RIVER CRUISE THE ESSENCE OF THE RHINE

River Cruise by Europa Rhine River
8 days 1655€
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Description

THE ESSENCE OF THE RHINE

Undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking rivers in Central Europe, the majestic Rhine begins its journey in Lake Constance (Switzerland), flows through the charming French city of Strasbourg, and reveals its most stunning beauty in Germany. Along its winding course, every rock and hillside is crowned with castles, ancient ruins, or towers with narrow, shadowy windows—each whispering tales of centuries past. Join us on a journey to uncover the hidden treasures nestled along the legendary Rhine Rive


Dates

Departure From Arrival From Price From Reserve
13-05-2026 Colonia 20-05-2026 Colonia 1655.00€ RESERVE
03-06-2026 Colonia 10-06-2026 Colonia 1655.00€ RESERVE
01-07-2026 Colonia 08-07-2026 Colonia 1655.00€ RESERVE
05-08-2026 Colonia 12-08-2026 Colonia 1655.00€ RESERVE
26-08-2026 Colonia 02-09-2026 Colonia 1655.00€ RESERVE
02-09-2026 Colonia 09-09-2026 Colonia 1655.00€ RESERVE

Itinerary

THE ESSENCE OF THE RHINE I
Duration 8 days
Departure date 03-06-2026 | 05-08-2026 | 02-09-2026 |
Cities Cologne, Rüdesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, Basel, Breisach, Worms, Mainz
Rivers RHINE

INCLUDED: Accommodation in outside cabins; 3 guided tours as indicated in the itinerary; full board from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day; drinks included during onboard meals: draft beer, house wine, soft drinks, water, coffee/tea; welcome drink (limited time); afternoon tea with pastries or a midnight snack; coffee station available; live music onboard; welcome and farewell cocktail (includes one drink); Captain’s dinner; port and tourist taxes (€65/person/cruise); medical assistance insurance; onboard luggage handling.

NOT INCLUDED: Optional excursions; drinks not mentioned above; individual transfers; flights; trip cancellation insurance; tips (€60/person/cruise); port and tourist taxes (€65/person/cruise); Wi-Fi; laundry service; minibar

Day 1 DAY 1  COLOGNE
Boarding from 16:00. Welcome cocktail. Free time in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day 2

DAY 2  RÜDESHEIM

Full board on board. After lunch, we arrive in Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s most charming and frequently visited towns. Historic landmarks such as the Klunkhardshof, the fortified Adler Tower, the thousand-year-old Brömser Castle, and the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle invite visitors to step back in time. Enjoy our guided walking tour through the picturesque old town. Overnight stay on board.

Day 3

DAY 3 – SPEYER*

Full board on board. We arrive in Speyer early in the morning. Located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, this historic city is home to the largest surviving Romanesque cathedral in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. The cathedral also serves as the final resting place for several emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Enjoy a free day to explore at your leisure or join one of our optional excursions. Overnight on board.
Please note: the stop in Speyer may be replaced by a visit to Gernsheim.

Day 4

DAY 4  STRASBOURG

Full board on board. In the morning, we arrive in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region. Its historic center, Grande Île, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 as a remarkable example of a medieval city. The area where the canals converge is known as La Petite France, once a lively district of fishermen and millers. In addition to its charming half-timbered houses, the old town is home to numerous landmarks, most notably the stunning cathedral that towers as a proud symbol of the city. Enjoy a guided tour of Strasbourg’s most iconic sites. In the afternoon, we set sail again. Take in the unforgettable scenery of the Rhine from the Sun Deck. Overnight stay on board.

Day 5

DAY 5  BASEL

Full board on board. Early in the morning, we arrive in Basel, one of Switzerland’s most romantic and culturally rich cities. The skyline is marked by the striking towers of Basel Cathedral, adorned with colorful tiled roofs. In the heart of the Old Town, the central Marktplatz hosts a vibrant fruit and vegetable market every weekday morning. This same square is home to Basel’s Town Hall, famous for its bright red façade and ornate details. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the charming historic center. Overnight stay on board.

Day 6

DAY 6  BREISACH

Full board on board. We wake up in Breisach, a charming town on the banks of the Rhine. Its picturesque streets invite you to take a leisurely stroll, enjoy a coffee or ice cream in one of the many cafés around the market square or along the river. Highlights include the Cathedral Square, offering panoramic views of the Rhine, Rhine Island, and the Black Forest. The city’s history comes to life at the Historical Museum, located in the Rheintor—the last remaining gate of Vauban’s fortifications. Overnight stay on board.

Day 7

DAY 7 – WORMS / MAINZ

Full board on board. In the morning, we arrive in Worms (Bormes in German). The Germanic tribes once made Worms their capital. The city is also famous for its Romanesque architecture. The highlight of the visit is the 11th-century St. Peter’s Cathedral. With its four towers and twin domes, this spectacular ancient building ranks alongside the cathedrals of Speyer and Mainz as one of the finest examples of High Romanesque style. The nave is particularly impressive, rising about 27 meters, while its domes reach heights of up to 40 meters. Worms is also a popular starting point for exploring the Deutsche Weinstrasse, a 50-mile route through local wine towns. Guided walking tour included.
In the afternoon, we arrive in Mainz, a city with nearly 2,000 years of rich history. The cityscape is dominated by Mainz Cathedral. In the shadow of the cathedral lies medieval Mainz, where life unfolds in its narrow, winding streets, surrounded by numerous shops, boutiques, and cafés around the charming Kirschgarten with its romantic half-timbered houses. In the evening, enjoy the Captain’s dinner. Overnight on board.

