The Majestic Rhine: Basel to Amsterdam

Your vacation begins as you arrive in Switzerland and make your way independently to Basel, using the flexible rail ticket provided.

On arrival in this Swiss city close to the borders with Germany and France, you can board our luxury cruise ship and be welcomed by our wonderful crew. There's time to relax into your new home on the river and familiarize yourself with the ship's excellent facilities.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before dinner in the panoramic restaurant and set sail on an overnight cruise on the Rhine. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

Sailing into the historic Alsace city of Strasbourg after breakfast, there's a choice of two wonderful excursions. The first is a trip into the magical Black Forest to witness stunning views. Germany's largest nature park is filled with rolling hills, fairytale villages, dense forests and wildflower meadows. On an exploration of this idyllic setting, you'll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a tour of Strasbourg, a city in Alsace that was once part of Germany but is now in France - and Strasbourg's grand architecture reflects this blend of the two cultures. On the tour, we visit its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. Home to tanners, millers and fishermen in the Middle Ages, this pretty area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site of cobbled streets, flower-lined canals and beautiful half-timbered houses.

There's a free afternoon to explore Strasbourg independently before we return to our ship this evening and enjoy drinks with dinner. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking to views of charming Speyer, you can choose to enjoy a guided tour of Heidelberg today. The picturesque university town is known for its lovely Old Town and riverfront, which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river and cityscape.

If you'd prefer to stay in Speyer, you can discover the city at your own pace. There's a beautiful Old Town, and among the highlights is the city's cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Returning to our ship for lunch, we enjoy a scenic afternoon cruise. Sailing downstream, we pass the famous Roman city of Mainz and spa town of Wiesbaden before arriving in Rüdesheim early this evening.

After dinner, you could enjoy the sounds and sights of the attractive town, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we travel through charming Rüdesheim aboard a land train, arriving in the center of the renowned wine town. Here, there's a choice of excursions. You could savor Rüdesheim's most famous produce with a tasting of the finest local varieties of wine or discover Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments at Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Afterward, there's time at leisure.

We begin sailing this afternoon and enjoy a highlight of the vacation - gliding through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO-listed section renowned for its spectacular views. Winding around bends surrounded by miles of vineyards, hilltop castles and picturesque towns, we also hear the legend of the Lorelei Rock. Soaring almost 500 feet out of the water, this monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, including the tale of a siren whose song has enchanted passing sailors.

Arriving in the city of Koblenz, you have time to explore. We recommend visiting Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Later, we make our way back to the ship, where dinner is served onboard. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a morning of relaxed sailing as we leave Koblenz and continue north along the Rhine. Shortly after Andernach, keep your eyes peeled for the highest cold-water geyser in the world that erupts up to heights of nearly 200 feet.

After lunch, we dock in Königswinter for a fantastic trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway. Rising high into the forests, we pass the fairytale Drachenburg Castle - the name of which translates as 'Dragon's Rock' and has inspired many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. Traveling to the summit, we can admire wonderful views across the rolling hills of the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany.

Back onboard this afternoon, we continue our cruise through beautiful scenery toward Cologne. During the approach, the city's bridges and imposing cathedral hone into view. On arrival, we gather for dinner and drinks as we stay overnight in this historic city. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Awaking in Cologne, we embark on a guided tour which introduces us to its squares and Romanesque townhouses. This German city sits beside the Rhine and was founded as a military camp by the Romans who named it Colonia, which is from where the modern term 'colony' is derived.

The city's most iconic landmark is its impressive cathedral, the largest in northern Europe. Construction of this UNESCO-listed edifice began in 1248 to house relics of the Three Wise Men. Rising more than 515 feet with spectacular twin spires, this Gothic masterpiece is the most visited attraction in Germany. There's time here to stand in awe and marvel at its ornate carvings and stained-glass windows.

Returning to our ship, we enjoy lunch as we set sail toward the Netherlands, savoring dinner and drinks as we wind toward our fourth and final country on an overnight cruise. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the early morning sailing through the Lower Rhine, with a change in scenery further downstream as we approach the Netherlands. Arriving in Amsterdam early this afternoon, we take a canal sightseeing cruise of Amsterdam, a cultural city that's as modern as it is historic, soaking up stunning views of the city's picturesque canals and architecture.

Alternatively, choose the optional excursion - a visit to Volendam and Edam to uncover their cheese heritage. As well as being famed for Dutch cheese, Volendam is a stunning old town, with traditional houses lining serene canals and a small harbor.

Back on board our ship this evening, we gather for a gala dinner accompanied by the songs of the Dutch sea shanty choir - the perfect end to our Rhine cruise.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sailing from the Swiss city of Basel to the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, has showcased the changing landscapes of the Rhine, from the Black Forest to the Netherlands' tulip fields. Gliding through the stunning Rhine Gorge and along the meandering Moselle allowed us to soak up breathtaking scenes from our front-row seats.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our crew. As your cruise comes to an end, you can begin to make your way home.

• Breakfast