Brussels to Basel Along the Rhine
About the Trip
August 27 – September 8, 2027 | 13 Days
This 13-day journey combines time in Belgium with a Rhine River cruise blending cultural experiences with relaxed travel along one of Europe’s most scenic waterways. Begin in Brussels, where hands-on experiences like waffle making, beer tasting and a chocolate workshop give you an engaging introduction to Belgian life and traditions. The journey continues aboard MS George Eliot along the Rhine River through Germany, France and Switzerland. Along the way, stroll through medieval old towns, cruise past vineyard-covered hillsides and stop in places like Strasbourg, Rüdesheim and Koblenz, where cafés, markets and riverside promenades offer plenty of opportunities to make memories with locals as well as your fellow travellers.
Activity Level: Moderate
If you’re somewhat active and have a zest for adventure, then this is the trip level for you. These trips may involve more activities or longer touring days with a full schedule. Excursions will include walking and standing for extended periods, walking tours on uneven surfaces or trails, more actively inclined itineraries and may include coach, boat and rail travel.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Hands-on Belgian Chocolate Workshop
Step into the world of Belgian chocolate during a hands-on workshop at Brussels’ Choco-Story Museum. Guided by a professional chocolatier, you’ll create your own chocolate treats, lollipops and bars while learning more about Belgium’s long connection to chocolate making. Choose your own toppings and ingredients, pick up a few techniques along the way and enjoy the relaxed, social atmosphere of the experience. Best of all, your creations are yours to take with you to enjoy later.
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Brussels and return from Basel to Toronto or Winnipeg
- Pre-cruise tour:
- 4-night stay in first-class accommodation in Brussels
- 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 tastings
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director
- 7-night Rhine River cruise on-board MS George Eliot
- Onboard meals and entertainment as per cruise itinerary
- Superior drinks package
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host
Brussels to Basel Along the Rhine
Belgian chocolate workshops, lively cafés and scenic cruising along the Rhine River come together on this relaxed 13-day European journey.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Brussels.
Day 2
Brussels, Belgium – Arrive in Brussels and meet your local guide before lunch at a nearby brasserie. After time to settle in, gather for a welcome dinner. (L/D)
Day 3
Brussels, Belgium – Enjoy a guided walking tour of Brussels including the Choco-Story Museum, a praline-making demonstration and tasting. Later, take part in your Extraordinary Experience, a hands-on Belgian chocolate workshop. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B/T)
Day 4
Brussels, Belgium – Travel to Waterloo to visit the battlefield memorials, museum and historic Hougoumont Farm. Back in Brussels, enjoy a waffle-making workshop for lunch followed by a Belgian beer tasting. Evening at leisure. (B/L/T)
Day 5
Brussels, Belgium – Today is a free day to explore Brussels independently before gathering for dinner this evening. (B/D)
Day 6
Cologne, Germany – Travel to Cologne and board MS George Eliot to begin your Rhine River cruise. (B)
Day 7
Koblenz, Germany – Cruise through the scenic Rhine Valley before a guided tour of historic Koblenz and its medieval old town.
Day 8
Rüdesheim, Germany – Sail through the Rhine Gorge past castles and vineyards before arriving in Rüdesheim. Explore the village or choose an included excursion.
Day 9
Speyer, Germany – Arrive in Speyer for a guided walking tour featuring its UNESCO-listed Imperial Cathedral and the neo-Gothic Gedächtniskirche.
Day 10
Strasbourg, France – Discover Strasbourg on a guided walking tour of the Old Town, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Ponts Couverts and the Petite France district.
Day 11
Breisach, Germany – Choose between an excursion to the Black Forest or a scenic drive along the Alsace Wine Route visiting Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr.
Day 12
Basel, Switzerland – Choose between a full-day excursion to Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland or visit Lucerne with free time in Basel.
Day 13
Transfer to Basel airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | T - Tasting | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*$13,959 is a Standard Suite cabin based on Emerald Deck, $15,319 is a Standard Suite cabin based on Ruby Deck. **$14,169 is a Standard Suite cabin based on Emerald Deck, $15,519 is a Standard Suite cabin based on Ruby Deck. Ship’s Registry: Switzerland. All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2027. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. Deposit is non-refundable at the time of booking. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Brussels.
