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Thank you for booking our Castles of the Rhine River Cruise – Your adventure will be here before you know it!
Approximately 30 days prior to the trip start date you’ll receive your personalized travel documents, confirming your trip inclusions and airport transfer details. Below you will find additional information to help you prepare for the adventure that lies ahead.
Included in your Brand g vacation are one arrival transfer from the Basel Airport (BSL) to the Mövenpick Hotel Basel, and one disembarkation transfer from the river boat to the Amsterdam Airport (AMS), Amsterdam train stations, or to an Amsterdam hotel.
If you are arriving to Basel by train, the Mövenpick Hotel is just 400ft walking distance from the train station and is faster to get to on foot.
Please provide us with your travel arrangements below at least 45 days (May 23, 2025) before the cruise in order to ensure transfer availability.
All documentation required for this itinerary is the sole responsibility of the guest. Brand g Vacations will not be responsible for advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation for any passenger, or for any delays, damages, and/or losses, including missed portions of your trip, related to improper or absent travel documentation. It is suggested that copies of important documents, including your passport and visas, be kept in a separate place, in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Passport: While some countries in Europe only require 3 months’ validity on your passport, others require 6 months even if you are only transiting through that country. Therefore, we advise all guests to ensure their passports are valid for a minimum of 6 months after your last date of travel.
Visas:
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization system for travelers visiting European countries within the Schengen Area. The ETIAS is expected to launch later in 2025. While the exact start date has not been announced, it will likely not be required for trips starting in July 2025. While not yet active, we recommend staying updated on any announcements regarding its implementation.
Travel Protection: Travel insurance is advised to participate in this program. If you haven’t purchased a policy already, you may do so by contacting your travel agent or Brand g Vacations. You may also get a quote and purchase a policy online from Brand g’s recommended travel insurance provider, Travel Insured International. Please be sure to carry all policy information with you during your program.
Vaccinations: At the time of this printing, no vaccinations are required for entering Europe but it is recommended that all guests discuss available vaccinations and any other health concerns they may have with their personal physician or a travel medicine specialist.
The consulates of the countries to be visited will also provide information on vaccination requirements and/or suggestions. You may also consult your home country’s centers for disease control for their current recommendations. For the US visit CDC.
We cannot reimburse guests for any missed portions of the trip due to illness of any sort. If you haven’t done so already, we highly recommend that all guests purchase a travel insurance policy to cover expenses incurred with any illness as well as reimbursement for missed portions of the trip. We recommend Travel Insured International, however there are many other options available.
Physical Limitations: This cruise program is active. While there will be plenty of time to relax, there is much to see and do. Many included excursions require an extensive amount of walking over cobblestone streets, and many sites have numerous steps that may be steeper and narrower than is common in the U.S. For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that all guests be in good physical condition. Brand g Vacations at its sole discretion, reserves the right to refuse passage, or to require a current passenger to end their trip, if the passenger’s state of health or physical condition may affect their own health, safety, or enjoyment or that of other passengers.
Medical: The medical center on the ship is designed to provide care for temporary illnesses and accidents. Please note these facilities are not intended or capable of providing ongoing treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. Any special requirement or need for health services aboard must be cleared in writing with Brand g before final booking will be accepted. Guests are reminded to bring their personal medications, as pharmacy services are limited. Any medical expenses incurred are the guest’s own responsibility and neither Brand g Vacations nor the ship is responsible for costs or quality of medical care received. Guests should bring their medications with them. A travel insurance policy that covers medical expenses while traveling internationally is highly recommended.
Dietary Preferences: Please advise us of any special dietary restrictions at least 45 days (May 23rd) prior to your departure. This information will be provided to the proper personnel, and to the extent possible within local conditions and limitations, every effort will be made to accommodate your needs. It is the guest’s responsibility to provide us with as much detail as possible concerning any medically related dietary concerns. Not all dietary requests can be accommodated, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.
While there are no restrictions on the number of bags each guest may bring on board the ship, storage space is limited, and it is suggested that each guest bring only one checked bag. Additionally, all airlines impose restrictions on both size and weight, and many airlines restrict the number of bags per person. Each guest must check with their selected air carrier for limitations prior to departure, as luggage restrictions are subject to change. Guests who exceed an airline’s luggage restrictions may be asked by the airline to pay the airline’s overweight/oversized luggage fees.
