Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure - Northbound
Create cherished memories on our unforgettable family riverboat cruise along the Rhine River between Basel and Amsterdam visiting Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands.
Create cherished family memories on our unforgettable Basel to Amsterdam riverboat cruise along the Rhine River, exploring Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands for an adventure unlike any other. Family travel experiences include a bicycle ride through forests and vineyards along the Rhine riverside; Swiss folklore and more in lakeside Lucerne; a ride aboard the world's steepest cogwheel train to the top of Mt. Pilatus in the Swiss Alps; exploring the fascinating ruins of hilltop Heidelberg Castle in the medieval university town of Heidelberg; learning about the Lorelei and other Rhine River legends while keeping an eye out for fairy tale castles; discovering the art treasures and historic canals of Amsterdam; an exclusive gala dinner for Tauck guests only at Burg Satzvey, a medieval moated castle in Germany; becoming French for a Day with French language lessons, songs, and a chocolate tasting; an onboard Carnival night and much more!
Create cherished family memories on our unforgettable Basel to Amsterdam riverboat cruise along the Rhine River, exploring Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands for an adventure unlike any other. Family travel experiences include a bicycle ride through forests and vineyards along the Rhine riverside; Swiss folklore and more in lakeside Lucerne; a ride aboard the world's steepest cogwheel train to the top of Mt. Pilatus in the Swiss Alps; exploring the fascinating ruins of hilltop Heidelberg Castle in the medieval university town of Heidelberg; learning about the Lorelei and other Rhine River legends while keeping an eye out for fairy tale castles; discovering the art treasures and historic canals of Amsterdam; an exclusive gala dinner for Tauck guests only at Burg Satzvey, a medieval moated castle in Germany; becoming French for a Day with French language lessons, songs, and a chocolate tasting; an onboard Carnival night and much more!
Traveling Well Includes:
Call 800-382-9098 for more information or to book today! Mention code 17254824
- Tour Operator
- Tauck Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 6/30/2023
- Duration
- 8 Days
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Basel | Welcome to Basel and embark your riverboat Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Basel. A transfer is included from Euroairport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg or Basel SBB Bahnhof to your riverboat for the start of your Basel to Amsterdam cruise along the Rhine. Meet your riverboat crew for a welcome briefing, then kick off your fun family river cruise by joining your shipmates for a welcome reception and dinner aboard the riverboat this evening. Lodging:ms Inspire Meals: D |
| Day 2 | Lucerne | By rail to Mt. Pilatus and explore Lucerne Depart your riverboat this morning for an excursion to Switzerland's Lake Lucerne area and Mt. Pilatus - where mountain peaks, forests and meadows straight out of a picture book await your family. Travel to Kriens where you'll board a cable car for your ascent to the summit of Mt. Pilatus. Mt. Pilatus, by the way, was so named because (a) ancient Roman governor Pontius Pilate was rumored to have been buried there, or (b) it resembles the belly of a large man (perhaps Pilate) lying on his back - depending on which local legend you believe! Descending aboard the world's steepest cogwheel train from the very top (Oberhaupt), nearly 7,000 feet high, is most definitely part of the fun as you travel downward at a really steep 48° angle, while taking in the views of Alpine meadows and mountain streams. Spend some time as you please in lovely Lucerne to explore on your own; sights in this city of lights include Altstadt (the Old City), whose narrow cobblestone lanes lead to centuries-old buildings painted with frescoes; the Kappelbrucke (Chapel Bridge), a covered wooden footbridge dating back to the 1330s, with an octagonal water tower that was once used as a prison; picturesque squares like the Kornmarkt, Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz; and the iconic Lion Monument, honoring the Swiss mercenaries who lost their lives during the French Revolution. Return to your riverboat for the overnight sailing to Strasbourg, France. Lodging:ms Inspire Meals: B, L, D |
| Day 3 | Strasbourg | French for a day in Strasbourg Wake up this morning aboard your riverboat, docked on the Rhine outside the historic city of Strasbourg, France, surrounded by the hills of southern Alsace. Renowned for its fairy-tale charm - and as the Crossroads of Europe for its role as home to the European Union - Strasbourg is the cultural capital of the French region of Alsace. Have some Franco-styled fun as your family becomes French for a Day in Strasbourg during a morning filled with learning French phrases, a sing-along featuring French songs, and a chocolate tasting! You can return to the riverboat for lunch, or stay in Strasbourg and spend the afternoon exploring as you please. Among the treasures you'll see here are the medieval canals, watchtowers and half-timbered houses of La Petite France, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; stately city residences; the modern buildings of the European Parliament' and the 11th-century Gothic Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg. Back aboard the riverboat tonight, you'll continue your Basel - Amsterdam riverboat cruise along the Rhine to Speyer and Heidelberg, Germany. Lodging:ms Inspire Meals: B, L, D |
