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Cruise the Rhine: Amsterdam to Switzerland

Tour/Cruise

From the lowlands of Holland, past the forested hills of Germany and onward to Switzerland’s snow-capped Alps, follow the Rhine River on this immersive cruise. Along the way, view immortal works by the Dutch Masters; walk the cobblestone streets of Strasbourg, France; and visit Heidelberg castle and the soaring Cologne Cathedral; all while sampling local beer, wine and chocolate for an authentic taste of Europe.
Cruise the Rhine through four countries, experiencing 11 days of exclusive sightseeing in your private small-group vehicle, escorted by your Resident Tour Director
Explore the heritage of New England’s founding fathers with special access to Leiden’s American Pilgrim Museum
Ascend Mount Pilatus to take in 360-degree views of the Swiss Alps
Sample local food and wine during five specially arranged meals ashore, including wine tastings in Rüdesheim and Strasbourg
Journey details
  • Minimum age is 12 years old
  • Welcome briefing at 6:00 p.m. on Day 1
  • Water levels may impact sailing and require itinerary changes
  • Farewell dinner at 7:00 p.m. on Day 10
  • Travelling Onboard
    Please note that A&K guests and other passengers will be travelling onboard the ship simultaneously

From price

$18,360
From price per person, twin share
Tour Provider Abercrombie & Kent
Number Of Days
11
Start Location
Amsterdam , Netherlands
End Location
Zurich , Switzerland
Age Range
Avg. 40+
Group Size
2 to 24
Tour Style
Luxury
Tour Themes
Small group
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate

Departure dates

From price per person, twin share
Start End Availability Price
18 Oct 2026 28 Oct 2026 Call $19,740
10 May 2027 20 May 2027 Limited $18,360
25 Jun 2027 05 Jul 2027 Available $18,360
19 Jul 2027 29 Jul 2027 Limited $18,360
30 Aug 2027 09 Sep 2027 Limited $18,360
13 Sep 2027 23 Sep 2027 Limited $18,360
16 Oct 2027 26 Oct 2027 Available $18,360

Inclusions

  • Travelling Bell Boy: Travelling Bell Boy® service to transfer your bags between hotels
  • Guides: English-speaking Resident Tour Director® and local guides
  • Transfers: Airport meet-and-greet with private transfers
  • Travelling Valet: Mid-journey Traveller’s Valet® laundry service
  • Internet: Internet access
  • Gratuities: Entrance fees, taxes and all gratuities (except Resident Tour Director)
  • A&K Support: Round-the-clock, on-call support from A&K’s experts
  • EC Crystal Food: Daily breakfast, along with many meals

    • Itinerary details

    Day 1 - Arrive Amsterdam, Netherlands
    A maze of pretty waterways, coffeehouses and museums brimming with Golden Age masterpieces: Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most unforgettable capitals, its cool, laid-back collage of districts stitched together with cobbles and canals. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel. After some time to relax, gather for a welcome dinner.
    Meals:D,
    Day 2 - Amsterdam – Rijksmuseum and Canal Cruise
    Pay a guided visit to the world-famous Rijksmuseum, home to an extensive collection of Dutch masters, followed by time for lunch at leisure. Embark on a private canal boat cruise, the best way to see this city linked by 165 canals spanning more than 30 miles, before taking advantage of priority boarding onto your river ship. After settling in to your premium cabin or suite, gather for a welcome cocktail and dinner aboard.
    Meals:B,D,
    Day 3 - Leiden – The Roots of the Pilgrims
    This morning, transfer by coach to the university town of Leiden for a private, before-hours visit to the American Pilgrim Museum. Spend some time exploring Leiden at your own pace. Rejoin the ship in Utrecht for lunch as your cruise continues. Your evening includes a private cocktail party.
    Meals:B,L,D,
    Day 4 - Cologne, Germany - Design Your Day
    Arrive in Cologne, where you disembark to explore the major sites on a walking tour, including the Gothic cathedral, an edifice so massive its construction spanned centuries; it was only officially completed in 1880. Return to the ship for lunch and relaxation, then go ashore for one of these Design Your Day activities. • Visit the Fragrance Museum with a guide to learn the history of the city's iconic Eau de Cologne. • Join a Guide at the Museum Ludwig who introduces you to the diverse cross section of modern art on display. • Cycle the Streets of the City, discovering Cologne's many charms as you bike carefree past its hallmark sites. Visit a 100-year-old brewery, where you experience a beer tasting and light snacks.
    Meals:B,L,D,
    Day 5 - Cochem – Visit a Hilltop Fortress
    Arrive in Cochem on the Moselle River, a tributary of the Rhine, this afternoon. Disembark to visit the former secret bunker of the Deutsche Bundesbank – for decades one of the best-kept secrets in Germany. Built to survive a nuclear war, 15 billion German Marks of a secret emergency currency were stored here during the Cold War.
    Meals:B,L,D,
    Day 6 - Koblenz & Rüdesheim – The Rhine’s Scenic Shores
    Cruise to Koblenz, where you rejoin the Rhine River. Take a guided walking tour of the city, whose history dates back to Roman times. Cruise the lovely Rhine Gorge, one of the most scenic stretches in all of Europe, with a magical mix of rocky, winding riverbanks, quaint riverside towns and castles perched high on cliffsides. Arrive in Rüdesheim, regionally renowned for its excellent wines, which you discover firsthand at a wine tasting and dinner ashore.
    Meals:B,L,D,
    Day 7 - Heidelberg - Charming University Town
    Set out on a full-day excursion to Heidelberg, starting with a visit to the Altstadt (old town) for time on your own; the Market Square is an excellent place to soak up local life. Then, ride by funicular to explore the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. Abandoned in the 18th century, the crumbling fortress nevertheless remained a source of inspiration for later Romantic painters and pts, who seized on it as a symbol of faded glory. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant followed by more time to explore before rejoining the ship in Speyer.
    Meals:B,L,D,
    Day 8 - Strasbourg, France – Cultural Crossroads
    The capital of France's Alsace region, Strasbourg has been a focal point of French-German conflict for centuries, bearing the combined stamp of both nations as a result. Experience this for yourself on a walking tour of the old town that includes a specially arranged tasting at a historic Alsatian brasserie. Cruise to Basel, Switzerland's third-largest city. Tonight, attend a captain's gala dinner aboard your vessel.
    Meals:B,L,D,
    Day 9 - Lucerne, Switzerland - Lakeside Panoramas
    Disembark and drive to Lucerne for a guided walk. Since the mid-19th century, this beautiful city has been the most visited in Switzerland, and today, it strikes an ideal balance between timeless historic beauty and modern development. Visit the Chapel Bridge to view its interior, decorated with vivid paintings that depict events from Lucerne's storied past. Also stop at the Lion Monument, a rock relief commemorating the Swiss Guard. After lunch at a traditional wirtshaus, ascend Mount Pilatus by cable car to absorb the postcard-worthy mountaintop views. After descending via cog railway, continue to Zurich and check in to your hotel.
    Meals:B,L,
    Day 10 - Zurich - Chocolatier Experience
    Switzerland is synonymous with chocolate, and no visit here is complete without a stop at a Swiss chocolatier's workshop, where you enjoy some delectable treats. After lunch on your own, take in the city’s alluring mix of modern and Old World architecture on a guided walk. Zurich is known for its churches, and your route incorporates several noteworthy examples, including the Fraumünster, with its Marc Chagall-designed stained-glass windows, and the Grossmünster, supposedly founded by Charlemagne and later playing a key part in establishing the Reformation in Switzerland. Mark your journey’s end with a farewell dinner.
    Meals:B,D,
    Day 11 - Depart Zurich
    Transfer privately to the airport and board your homebound flight.
    Meals:B,

