Rhine River History Tours & Trip Packages

Rhine River History Tours & Trips

232 Rhine River trips. Tours from 46 tour companies. 13 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

23 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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History
10 Day Bavaria & Alps Experience
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5/5 Excellent
9 reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They go the extra mile to cater to travelers of all abilities by limiting hotel transfers, choosing accessible tour routes and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Alps, Bavaria, Berlin, Frankfurt, Grindelwald, Lucerne, Mt. Pilatus, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Zurich

Highlights

  • Experience Munich and see the highlights of this 850 year old city
  • The day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Travelling the Romantic Road, we first reach Harburg
  • Fully guided experience of the Dachau Concentration Camp
  • Drive through the beautiful upper Bavarian countryside to Chiemsee, Bavaria's largest lake.

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"I've traveled to Europe several times before but not like this. Thanks to Kelley and her amazing knowledge and patience with all my queries, my famiy and I enjoyed a customized itinerary filled with a food tour in Paris and a cooking lesson in Naples, history and art lessons at the British Museum and Musee D'Orsay, with enough time to travel independently and make new discoveries with less hassle than before. I absolutely recommend the Relaxed Explorer to anyone looking to make memorable trips with their families that will be cherished by all. Thank you so much Kelley!! Would love to make more good travel memories with your help!!"

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Family Europe: Amsterdam to Rome in 14 Days Tour
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4.2/5 Great
23 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Colosseum, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Tuscany, Vatican City, Venice

Highlights

  • Visit the Van Gogh Museum
  • Visit Amsterdam and see the world's greatest collections of paintings, including masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer
  • Explore Venice and Experience the amazing history of this unique, maze-like city of canals, walkways, and slowly sinking palaces
  • Visit a local mask-making workshop to learn about the tradition of Venetian masks
  • Visit the16th century Gardens of Bomarzo, filled with larger-than-life sculptures and monstrous statues

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

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The Great Rivers of Europe
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Unpack just once, journey 948 miles through three countries, and enjoy an abundance of included features—from all meals to 11 guided tours, and more—on our #1 River Cruise for more than a decade
  • Cruise aboard our award-winning 140- to 164-passenger ships with a dedicated English-speaking crew
  • Experience this European itinerary, and uncover a local and American perspective in destinations like Nuremberg’s Room 600
  • Explore with an expert, local Program Director—a native or resident of Europe—who will be dedicated to your group of no more than 47 from the start to the end of your trip

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I am a 12 time traveler with Grand Circle and OAT. But maybe no more. They are impossible to reach by phone without waiting for hours. I even tired their emergency phone number and was on hold for hours. What if I had been stranded in a foreign country? They cancelled my Eastern Europe to Black Sea Cruise in Sept 2021 and cited "covid" or "civil unrest" issues. Baloney. They cancelled because they did not sell out the cruise and lied about it to me. I know because I went with Viking during the same month with no excuses like Grand Circle gave me. Add to that they promised me a $1,000 credit on my next trip- which was to Antarctica in December. The invoice they sent me showed the credit- and 1 month later a new invoice arrived with the credit removed. Why? Another lie? Something is really wrong here with the company now and I would suggest be very careful with bookings as they are not the same company I traveled with for the past 12 years."

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Christmas Markets Along the Rhine
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Koblenz, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Visit Kaysersberg
  • Visit the nearby commune of Riquewihr, a renowned "wine village" known for its Rieslings
  • Enjoy a sightseeing tour by boat along Strasbourg's canals
  • Discover romantic Heidelberg, a historic university town
  • Explore Koblenz and stroll among the stalls of its wonderful Christmas Market
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"I am a 12 time traveler with Grand Circle and OAT. But maybe no more. They are impossible to reach by phone without waiting for hours. I even tired their emergency phone number and was on hold for hours. What if I had been stranded in a foreign country? They cancelled my Eastern Europe to Black Sea Cruise in Sept 2021 and cited "covid" or "civil unrest" issues. Baloney. They cancelled because they did not sell out the cruise and lied about it to me. I know because I went with Viking during the same month with no excuses like Grand Circle gave me. Add to that they promised me a $1,000 credit on my next trip- which was to Antarctica in December. The invoice they sent me showed the credit- and 1 month later a new invoice arrived with the credit removed. Why? Another lie? Something is really wrong here with the company now and I would suggest be very careful with bookings as they are not the same company I traveled with for the past 12 years."

