An undoubted highlight of a river cruise along the Rhine is journeying through the majestic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Steep, striking cliff faces are interrupted by winding roads, wine-producing vineyards and charming castles.

Many of our Rhine river cruises depart from the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, before setting course into Germany’s charming medieval past. The liberal, quirky and enigmatic Amsterdam provides the perfect start to a cultural exploration of Europe’s past. Crafted largely by the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century and the artists who flocked to its canal-lined streets, Amsterdam is an enchanting blend of architectural anomalies and the finest museums the continent has to offer.

From the proudly non-traditional Dutch capital, a journey along the Rhine takes you through medieval towns and finally to the Black Forest. Enjoy a guided tour through the forest as part of our Jewels of the Rhine river cruise, which offers a fascinating insight into local culture and traditions. Recreated 16th-century farms and villages provide a taste of authentic Black Forest life.

The Roman Empire stretched far and wide at its peak, and many of its proudest and most northerly settlements now sit in modern-day Germany. It’s thought that much of the Rhineland’s culinary heritage comes directly from Roman rule; Julius Caesar reportedly first introduced one of the region’s most famous and best-loved dishes, Sauerbraten.

 

This Roman influence is felt most keenly in Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest, largest and most recognisable cities. A river cruise on the Rhine is incomplete without stopping here, exploring the enchanting Old Town and how it was shaped by the Romans – not least visiting the esteemed Twelve Romanesque Churches of Cologne. 

 

One of the highlights of any river cruise on the Rhine is approaching Cologne for the first time, when you catch your first glimpse of Kölner Dom, the mighty gothic cathedral whose twin spires dominate the skyline – truly magical from the sun deck or your personal balcony.