14 nights · Netherlands North Holland · River cruise · Departs Amsterdam (Netherlands) · Visiting Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, Middelburg, Willemstad NL, Cologne, Rhine Gorge, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Kehl-Strasbourg, Breisach am Rhein, Basel · Aboard Avalon Waterways on the Avalon View
Image courtesy of Avalon Waterways ©
This river cruise sails the Rhine and Scheldt, departing Amsterdam.
| Cruise line | Avalon Waterways |
|---|---|
| Ship | Avalon View |
| Duration | 14 nights |
| Port calls | 12 |
| Departures | 2 sailings |
| From fare | $6,219 per person |
| Year built | 2021 |
| Guests | 166 |
| Cabins | 83 |
| Crew | 47 |
| Length | 135 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 12.0 kn |
Amsterdam pairs world-class museums with the everyday pleasure of canal-side life. Its Golden Age houses, narrow waterways and lively markets make the city rewarding well beyond its famous sights. Visit the Rijksmuseum for Dutch masters, then explore the canal belt on foot or by boat. Leave time for a neighbourhood café: in Amsterdam, the best discoveries often come between the landmarks.
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, but its appeal extends well beyond the quays. Bold architecture rises beside the Maas, while the city’s maritime past remains close at hand. Cross the Erasmus Bridge for skyline views, explore the striking Markthal, or take a harbour cruise among working vessels. Rotterdam rewards curious visitors with modern design, excellent food, and a Dutch city that refuses to stand still.
Antwerp pairs a major working port with a rewarding historic center. At the Cathedral of Our Lady, Rubens’s paintings share space with centuries of Gothic stonework. Nearby, the Grote Markt frames guild houses and the ornate City Hall, with cafés offering an easy pause between visits. The Museum aan de Stroom explores Antwerp’s history and its enduring relationship with the river. Make time for a meal; Antwerp’s food culture is as compelling as its maritime heritage.
Step ashore in Ghent and find a Flemish city that feels lived-in, not preserved for show. Canals frame guildhalls and Gothic towers, while cafés keep the historic centre in motion. At the Graslei, old warehouses line the Leie; nearby, St Bavo’s Cathedral holds the celebrated Ghent Altarpiece. Visit Gravensteen, a 12th-century castle, then explore the lanes on foot. Compact and rewarding, Ghent offers art, architecture and an easy taste of Belgian life.
Middelburg is Zeeland’s compact, handsome capital, where medieval lanes and quiet canals meet a proud maritime past. The city grew wealthy through trade, and its role in the Dutch East India Company left an enduring mark. Begin at the Abbey, a historic complex still central to civic life. Climb the Lange Jan for views across red roofs and Zeeland’s flat, green countryside. On the market square, cafés and landmark façades invite a pause between museums, shops and canal-side walks.
Willemstad is a small historic port in North Brabant, set beside the Hollands Diep. Its star-shaped fortifications, laid out in the seventeenth century, still define the compact centre. Follow the ramparts for broad water views, then turn into quiet lanes lined with brick houses. The octagonal Koepelkerk, completed in 1607, is among the Netherlands’ earliest purpose-built Protestant churches. Nearby, the Mauritshuis recalls the town’s links to the House of Orange.
Amsterdam pairs world-class museums with the everyday pleasure of canal-side life. Its Golden Age houses, narrow waterways and lively markets make the city rewarding well beyond its famous sights. Visit the Rijksmuseum for Dutch masters, then explore the canal belt on foot or by boat. Leave time for a neighbourhood café: in Amsterdam, the best discoveries often come between the landmarks.
Cologne announces itself from the Rhine with the soaring twin spires of its Gothic cathedral. Step ashore to explore a compact old town, Roman remains, and museums holding major works of art. The cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, anchors the city centre. Enjoy Kölsch in a traditional brewery, then cross the river for a view of the skyline.
Between Bingen and Koblenz, the Rhine cuts through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the deck, steep vineyard slopes, medieval castles and slate-roofed villages unfold around each bend. Watch for the Lorelei rock, tied to Rhine legend, and Marksburg, one of the region’s best-preserved castles. Roman routes, trading towns and wine still shape this river landscape.
Ludwigshafen is a working Rhine port, facing Mannheim’s historic centre across the river. BASF’s headquarters and immense production site shape the city, offering a striking view of Germany’s industrial present. Seek out the Wilhelm-Hack-Museum, whose modern-art collection is matched by Joan Miró’s vivid mosaic façade. Across the Rhine, Mannheim’s Baroque palace, elegant squares and the vineyards of the Palatinate make rewarding excursions.
Strasbourg rewards visitors with a rare blend of French elegance and German character. Its historic center, the Grande Île, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, threaded with canals and half-timbered houses. At its heart, Strasbourg Cathedral rises above the old streets, its pink sandstone façade a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Take time for a table of Alsatian cooking, where French technique meets hearty regional tradition. Then follow the riverfront lanes and discover a city shaped by centuries on Europe’s border.
Breisach rewards a short walk uphill: its old town gathers around St. Stephen’s Minster, above the Rhine. Inside, the minster’s carved altar and medieval murals offer a close encounter with Upper Rhine art. Across the river lies Alsace; inland, the Kaiserstuhl’s volcanic slopes are known for vineyards and distinctive wines. Allow time for the compact center and its river views; Breisach makes a rewarding pause between Freiburg and Colmar.
Basel sits where Switzerland meets France and Germany, with the Rhine running through its centre. A short walk from the river leads to the red-sandstone Rathaus and Münster, whose terraces open across the rooftops. The city rewards unhurried exploring, from medieval lanes in the Old Town to galleries and renowned art collections. Cross the river by ferry, or use Basel’s efficient trams to reach museums, cafés and the lively Marktplatz.
Published August 5, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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