
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
- Experience the best of both worlds—an all-inclusive river cruise seamlessly paired with a VBT Bicycling Vacation.
- Touch the shores of four captivating countries—Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands—while unpacking your bags just once.
- Pedal through the heart of Alsace along France’s celebrated Route des Vins, discovering charming villages and world-class vineyards.
- Immerse yourself in history as you explore the storied cities of Heidelberg, Koblenz, and Cologne.
- Indulge in a guided tasting of the Mosel Valley’s renowned wines at a welcoming, family-owned winery in Müden.
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
Ideal for recreational cyclists and first-time VBT travelers.
- Average Daily Mileage: 8-22 mi.
- Average Daily Cycling Time: Up to 3hrs.
- Average Daily Elevation gain: Up to 1000 feet.
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 |
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Roundtrip international airfare |
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Airport car service for arrival and departure |
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One night in Zurich and one night in Den Haag in conveniently located hotels with daily breakfast |
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7 nights aboard a deluxe river ship |
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21 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners |
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Step-Through Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
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Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
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Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
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Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
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Step-Through Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
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Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
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Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
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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
2026 Pre-Tour Extension - Zurich
2 Nights From
$495
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
- 2 nights at the Hotel Opera
- Airport arrival transportation
- Daily breakfast
- City information
Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready 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 enjoying an included breakfast at your hotel, spend the day exploring at your own pace with the help of our provided city information.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After another included breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a full day of independent exploration, using our provided city information to uncover more of the area’s hidden gems and highlights.
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 Pre-Tour Extension - Zurich
2 Nights From
$445
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
- 2 nights at the Hotel Opera
- Airport arrival transportation
- Daily breakfast
- City information
Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready 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 enjoying an included breakfast at your hotel, spend the day exploring at your own pace with the help of our provided city information.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After another included breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a full day of independent exploration, using our provided city information to uncover more of the area’s hidden gems and highlights.
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
2026 Post-Tour Extension - Den Haag
2 Nights From
$295
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $245
- 2 nights at Movenpick Hotel The Hague
- Airport departure transportation
- Daily breakfast
- City information
After enjoying an included breakfast at your hotel, feel free to continue exploring at your own pace, using our provided city information to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After another included breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a full day of independent exploration, using our provided city information to uncover more of the area’s hidden gems and highlights.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, enjoy complimentary transportation to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport—a journey of approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic—for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Movenpick Hotel The Hague
Conveniently located in the heart of The Hague, the Movenpick Hotel is a stylish 72-room, 4-star boutique hotel featuring tastefully decorated rooms with spacious bathrooms, a restaurant, Coffee & Wine Lounge, fitness area, air conditioning, and complimentary WiFi throughout.
Air Package Only
2025 Post-Tour Extension - Den Haag
2 Nights From
$345
per person, double
occupancy
Single Supplement: From $245
- 2 nights at Boutique Hotel Corona
- Airport departure transportation
- Daily breakfast
- City information
After enjoying an included breakfast at your hotel, feel free to continue exploring at your own pace, using our provided city information to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After another included breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a full day of independent exploration, using our provided city information to uncover more of the area’s hidden gems and highlights.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, enjoy complimentary transportation to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport—a journey of approximately 30 to 40 minutes, 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.

Ashley coordinated our original trip in May, but we had unexpected health issues and she assisted us with every detail for our July trip. Get trip insurance, but don’t expect them to answer the phone to assist you when transportation fails to arrive at airport for transfer. Highly suggest upgrading airline tickets to business class as travel has become very stressful. Covid is still an issue with travel!! Our group was fantastic and we had great camaraderie. Guides were not as good as on previous trips. Limited support, snacks and language skills. The Emerald was amazing! Upgrade to panoramic view if able. Food, staff, amenities were excellent. Enjoyed ebike on this trip. GPS is a must- download maps BEFORE you travel. Pre trip- Zurich is a clean, safe and beautiful city. Use Rick Steve’s guide for one of touring. Have dinner reservations before you go for best restaurants. Get Zurich Pass before you go!
Rhine cruise/biking 2022
We throughly enjoyed our first VBT bike trip. Our leaders (Marijn and Mathilde) were amazing and quite knowledgeable of all four countries we visited. We both used the E-bikes which made the biking super easy. (We do not bike much at home.) The Bike with GPS app was fantastic and you didn’t need to be on cellular to use it. The Emerald Luna ship that we sailed on was great. (Though, don’t worry about which side of the ship to pick your cabin, we mostly sailed at night and during the day when at port there was usually another ship tied up next to us. We were not on the ship much during the day)
Basel to Amsterdam
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