Trip dates & details
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The Enchanting Rhine
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3.7/5 Great
39 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Strasbourg, Zurich

Highlights

  • Explore Amsterdam and enjoy the canal cruise through the city
  • Experience 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel
  • Discover Strasbourg and Zurich
  • Visit Cologne and get an opportunity to see Cathedral Square

Themes

50 plus, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I’ve sailed with AmaWaterways 4 times. They are the best! You become family. I can’t wait to sail with them again!"

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Ultimate River Cruise
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3.7/5 Great
39 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bamberg, Budapest, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Munich, Nantucket Island, Nuremberg, Trier, Vienna

Highlights

  • See the fascinating Nuremberg
  • Discover Trier city tour
  • Explore Paris
  • Explore Mainz and visit Gutenberg Museum
  • Explore Kitzingen and enjoy Wine cellar visit & tasting
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I’ve sailed with AmaWaterways 4 times. They are the best! You become family. I can’t wait to sail with them again!"

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Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
3.7/5 Great
39 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Heidelberg

Highlights

  • Explore get a chance to visit Christmas Markets.
  • Enjoy Strasbourg city tour and visit Christmas Markets
  • Opportunity to cruise along Rhine Gorge, admiring many amazing castles
  • Experience cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne
  • Drive to Rüdesheim experience wine tasting

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I’ve sailed with AmaWaterways 4 times. They are the best! You become family. I can’t wait to sail with them again!"

Trip dates & details
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Rhine Christmas Markets South
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5/5 Excellent
3 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Celebrate Christmas on Rhine Christmas Markets South
  • See the old Cathedral city, the World famous trade fairs.
  • Enjoy the history of more than 2000 years old Roman colony.
  • Observe on Strasbourg has played a significant role and had an eventful history
  • Points of interest are the St Martin and St Stephen cathedrals, the castle of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"See you tomorrow AROSA Bella & this will be our second time of cruise ship, first was AROSA Riva. Its gonna be fun & excitement!"

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23 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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History
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Rhine River Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
13  Reviews
See all Rhine River tour reviews
Excellent
6
Great
0
Average
1
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
R

RIP off report

May 2020

Written on

Do not use Great Value Vacations

We spent $11, 630.20 for a 12 day trip to Europe, from 6/11/2020 to 6/23/2020. THEY cancelled our trip, and refuse to refund our money, even after we purchased the t...

L

Larry

Oct 2018

Misleading and often just plain dishonest.

We paid for a 3 week luxury river cruise but received a large group bus trip across Europe with many days of packing and unpacking. I called our Viking representativ...

C

Charles

Oct 2022

Good and no so goog

Recently returned from a Viking Rhine trip on 10/14. The good: Rhine water levels were good, no issues. Service on the vessel was A+, excluding one attendant with...

T

Tonya

Aug 2015

Incredible experience

Incredible experience sailing on the Grand European tour from Amsterdam to Budapest! Just wonderful! The tours were interesting, and most allowed for adequate free t...

W

Wayne H

Jan 2017

Written on

The most amazing river trip in Europe

Traveling from Belgium through 6 countries to Switzerland is one of the most amazing travel experiences in Europe, especially if traveling with Grand Circle Travel. ...

