivating landscapes where Dutch windmills and tulip fields make way for German castles and vines. Top-ranked Viking does all the major riverways of Europe, with ships also on the Nile and the Mekong, and, new in 2022, on the Mississippi. Readers praised the line's value proposition and shore experiences that go beyond the norm. The "Thinking Man's vacation" is the way one reader who sailed on a Viking ship on the Rhine river put it.
Inside Look: River Cruise Inventory Available Into 2026 - TravelAge West
Inside Look: River Cruise Inventory Available Into 2026.
Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
With its culture-rich itineraries, Viking River Cruises is a popular line with older passengers. Viking places a big emphasis on curating tours that provide an authentic insight into destinations rather than just scratching the surface. The line is also highly considerate of any mobility issues its passengers might have and provides options for all.
On this culture-rich itinerary you will travel through four contrasting countries -- the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary -- and, like all Viking river cruises, only have to pack and unpack once. Amsterdam is one of those cities that every traveler should have visited at least once in his life. No wonder, millions and millions of tourists flock to the city on the canals every year to enjoy the flood of sights and cultural offerings. The best way to discover Amsterdam is by taking a boat ride along the canals or a walk along the unique canals. Art lovers will be immediately drawn to one of the world-famous museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum or the Van Gogh Museum.
One moment you’re gliding past dense forests or towering valley sides that soar to more than 1,000 feet, crowned by the precarious ruins of castles that once extracted tolls from passing mariners. The next moment you’re passing steep vineyards where world-famous Riesling or Gewürztraminer wines are produced. Then there are the pretty waterfronts of riverside towns, delightful stone quaysides, spectacular locks, and Oxbow lakes - long deserted by the river flow - that form wonderful havens for birdlife.