| Day 4 | Heidelberg | Castles on the Rhine As a major transport link across the heart of central Europe for centuries, the mighty Rhine River was a source of great riches for those who controlled the trade that plied its waters... and today, the cities, towns and castles along its banks remind us of that wealth and the power it created. You'll have a choice of excursion today. Visit the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle, perched high above the city of Heidelberg; you'll be awed by the castle's imposing ensemble of buildings from different centuries and architectural periods, radiating out from a central courtyard. Within its walls, you can feel the sweep of hundreds of years of history that was made here - and enjoy the sweeping views of the riverscapes from its terrace and gardens. Alternatively, visit the Technik Museum Speyer, introducing technological innovation from the underwater world to space. Return to the riverboat in Mannheim for lunch onboard and more Rhine cruising this afternoon; dock in Bingen tonight. Lodging:ms Inspire Meals: B, L, D |
| Day 5 | Koblenz | Koblenz or cycling and an evening at a castle During a morning spent cruising the Rhine aboard the riverboat, keep your eyes peeled for riverside castles as you play our I Spy a Castle game, and hear legends and lore of the Lorelei - the mythical siren that was said to rise from the rocky bank of the river and bewitch passing sailors - from your Tauck Directors. Arrive in Koblenz, a beautiful city set at Deutsches Eck - the German Corner - where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. The city's roots go back to the Middle Ages, when its prime location made it a powerful controller of trade along these important waterways. This afternoon, you can choose to join your local guide on a walking tour of Koblenz's Altstadt (Old Town), a delightful mix of medieval town squares, tucked-away corners, medieval churches, baroque residences and wine taverns. Or set off on a bicycling tour* through fields, forests and vineyards along the Rhine-Moselle (Rheinradweg) bicycle route. Bicycling is a countrywide passion in Germany, and the route's easy riverside trails take you through woods, meadows and Riesling winelands, offering views of passing pleasure boats and freighters on the river. Board the riverboat mid-afternoon and cruise to Koningswinter; disembark, and head to Burg Satzvey, a moated castle in Germany's Rhineland region dating back to the 12th century, for a grand dinner and evening in the castle's banquet hall that transports your family back to the Middle Ages for some medieval fun! Rejoin the riverboat in Koln (Cologne) tonight. Lodging:ms Inspire Meals: B, L, D |
| Day 6 | Koln | Historic Koln & Carnival traditions onboard Germany's fourth-largest city, historic Koln (also known as Cologne) was founded by the Romans in the 1st century AD; nearly destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II, modern Koln's unique mix of rebuilt, restored and new structures sprawls across both sides of the Rhine. Start your exploration with a walking tour of the city, dominated by the immense, twin-spired Kolner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), whose construction only took six hundred years! Completed in 1880, this Gothic Dom was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The riverboat departs Koln midday; during an afternoon and evening spent cruising the Rhine, learn about the colorful history and traditions of Carnival; it grew out of celebrations leading up to the Christian observance of Lent, and has been an important part of the cultural scene in Germany (and in Koln in particular) for centuries. Have fun preparing costumes for and participating in an onboard Carnival Night celebration after dinner. Chart a course for Amsterdam on your riverboat cruise tonight. Lodging:ms Inspire Meals: B, L, D |
| Day 7 | Amsterdam | A windmill, canal cruise and more upon arrival in Amsterdam Amsterdam, the remarkable capital of The Netherlands, is all about water; like Venice in Italy, it's dominated by a series of canals that link its many tiny islands. Known to the Dutch as grachten, the city's 17th-century canals fan out in crescent-shaped rings from the northern waterfront. Upon arrival, travel to Zaanse Schans, a traditional Dutch windmill village, for a visit to a working windmill, a tasting of local cheeses, and a clog-making workshop. Return to Amsterdam for a unique view of the city on a canal boat cruise through the historic waterways with a local guide; the city's heart feels more like a village than the compact center of a cosmopolitan city. Aboard the canal boat, you'll glide beneath curved bridges carrying walkers and cyclists - as well as trams and cars - and past the narrow former homes of merchants who stored their goods on the upper floors. Along the way, see a host of 17th- and 18th-century structures, the 19th-century Centraal Station, the city flower market and more. Back onboard this evening, please join us tonight for our farewell dinner - a great way to wrap up your family's unforgettable Basel to Amsterdam riverboat cruise! Lodging:ms Inspire Meals: B, L, D |
| Day 8 | Amsterdam | Journey home Tour ends: Amsterdam. Disembark your riverboat this morning by 9:00 AM. A transfer is included from the riverboat to Amsterdam's Schipol Airport or Central Station. Fly home anytime. Allow 3 hours for flight check-in. For guests wishing to spend more time in Amsterdam, ask at booking about extending your stay with an additional hotel night at Tauck's hotel. Lodging: Meals: B |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- * All prices are per person in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy.
Itinerary Changes - Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice.
