Betsy Patton's 13-day Rhine River Cruise Itinerary

Betsy Patton is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world, and can help plan your perfect getaway. Below is an example of the type of itineraries she creates. To work with Betsy, you can contact her directly at [email protected].

Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam

Upon arrival in Amsterdam, you will be met by a Tauck representative. You will then be assisted to your transfer vehicle and then transferred to your hotel. Tauck usually has a Hospitality Desk in the lobby, where you can meet your Tour Directors and ask any questions you may have.

Stay: Hotel De L’Europe

Day 2: Amsterdam

Spend the day on your own in Amsterdam. We can arrange visits to the Rijksmuseum, the “new” Van Gogh Museum, or any other sights in Amsterdam. We recommend taking the 15-minute train to Haarlem to visit the home of watchmaker Corrie ten Boom; she and her family hid Jews from the Nazis during WWII, and her story is quite interesting.

Stay: Hotel De L’Europe

Day 3: Board the MS Grace

Board the MS Grace in Amsterdam for your Rhine River cruise. With a maximum of 130 guests, the 443-foot riverboat continues our tradition of providing more space per guest on Europe’s inland waterways, transporting fewer passengers than most long ships. This evening. there will be a welcome reception where you will have the chance to meet your Tour Directors and the ship staff.

Stay: MS Grace

Days 4-11: Cruising the Rhine

Follow the river southbound, cruising through Amsterdam to Cologne, with its Germano-Roman history; Koblenz, for a cycling excursion through old town; Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town; the canals of Strasbourg; the spa town of Baden-Baden; Lucerne, Switzerland's "City of Lights"; the funicular climbing Mt. Pilatus; the vineyards of the Alsace; and Basel, the cultural hub at the nexus of France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Stay: MS Grace

Day 12: Depart from Basel

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.