After you disembark your Amsterdam to Basel river cruise, there is an opportunity to explore this second biggest city in Switzerland. Part modern, part old world charm, Basel is in northern Switzerland along the Rhine River. The town of Basel is split into two distinct areas. The right bank is mainly a residential area, where the grossbasel, or left bank, contains the old town.

If you happen to begin or end your cruise in mid-July in Basel, be sure to attend the Military Tattoo.  It’s only 2nd in size and budget to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  The Tattoo was started in 2006, it now features military bands from around the world and hosts more than 200,000 people.

Basel is also known for its medieval and renaissance gabled houses, theatres and concert halls.  There is a lovely 18th century square (Munsterplatz), featuring a 12th century Gothic Munster (cathedral).  Some of the cathedrals date from 1031 and were the seat of prince-bishops who ruled the German imperial city.

A visit to the Kunstmuseum, one of the most prestigious art institutions in Europe is a must. Kunstmuseum has one of the largest art collections in Switzerland. According to Museen Basel, the Kunstmuesum showcases Flemish paintings, a collection of works by the Holbein family, Rennaisance collections, as well as works by Van Gogh, Gaugin, Cezanne, and cubist paintings by Picasso, Braque and Leger. There are also German expressionist paintings on display.

If you have a few additional days, Switzerland is a great country to explore by train and you can cover the whole country in a few days.  From Basel, it is a short train ride to Interlaken, which is a great starting point for several high mountain adventures – climbing the mountains by various modes of transportation – such as trains, cable cars and cog trains.  The view from the top of these mountains is breath taking.  Taking a scenic train is a great treat and there are also 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 day escorted bus tours of the country.

The country is so clean and the air so fresh that it makes you feel good.  The Swiss are a friendly group of people and English is spoken everywhere. You do not have the crime in this country that can be found in some other countries. There is nothing in Switzerland that would discourage most from visiting this beautiful country. This beautiful, mountainous country is the heart of Europe and you can’t miss visiting it as it remains one of the most popular travel destinations on the planet.

On our Danube river cruises, voyages start from Passau, Germany (near Munich), and cruise to the Austrian and Hungarian capitals of Vienna and Budapest. These “Floating Hotels” cruise by beautiful cities, villages, castles and vineyards. Once you get aboard our river cruises, your excitement and joy knows no limits as you are overwhelmed with the sight of fascinating places coming into view and the wonderful amenities provided on the cruise vessel. You will often find a swimming pool, beauty salon, gift shop, dancing and entertainment on board. The rates are affordable and include all sightseeing tours, meals, wine with dinner, free internet and use of bicycles on board.

Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary. Budapest is made up of the two cities – Buda and Pest, and is located on the Danube River. This is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.  Featuring a stunning Parliament building, eight beautiful bridges crossing the Danube River and Castle Mount, Budapest is worth several days of exploration.  Known for centuries as a spa town and relaxation resort, special wellness facilities, such as specialized hotels and wellness centers have opened in Budapest during the past eighteen years. These wellness centers offer a wide range of services in every category – dental treatments, plastic surgery, eye clinics, beauty salons, spa, wellness and fitness.

For more active travelers, Budapest has added lots of outdoor activities such as bicycle tours, canoe and walking and swimming tours – even kick scooter tours.

Budapest also offers kayaking at the The Római Coast, located in the northern side of Buda on the riverside of the Danube. This area is one of the most popular centers of the rowing, kayaking and canoeing sport on the Danube in Budapest.

Budapest has so much to experience and enjoy; a passing by trip will not likely be sufficient.  If you really want to know and feel what the city is about, plan well in advance and take adequate time off from your busy schedules to tour the area. Staying a few days before or after a Danube River Cruise will give you a bit more time to explore this fascinating town.

Bordeaux is the world’s major wine industry capital, with the first vines introduced by the Romans in the 1st century. Bordeaux Wine, which has been primarily a local product, became more widely known when the English kings discovered it in the 12th century. The historic part of the city of Bordeaux is on the UNESCO world heritage list and is home to Europe’s largest town square “Esplanade des Quinconces”, laid out between 1118-1128, at a size of 450,000 sq. ft.

Bordeaux is a delightful city for walking. Take a stroll along the very scenic riverfront area along the Garonne River as well as Botanical gardens across the river.  Bordeaux features one of the finest Grand Theatres in France, with its 18th-century architecture by Victor Louis and inspiration from Charles Garnier when he designed the Opera house in Paris.   Bordeaux offers many historic buildings as well as several notable museums – Basilique St Michel, started in 1350 – famous for its 375-ft free standing bell tower; Musee d’ Aquitaine and the Flamboyant Gothic Cathedrale St Andre with dimensions that rival the Notre Dame in Paris.  Cathedrale St Andre is surrounded by three museums:  Musee des Beaux-Arts, Musee des Arts Decoratifs and Centre Jean Moulin.

Shopping aficionados will enjoy the Cours Georges-Clemenceau, a major luxury shopping area as well as the Place de la Comedie along the Cours de I’ Intendance, known as the Champ-Elysees of Bordeaux.  Here you will also find several exquisite Louis XV houses.
Bordeaux is also an important Atlantic sea-port and it is well worth visiting the port at the head of the Gironde River, where tankers and freighters from all over the world call in there.

To reach the vineyards of the region of Bordeaux, you can take a short river cruise such as a five day round trip Bordeaux cruise visiting the Haut-Medoc region north of Bordeaux, the Gironde estuary, as well as the St Emilion area.  Alternatively, you can get aboard a six night luxury barge cruise St Louis visiting the Graves region south of Bordeaux between Agen and Castets.  Both cruises will feature visits to vineyards and wine tasting.  There are also visits to historical land marks and, of course, great wine and food.  The St Louis also offers cycling on their barge cruise.