Day 8

DAY 8 – COLOGNE

In Cologne’s historic old town, you will find monuments, fountains, and archaeological excavations in many places. The city’s Roman past and its Jewish history during the Middle Ages have been uncovered in the archaeological site at Rathausplatz. Another highlight of the old town is, of course, Cologne Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Disembarkation after breakfast. End of our services.

THE ESSENCE OF THE RHINE II
Duration 8 days
Departure date 13-05-2026 | 01-07-2026 | 26-08-2026 |
Cities Cologne, Koblenz, Mannheim, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mainz, Rüdesheim, Andernach, Cologne


Day 1

DAY 1  COLOGNE
Boarding from 4:00 PM. Welcome cocktail. Free time in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Day 2

DAY 2 KOBLENZ

Full board on board. In the early afternoon, we will arrive in one of Germany’s most beautiful and oldest cities: Koblenz. The city is located in the world-famous "German Corner." The spectacular landscape, shaped by four central mountain ranges, vineyards, and forests, surrounds this town with over 2,000 years of history. Guided tour of the city. Overnight on board.

Day 3

DAY 3 MANNHEIM

Full board on board. Mannheim is the German city where, in 1886, Carl Benz’s first automobile began circulating through its streets. The city offers a wide range of monuments, culture, art, and gastronomy. Among its many landmarks are the second-largest Baroque palace in Europe and the beautiful Water Tower. Optional excursion to Heidelberg Castle. Overnight on board.

Day 4

DAY 4  STRASBOURG

Full board on board. In the morning, we arrive in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region. Its historic center, Grande Île, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 as a remarkable example of a medieval city. The area where the canals converge is known as La Petite France, once a lively district of fishermen and millers. In addition to its charming half-timbered houses, the old town is home to numerous landmarks, most notably the stunning cathedral that towers as a proud symbol of the city. Enjoy a guided tour of Strasbourg’s most iconic sites. In the afternoon, we set sail again. Take in the unforgettable scenery of the Rhine from the Sun Deck. Overnight stay on board.

Day 5

DAY 5  SPEYER / MAINZ

Full board on board. At breakfast time, we will arrive in Speyer, a city located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, home to the largest surviving Romanesque cathedral in the world. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, the cathedral is the final resting place of several emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Guided tour of the city. Afternoon of navigation. Enjoy the unforgettable scenery of the Rhine from the Sun Deck.

In the afternoon, we will arrive in Mainz, a city with nearly 2,000 years of historical heritage. The cityscape is dominated by the Mainz Cathedral. In its shadow lies medieval Mainz, where life unfolds in narrow, winding streets filled with small shops, boutiques, and cafés that surround the beautiful Kirschgarten with its romantic half-timbered houses. Overnight stop in the city. Overnight on board.

Day 6

DAY 6 RÜDESHEIM/ ANDERNACH

Full board on board. Early in the morning, we will drop anchor in Rüdesheim, one of the most visited towns in the country. Historical monuments such as the Klunkhardshof, the fortified Adler Tower, the millennium-old Brömser Castle, and the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle invite you to spend some time in this town. Free morning. Afternoon sailing. Enjoy the unforgettable landscape offered by the Rhine from the Sol bridge. We will spend the night in the German town of Andernach, known for its geysers. Overnight on board.

Day 7

DAY 7 – ANDERNACH / COLOGNE

Full board on board. In the morning, we will remain anchored in Andernach. With over 2,000 years of history, Andernach has many stories to tell. Impressive landmarks such as the 56-meter-high Runde Turm (Round Tower), the Mariendom (St. Mary's Cathedral), the old crane on the banks of the Rhine, the Mikveh (Jewish ritual bath), and the well-preserved city walls await you during your stroll through the town.

In the afternoon, we will arrive in Cologne. In Cologne’s historic old town, you’ll find monuments, fountains, and archaeological sites at nearly every turn. The city's Roman past and its Jewish history during the Middle Ages have been uncovered in the archaeological zone of Rathausplatz. Another highlight of the old town is, of course, the Cologne Cathedral—one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Guided walking tour included. In the evening, the Captain’s Dinner will take place. Overnight stay on board.

Day 8

DAY 8 – COLOGNE

Disembarkation after breakfast. End of our services.


Ship MS "Vista Rio"

Technical Details

información técnica
eslora 110 m
manga 11,4 m
construido en 2006
renovado en 2022
capacidad para 192 pasajeros
tripulación 42


Amenities

restaurante
bar salón
biblioteca
recepción
solarium
Wi-Fi (con coste adicional)
ascensor


Accommodation

Los camarotes están amueblados con estilo y funcionalidad. En la cubierta superior, las ventanas panorámicas del suelo al techo pueden abrirse a un balcón francés. También pueden abrirse las ventanas panorámicas de la cubierta central.