Make the most of your free time with a free deluxe bike on your Vantage river cruise ship. This trip has been created with just the right balance of enriching activities, exciting adventure features, and enough leisure time to enhance your discoveries—including by bike. 

We’ll provide you with a lock and helmet, so all you need to do is bring comfortable clothing and shoes and an appetite for adventure! Find a route using one of our handy maps, which are also available upon arrival. Embark on a two-wheeled discovery of:

Zaanse Schans – An easy and flat exploration of this traditional Dutch landscape.

Cologne – View some of the city’s most memorable sights on one short cycling route.

Bernkastel – Enjoy a longer ride (approximately 19 miles) through charming villages and beautiful landscapes.

Strasbourg – A short, easy trip to the heart of the city.

Basel – Get a good workout in on this mostly flat 20-mile route that takes you to Roman ruins.

For biking, please bring firm-soled shoes, lightweight layers in moisture-wicking fabrics, a windbreaker, and pants made of breathable fabric (or padded cycling pants). Hats and gloves are suggested for chilly months. Click here for more Biking information

Some of the richest culinary traditions in the world can be found in this region, and you’ll experience these firsthand on this journey. In addition to savoring delectable meals, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in intimate cooking classes with our world-class chefs, learning how to prepare local delicacies – and then savoring them! Here are just a few of the culinary treasures that await you on this journey: 

Cologne – You’ll sample local beer with regional specialties throughout your trip, but perhaps the most special experience will be a special tasting of Kölsch beer. The New York Times once stated that drinking a Kölsch is “more than just drinking a beer: It's like drinking an entire culture.” Experiencing it is a pleasure.

Cochem – Gain insight on a signature regional dish when you join an interactive cooking lesson on beef roulade. Your chef will walk you through the process of making this delectable dish, and then you’ll get to enjoy the results.

Speyer – Savor home-hosted coffee and cake, allowing you to interact directly with locals who can provide a unique perspective on their homeland.

Bernkastel – Our culinary discoveries continue with another cooking demonstration: dark beer-braised pork. You’ll have another opportunity to learn about the cuisine in this part of Europe during a demonstration on dumplings, which will also include a wine tasting. 

Trier – Enjoy a cooking demonstration of German sausages, one of the signature dishes of this region. Our chef will teach you how the sausage is made, as well as provide some background on why it’s a staple in the German diet. You’ll also visit a local wine estate, where you can savor a delicious lunch and learn about wine-making in this part of the world.

Boppard – Another cooking demonstration today adds to our epicurean experience, as we learn about Swabian Meat Pockets.

Breisach – Enjoy yet another captivating culinary educational session, as you learn to make the German equivalent of macaroni and cheese, called kasspatzle. We will also have a special wine tasting.

Special Dinners – Celebrate the tastes of the regions we visit with themed dinners, included Dutch and Swiss-themed Captain’s Dinners.

This region of the world is renowned for its superb wines, and you’ll have a chance to enjoy and learn about them. As you travel from one charming town to the next, experience the viniculture of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers in authentic Vantage style.

Bernkastel – You’ll savor local wines in the place known as the “Town of Vines and Wine,” as well as sit down to a delicious lunch at a local wine estate here.

Cochem – Meet the “count” and sip a glass of fine Riesling during a guided tour through  historic Reichsburg Castle.

Alsatian Wine Route – Set off on a full-day tour of this fabled route, enjoying wine tastings in Colmar and Riqueur as well as one on your ship with a sommelier.

Harvest departures – For our three fall Harvest departures, we’ve added exciting features to help you get even closer to the wine-making world, including a chance to pick grapes at a vineyard.

For millennia, this part of Europe has been an epicenter of religious history and impressive monuments to the faith of the people here. On this journey, you’ll marvel at grand cathedrals and learn about the spiritual history of this deeply religious region.

Speyer: Explore this city’s 11th-century cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once one of the largest cathedrals in the world.

Cologne: Enjoy free time to discover the UNESCO-listed, twin-spired Cologne Cathedral on your own.

Mainz: Visit the Gutenberg Museum and see the famed Gutenberg Bible, one of the most important books in the world.

Oberammergau Passion Play (Extension): Travelers interested in religious events will not want to miss one of the world’s most famous: The Oberammergau Passion Play. This epic depiction of the life of Christ, which takes place only once every 10 years, brings the faithful (and anyone interested in history, really) to this charming German village. Occurring every decade since 1634, with roles depicting the life of Jesus filled by just about every villager, this 380-year-old event is unlike any other in the world. Our optional extension brings you here — and to the capital of Bavaria, Munich — in true Vantage style, and you’re assured of the best seats and accommodations among American tour companies today.

