Arrive in the vibrant Dutch capital and check in to your hotel before heading out for a memorable first evening. Get your first taste of river life with a canal cruise and dinner with your fellow travellers, Experience Director and Experience Manager.

Excursions

Travel to Katwoude Mill for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and meet the mill master to learn how this working windmill helps manage local water levels. Continue to Volendam, a fishing village known for its harbour, wooden houses and maritime traditions. Stroll along the waterfront, browse small shops and see locals in traditional Dutch dress. Back in Amsterdam, explore at your own pace, perhaps visiting museums, relaxing in a cosy cafe or joining an Optional Experience foodie tour through one of the city’s bohemian quarters.  Please note: The Keukenhof Gardens visit is included on the 11 April and 25 April departures only. This seasonal experience takes place during peak spring bloom, when tulips, daffodils and hyacinths bring the gardens to life, and replaces the traditional windmill visit.

Excursions

Depart Amsterdam for Arnhem, where you’ll uncover the story of Operation Market Garden, one of the Second World War’s most ambitious airborne operations. At Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, walk among the white headstones of Allied soldiers from the 1944 campaign before continuing to John Frost Bridge, remembered as “A Bridge Too Far,” where British paratroopers fought to hold the crossing. You’ll also have time to explore Arnhem at your own pace, from the riverfront to the compact city centre. Then step aboard Trafalgar Verity, your Rhine River cruise ship, settle into your cabin and begin your journey along the river.

Excursions

Your first night on the Lower Rhine takes you through the Rhine Plain and past North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s historic heart of industry. Dock in Cologne after a night cruising the Rhine and step ashore. With two included experiences to choose from, you can join a Local Specialist to explore the historic streets and see the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece over 600 years in the making. Or see a different side of the city on a Street Art tour, uncovering the alternative creative scene. In the afternoon, choose an Optional Experience and sample local brews on a Cologne Beer Experience, or visit the Michael Schumacher Private Collection, a must for motorsport fans. 

Excursions

Sail to the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), where the Moselle meets the Rhine, marked by the grand monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I. On land, join a Local Specialist to explore Koblenz. You can explore further with an optional bike ride along the Rhine, passing charming villages and historic castles along the way. Sit back and take in the scenery on your Rhine River cruise, as you begin to cruise through the Middle Rhine, a region straight out of a fairy tale, famous for its hillside vineyards and storybook castles. Arrive at Boppard and explore Rheinstein Castle, perched high above the river.

Excursions

Your Rhine River cruise continues as you sail through the Middle Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before arriving in Rüdesheim, a wine-making town known for its half-timbered houses. Board a mini-train past vineyards and the famous drosselgasse before you explore at your own pace. Alternatively, visit Eberbach Monastery for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where you’ll discover how heritage restoration and sustainable vineyard care help protect nearly 900 years of monastic wine traditions. You can choose to join an Optional Experience on a vineyard hike, winding through scenic trails with beautiful views. 

Excursions

This morning, step ashore in Speyer, a town with deep medieval roots. Join a Local Specialist for a walking tour along Maximilian Street, passing baroque townhouses and visiting a medieval church. Discover the history of the 11th-century Jewish community and enjoy some local treats. Why not join an Optional Experience to Heidelberg? You’ll walk through its charming old town, cross the Old Bridge and see the striking Heidelberg Castle. 

Excursions

Step ashore in Alsace, where French and German influences mix in this region rich with history. With a Local Specialist by your side, explore Strasbourg’s old town, where you’ll see its impressive cathedral and the charming Petite France district. In the afternoon, choose an Optional Experience into the Black Forest, known for its scenic landscapes, fairytale villages and traditional crafts.

Excursions

Cruise south of Strasbourg, along the Rhine River, marking the border between Germany and France. Drift through the Upper Rhine Plain, nestled between the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains, and take in the stunning scenery along the way. Step ashore and begin your day with a tour of Breisach, a historic town overlooking the Rhine, known for its colourful houses and centuries-old cathedral. Then enjoy a Be My Guest experience with lunch at Bohrerhof, a family-run farm where seasonal produce is grown using traditional methods. Savour a meal made with fresh ingredients straight from the fields, a true taste of the local land and heritage. In the afternoon, you can take an optional visit to an Alsatian village for a journey filled with half-timbered houses and scenic vineyards.

Excursions

Your scenic river cruise comes to an end as you disembark in Basel. Bid farewell with "fair winds and fond memories" to your Experience Director and Experience Manager, crew and fellow cruise companions, until you cruise again.