Tulips and the Rhine River

Duration:
7 days, April 25 – May 3, 2026 (Waitlist)

Price:
From $2,995, from Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tour Operator:
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Embark on a seven-night cruise on the Rhine River, a vital artery of transportation and cultural exchange since Roman times, lined with historic cities and picturesque landscapes. Our Emerald Star ship, accommodating no more than 180 passengers, was built to navigate European rivers and offers majestic scenic views from every room.

This tour begins in Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage City celebrated for its international significance in finance and trade, alongside 800 years of Dutch art and history and canals fronted by Dutch Golden Age mansions.

Windmills dot the countryside as we cruise toward Cologne, a vibrant hub of German culture, art, and commerce. Wander through the charming medieval Old Town and the historic harbor, then marvel at the stunning Gothic architecture of the Cologne Cathedral, renowned for its 16th-century stained-glass windows. Though heavily damaged during World War II, the cathedral’s meticulous restoration stands as a testament to Germany’s resilience and dedication to restoring its cities and architectural masterpieces to their former grandeur.

We continue toward Koblenz with vineyards, forests, and mountain ranges as backdrop. The Upper Middle Wine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its castles, historic towns, and vineyards. Koblenz’s Old Town offers quaint alleyways, courtyards, and picturesque squares. Our next stops in Germany are the modern and rebuilt Ludwigshafen and Schwetzingen, with their lovely palace gardens, monuments, and sculptures.

Our next destination is Strasbourg, France, in the Alsace region, home of the European Parliament and known for its Roman ruins, Notre Dame Cathedral, and its central square — another UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue to Breisach, Germany, situated among rolling vineyards and between the Rhine and Black Forest. Experience old-world charm, pastel-hued buildings, and cobbled streets.

Our memorable week with fellow W&L travelers ends in Basel, Switzerland’s cultural capital. Here, you’ll find a lively market square surrounded by the intricately adorned medieval sandstone town hall, a late Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, a prestigious university founded in 1460, and a tapestry of colorful medieval architecture. 

Traveling With You

Debra Prager, Associate Professor of German at Washington and Lee University, is deeply connected to the Rhine region, both personally and professionally. She lived for eight years in Bonn, working first as a journalist and later in public relations for Lufthansa Airlines in Cologne, before returning to the U.S. to study International Relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and earn a PhD in Germanic Languages and Literatures at Harvard University. At W&L she is Chair of the German Department and in addition to teaching courses on campus leads the Spring Term Abroad course in Austria (Vienna and Graz). Every year, she returns to Germany to visit family and friends—always taking the slow train from Frankfurt Airport to Bonn along the Rhine, a route that continues to enchant her. She fondly recalls riding that same route with her grandmother, gazing at the riverside castles, watching the barges glide past, and hearing the legend of the Lorelei. While she has only experienced short river cruises for special occasions, she has always dreamed of taking a full-length journey on the Rhine. She is delighted to accompany this alumni trip and looks forward to sharing her insights into German culture, language, and history along the way.