About NETHERLANDS & COLOGNE CRUISE & STAY
Make the most of five days on the Northern Rhine with time in Holland’s most diverse and historic hubs.
Starting from Cologne, this cruise makes its way up river to deliver you into the heart of Amsterdam.
Enjoy a full day in the country’s colourful capital, walking its romantic and bridges, discovering its plentiful museums and easing into its relaxed way of life.
Rotterdam blends the old and the new with striking architecture and enormous seaport.
Nijmegen is a place for history buffs. Founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, its scenic countryside surrounds and beautifully-preserved town will round up your A-ROSA experience perfectly.
What’s Included
Return Flights
3-Nts 4/5 Star City Centre Hotel
Daily Breakfast
4-Nts All-Inclusive A-Rosa Aqua River Cruise
Private Transfers
Excursion Package
Free Wi-Fi
ATOL Certificate
Netherlands & Cologne: A-Rosa Cruise & Stay Itinerary
Day 1-2: Arrive into Cologne and transfer to Hotel for a 2-Nt stay.
Day 3: Transfer to cruise port and embark A-Rosa Aqua. Lined with a bustling wide promenade and criss-crossed with bridges, your first glimpse of the mighty Rhine in Cologne is destined to be a memorable one. A major trading centre since the Roman times, this impressive city merges the old and the new perfectly. You’ll find ancient walls and medieval churches rubbing shoulders with modern quarters, a fantastic selection of quality museums and, the calling card of the city, its famous cathedral, dominating the skyline.
Head into the charming Altstadt (Old Town) on the banks of the Rhine, and find yourself lost in narrow streets filled with traditional old houses, breweries, beer halls, cafes and shops. This is the place to come to experience a more traditional taste of Germany’s fourth largest city, and the ideal way to kickstart your river cruise. Interested in exploring in detail? We’d recommend arranging an extra couple of days in the city at one of our partner hotels before you embark on your A-ROSA Rhine river cruise. That way, when you board your ship, you’ll be relaxed, ready to go, and already have one fantastic city under your belt.
Day 4: Today you’ll arrive into what will undoubtedly be a highlight of your Northern Rhine river cruise, the colourful and historic Dutch capital, Amsterdam. Your docking location here will deliver you just footsteps from the city’s iconic Centraal Station, gateway to the vibrant Damrak, the main road leading up to the centre of the city, Dam Square. The famous Canal Ring flows outwards from this area, and you’ll soon find yourself lost in the city’s pretty streets and ‘gracht’ (canals). Any tour of Amsterdam would not be complete without visiting its controversial Red Light District, but there’s so much more to the country’s capital too. With its famous and splendid wonky houses dating back to the Golden Age, the city has a huge amount of history under its belt. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum shine a light on the city’s arty side, while a poignant visit to Anne Frank Huis tells the personal tale of a life lost to the Holocaust.
Day 5: Long before you reach Rotterdam – Europe’s biggest port city – you’ll see its impressive skyline, featuring the Euromast tower and the Erasmusbrug bridge spread out before you. You won’t be surprised to learn that this is a centre of contemporary architecture, home to the famous cube houses with their Kijk-Kubus (show cube) and the Witte Huis (the White House), the first skyscraper in Europe. The home of the continent’s largest sea port is a thriving metropolis that doesn’t scrimp on cutting-edge buildings or show-stopping international flair. Over the past 20 years, a number of impressive new skyscrapers have sprung up – and there’s no sign of this trend stopping soon.
Afternoon Harbour Tour: Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands, after the country’s capital Amsterdam. Known as ‘Manhattan on the Maas’, it has a more international, urban atmosphere than elsewhere in the country. Over the past few decades, Rotterdam has become renowned for architecture – its large uniquely-designed houses testament to the city’s modernity. This afternoon, with a little luck, you’ll have the opportunity to spot other river and ocean cruise ships during your day in Rotterdam, since Europe’s largest maritime port is a major transport hub.
Day 6: Step out into a piece of living history today, as you explore Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands. Built by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, it’s little wonder that they selected this spot. Squeezed between the Rhine, Meuse and Waal rivers in an undulating landscape famed for its excellent wines, hiking and superb natural flora and fauna, this gem of a city features beautifully-preserved buildings laced with museums and superb eateries, great shopping and a real laidback lifestyle. All perfectly enjoyed from your floating A-ROSA hotel.
Day 7: It’s little wonder that Cologne’s residents think they’re onto something special. This welcoming city can’t fail to charm you. The typical friendliness that you find at every turn makes visitors feel to this magnificent place feel at home right away and it’s not unusual to get chatting to strangers and find yourself enjoying an ice-cold Kölsch with them. The main landmark – the dramatic Cologne Cathedral – watches over the whole city. It is the third-tallest church building in the world, at a staggering 157.38 metres. It might be a bit of a trek up to the top of the tower, but it’s worth it. You’ll be rewarded with a mesmerising view of the city and the Rhine spread out beneath you. Check into hotel for a further 1-Nt stay.
Day 8: Fly back to the UK.
Looking for something similar? You can extend this cruise to 8 days with or without hotel stays. At Going Luxury we also have a plethora of luxury river cruises available all over Europe including Seine, Rhine, Danube & more from A-Rosa, Tui/Marella, Avalon & more. Get in touch for a bespoke quote and special itinerary made just for you.