An airline’s limitations on the weight and size of checked and carry-on baggage are usually found on their website or may be obtained by calling the airline directly. Please remember that international (over the water) and domestic (intra continental) restrictions may not be the same.
Your luggage and all personal belongings are solely your responsibility throughout the trip. Neither Brand g Vacations or the cruise line are responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage or personal belongings. Selecting a travel insurance plan that will cover lost or stolen luggage and/or personal items is highly recommended.
Please place luggage tags on the outside of all of your bags, including carry on and hand luggage, and include a copy of your contact information during the trip on the inside of your checked bags. Valuables and medication should only be packed in your carry-on bags (unless required to be placed in checked bags by your airline).
Please be sure to contact your airline prior to departure and verify there have been no changes to the flight number or schedule. If you have an airport transfer confirmed with Brand g Vacations, please advise of any schedule change affecting your airport pick up time.
Familiarize yourself with current airport security procedures and arrive at the airport at least two and a half (2.5) hours prior to your scheduled departure. During peak travel times, you may want to arrive three (3) hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
Most items you purchase internationally can be brought back into the US and Canada. We do recommend, however, that you check with both your home country’s customs office for current restrictions, as well as with the embassies of the countries you are visiting for any restrictions on items that may be unlawful to take outside their borders.
When you return to your home country, you should be prepared to declare everything you purchased or acquired while traveling. Many countries will ask you to complete a customs form, which will require descriptions and values of the items. These forms are easier to complete if you keep your sales receipts easily accessible. Most countries have set customs duty exemptions for both quantity and value of certain items. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with these allowances and limits prior to your travel.
Please be advised that most hotels do not allow check-in earlier than 3:00pm and arrivals before this time may need to wait until the room becomes available. Hotel check-out is usually no later than 11:00am. If your arrival or departure schedule does not coincide with these times, you may ask the hotel to store your luggage while you explore independently. Please note that every effort is made to ensure that your hotel room is available and ready for occupancy upon your arrival, however a short wait for your room to become available may be unavoidable. Depending on your arrival or departure times, you may wish to purchase an early check-in, late check-out, or additional hotel night in order to guarantee availability of your room. Feel free to contact Brand g Vacations or your travel agent to book additional services.
Guests who provided their independently arranged flight details to Brand g Vacations no later than 45 days (May 23rd) prior to embarkation, will automatically have airport arrival and departure transfers arranged.
Arrival Transfers
Arrival transfers will be provided from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) on or before July 7th. We recommend arriving the day before to avoid any airline delay issues. If you are arriving by train, the Mövenpick Hotel is just 400ft walking distance from the train station and is faster to get to on foot.
Contact our team or your travel agent to ensure arrangements outside of these arrival and departure transfers will be included. Booked guests should provide their arrival and departure details 45 days (May 23rd) prior to the trip to ensure transfer availability.
Departure Transfers
All guests must disembark the riverboat by 10:00AM on July 16th, 2025.
Transfers are provided from the Amadeus Queen to the Amsterdam Airport (AMS), train station, or to an Amsterdam hotel after which no further transfers will be provided.
Contact our team or your travel agent to ensure arrangements outside of these arrival and departure transfers will be included. Booked guests should provide their arrival and departure details 45 days (May 23rd) prior to the trip to ensure transfer availability.
If you experience a travel delay while still in your home country, after working with your air carrier to revise your flight schedule, please contact Brand g’s Operations Office at 952-405-9309 to advise us of your revised arrival date and time. If the line is busy or you are calling outside of general business hours, please leave a message.
If you have already departed your home country, please contact our local staff at the numbers provided on the Arrival Transfer Information page that is included with your personalized travel documents, and in the Contact Information section below.
If you purchased travel insurance that covers flight delay and cancellation expenses, you will also want to contact your travel insurance company to start a claim for expenses incurred during your delay. If the delay is serious enough that you will miss the starting point of your cruise, any additional hotel, and/or flight arrangements necessary to meet your group will be at your expense.
Baggage delays unfortunately occur from time to time, especially during peak travel periods. If you discover any bag did not make it to your destination, do not leave the airport baggage area without completing a Lost Baggage Report with your air carrier. This report is essential to the tracking of your claim. If you have an airport transfer scheduled, and are traveling with a companion, we recommend that one person exit the baggage claim area and locate the representative to inform him or her of the situation. This will allow the representative to ensure that the transfer is properly provided. Give the air carrier a copy of your travel itinerary, along with the hotel and ship contact information. Report your lost baggage to your Brand g Vacations Tour Leader and provide them with a copy of your Lost Baggage Report. Brand g Vacations is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and/or personal belongings. Selecting a travel insurance plan that will cover lost or stolen luggage and/or personal items is highly recommended.
