Europe · Germany · France · Netherlands · Switzerland
Rhine River
莱茵河
Castles, Vineyards and the Romantic Gorge
The Rhine rises in the Swiss Alps and flows through Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. Its most spectacular stretch — the Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — packs more castles per kilometre than anywhere in Europe, with vineyards climbing impossibly steep slopes above the water and medieval towns clinging to the banks.
A Rhine river cruise glides past the Lorelei rock, the castles of the Rhine Gorge, and the wine villages of the Rheingau. The premium lines pair the scenery with serious gastronomy and shore excursions into the Black Forest, Alsace and the Moselle Valley.
The classic route runs Amsterdam to Basel over about a week, best in late spring or early autumn. For travelers who want Europe's history, wine and castle-romance delivered effortlessly, the Rhine is the definitive river journey.
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Contact UsTravel Info
Best Months
Apr · May · Jun · Aug · Sep · Nov · Dec
Difficulty
Easy
Budget Reference (USD / person)
$500–1,650
Visa
Visa required
Schengen visa rules apply · Visa-free for EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia (90 days) · Fly into Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Basel
Must Experience
- —Amsterdam to Basel luxury river cruise (~7 days)
- —Middle Rhine Gorge — castles and the Lorelei rock
- —Rheingau wine villages and Riesling tastings
- —Strasbourg and the Alsace wine route
- —Black Forest excursion from the river