The 'Enchanting Rhine' cruise through Holland, Germany, France and Switzerland cost $2,800 in 2010. The eight-day cruise sets off from Amsterdam and travels to Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg and Strasbourg before finishing in Basel, Switzerland. It stops in each city so passengers can explore local museums and attractions, and stop off for lunch and dinner. Meals aboard the ship, drinks and evening entertainment are included, as are guided tours with headsets and the use of bicycles.
Europe River Cruises
Blue Water Holidays
Bridge House, Brook Street
Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1PP
44-1756-706-529
cruisingholidays.co.uk
Setting off from Cologne, the ship's first port of call is Andernach, one of Germany's oldest towns, replete with medieval ruins and fortresses. From here the cruise makes a detour down the Moselle River to visit the vineyards of the Moselle Valley, where the famous Riesling wine is produced. Once back on the Rhine, passengers will see the Lorelei Valley and the surrounding scenery, before heading to the historical city of Koblenz and ending up in Cologne. There is free time and guided tours available in each town. The cost of this trip is $1,300 per person, as of 2010.
Archers Direct
Customer Services Department
Wren Court, 17 London Road
Bromley, Kent
BR1 1DE
44-8445-734-806
archersdirect.co.uk
This cruise ship is truly luxurious, complete with a Viennese café and glass-enclosed gourmet restaurant; luckily the prices are far from extravagant. A five-day cruise from Dusseldorf on selected dates is only $700. At other times cruises depart from Cologne and travel via Frankfurt or Amsterdam, with prices starting from $1,850 for six days. Cabins are luxurious, with marble bathrooms, underfloor heating, minibar, Wi-Fi and flat-screen TV. The Queen Suite also includes the services of a butler.
Premicon Queen
Transocean Flussreisen GmbH
Stavendamm 22
D-28195 Bremen, Germany
49-421-3336-182
premiconqueen.de