A Brand g Vacations Tour Leader will be with you during your travel program to handle all the details, leaving you to relax and enjoy your vacation.
The ability to stay in touch with friends and family is an important part of travel, and many guests choose to bring cell phones on the trip. International roaming charges can be expensive, and it is advisable to contact your domestic carrier to determine the charges and plans available for each country you are visiting, then select the best available plan for your expected usage. In some countries, SIM cards are available for purchase that can be used in an unlocked phone (call your carrier to determine if your phone is, or can be, unlocked), providing a local number that can be used both locally and internationally, usually at a significantly lower rate.
Making international calls from hotels is possible, but costly. Connection fees are usually applied, in addition to other call charges.
The Brand g Vacations included hotels and the Amadeus Queenoffer free internet and Wi-Fi access.
The official currency used in The Netherlands (Amsterdam ) is the Euro and in Switzerland (Basel, Zurich ) it is the Swiss Franc . The currency throughout the rest of the itinerary and onboard the Amadeus Imperial is the Euro. The ship operates on a ‘cashless’ system and all charges are billed directly to each guest’s onboard account. While onboard, guests will sign for all purchases and pay their charges at the end of the cruise in Cash (Euros only) or with a credit card; cards accepted are American Express, MasterCard, and Visa. Credit cards will be charged in Euros. Debit cards cannot be accepted for settling the onboard account.
ATMs: connected to bank networks such as PLUS or Cirrus are widely available in most major metropolitan areas, airports, city centers, and some hotels. Fees for transactions vary. ATMs are not available onboard the ship and may be limited in the smaller towns and villages along the river. Your bank can tell you which network your ATM card can access, and whether a debit or credit card must be used. It is also recommended that guests bring an overseas contact number for your bank or credit card company in case you require assistance while traveling.
We recommend that you change or withdraw enough local currency while in larger cities, as ATMs and banks may not be readily available in some of the smaller towns along the itinerary. Also, we recommend that you not carry bills in large denominations, as many merchants are hesitant to accept them due to counterfeiting. Local banks can break the larger bills into smaller denominations for you.
Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards internationally. American Express is accepted at most major hotels and large vendors. Smaller vendors and particularly restaurants may not accept American Express for payment. Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express cards are all accepted onboard.
There may be some stores or locations where cash is preferred (especially for small purchases) or where a card cannot be used for purchases. We recommend bringing at least one major credit card as well as an ATM card that is both a debit and credit card.
Please contact your bank and/or credit card companies to let them know that you will be leaving the country to avoid any problems using your credit or debit cards overseas.
Optional Gratuities for the included components of this program have been pre-paid. You are welcome to provide additional tips at your discretion.
On the ship, smoking is allowed only on designated parts of the Sun Deck. The hotels have open areas where smoking is allowed and may offer smoking areas in specific sections of some indoor lounges. All hotel rooms and ship staterooms are non-smoking. We ask everyone to refrain from smoking while on excursions.
The voltage in hotels and onboard ship is 220v, European standard. To use any electrical products from the US or Canada you will need a plug adaptor and any device that is not dual voltage will require an electrical converter. Many electronic devices have built-in electrical converters, however, please check the manufacturer’s specifications for specific details.
Your tour program includes comprehensive shore excursions led by a local English-speaking guide; these excursions have been designed to provide you with the best possible experience. Excursions vary in difficulty level. Specific excursion information can be found in the daily itinerary. Your Brand g Vacations Tour Leader will provide details on each day’s excursion(s) and timing. Should guests be concerned about any aspect of an excursion, please inform your local guide or Tour Leader.
Some temples, Churches, Mosques, and other tourist attractions may require a dress code. If you plan to bring a cell phone or tablet on excursions, please ensure it is set to “silent.” Guides will alert you when photos and/or flash photos are not allowed.
Most host hotels are fitted with elevators for guest use however some rooms may have to be reached via stairs. The ship has elevators however, embarkation/disembarkation facilities may also be difficult to navigate with wheelchairs or walkers. The cruise line does not accept guide or support dogs. Electric mobility scooters or any other mobility mechanical devices are NOT permitted for use on the ship.
