From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)

Departure by coach in the company of your guides towards Haarlem.
Known as the "City of Tulips”, Haarlem has for centuries been the main production and export center for tulip bulbs. This charming town has been an inspiration for generations of painters throughout the centuries. We'll discover the Amsterdamse Poort (Amsterdam Gate) built in 1400 and the only vestige from the city's fortifications, the Grote Markt (Main Square), the Corrie Ten Boom House, used as a hiding place during World War II and the impressive Gothic Cathedral of St Bavo dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. In Haarlem, you'll get the chance to see a great number of "beguinages”, with the oldest dating back to 1395. Before heading back to Amsterdam, you will have some free time.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

You'll leave on foot to head to the bike rental office. This guided bike tour will last about 2.5 hours, and you'll be able to explore and learn about all the must-see and out-of-the-way sites in Amsterdam. Enjoy some free time at the Flower Market or at the Albert Cuypmarkt.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Attention: children are under the responsibility of their parents and must be autonomous by bike.
• Classic bikes provided (no electric assistance)
• Helmets are provided on all our cycling tours.

Departure from Wesel by coach in the company of your hostess for the Dutch Open Air Museum in Arnhem, which is located in a beautiful wooded park (44 ha). Some 80 authentic farms, windmills, workshops, houses, barns, a church and a school provide an insight on the everyday life and architecture of yesteryear.
Inside every building, you'll be intrigued by the typical furniture and the displays of various trades and crafts. Some of the buildings are grouped together, such as the beautiful Limburg timber-framed buildings or the Gelderland farms, but the most charming spot is without a doubt the area dedicated to the Zaan region, with its green painted wooden houses and tastefully decorated gables. Our visit will start with the renovated entrance pavilion and its good vantage point over the park and its many windmills. There are farming implements on display in many areas, like the collections center. The lower level gives access to the spectacular panoramic theater HollandRama. In this mobile capsule, films, sounds, lights, smells and temperatures evoke different scenes, from cityscapes to the confines of houses. Return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• This is an unguided tour.
• Bags can be let to the left luggage office.
• Information in the museum (notice board) is given in Dutch, in English and in German.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure on foot for downtown Köln. You will discover the city in the company of your guide. Crossroads of Europe since the Middle Ages, Köln has kept its importance as a vibrant commercial and industrial city as well as a cultural and religious center. which has kept its importance both on a commercial and industrial level as well as on a cultural and religious level. You will be able to admire the exterior façades of the huge Gothic Köln Cathedral which took five centuries to complete. Indeed, although construction started in 1247, it was interrupted due to a lack of financing in 1560 and only started again in 1842 upon request of Emperor Frederick Wilhelm IV, who had fallen in love with the building. Construction was finally completed in 1863 and the Gothic Cathedral was the highest building in the world from 1880 to 1884. Around the Cathedral, 12 other Romanesque style churches are set in a circle, representing the 12 holy apostles. We'll then move on to the Old Town and stop to admire the outside of the neo-Gothic building, home of the famous "Eau de Cologne".
Before returning on board, we will have some free time to stroll through the streets of Köln or try the famous local beer, the Kölsch(1). Return on board by coach in Königswinter.

PLEASE NOTE

• The ship sails during the excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• (1) Not included - to be paid for on location.

Colmar will charm you with its authenticity and typically Alsatian architecture composed of brightly painted half-timbered facades dating from the Middle Ages. You'll discover the quintessential neighborhood of "Little Venice” and visit the Unterlinden Museum, featuring a large collection of local and international artworks and manufactured artifacts from prehistorical to contemporary times. The museum is housed in a 13th-century Dominican convent and a 1906 former public baths building, and was renovated by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron in 2015 to incorporate more of the vast collection. Inarguably, the most important work in the collection is the Isenheim Altarpiece.

Duration: approx. 4:00

• The museum is closed on Tuesdays. It will be replaced by a visit to the Hansi Museum instead.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• These excursions are not proposed for all the cruises and depend on the itinerary.
• If the minimum of 25 participants is not reached, the excursion may be either cancelled or proposed at another rate, depending on the number of participants (to be paid for on board).
• The excursions on the first evening and the morning following boarding are only guaranteed for the passengers who have booked the excursion before the cruise.

