Rhine River Guide
Probably the most popular of all European river cruises.
The river Rhine flows through four countries - Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands, before ending its journey in the North Sea at Rotterdam.
The river Rhine, one of the longest and most important river in Europe, runs for over 1,320 kilometres from its source in the in the Swiss Alps, the Rheinwaldhorn Glacier which is over 3,300 metres above sea level. Here is starts as a small stream before starting its journey via Lake Constance, flowing over the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen and through the Swiss town of Basel. As the Rhine flows through Germany it becomes the border between Germany and France.
There are many changes to the landscape along the river Rhine none more noticeable than the Rhine Gourge, where the river narrows to form a steep sided valley overlooked by ancient castles and working vinyards. This part of Germany is the heartland of the old
Holy Roman Empire with some fantastic medievil buildings. Many are just ruins but some have survived the trauma of war and neglect and are fascinating places of interest.
Once the river reaches the Netherlands the landscape changes yet again - to a very flat country where it is also joined by several other rivers before reaching Rotterdam.
Some famous places of interest can be visited on a Rhine river cruise including:
Koblenz - Germany, where the Rhine and Moselle river combine (I have been here and taken a tour to the castle high up overlooking this spectacular merge of two great European rivers)
Basel - Switzerland, the medieval town hall. The museum of fine art where you can view work of Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso
Andernach - Germany, a walled town known for its 13th century "Liebfrauen" church and the famous Rhine Boulevard.
Strasbourg - France, visit the European parliament, the canals of the Old Tanner's quarter and the Gothic Minster
Dordrecht - Holland, famous for its line of eighteen beautiful Dutch Windmills, erected in 1740 and still in full working order.
Ghent - Begium, Flemish Ghent is a maze of twisting alleys and brick houses, famous for its superb altarpiece painted by Jan can Eyck.
Antwerp - Belgium's second largest city (after Brussels). Visit Grote Market or the famous zoo (the worlds first).
Mannheim - Germany, visit a great Baroque castle and from here you can take tours to Heidelberg and its castle.
Maastricht - where the Maastricht treaty was signed which ultimately led to the creation of the European Union.
Please use the search facility at the top of the page to find a Rhine river cruise or simply call a member of our RiverCruising team on 0844 736 9379