Some of the places we visit on this itinerary are not handicapped accessible. Please note: the American with Disabilities Act does not apply in Europe and accessibility to some sights may be limited for those with mobility impairments. Excursions may involve walking over uneven ground and some excursions are walking tours only. For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that all guests be in good physical condition.
At its sole discretion, Brand g Vacations reserves the right to refuse passage, or to require a passenger to end their trip if the passenger’s state of health or physical condition may affect their own health, safety, and enjoyment, or that of other passengers.
In the countries in which we operate, pickpockets are not uncommon, and caution is encouraged. When sailing, please lock cabin doors, reducing the opportunity for theft. Cabins are fitted with safes for personal use. Brand g Vacations cannot be held liable for loss of money, jewelry, or other valuable items from the ship, from a hotel, or while on an excursion ashore during a voyage. A travel insurance policy will typically cover most incidents of loss or theft.
The ship has been outfitted with a sophisticated filtration system, and the tap water in each stateroom is safe for drinking. In addition, bottled water is provided in your stateroom for your comfort.
Weather forecasts are widely available on the Internet, and some of the favorites for large, international cities are www.weather.com and www.cnn.com/weather.
Average temperatures
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 68/52 degrees °F/C
Basel, Switzerland: 74/54 degrees °F/C
Travel Essentials: The following items are essential for any destination: sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, rain coat and umbrella. It is recommended that you bring; Electrical convertor and adaptors, duplicates of prescription eyewear, copies of prescriptions for any medications (generic equivalents are usually easier to obtain), copies of credit card information, and copies of your passport information pages and visas.
Clothing: Sport jackets and cocktail dresses are not needed at any time during this program; however, you may wish to pack a few nicer outfits for evening meals or nights out on your own. Comfortable, sporty, casual clothing is appropriate both on shore and on board. A mix of shirts, everyday slacks/pants, skirts/dresses, and walking shorts are appropriate for both land and cruise. Early mornings, late evenings, and air-conditioned spaces may also require a light sweater.
Footwear: Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, with good ankle support, are highly recommended, as there is a significant amount of walking on many excursions.
Entered into service in 2018, the AMADEUS Queen cruises the beloved and historic rivers of Europe in the same well-appointed style as her sister vessels have done for nearly a decade.
The ship’s onboard restaurant provides a relaxed environment and accommodates all guests with open seating. It offers international and local cuisine. Breakfast and lunch are sumptuous buffets, with evenings featuring chef’s specialties and regional dishes all served with complimentary coffee, tea, water, wines, beers, and soft drinks.
Please notify Brand g Vacations in advance if you have any special dietary concerns or considerations that need to be considered. We will do our best to ensure that your request is accommodated but cannot guarantee all dietary needs and preferences can be met. All mealtimes are scheduled around tour departures, and breakfast may take place early in the morning.
The lounge serves an early riser breakfast as well as a light lunch alternative. Afternoon tea is also served as well as late-night snacks. Brand g Signature Entertainers will perform nightly in the lounge after dinner followed by music. Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served in the Panorama Bar throughout the cruise.
The ship’s exclusive “open-air lounge, is in the bow and its specially designed glazing provides an incomparable view of the passing riverside scenery while providing protection against wind and rain.
The 24 hr. Club is the perfect place to relax during the day taking in the view, playing cards or board games while taking advantage of the complimentary coffee and tea. In the evening it is the perfect alternative venue to the Panorama lounge where the signature entertainers will perform after dinner.
The Fitness Center offers modern fitness equipment. The hours of operation are generally from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm but may be adjusted based on each day’s program. Use of the equipment is at your own risk. The Salon offers massage and hair services (by appointment onboard).
There is a gift shop onboard with a limited selection of souvenirs and other sundries. All purchases are charged to your shipboard account. The hours of operation are adjusted to each day’s program. Please note: No over-the-counter medications are available, in accordance with European laws.
As part of a commitment to a clean, safe, and healthy onboard environment, and in line with COVID-19 regulations, the Amadeus Imperial practices a strict sanitization protocol. To assist in this important matter, the ship kindly asks all guests to wash their hands frequently and to consistently use the hand-sanitizer machines when entering the ship and when entering the restaurant. The machines are located just inside the main entrance to the ship and at the entrance to the restaurant.
