Cruise Line |
Crystal River Cruises |
Ship |
Crystal Bach |
Destination |
EU Rivers |
Nights |
7 |
Departure Date |
03 Dec 2022 |
Description |
7 Night Cruise sailing from Basel to Amsterdam aboard Crystal Bach.
Follow the romantic Rhine through quaint villages in Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands to explore Gothic cathedrals, grand palaces and imposing fortresses; stroll Rüdesheim's famous Drosselgasse and savor a locally produced pinot noir at a wine tavern.
Highlights of this cruise:
Basel
On the three-border intersection of Switzerland, Germany and France and unfolding in two sections from the banks of the Rhine, Basel has an international flair, a cultural vibrancy and is picturesque besides. A medieval town center invites exploration by foot, while an abundance of museums and galleries suggest an indoor stroll amid works of art and relics of history. The Museum of Fine Arts is home to the world’s oldest art collection accessible to the public. The city itself hosts Switzerland’s oldest university, dating to 1460. Antiquity may be Basel’s strong suit, as it is in much of Europe, but this corner of Switzerland also reveals a more modern countenance: Architects Herzog & de Meuron, best known for the design of the Tate Modern in London and the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, and Frank Gehry of Bilbao Guggenheim Museum fame have contributed their considerable talents to buildings here.
Rudesheim
If Rüdesheim’s scenic location on the Rhine Gorge doesn’t sweep you off your feet, then the town’s medieval Old Town with its half-timbered buildings and narrow lanes, especially the Drosselgasse overflowing with charming shops and taverns, surely will. Still more that promises to enchant and delight is the region’s renowned Rieslings, produced here for centuries from vineyards dating to Roman times. A glass of white wine or the other local specialty, Asbach brandy, sipped amid historic surroundings can make the heart flutter, not necessarily from the effects of the spirits but from the simple beauty of one of Germany’s, if not the world’s, most romantic locales.
Savor exceptional views as you board the cog railway for the ride to the summit of Niederwald Park overlooking the Rhine valley. At the Asbach Distillery, learn about the region’s famed Asbach brandy, produced here since 1892.
Koblenz
Located where the Rhine and Moselle rivers and three low mountain ranges meet, Koblenz has a leg up in the scenery department. Add to that the city’s 2,000-year-old history, hilltop fortress and squares lined by classic Germanic architecture and you have a place ready made for photographs. You might start by aiming your lens at the Deutsches Eck, or German Corner, where the rivers merge around a corner of land marked by a monument to Emperor William I. Ambling along the river promenade and exploring the town’s narrow lanes, you might encounter medieval churches, flower-filled parks, sidewalk cafes and perhaps a weinstube, or wine tavern, an ideal venue for sipping dry Riesling and drinking in the atmosphere.
Cologne
A scan of Cologne’s skyline offers a short-hand of a long essay of architecture, varying from the space-needle-type Rhine Tower to the avant-garde buildings along the river to the spectacular spires of the cathedral. One look at the magnificent church and you can’t help but draw a breath of amazement—the structure is enormous and intricately glorious, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Germany’s most visited landmark. Peel your eyes away from the famed Kölner Dom, as it is locally called, to discover other architectural notables, including remains of the Roman wall, a modern museum complex, the contemporary philharmonic hall, cozy beerhalls and the span of the Hohenzollern Bridge, reconstructed after the war.
Take flight to witness views of Cologne from the air, offering breathtaking perspectives on its architectural monuments, including the cathedral, and the river that winds through Germany’s oldest and fourth-largest city. Get a closer appreciation of Cologne Cathedral with a visit that brings to fore its staggering size: The church is Germany’s largest cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the largest façade of any church in the world.
Amsterdam
Everyone has an image of Amsterdam. For some, it’s small boats gliding on the canals and locals two-wheeling on bikes to and from work and, as frequently, to meet friends for drinks. For others, it’s gabled buildings leaning, seemingly precariously, over cobbled streets and cozy taverns illuminated by candles. Still others imagine tulips in bloom and the colors, both muted and vibrant, of the paintings Vermeer, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. All images are true and even more beguiling when experienced in person. Sit a spell in a convivial cafe, explore world-class museums and feel the significance of a unique history—one of a city reclaimed from the sea, rising in prestige and influence as merchants built trade and wealth, and forever known for its attics and attitudes that offered refuge from war. Narrow streets and great manses tell the story not only in images but with the aroma of appeltaart, a taste of the avant garde in newly constructed buildings and a feeling of warmth from the amiable locals. |
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Sailing Dates |
- 07 May 2021
- 21 May 2021
- 04 Jun 2021
- 28 Jun 2021
- 12 Jul 2021
- 26 Jul 2021
- 09 Aug 2021
- 23 Aug 2021
- 06 Sep 2021
- 10 Oct 2021
- 24 Oct 2021
- 07 Nov 2021
- 21 Nov 2021
- 07 May 2022
- 21 May 2022
- 04 Jun 2022
- 18 Jun 2022
- 02 Jul 2022
- 13 Aug 2022
- 27 Aug 2022
- 10 Sep 2022
- 24 Sep 2022
- 08 Oct 2022
- 22 Oct 2022
- 05 Nov 2022
- 19 Nov 2022
- 03 Dec 2022
- 17 Dec 2022
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Itinerary |
Cruise Itinerary
Day | Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
1 |
03/12 |
Basel, Switzerland |
|
05:00 PM |
2 |
04/12 |
Strasbourg, France |
09:00 AM |
10:00 PM |
3 |
05/12 |
Mannheim, Germany |
09:00 AM |
11:00 PM |
4 |
06/12 |
Rudesheim, Germany |
07:00 AM |
02:00 PM |
4 |
06/12 |
Koblenz, Germany |
08:00 PM |
overnight |
5 |
07/12 |
Koblenz, Germany |
|
10:00 PM |
6 |
08/12 |
Cologne, Germany |
06:00 AM |
01:00 PM |
7 |
09/12 |
Amsterdam, Rivers |
09:00 AM |
overnight |
8 |
10/12 |
Amsterdam, Rivers |
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All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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