On this journey, you’ll be immersed in the many facets of the culture here, whether you are sampling superb vintages, admiring masterpieces in a renowned museum, or learning about the hidden history of some of Europe’s most interesting destinations.

Amsterdam: Discover the artistic treasures of the Rijksmuseum, home to one of Europe’s most respected art collections.

Speyer: Savor home-hosted coffee and cake, allowing you to interact directly with locals who can provide a unique perspective on their homeland.

Mainz: Learn about one of the greatest inventions in history at the Gutenberg Museum. You’ll also get a chance to experience the local culture during a pub crawl here.

Trier: Drift back to Roman times at the amphitheater in Trier, one of Europe’s most impressive remnants of this period in history.

Cochem: Meet the “count” and sip a glass of fine riesling during a guided tour through historic Reichsburg Castle.

Bernkastel: Wine is vital to the identity of this part of the world, and you’ll get a chance to learn about Germany’s light and fruity vintages during a wine tasting here.

Breisach: During a full-day tour of the Alsatian Wine Route, partake in wine tastings at different wine cellars using a coupon provided by Vantage.

• Cruise the scenic Upper Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with commentary from the bridge
• Visit the Johannes Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to the inventor of moveable type
• Embark on a guided tour of Trier, whose Roman ruins are the best in Germany
• See the remarkable Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once one of the largest cathedrals in the world
• Set off on a lovely cruise along Amsterdam’s 17th-century canal ring, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Take a walking and canal boat tour through Strasbourg, whose Grand Ile is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

On this scenic sail through the Rhine and Moselle river valleys, you’ll not only take in the breathtaking scenery of one of Europe’s most picturesque regions – you’ll delve into its remarkable wine culture as well.

There are just three departures of this remarkable wine harvest journey that allow you to soak in the culture of charming towns like Mainz – home to the Gutenberg Museum – and Baden-Baden, the “Gateway to the Black Forest,” in addition to enjoying the timeless traditions of wine harvesting.  

Cochem – Meet the “count” and sip a glass of fine riesling during a guided tour through  historic Reichsburg Castle.

Bernkastel – Enjoy a walking tour and wine tasting in Bernkastel, known as the “International Town of Vines and Wine.” You’ll also enjoy an exclusive grape picking and pressing at the renowned Weingut Fritz Georg von Nell vineyard.

Breisach – Savor distinctive riesling and Ice Wine with a sommelier on board the ship. You’ll also set off on a full-day tour of the famed Alsatian Wine Route, getting a chance to truly experience the vintages and the storied culture here.

Cochem – Meet the "count" of Reichsburg Castle, a stately fortress that dates back 1,000 years, while enjoying some wine and music.

Stay active on your cruise down the Rhine and Moselle Rivers! In addition to morning onboard stretching and yoga offerings (features vary by departure), you’ll enjoy a bevy of active endeavors. Here are but a few:

• Extend your walks! Your Cruise Director or local guide can suggest scenic routes by location
• Reserve a complimentary bicycle aboard ship and explore designated biking routes in select cities
• Make use of your ship’s fitness room and spa services, including massage 

With four countries on this itinerary, you’ll want to capture the unique atmosphere and landmarks of each. Here are some tips to get you started on your photographic vision quest:

• Don’t be afraid of the dark! Exploring cities and landmarks at night offers different lighting and unique new perspectives — just make sure you have a tripod or your camera comes equipped with a night feature!
• Change your perspective. Try shooting from a different angle and enjoy the adventure. For example, climb a stairwell and shoot a landscape from up high or, alternately, get low and shoot a scene from the ground. Wherever you are, embrace this artistic challenge by getting out of your comfort zone!
• Take a selfie! You’ll want to have a few portraits of yourself at the distinctive landmarks you’ll find on this journey
• Look beyond landmarks — sometimes everyday scenes are just as inspiring, and a lesson in embracing the unexpected and seizing the moment in front of you

Customize your Rhine and Moselle river cruise with these top Concierge suggestions:

• Secure tickets to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
• Amsterdam evening candlelight canal cruise
• Secure tickets to the Van Gogh Museum

Your voyage has been enhanced with special features catering to independent travelers, including:

• Complimentary biking options — take a spin alongside your Concierge, who will lead small-group bike rides, or explore independently with our complimentary locks, helmets, and biking maps
• A lively social media night and musical performances most nights
• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer
• Onboard entertainment, lectures, and cooking demonstrations