Write a Review

Rhine River Tour Selection Trips

  • Rhine cruises typically last between eight and 12 days, largely depending on whether or not they include side-trips along the Moselle, which branches off from Rhine at Koblenz.
  • Some longer itineraries may include other waterways in AustriaHungary or the Netherlands.
  • Be sure to allow at least one extra day in canal- and museum-rich Amsterdam and/or in Basel in Switzerland, to explore those cities before or after the cruise.
  • Christmas market cruises in late November and December are very popular along the Rhine, where festive village outdoor markets sell handcrafted gifts and are filled with the aromas of freshly made gingerbread, sizzling sausages, and mulled wine.
  • The busiest season for Rhine cruises is June through August. May and September can feature pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices.
  • There are about ten more castles on the right (eastern) bank of the Rhine River Gorge than on the left (western). (The Lorelei rock is on the eastern bank.) But don’t worry too much about which side of the ship your cabin is on; even if you have a private balcony, you’ll probably spend much of your time on the top deck, where there’s a 360-degree view.
  • Many Rhine cruise itineraries offer chances for interesting side-trips away from the river. Particularly appealing are the Alsatian city of Strasbourg in France, which combines French and German culture, and the Black Forest area of southwestern Germany.
  • You can also combine a Rhine River cruise with a Danube River cruise via a canal and sail down to Budapest, Hungary, or beyond through eastern Europe.
  • With the perennial popularity of Rhine cruises, don’t expect to find last-minute bargains. Book as early as possible – often a year in advance or more – to be sure to get the cabin you want.
  • To judge the best value as opposed to just the lowest price, keep an eye out for how many “extras” are included in the base rate – such as port excursions, port charges, alcohol, balcony cabins, and even international airfare on occasion – that could considerably inflate the price if purchased separately. (Gratuities are seldom included, though you may be able to pay them up front.)
  • If you plan on traveling alone on your Rhine cruise, check into the cruise lines’ policies on charging for singles supplements, and whether or not they will match you with a same-sex roommate if you’d like to avoid the extra charge.
  • Some cruise lines employ multiple tour directors and offer port excursions at different “speeds,” so you can choose how fast you want to walk or ride and how much you want to see.
  • Be sure to check with cruise lines if you have special diet needs. Some may not be able to do kosher food, for example, while others may fall down on gluten-free or even interesting vegetarian dishes. 

Additional details

River cruises along the Rhine are perfect for those travelers seeking a less crowded European river cruise than the Danube, but are eager to see many similar sights.

Rather than traveling in and east-west direction, Rhine river cruises travel north-south through the Netherlands, western Germany, and some far eastern parts of France.

Unlike many other river cruises through Europe, the Rhine touches on some views of a more industrial side of Europe. You will absolutely see a smattering of castles, and gorgeous countryside, but expect a few industrial plants and factories along the way as well. The Rhine, like all important rivers, has gone through many iterations of importance to the countries it services.

How long are Rhine River Cruises?

Rhine river cruises are usually between 8 and 15 days. This gives you a nice balance of port calls and time out on the water.

However, be sure to check the itinerary and route carefully. Many Rhine River cruises travel in smaller areas, rather than the full expanse of the river. These cruises may be similar amounts of time but hitting a different number of countries.

So when searching for a Rhine River cruise, consider whether you’d prefer to visit more sites within 1 country - meaning some smaller villages and towns, or forgo some sights in the interest of checking off more countries and larger cities.

Christmas Cruises Along the Rhine

The Rhine is an extremely popular river for people wanting to visit some of Europe’s famous Christmas markets. These delightful markets have deep roots in Germany where they are called “Christkindlesmarkt”. Because the Rhine flows through much of Germany’s western regions, it is one of the top rivers that hosts Christmas cruises.

Snow is common, so be ready for some cold weather! But it adds everything to the ambiance, as you stroll through the streets listening to carols, sipping mulled wine, and browsing stalls of crafts and food.

Rhine Christmas cruises fill up fast! Be sure to book early to secure a spot. And book extra early if you or someone you traveling with requires special assistance, such as a wheelchair accessible room. These are first come first serve on river cruise vessels.

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