Rhine Bike & River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam
Guided Bike & Boat
- Daily Mileage: 13-45 miles|
- Biking: 1-5 hours|
Starting From
11-day Air Package
$7,495
8-day Bike Tour Only
$5,845
Per person, double occupancy
Rhine Bike & River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam
Travel in style along the storied Rhine River on this indulgent Bike & Boat vacation. During your cruise, you’ll wrap yourself in luxury—enjoying the five-star amenities of your Emerald cruise ship. Discover a different country each day as you pedal a well-maintained, fitted VBT bike—joining your VBT trip leaders on carefully curated routes through the Rhine’s picturesque villages. You’ll find ample time for relaxation on board as you splash in the ship’s pool, lounge on the sundeck, and enjoy your comfortable stateroom—or upgrade to a luxurious balcony suite and watch the scenic banks of the Rhine drift by from the privacy of your own cabin. Along the way, you’ll stop to taste exquisite vintages, explore local wineries, and tour charming medieval cities. In the evening, enjoy a full menu of locally-inspired cuisine prepared by your ship’s onboard chef.
Tour Highlights
- Enjoy the best of both worlds: an all-inclusive river cruise and VBT Bicycling Vacation.
- Touch the shores of four countries—Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands—but unpack your bags only once.
- Delve into the wine culture of Alsace as you cycle France’s famous Route des Vins.
- Explore the historic cities of Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, and Cologne.
- Cruise the charming canals of Amsterdam.
Positive Impact
VBT is proud to support Wine to Water with a donation on behalf of each guest on this tour. Wine to Water is an international organization providing access to clean drinking water and emergency supplies in water-challenged regions. We believe in giving back to the places that have enriched the lives of our guests. We’re committed to identifying and supporting sustainable initiatives in a variety of areas including education, world health, economic equality, safe drinking water, the environment, and the preservation of cultural traditions.
What to Expect
On Shore: This tour offers easy, rolling terrain along rivers, with a few climbs to reach riverside towns. Riding is primarily on paved or packed gravel bike paths, with some road riding, through both urban and rural areas. Our VBT support vehicle is available every day at designated points for those who need assistance.
On Board Ship: Our group of up to 24 VBT guests will be part of a larger assembly on board our 182-passenger river cruise ship. Every day will include your choice of exclusive VBT activities and opportunities to join others. Our boat may be docked adjacent to other ships, which might lead to some views being obstructed while in port.
- Daily Mileage: 13-45 miles|
- Biking: 1-5 hours|
- Max Group Size: 24
Cyclists
Support
Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):
Apr58º/42º
May67º/51º
Jun72º/57º
Jul77º/60º
Aug76º/59º
Sep69º/53º
Oct58º/46º
Average
Precipitation:
Apr1.5 in
May2.9 in
Jun2.6 in
Jul2.4 in
Aug2.0 in
Sep1.8 in
Oct1.5 in
Air Package |
Tour Only |
|
---|---|---|
Roundtrip international airfare |
||
Airport car service for arrival and departure |
||
One night in Zurich and one night in Den Haag in conveniently located hotels with daily breakfast |
||
7 nights aboard a deluxe river ship |
||
21 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners |
Step-Through Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
See More >Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
See More >Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
See More >Step-Through Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
See More >Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
See More >Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
See More >Biking Packages Include:
Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
Support Vehicle
Luggage Transportation
Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
Welcome Reception
Facilitated Cultural Experiences
Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure
Accommodations (Please Note: Days are based on the Air Package Itinerary. Accommodations may vary depending on departure date. )
Enjoy Your Vacation Longer With Low-Cost Trip Extensions
Air Package Only
2025 Pre-Trip Extension - Zurich
2 Nights From
$445
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
- 2 nights at the Hotel Opera
- Airport car service for arrival
- Daily breakfast
- City information
All you have to do is get to the airport. On our Air Packages, we’ll take care of the rest, handling all the logistics, so you can travel with peace of mind. Spend your first night aloft and arrive refreshed for an unforgettable trip.
Start off your first day in Zürich right by having a VBT representative greet you at the airport. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your hotel. From your centrally located hotel, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Opera
This private boutique hotel has been exquisitely decorated by the well-known Swiss interior designer Roland Schön. It is ideally situated in Zurich’s city center next to the famous Opera House. The nearby lakeside promenade makes for a lovely morning jog or a leisurely stroll. Just a five-minute walk away, the glamour of the world-renowned Bahnhofstrasse unfolds, the most attractive and exclusive shopping mile in Zurich. The Old Town is also nearby, with its pastel-hued guild houses and historic buildings. For an unforgettable meal, indulge in the gourmet Restaurant Opera, awarded the “golden fish” for its exquisite seafood specialties. Elegant paintings from the young Baroque artist Tatjana Tiziana adorn its walls, inviting you into Zurich’s opera world. Free WiFi is available throughout this air-conditioned hotel.
Air Package Only
2024 Pre-Trip Extension - Zurich
Nights From $ per person, double occupancy
- 2 nights at the Hotel Opera
- Airport car service for arrival
- Daily breakfast
- City information
All you have to do is get to the airport. On our Air Packages, we’ll take care of the rest, handling all the logistics, so you can travel with peace of mind. Spend your first night aloft and arrive refreshed for an unforgettable trip.
