Northern Rhine Cruise – Cologne, Ghent, Antwerp and Amsterdam

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

We head to Cologne for free time. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore this cathedral city, with its wealth of monuments and attractions. Later, we embark our ship, the A-ROSA AQUA, and begin our exciting Rhine cruise, heading north along the river.

The former Dutch fortress of Willemstad is a tranquil little city with a delightful harbour and well-preserved fortifications. Take a stroll through the pretty streets and discover the sights, including a charming historic windmill.

The morning finds us heading along the northern Rhine towards Ghent. Here you’ll discover splendid architecture, artistic masterpieces and delightful landscapes. The capital of East Flanders is part of a quartet of Flemish centres of art – the others being Antwerp, Bruges and Brussels. Discover the city's treasures, including the baroque Saint Bavo’s Cathedral and the imposing Gravensteen, a moated castle. In the old town, you’re sure to find a cosy place to sample a good cup of coffee and some Belgian delicacies.

We continue our cruise past Westerschelde to arrive later this evening in Antwerp.

The port city of Antwerp is an absolute must-see in Belgium. Rich in art and culture, it is also known as the ‘Diamond City’ due to its important role in that trade. Antwerp is particularly enjoyable for foodies, thanks to the many tasty Belgian specialties, such as waffles, chocolates and fries. Why not join our optional city tour?

We arrive in Amsterdam this morning and spend the full day in this incredibly varied city. It’s old yet modern, relaxed yet bustling, and arty whilst also being commercial. With almost 7,500 listed buildings, it has the highest concentration of historical monuments in the whole country – you’ll be able to discover a piece of history around every corner! During the day, we will offer an optional canal cruise.

We leave Amsterdam and pass the Markermeer to reach the delightful little town of Hoorn, which lies on the Ijsselmeer. Back in the 16th century, Hoorn was one of the Netherlands’ most important ports. Today, many of its buildings still bear witness to this heyday.

Back in Germany we stop in the small, beautiful town of Emmerich on the Lower Rhine. Here you can take a stroll along the promenade and enjoy discovering the 'Golden Gate Bridge of the Lower Rhine', which, just like its role model, can be seen from afar in vibrant red. Definitely worth taking a souvenir photo!

We disembark in Cologne and head home.