Full-service laundry is available on board. Please inquire at the Front Desk for a list of services and fees. There is no self-service laundry facility.
Local river authorities allocate docking space around ship arrivals and departures in port. Typically, river ships dock facing upstream. Occasionally port conditions require ships to tie up alongside each other, in which case guests may be required to walk through another ship to access their own ship. This is part of the river cruise experience and is perfectly normal and beyond the control of Brand g Vacations and the ship company. Guests may experience obstructed views from staterooms when the ship is docked.
As the ship is often in motion, and the decks are sometimes slippery, please take care when moving about the decks. Stairs may be steeper than you are used to, and it is best to always use the handrails.
Every stateroom is appointed with an individual thermostat for air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a hair dryer, a spacious wardrobe, a safe, and a bathroom provided with shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. Amadeus Suites are additionally equipped with a minibar and a comfortable seating area. Electrical current is 220V, the European standard. Most staterooms have hotel-style beds that can be positioned separately or together. Your stateroom will be serviced by your Stateroom Attendant daily. Security and maintenance checks may also be performed.
Visitors are generally not permitted onboard the ship and are not allowed to join any shore excursions. Please make arrangements to meet your friends and relatives onshore.
The Mövenpick Hotel Basel is the perfect base for an inspiring post-cruise stay in Basel. Ideally located in the city center, this elegant new hotel is walking distance to many local restaurants and attractions.
Date of included stay: July 7-9, 2025
Monday, July 7, 2025 – Basel, Switzerland
Arrive in Basel and transfer to your host hotel.
Meet your fellow guests at a welcome gathering at approximately 5:30pm this evening. (Welcome Reception)
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 – Basel, Switzerland
Following an included breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a city tour of the highlights of Basel, including the Basel Münster (big church), town hall, market place, the oldest hotel in Switzerland (3kings). After the tour, you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure exploring the beautiful city of Basel independently. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 – Basel, Switzerland EMBARKATION
Today, following breakfast we’ll set off for a tour across the border to Germany’s Black Forest. Today’s tour includes a visit to the Rothaus Brewery, where you’ll have the chance to partake in some of their famous beer. After, enjoy an included lunch at the brewery before we depart for a scenic drive through the famed Black Forest enroute to the Amadeus Queen. Once onboard the attentive staff will welcome you and get you checked in to your stateroom, where your luggage will already be waiting for you. Take some time to refresh, unpack, and explore the ship before your official welcome cocktail and a festive welcome dinner. Tonight, regale in Brand g Signature Entertainment before turning in. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Thursday, July 10, 2025 – Strasbourg, France
Tour of Alsace – Morning
On this tour you will drive through picturesque landscape, romantic wine villages and parts of the famous wine route. One stop will be at a local winery, where you can try some of the wines during a wine tasting. Also, you will drive to the beautiful village Obernai. During a stroll through this idyllic Alsatian town, steeped in rich history you will get to know the charm of its traditional half-timbered houses, its Belfry and its town center.
Walking Grade 2/5: Easy amount of walking which may include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4 hours
Tour of Strasbourg with canal boat tour – Afternoon
Enjoy a discovery tour through the beautiful city of Strasbourg. After a short coach trip through the city, the tour continues with a walk through the lovely, historic old part of the town and includes a visit to the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster. During a boat cruise on the river, discover the famous quarter, “Petite France.” This former mill and tanner district still maintains its medieval charm. Some of the beautiful, half-timbered houses on the banks of the river Ill are up to 500 years old. You will enjoy Strasbourg’s half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, the Council of Europe and all the other wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you.
Walking Grade 2/5: Easy amount of walking which may include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Friday, July 11, 2025 – Speyer / Mannheim, Germany
Tour of Speyer – Morning
Speyer, the time-honored imperial city on the Rhine, looks back on a rich and eventful past. Historic testimonies of ecclesiastical architecture, impressive facades of different building epochs, winding alleys and romantic squares characterize the face of the city today. During the city tour enjoy a short guided tour of the Romanesque Imperial cathedral with its striking twin-towered portal, and visit to the beautiful baroque Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate of Speyer and a visit to the medieval Judenhof, one of the most important Jewish medieval sites in Germany. The Jewish community had a storied history in Speyer reaching back over 1,000 years. View the remains of the Jewish courtyard, which was the central area of the Jewish quarter and consisted of the synagogues, and a ritual bath (Mikveh).