Day 2
Brussels, Belgium
Arrive at Brussels airport and meet your local English-speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel for check-in followed by lunch at a nearby brasserie. After time to relax and refresh, gather this evening for your welcome dinner. (L/D)
Day 3
Brussels, Belgium
Enjoy a short, guided walking tour of Brussels including the UNESCO-listed Grand Place and a visit to the Choco-Story Museum, where a traditional praline-making demonstration and tasting awaits. Next, take part in your Extraordinary Experience, a hands-on chocolate workshop led by a professional chocolatier. Create your own chocolate treats, bars and lollipops with your choice of toppings and ingredients, then take your creations with you to enjoy later. Remainder of the day is at leisure. (B/T)
Day 4
Brussels, Belgium
Today’s excursion takes you to Waterloo, site of the pivotal 1815 battle where Napoleon was defeated, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Domain of the Battle of Waterloo, including Memorial 1815 with its exhibits, multimedia installations and immersive 4D film. View the famous Panorama painting and the Lion’s Mound from the main pathway before continuing by shuttle to historic Hougoumont Farm, the last authentic remnant of the battlefield. Back in Brussels, enjoy a waffle-making workshop for lunch followed by a Belgian beer tasting. Remainder of the day is at leisure. (B/L/T)
Day 5
Brussels, Belgium
Today is yours to enjoy Brussels at your own pace before gathering this evening for dinner. (B/D)
Day 6
Cologne, Germany
Travel to Cologne this afternoon to board MS George Eliot and begin your Rhine River cruise to Switzerland. The English-speaking crew will welcome you aboard and help you settle into your cabin before dinner this evening. (B)
Day 7
Koblenz, Germany
Cruise toward Koblenz this morning as the scenic Rhine Valley unfolds around you, including views of the forested hills of Siebengebirge, vineyards, historic riverside towns and the iconic Remagen Bridge. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of this Roman-founded city at the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Explore the medieval streets of the Altstadt, including Saint Kastor Basilica, the Four Towers and charming riverside squares and cafés. This evening, enjoy dinner on board followed by traditional Rhenish folk music.
Day 8
Rüdesheim, Germany
Continue along the Rhine past the 13th-century Marksburg Castle and the dramatic river bend at Boppard before cruising through the spectacular Rhine Gorge, dotted with steep vineyards, rocky cliffs and ruined castles. After lunch, arrive in Rüdesheim, a classic wine village framed by terraced vineyards and wooded hills. Enjoy time to explore its lively market square, historic half-timbered buildings and Brömserburg Castle, or choose an included experience: a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet or a cable car ride above the vineyards to the Niederwald Monument for panoramic Rhine views. This evening, enjoy dinner on board as the ship continues along the river.
Day 9
Speyer, Germany
Sail upstream where the Rhine widens and flattens into a landscape of gentle hills and tranquil oxbow lakes rich with birdlife. This afternoon, arrive in historic Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, for a guided walking tour. Highlights include the magnificent UNESCO‑listed Imperial Cathedral and the striking neo‑Gothic Gedächtniskirche. Enjoy free time to explore before returning to the ship for dinner.
Day 10
Strasbourg, France
Arrive in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, after cruising through two impressive locks. This afternoon’s guided walk explores the canals, timber‑framed houses and narrow streets of Old Town. Highlights include the magnificent Notre‑Dame Cathedral, the historic Ponts Couverts and the idyllic Petite France quarter. This evening, dinner on board is followed by a live violin performance.
Day 11
Breisach, Germany
This morning, pass through the striking rift valley between the Vosges and Black Forest mountains, arriving in the historic town of Breisach, overlooked by Saint Stephan’s Cathedral. Enjoy time at leisure before lunch on board. This afternoon, choose between two engaging excursions: explore the dramatic landscapes of the Black Forest and Freiburg’s medieval old town, or follow the scenic Alsace Wine Route, visiting the charming villages of Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr. Return to the ship for a memorable Chef’s Dinner, showcasing signature dishes inspired by the regions visited on the journey.
Day 12
Basel, Switzerland
Today, choose between a full‑day excursion to Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland or a more relaxed option combining Lucerne with a free afternoon in Basel. The full‑day excursion begins with an early visit to beautiful Lucerne, set amid magnificent lake and mountain scenery. Continue into the Bernese Oberland, the dramatic alpine heart of Switzerland, to have a packed lunch and admire unforgettable views of peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Alternatively, enjoy a guided tour of Lucerne followed by free time to explore its historic streets before returning for lunch on board. This afternoon, relax on the ship or travel by shuttle to Basel to explore independently, discovering its charming old town, striking cathedral and renowned museums and galleries.
Day 13
Transfer to the Basel airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | T - Tasting | D - Dinner