Romantic Rhine 2027
A Brock’s World Group Getaway featuring Amsterdam, the Rhine River, castle views, France’s Alsace region, the Black Forest, and Switzerland
Romantic Rhine | May 8–15, 2027
Sail one of Europe’s most classic river cruise routes on Avalon Waterways’ Romantic Rhine itinerary.
This southbound cruise begins in Amsterdam and travels along the Rhine River through the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland, with time for historic cities, riverside scenery, castles, culture, and relaxing days along the river.
Why This Itinerary is Special
I chose this itinerary because it has the kind of Rhine River scenery people imagine when they think about a European river cruise.
You start in Amsterdam, then settle into the rhythm of the river — canals, cathedral towns, vineyard hillsides, castle views, wine country, Strasbourg’s old streets, and the Black Forest near the end.
It is not just one big highlight. It is a string of moments that build on each other: watching the river from the ship, walking through historic towns, seeing castles above the Rhine Gorge, and having time to enjoy the places along the way.
For a first Brock’s World Group Getaway river cruise, this felt like the right fit: classic, beautiful, manageable, and a wonderful introduction to river cruising.
Trip Highlights
• Start in Amsterdam, with options like a canal cruise or a guided walk through its historic streets
• Visit Cologne, where you can see the famous cathedral, explore Jewish heritage sites, bike with an Adventure Host, or enjoy free time with a glass of Kölsch
• Sail through the Rhine Gorge, where castles sit high above the river and the scenery becomes part of the day
• Spend time in Rüdesheim, with options that may include a vineyard hike, Rüdesheimer coffee, the Mechanical Music Museum, or a wine tasting at Johannisberg Castle
• Visit the Heidelberg area, with choices that may include Heidelberg Castle, Schwetzingen Palace, or a walk along the Philosophers’ Way
• Explore Strasbourg, including its cathedral, astronomical clock, and La Petite France district
• Consider optional experiences in Alsace, such as a wine route tasting or a visit to the Maginot Line
• Experience the Black Forest area, with options that may include an e-bike tour, an open-air museum, a water mill, butter-making, or time in Freiburg
• End in Basel, Switzerland, with convenient access to Zurich
Where You'll Go
Amsterdam → Rhine Gorge → Heidelberg Area → Strasbourg → Black Forest → Basel
Choose Your Pace
One of the reasons I like Avalon for this group is that everyone does not have to experience the day the exact same way.
On this itinerary, some days may include choices such as a classic walking tour, a bike ride, a vineyard hike, a wine tasting, a museum visit, or time to explore on your own. That means people can travel together, but still choose the style of experience that fits them best.
Someone may want the guided history tour. Someone else may want the active option. Someone else may want a slower morning and a little free time. Then everyone can come back together on the ship, share what they did, and enjoy the evening.
That flexibility is part of what makes river cruising work so well for a group.
Travel Details
Romantic Rhine Southbound
May 8–15, 2027
Ship: Avalon Panorama
Route: Amsterdam to Basel
Length: 8 days / 7 nights
Countries: Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland
Group pricing starts at $4,201 per person, double occupancy.
Starting price includes port charges and prepaid gratuities. Pricing is per person, double occupancy, and subject to availability until booked and deposited. Travel protection and airfare are additional.
The Moments We’ll Share
Some of the best parts of a group trip happen between the sightseeing.
It is walking back to the ship and hearing what everyone noticed that day. It is sitting down to dinner and comparing stories from different excursions. It is laughing over something small that happened in town, trying a local drink, listening to music on board, or watching the river go by while the conversation keeps going.
That is what I love about river cruising for a group. You have time to explore, but you also have time to come back together. The ship becomes a comfortable home base, and the people you travel with become part of the experience.
By the end of the week, it is not just a list of places you visited. It is the meals, the conversations, the shared “did you see that?” moments, and the memories you build along the way.
Interested in This Trip?
I’d be happy to send you the details and talk through the options.
You do not need to know which stateroom category you want yet, and you do not have to have everything figured out before asking.
This is what I’m here for — to help you understand the trip, the pricing, the deposit, travel protection, airfare, and whether it feels like the right fit for you.