The Majestic Rhine: Utrecht to Basel
The Rhine and her Tributaries
- Return UK travel service
Discover the historic attractions of the Rhine
Step aboard Spirit of the Rhine for an all-inclusive, seven night river cruise through UNESCO-listed landscapes. Along the way you’ll enjoy an included tour of Düsseldorf, famed for its Old Town, and visit Koblenz, set at the point where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet.
Cruise through the scenic Middle Rhine before exploring stately Heidelberg and its castle on an included excursion from Speyer. Kehl offers a gateway to medieval Strasbourg, with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. Then, spend the day in Breisach, overlooked by the 12th-century cathedral St Stephansmünster.
This cruise is also available with a reverse itinerary: The Majestic Rhine: Basel to Utrecht. These departures include a visit to Amsterdam.
Itinerary
Spirit of the Rhine
Depart 1900.
Travel to Utrecht and embark Spirit of the Rhine.
Arrive 1400. Depart 2200.
Düsseldorf is famed for its Old Town. The narrow backstreets are home to the Gothic St Lambertus church with its twisted tower and the Burgplatz (square) features a Schlossturm (palace tower). From here, it's a short distance to the Rhine embankment promenade which offers a sweeping view of Düsseldorf's skyline and the Oberkassel Rhine banks.
This afternoon an included excursion explores the highlights of the city by coach and on foot.
Arrive 1400.
The city of Koblenz, meaning 'merging of the rivers', is situated on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. At the exact point where the two rivers meet, the Deutsches Eck, there is monument with a huge equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I.
Above the town sits the Festung Ehrenbreitstein, a citadel built by the Prussians between 1816 and 1832.
Depart Koblenz, 1300.
Scenic Cruise, Middle Rhine.
This afternoon Spirit of the Rhine will cruise through the picturesque scenery of the Middle Rhine, home to around 40 hilltop castles and fortresses.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.
The Cathedral and Imperial City of Speyer is dominated by the UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral, built in the 11th century and a fine example of Romanesque architecture.
This morning an included excursion visits the home of Germany's oldest university, the city of Heidelberg. Highlights include the Old Bridge across the River Neckar and the ruined castle high above the city. Its unusual appearance is due to it having been added to through different periods of German architectural styles.
Arrive 0800. Depart 2200.
Kehl is located on the banks of the Rhine river, directly opposite the French city of Strasbourg. The capital of Alsace, Strasbourg, features cobbled streets, medieval architecture and a Gothic cathedral with an astronomical clock.
See some of the highlights of the old quarter on an included excursion and cruise along the city’s scenic canals this morning. You may choose to spend further time exploring Strasbourg independently after your tour before taking our complimentary shuttle service back to Kehl later in the afternoon.
Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.
Take our complimentary shuttle service into Breisach, an important medieval town of the Holy Roman Empire during the 16th century. It's overlooked by a 12th-century cathedral – St Stephansmünster – set high on a hilltop above. It's also known as a 'gateway to the Black Forest' and the Alsace.
Arrive Basel, 0700.
Disembark Spirit of the Rhine and begin your return journey.
Including...
All Inclusive†
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Drinks reception and Farewell dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights and transfers
Included excursions
- Düsseldorf city tour
- Heidelberg and castle visit
- Strasbourg tour and canal cruise
Our cruises include excursions at selected ports so you can make the most of the destinations you visit. Find out more about when excursions are available to book.
Interactive maps and audio headsets are available for independent exploration.
†The included drinks are available from 9am to midnight and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.