Start off your first day in Zurich right by having a VBT representative greet you at the airport. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your hotel. From your centrally located hotel, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Opera
This private boutique hotel has been exquisitely decorated by the well-known Swiss interior designer Roland Schön. It is ideally situated in Zurich’s city center next to the famous Opera House. The nearby lakeside promenade makes for a lovely morning jog or a leisurely stroll. Just a five-minute walk away, the glamour of the world-renowned Bahnhofstrasse unfolds, the most attractive and exclusive shopping mile in Zurich. The Old Town is also nearby, with its pastel-hued guild houses and historic buildings. For an unforgettable meal, indulge in the gourmet Restaurant Opera, awarded the “golden fish” for its exquisite seafood specialties. Elegant paintings from the young Baroque artist Tatjana Tiziana adorn its walls, inviting you into Zurich’s opera world. Free WiFi is available throughout this air-conditioned hotel.
Air Package Only
2025 Post-Trip Extension - Den Haag
2 Nights From
$345
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $245
- 2 nights at Boutique Hotel Corona
- Airport car service for departure
- Daily breakfast
- City information
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation to the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will be provided (an approximately 30 to 40-minute drive, depending on traffic) for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Boutique Hotel Corona
The Boutique Hotel Corona is a fine boutique property and the oldest 4-star hotel of the International City of Peace and Justice. Its elegant common rooms and guest rooms occupy three historic 17th-century buildings. High ceilings and grand chandeliers give the lobby an airy feel. Located in the center of Den Haag in a former forecourt of the Buitenhof (Dutch Parliament), it boasts an illustrious past. The Boutique Hotel Corona is only 650 feet (198 meters) from the Centrum tram stop. Free WiFi and air conditioning are available throughout the hotel.
Air Package Only
2024 Post-Trip Extension - Den Haag
Nights From $ per person, double occupancy
- 2 nights at Boutique Hotel Corona
- Airport car service for departure
- Daily breakfast
- City information
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation to the Amsterdam Airport will be provided (an approximately 30 to 40-minute drive, depending on traffic) for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Boutique Hotel Corona
The Boutique Hotel Corona is a fine boutique property and the oldest 4-star hotel of the International City of Peace and Justice. Its elegant common rooms and guest rooms occupy three historic 17th-century buildings. High ceilings and grand chandeliers give the lobby an airy feel. Located in the center of Den Haag in a former forecourt of the Buitenhof (Dutch Parliament), it boasts an illustrious past. The Boutique Hotel Corona is only 650 feet (198 meters) from the Centrum tram stop. Free WiFi and air conditioning are available throughout the hotel.
This was a wonderful, well planned trip. I do wish that the very first, warm-up, ride had not been through Basel at rush hour; it was rather unsettling, especially for the first ride. Also, when you ask for information to reserve the size of the bicycle, more information than a person's height, e.g. inseam length, should be requested. The bike reserved for me did not fit and the tour guides were very considerate and creative in obtaining one from the ship. However, that did delay the first ride for the whole group. The tour guides were very attentive to the needs of all the individuals in our group. The rides were very enjoyable and doable. I loved the locations we visited: Breisach, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Obernai, Koblenz, Cologne, Monnickendam--all were scenic and interesting. The food and accommodations onboard the Emerald Luna were exceptional and much appreciated. The pre- and post-cruise extensions were great, too: accommodations, included tours and suggested sites. This is a great trip for all levels of bikers.
Bike or Not, You'll Love this Trip
This trip was a little disappointing. The Emerald Dawn ship was just ok. Both espresso machines were broken the entire time we were onboard. Definitely not as nice as other cruise lines I’ve been on. As for the cycling, it was nice, but with such hot weather, it would have been nice to ride earlier each day. A few days, we didn’t even begin riding until the afternoon when it was too hot. The two “light” lunches we had off of the ship were dismal. One day our ride got cancelled, although it wasn’t the fault of VBT.
Rhine River Cycling Trip
Other Tours You'll Love
View Related ToursItaly: Sardinia, Carloforte, Sulcis & Chia
Self-Guided Biking
Starting from 6 days at
$2,695
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path Sardinia cycling vacation with flexibility and support, you’ve found it! While most travel companies focus on Sardinia’s heavily-trafficked northeast seaboard, this VBT adventure avoids the tourist traps to bring you the island’s unsullied west coast.
Croatia: The Dalmatian Islands
Guided Biking
Starting from 7 days at
$4,345
Cycle along scenic coasts into port towns and medieval seaside villages with panoramic vistas during this exhilarating bike tour in Croatia.
Spain: Andalusia, Córdoba & Granada
Guided Biking
Starting from 7 days at
$4,195
Engage all your senses on this bike tour through Spain’s Andalusia region as you travel from checkered fields of orange and olive groves to historic cities and whitewashed villages.
Stories from Europe
View All StoriesThe Anniversary of the Battle of Normandy Brings History to Life
Veteran tour guide Guillaume Marie is a Normandy-born historian—and celebrating the D-day landings is part of his local culture....
Continue ReadingPedaling for Paella: Mallorca is a Cyclist’s Paradise
You don’t have to be a pro cyclist to enjoy biking Mallorca! The island’s tropical valleys, turquoise beaches, incredible biking infrastructure, and low-traffic cycling routes make VBT’s Spain: Balearic Islands,...
Continue ReadingThe Magic of Burgundy Through the Eyes of A VBT Guest
Note: This account was written by VBT guest Jeff Stasiuk. Recently retired from corporate life, Jeff enjoys experiencing the world from a bike seat. He and his wife Janice have...
Continue ReadingRequest a
Free Catalog
Find Your next vacation with Over 200 Pages of tour information
Get Yours TodayBook Online
Reserve Instantly
Find your perfect tour and reserve a spot with our easy online booking.
Find A Tour