Viking River Cruises

Belgium to Switzerland - Antwerp to Basel

Itinerary Overview

Travel through the heartland of Germany, along the border of France and into Switzerland, and cruise the legendary Rhine River. As you make your journey, you’ll discover the medieval city of Brugge and the port city of Rotterdam. Explore the Old World charm of Amsterdam with its picturesque canals and fabulous museums. In Germany, see grand cathedrals and fairy-tale castles and sample the Moselle’s fine wines. Your 12-night cruise truly shows you the treasures of the Rhine, and it also brings you to Germany’s Black Forest region, multicultural Strasbourg and the mythical Lorelei Rock, situated in the narrow passage of the Rhine Gorge.

What's Included

• 13-day/12-night cruise with river-view, outside cabin onboard deluxe Viking Sun
• 12 tours with private, English-speaking guides: Brugge; Delft; Gouda/cheese farm; Amsterdam Canal Cruise/ Rijksmuseum; Arnhem/Paleis Het Loo; Cologne/Cathedral visit/brewery visit; Koblenz/Moselle Valley; Braubach/ Marksburg Castle; Rüdesheim/Music Museum; Heidelberg; Strasbourg; Black Forest excursion
• All meals: 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 12 dinners, plus 1 lunch in a local restaurant
• Private motorcoach for all coach excursions
• Welcome Cocktail & Farewell Dinner
• Old World Highlights: Port lectures by your knowledgeable Cruise Manager, silversmith and cuckoo clock demonstrations and Dutch folkloric entertainment
• Individual port guides for on-your-own exploring
• Onboard currency exchange services
• All port charges included

Ship

Detailed Itinerary

Brugge, romantic capital of Flanders, is one of Belgium's most charming cities. A port city on the North Sea, Bruges has sometimes been called the "Venice of the North" for its many canals which travel among the city's well-preserved Renaissance architecture. Medieval architecture is evident too in Brugge's many cathedrals and churches including the Chapel of Holy Blood and Chapel of St. Basil. Visitors may wish to climb the 366 steps of the belfry in the Market Square for a stunning birds-eye view of the city. While still in Market Square, be sure not to miss the locally crafted and ornate spinning, weaving and lace-making for which this town has long been famous.

Antwerp - Evening at leisure

A cosmopolitan city, Antwerp is one of the world's major seaports. Its unique atmosphere is derived from the contrast between commitment to commerce and love of the arts. The old city area is filled with narrow, winding streets and historic buildings. Here stands the Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of Belgium's finest and largest gothic buildings as well as the Grand Palace. Antwerp was also home to 17th-century painter Peter Paul Rubens. Rubens' works may be seen in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, in the Cathedral of Our Lady, and in many other Antwerp churches such as the Church of St. James, where the painter is buried.

Lying at the heart of a maze of rivers and artificial waterways, Rotterdam's historic harbor, combined with the dockland area of the Europoort, is considered the world's largest port. It is a major transshipment port for inland Europe, with tens of thousands of Rhine River barges using its facilities. Literally rising from the ashes after its devastation by World War II bombing, Rotterdam's spacious new inner city was laid out with a river orientation. Visitors can take in spectacular views from the top of the 600-foot-tall Euromast or visit the Lijnbaan shopping district, Europe's first pedestrian shopping precinct.

Schoonhoven - Free time

Schoonhoven for centuries has been a town of silversmiths and goldsmiths. Many of their priceless items can be found in various museums. The city continues its traditions with apprenticeships for future craftsmen to continue their traditions.

Gouda is known not only for its cheese but also for its well-preserved Gothic Town Hall, located in the center of Holland's largest market square. Also notable is St. John's Church with its exquisite painted-glass windows. Gouda is also famous for its pipes and candles, which the town has been producing for centuries. Take a stroll through Gouda's narrow streets and be sure to visit De Moriaan, the world's largest pipe museum.

Amsterdam - Free time

Capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is renowned for its magnificent museums, colourful gardens, abundance of bicycles and endless lattice of canals. A scenic canal boat ride is an excellent way to enjoy views of the amazing architecture of Amsterdam's Golden Age. This 800-year-old city is also famous for the Rijksmuseum, which houses works by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters. Other highlights include the famous Anne Frank's house where she penned her poignant Diary chronicling her days in hiding during World War II.