    Frequently Asked Questions

    You should choose this immersive luxury cruise for its unique blend of privileged access and high-end experiences across four countries. From viewing Dutch Masters in Amsterdam and exploring the ruins of Heidelberg Castle to ascending Mount Pilatus for 360-degree views of the Swiss Alps, this tour offers a seamless journey with exclusive sightseeing in private small-group vehicles and authentic local tastings of beer, wine, and chocolate.
    This tour is designed for luxury travelers who appreciate a high level of organization, style, and ease. Those who enjoy a mix of art, history, and gastronomy—such as visiting world-famous museums, exploring medieval castles, and indulging in regional wine and chocolate—will find this experience particularly rewarding.
    The pros include luxury accommodations, private small-group transportation, and exclusive experiences like before-hours museum visits and a captain's gala dinner. A potential con is that water levels on the Rhine may occasionally impact sailing, which could require changes to the planned itinerary.
    This tour is a wonderful option for couples and solo travelers seeking a luxury experience. It is also open to families, provided that children are at least 12 years old, which is the minimum age requirement for this journey.
    This tour is excellent for both first-time and experienced visitors. First-timers will benefit from the comprehensive coverage of key landmarks in the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland, while experienced travelers will appreciate the 'privileged access' and luxury experiential approach provided by Abercrombie & Kent.
    The physicality rating for this tour is 'Easy to Moderate.' While it includes many comfortable transfers and cruising, it does involve walking tours of cobblestone streets and city sites, so travelers with significant mobility concerns may wish to contact us for further details.
    This tour is primarily focused on sightseeing and culture. It emphasizes the heritage of the region through visits to the Rijksmuseum, the American Pilgrim Museum, and various historic cathedrals and castles, complemented by cultural immersions like local wine tastings and chocolatier workshops.
    The pace of the tour is balanced, blending structured guided excursions with moments of relaxation. While it covers four countries in 11 days, the use of a river ship allows you to travel between destinations comfortably, and some days include 'Design Your Day' activities that allow for a more personalized experience.
    The itinerary is designed to feel seamless and effortless. By combining river cruising with private small-group vehicles and including several leisure periods—such as time to explore Leiden at your own pace or relax on the ship—the journey maintains a luxury feel without feeling rushed.
    Yes, the tour includes many iconic highlights, such as the Cologne Cathedral, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Heidelberg Castle, the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, and the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps via Mount Pilatus.
    Yes, the journey is escorted by a Resident Tour Director and includes guided visits and walking tours throughout the four countries, ensuring that guests can navigate the different regions comfortably and informatively.
    Disclaimer:
    These FAQs have been generated with the assistance of AI to provide a general overview. They are intended as a starting point only and should be reviewed based on your knowledge, current supplier information and client requirements.
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