A Rhine River Cruise Getaway

A scenic getaway on the Rhine River

Want to get away? As much as we love our time at home in Scottsdale, Arizona, we always enjoy getting away, too. We’re recently back from our latest European getaway and still pulling together our thoughts and photos to share in articles over the next several weeks. But I can’t wait to give you an introduction to our trip, a cruise with Viking River Cruises on the Rhine River in Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.  Sit back, relax, and take a journey with us on the on the Rhine as you consider your next getaway.

Rhine River cruise photos on Instagram

Are you following us on Instagram? Please do! These are some of my favorite photos that I posted to our Instagram gallery about our Rhine Getaway cruise.

Vibrant Basel

Basel, Switzerland’s beautiful town hall

Have you ever seen such a pretty town hall? I was quite taken with the bold red color and beautiful frescoes on this one in Basel, Switzerland. It is much larger than you see here, but I wanted to show you the detail. Upon arrival in Basel before embarking on our cruise, I took a walking tour (organized by Viking River Cruises) of this busy and vibrant city that I hope to visit again sometime.

Medieval Colmar

Stepping back in time in Colmar, France

We’re so glad that we took an optional excursion into Colmar, France. Such a charming city center with colorful old buildings like these. There’s also much World War II history to explore here, too.

A feast for the eyes in Strasbourg

A stroll in Strasbourg, France

I’d heard wonderful things about Strasbourg, France, from friends and other travel writers. Everyone loved it and a few said that it was their favorite place in France. It is, indeed, a feast for the eyes. Just across the Rhine River from Germany, it has an interesting blend of German and French characteristics. I loved the architecture such as in the charming, half-timbered buildings in the photo.

Alsatian charm in Obernai

Charming Alsatian town of Obernai, France

How charming is the town of Obernai in the Alsace region of France? Totally. On our getaway on the Rhine, we strolled around admiring the half-timbered buildings that evoke its medieval days.

Alsatian vineyards

Vineyards of Domaine Hering winery in Barr, France

Alsace is a beautiful region of France. These hillside vineyards are at Domaine Hering in Barr. We toured the winery and tasted their Pinot Noir, Riesling, Muscat, and Gewürztraminer. The Rieslings of Alsace are actually not sweet, which was a pleasant surprise for me.

Heidelberg along the Neckar

Gorgeous homes along the Neckar River from Heidelberg Castle

These lovely homes along the Neckar River have views of the famous Heidelberg Castle on the opposite hillside. We visited this city several years ago and posted photos in our article, A Tramp in Heidelberg. 

On top of Cologne

Panoramic views of Cologne, Germany from Koln Triangle on the Rhine River

How do you like this view of Cologne, Germany? Our Viking Cruises gave us a good tip about the panorama tower at Köln Triangle, an office building across the Rhine from the city center. There are spectacular views from the observation deck which is open to the public (currently 3 euros/person to go to the top). In this direction, you can see the spectacular Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) just beyond the long railway bridge and Cologne Central Station. You may recall a previous trip when we got our first Sniff of Cologne.

Castles along the Rhine

Castle on the Rhine River, Germany

If you think about a Rhine River cruise, I’m pretty sure that a scene like that in the photo above is one that comes quickly to mind. During a morning of cruising on the Rhine in Germany between Rüdesheim to Koblenz, we sat on the top deck for scenic views of terraced vineyards, appealing towns, and many castles.

Cable car ride in Koblenz

Cable car ride in Koblenz, Germany

Taking a cable car ride high above Koblenz, Germany was a fun activity that Mr. TWS and a few fellow passengers did while in port there. Our ship, the Viking Tialfi, is shown at the dock below on the Rhine.

Scenic cruising

Picturesque towns along the Rhine River in Germany

We saw many scenes similar to the one in the photo above as we cruised the Middle Rhine River. I can imagine spending more time in these picturesque riverside towns and surrounding vineyards.

Windmills of Kinderdijk

The windmills of Kinderdijk, the Netherlands

The captivating Kinderdijk Windmills (built in 1738) in the Netherlands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was very interesting to visit them and go inside one of the mills to get a glimpse of a miller’s life.

Stay tuned!

There is much more to share about our highlights and perspectives of the Viking Rhine Getaway cruise and shore excursions.

Thanks to Viking River Cruises for the lovely hospitality on our Rhine Getaway cruise.