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2.5 hours
Tour of Mannehim – Afternoon
A comfortable coach will take you to the Heidelberg, the world famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads also into the castle garden. From the grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall.
Walking Grade 3/5: Moderate amount of walking which will include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4.5 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Saturday, July 12, 2025 – Ruedesheim / Koblenz, Germany
Tour of Ruedesheim – Morning
Enjoy an unforgettable tram ride on the Winzerexpress and discover the beauty of the Rhine Valley. Visit a typical winery and taste different wines of the region. Afterwards, stroll along the famous Drosselgasse, which is a narrow cobblestone street, first mentioned in the 15th century as an alley used by the Rhine boatmen to reach their homes. Here you can still find numerous half-timbered wine houses, restaurants and shops. Immerse yourself in the history of the village before returning to the ship on the Winzerexpress.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2 hours
Tour of Koblenz – Afternoon
Discover Koblenz, one of the most beautiful and oldest cities in Germany with more than 2,000 years of history. During a walking tour in the romantic side streets between the Basilica of St. Kastor and the Church of Our Lady, view the most important sights of Koblenz. Continue your excursion by cable car, built for the International Garden Show, high above the Rhine to the impressively situated Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
is the second largest preserved fortress in Europe. The fortress dates back to 1000 CE and evolved to its present form between 1817 and 1828. Today, the fortress houses the Koblenz State Museum with its diverse exhibitions including the history of the fortress, the Army Memorial and a youth hostel.
Walking Grade 5/5: Hard amount of walking will include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 3 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Sunday, July 13, 2025 – Koblenz / Cochem, Germany
Enjoy scenic cruising along the river.
Tour of Cochem – Afternoon
Located along the beautiful Moselle wine valley, the harmonious triad of unique Moselle landscape, millenia-old wine culture and history makes Cochem a popular destination. Discover the town with its narrow, winding streets during a city tour. Next visit the Reichsburg castle with its imposing complex which dominates the area landscape due to its size and its location on a rugged rock high above the town.
Enjoy the impressive view from the castle of the Moselle valley with its dreamy mixed forests and vineyards, as well as the old town. Inside the castle you will find a collection of Renaissance and Baroque furniture, as well as other treasures, carefully collected by the Ravene family who owned the castle until 1978, when it was turned over to the town of Cochem, for all to enjoy.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 3 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Monday, July 14, 2025 – Cologne, Germany
Tour of Cologne – Morning
The morning is dedicated to the fascinating cathedral city of Cologne, which has over a million inhabitants. You can expect a young, vibrant metropolis with a rich cultural history and world-famous sights, in particular the Cologne Cathedral. The cathedral city dates back over 2,000 years and is full of history, the traces of which can be seen everywhere in the Rhine region. During the walking tour, explore the area around the cathedral all the way to the old town. As you travel through the narrow, cobbled streets, and the lively squares such as the Alter Markt or the Heumarkt, you will get a feel for life in Cologne from yesterday and today. Since its completion in 1880, the Cologne Cathedral with its two 515ft high towers has been the city’s landmark, as well as the most famous architectural monument and most frequently visited sight in Germany. As your excursion concludes, we invite you to enjoy a glass of typical Kölsch, which is the number one beer in Cologne and large parts of the Rhineland.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2.5 hours
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
By breakfast you will have crossed yet another country border to arrive in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age as the result of its innovative developments in trade. Today, the city has one of the largest historic centers in Europe, with about 7,500 registered historic buildings. The street pattern is largely unchanged since the 19th century. The center consists of 90 islands, linked by 400 bridges. On the city tour through the Dutch metropolis, you will see the Royal Palace, numerous canals and the Museum Quarter. As there is no better way to see the city than cruising on the water, the tour will end by a canal cruise boat trip.
Walking Grade 3/5: Moderate amount of walking which will include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4 hours
The vessel remains in Amsterdam overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Disembarkation
Today we disembark and Transfer to the Amsterdam airport or stay an additional day or two and experience one of Europe’s most fun city’s (Breakfast)
We hope you’ll find the below linked page useful when planning your personal time in Basel and Amsterdam.
All of our trips include arrival and departure airport transfers, most meals, included beverages and so much more! Plus our trips are hosted, meaning someone from Brand g will be with you the entire time to take care of the details, so you can simply relax and enjoy your vacation.
© 2025 Brand g Vacations. All Rights Reserved.
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