Switzerland is your entry into a pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming landscape of soaring mountains and tranquil valleys. It's a destination that allows you to be at one with nature, with scenery that enchants and delights. Among this spellbinding beauty, you’ll also find romantic medieval villages where picturesque cobbled streets are filled with charming shops and an abundance of cultural delights. The larger cities seamlessly blend modernity, history, and nature, where skyscrapers and old church steeples stand perfectly together against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
Among Switzerland’s renowned beauty stands Zurich, whose Old Town is a time capsule of medieval architecture. Its famed Grossmünster Cathedral, with its two towers, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Zurich. In Basel, Basel Münster sits perched upon a hill overlooking the Rhine. This church is beloved for its unique architecture, which is a perfect marriage of Romantic and Gothic design.
Snuggled between Germany, Austria, Italy, and France, Swiss cooks have learned to embrace their neighbors’ cuisine and create their own flavorful dishes, such as geschnetzeltes, Zurich’s popular version of wiener schnitzel. Nibble your way through Basel with a Basler Läckerli (a gingerbread cookie) and regional treats. Of course, you can’t think of Switzerland without thinking of Swiss chocolate. If you opt for a Masterpiece Collection excursion in Zurich, you’ll sample local chocolates from three different chocolate producers.
Switzerland, like nearby Germany, appreciates a tall glass of beer. Lager is preferred by almost 70% of Swiss beer drinkers and the crisp, clean taste of Feldschlösschen is the most popular beer in the country. During our Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland itinerary, embark on a private Nights Out experience at Feldschlösschen Brewery, a stunning Swiss landmark with 145 years of history. Appreciate the building’s castle-like exteriors and original copper brewing barrels, sampling some of the country’s most popular brews along the way.
The Alpine section of the Rhine flows through some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Europe. Rolling hills adorned with oak, elm, and aspen surround most towns, and in winter and spring, the Alps are flecked with snow. Birds like to play tourist too, and it’s common to see mallards, ospreys, cormorants, and swans make their home on the river before migrating to warmer climes.
When to go: We sail from March to November with Christmas Market sailings in December. Visit in the spring for fresh blooms and cooler weather, in the summer for some of the warmest and brightest days of the year, or in autumn when the trees are adorned with red and gold leaves. Colder temperatures in December call for cups of chocolate (made with Swiss chocolate, of course).
How to pack: We suggest comfortable, sporty, smart-casual daywear both onshore and onboard. Depending on your travel season, the weather can range from cool to quite hot. Check the weather before you go and pack accordingly. Layering clothing items is always your best bet, allowing you to adjust to most temperatures. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket (preferably hooded) in case of rain, though we will also have umbrellas onboard. You may participate in a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your time ashore, so please bring comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support. Sturdy sandals are another good option.
Avg. Temp. 60º F / 15º C
Avg. Temp. 76º F / 24º C
Avg. Temp. 59º F / 15º C
Avg. Temp. 44º F / 6º C
Swiss Franc (CHF, ₣)
Central European Time (CET)
Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
230V/50 Hz
Plug types C and J
Verified reviews by 
“It was wonderful! We were on a gorgeous River Cruise, seeing and experiencing four beautiful countries. We were being waited on by friendly and caring people from all over the world. It was the trip of a lifetime!”
– Trusted Customer (Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland)
“Wonderful choices of cities with delightful Christmas markets and good guides.”
– Roberta S. (Rhine Holiday Markets)
“The cruise and the ports were wonderful; one more beautiful than the next. And our tours of the different cities were great. Very knowledgeable tour guides and the choices were great.”
– Trusted Customer (Grand Central Europe)
Basel to Amsterdam | 10 days
Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to...
Ships: S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Elisabeth, S.S. Emilie, S.S. Victoria
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Basel to Arnhem | 8 days
Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to...
Ships: S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Elisabeth, S.S. Emilie, S.S. Victoria
Countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland
River: Rhine
4.7/5 (2675 reviews)
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Amsterdam to Basel | 11 days
Dive deep into the region’s culture, natural wonders, traditions, and historical significance in a one-of-a-kind experience along the Rhine. Delve into the region’s world-renowned...
Ships: S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Audrey
Countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland
River: Rhine
4.5/5 (449 reviews)
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Zurich to Paris | 12 days
From Moselle Rieslings to Swiss cheeses, and from verdant riverscapes to alpine views, this itinerary is for the connoisseurs of wine, food, and natural beauty. Savor freshly baked bread at a...
Ship: S.S. Audrey
Countries: France, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg
Rivers: Rhine, Moselle
From $9,999 per person
Paris to Istanbul | 14 days
Romantic Paris, imperial Vienna, majestic Istanbul ... we’ve composed an exceptional journey by luxury river cruise and private train to highlight these legendary cities and a plethora of...
Ship: S.S. Joie de Vivre
Countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, Serbia
River: Seine
From $48,899 per person
Istanbul to Paris | 15 days
Majestic Istanbul, imperial Vienna, romantic Paris ... we’ve composed an exceptional journey by private train and luxury river cruise to highlight these legendary cities and a plethora of...
Ship: S.S. Joie de Vivre
Countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, Serbia
River: Seine
From $50,399 per person
Basel to Brussels | 15 days
Soak in as much of Central Europe’s fantastic cities and culture as possible in just two weeks. Snack on classic Dutch treats in the Netherlands, enjoy the fruits of Germany’s excellent...
Ships: S.S. Audrey, S.S. Victoria
Countries: Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland
Rivers: Moselle, Rhine
4.5/5 (53 reviews)
From $11,599 per person
Geneva to Amsterdam | 19 days
Begin amidst the snow-capped peaks of the alps for an indulgent land tour of Switzerland’s greatest highlights. Travel from Zermatt to Saint Moritz via the iconic Glacier Express. Relish a...
Ship: S.S. Elisabeth
Countries: France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Switzerland
River: Rhine
From $24,149 per person
Geneva to Budapest | 17 days
Immerse yourself in the natural splendor of Switzerland as you stay at a selection of magnificent hotels between Geneva and Zürich. Board the iconic Glacier Express for a scenic ride from...
Ship: S.S. Maria Theresa
Countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Switzerland
River: Danube
From $22,749 per person
Basel to Paris | 10 days
From Moselle Rieslings to Alsatian wines, and from verdant riverscapes to iconic cityscapes, this journey is crafted for lovers of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. Savor freshly baked bread ...
Ship: S.S. Audrey
Countries: France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland
River: Rhine
From $11,099 per person
Basel to Cologne | 8 days
Discover the roots of our Christmas traditions as you explore some of Europe’s most charming towns. Browse for unique ornaments in Basel’s Christmas Market. Sip vin chaud as you stroll to ...
Ships: River Duchess, S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Victoria
Countries: France, Germany, Switzerland
River: Rhine
4.4/5 (243 reviews)
From $6,699 per person