A lovely town nearly destroyed during World War II, Arnhem is now filled with a collection of beautiful parks and gardens. One of Arnhem's main attractions is the Netherlands Open Air Museum, an 18-acre park established in 1912 to maintain the country's architectural and cultural heritage. The grounds feature a collection of houses, windmills and workshops depicting the region's rich history and culture from the 18th and 19th centuries.

An intriguing mix of old and new, Cologne's Roman heritage is evident from the city layout and ancient ruins that lie scattered through the town. Cologne's modern plazas and the Hohe-Strasse, a pedestrian-only shopping zone, provide shopping, lively bars and enticing German restaurants. The world-famous Eau de Cologne toilet water is manufactured here. Of particular note is the city's 14th century Dom Cathedral, the largest in Europe, and a stunning example of the height of gothic artistry. Spared Allied bombing during World War II, the Cathedral's lacy spires are visible from miles around, and the stained-glass windows exemplify the craftsmanship of medieval artisans.

Set at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, Koblenz is filled with traditional German elegance and charm. Founded more than 2,000 years ago, it has grown to become the business and cultural center of the Middle Rhine Region. Its cobblestone streets, ancient market square and medieval churches remind tourists of yesteryear, although reconstruction has given the city a spacious, modern appearance. Highlights include the Residenz Schloss (Princes' Electoral Palace), one of Germany's best examples of neoclassic architecture, and the Ehrenbreitstein, Europe's oldest fortress.

This charming little town is just above Koblenz on the river. Its medieval fortifications include St. Barbarakirche, built in the 14th century, and Martinskapelle, which dates from the ninth century. The castle Marksburg, built in 1200, sits above the town. It is the only Rhine castle that has not been damaged through the centuries.

Rüdesheim - Mini-train & Music Museum tour; free time

Located on the Rhine River, Rüdesheim is the chief center of the Rhine wine industry. The famed Drosselgasse, a tavern-lined, cobblestone street, attracts locals and visitors alike. Half-timbered medieval houses, narrow streets, and old inns give the town the flavor of the Middle Ages. Visitors to the town may wish to see the 9th century Bromserburg, the oldest castle on the Rhine or Seigfried's Mechanical Music Museum housing one of the world's largest collections of self-playing instruments.

Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university town situated in the lush greenery of the Neckar Valley just east of the Rhine. Known as the cradle of the German Romantic movement, it also boasts beautiful baroque architecture. Heidelberg is most famous as the site of the imposing ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a magnificent red sandstone building perched 330 feet above the river and former home of the Palatinate princes until it was partially destroyed by fire in the 17th century.

Speyer - Afternoon at leisure

The quiet German town of Speyer lies peacefully on the western bank of the Rhine. The city boasts a large imperial Romanesque cathedral, burial place of eight emperors including some of the most famous Holy Roman Emperors. Speyer was once a major Celtic center that has traded hands several times between the Romans and the Huns. Six majestic towers still dominate the city's skyline.

The multicultural city of Strasbourg exhibits both French German influence due to its location along the Rhine River at the border of both countries. The old streets of “Petit France” with wooden houses and picturesque canals seem to make time stand still. The carefully restored Cathedral of Notre Dame contains a combination of architectural styles, and is most recognized for its 465-foot tall, graceful spires. Another landmark is the 18th century Château des Rohan, which houses three of the city's major museums.

Breisach's most prominent landmark is the Cathedral of St. Stephanus. Visible from any part of the city, this landmark towers prominently high above the Rhine. Breisach is located in one of the warmest parts of Germany, next to Alsace, which is famous for its wine-growing.

Basel - Free time Located along the Rhine River, Basel sits at the point where French, German and Swiss borders meet, marking the gateway to the Swiss Rhineland. Basel's cobblestone streets, 18th century buildings and three surviving medieval gates reflect the city's rich past. A cultural center, Basel is also home to many museums including the Museum of Fine Arts with masterpieces by Picasso and Dali.

Cost of This Itinerary

The least expensive cabin costs:
$225 per person per night in low season and
$283 pp pn in high season

The most expensive stateroom costs:
$350 per person per night in low season and
$408 pp pn in high season