Departure by coach to the Keukenhof Flower Park (1), accompanied by the ship's tour leader. Upon arrival, the tour leader will hand you an entrance ticket, and you will be free to stroll at your own pace through this 32-hectare park, winding between the flower beds. Let yourself be enchanted by the colors and scents of tulips, daffodils, jonquils, and other bulb flowers. Don’t miss the pavilion dedicated to orchids or the Japanese-inspired garden… At the back of the park, be sure to visit the windmill dating from 1892, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding tulip fields.

In the 15th century, the present-day Keukenhof estate was a hunting ground. Herbs were also cultivated there for the kitchens of Jacqueline of Bavaria’s castle, hence the name “Keukenhof” (kitchen garden).

Lunch included in one of the park’s restaurants.

Return to the ship by coach.

(1) Depending on the course of the cruise and navigation requirements, lunch may either be taken freely at Keukenhof Park (voucher included) or served on board the ship.

NOTES

• Only available upon advance reservation.
• Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Self-guided visit within the park.
• The park is only open from mid-March to mid-May 2026 (exact dates currently unknown). Subject to change by the Keukenhof Flower Park.
• The order of visits may be modified.
• Wheelchairs are available, but must be booked online through the Keukenhof website using the passenger’s credit card.

Accompanied by your guides, set off to discover the majestic Mainz Cathedral(1), one of the most important religious buildings in Germany. Founded in 975, this millennium-old cathedral dominates the historic heart of the city and stands as a remarkable testament to the spiritual and political role Mainz has played over the centuries. You will admire its impressive architecture, blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque influences, as well as the many treasures it houses. This iconic monument, which has witnessed the passage of emperors, archbishops, and major figures of German history, remains today one of the most prestigious symbols of the Rhine Valley. During the visit, you will discover the various stages of its construction and the successive transformations that have given it its unique character. Its imposing nave, richly decorated chapels, and atmosphere of serenity make it an essential site for understanding the history and heritage of Mainz.

PLEASE NOTE

(1) Subject to religious services or special celebrations.

• Good walking shoes are recommended: the tour is on foot and the streets in the old town are cobblestoned.
• The ship will continue sailing during the excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure for a tour of Amsterdam by riverboat. With your guide, we'll glide further into this "Venice of the North” along the renowned Amsterdam canals, providing an ideal vantage point on the city's wonderful architecture. Our tour will take us through the four large canals surrounding the center - the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel canals. The Singel river was transformed into a canal in the 14th century to become part of the city's defensive belt, while the other three were conceived at the beginning of the Golden Age as a means to expand the city. Construction started in 1560 and lasted for more than a hundred years. The historical center is now surrounded by those four canals, parallel to one another. Shaped in half-moons, they follow the sun rays making sure that each and every house gets direct sunlight at some point during the day. When looking at a city map, Amsterdam resembles a half-bicycle wheel. Enjoy some free time in the city. Return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• Depending on the docking location in the port of Amsterdam, the duration of the excursion may vary.

Discover Strasbourg from the water! We’ll see all the great sites on the riverbanks, from Petite France—listed as UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988—to the European quarter where institutions such as the Council of Europe and the European Parliament are located. After, we’ll continue on foot to the magnificent Gothic cathedral, built over three centuries. The famous west front is decorated with thousands of figures and its spire measures over 466 feet. The cathedral is built out of red sandstone from the nearby Vosges Mountains, which gives it its characteristic pink hue that changes according to the sunlight and the color of the sky. Standing before the symbol of the city, you’ll understand why Victor Hugo called it a “gigantic and delicate” marvel. It is one of the very few Gothic churches with only one tower. Among its wonders are the stained glass windows, including the 46-foot high Rose Window. The great organ is a masterpiece to see as well as to hear, and the astronomical clock is a Renaissance treasure not to be missed. We'll return by tour boat to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The interior visit of the cathedral is not allowed on Sundays and during religious services. In such cases, commentary will be provided outside.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.