Amsterdam to Avignon: Rhine & Rhône Self-Launched Adventure

Arrive in Amsterdam and check into a central hostel or budget hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the canal belt on foot — the gabled houses and waterways are best experienced slowly. Pick up a GVB day pass (£8) for trams and metro. Head to the Jordaan neighbourhood for dinner and try Dutch pancakes (poffertjes) or stroopwafels from a market stall.

🚌Arrive by Eurostar/train to Amsterdam Centraal or fly into Schiphol (train to centre ~£5). Use trams and walking locally.

🛏Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark or Generator Amsterdam (~£30-40/night dorm, £70-90 private)

• →Self-guided canal walk through the Jordaan and Nine Streets neighbourhoods
• →Visit the Rijksmuseum (book online in advance, ~£18)
• →Book a shared canal boat tour via GetYourGuide (~£15)
• →Sample Dutch pancakes and stroopwafels at Albert Cuypmarkt

Take a day trip south to Kinderdijk, one of the Netherlands' most iconic UNESCO sites. The 19 historic windmills and polders are easily reachable by public transport. Arrive early to beat crowds, rent a bike on-site to explore the dyke paths, and return to Rotterdam or Amsterdam for the night.

🚌Train Amsterdam to Rotterdam (~£12, 40 mins), then Waterbus from Rotterdam to Kinderdijk (~£5 return). Or direct bus from Rotterdam Centraal.

🛏Stay on in Amsterdam (same hostel) or move to Rotterdam (Stayokay Rotterdam, ~£28-35 dorm)

• →Explore the 19 UNESCO-listed windmills at Kinderdijk (entry ~£12)
• →Rent a bike on-site to cycle the dyke paths (~£8)
• →Take a boat tour around the windmill complex (~£7)
• →Explore the polders and local villages on foot

Travel by train from Rotterdam (or Amsterdam) to Cologne, one of Germany's most dramatic cities. The twin-spired Gothic cathedral dominates the skyline and is free to enter. Climb the 533 steps to the south tower for panoramic Rhine views (~£5). Wander the Roman ruins in the old town and stroll the lively Hohe Strasse shopping street. Try a local Kölsch beer in a traditional Brauhaus.

🚌Intercity train Rotterdam/Amsterdam to Cologne (~£20-35, 2.5 hrs). Use walking and trams locally.

🛏Meininger Hotel Cologne City Center or Superbude (~£25-40 dorm, £70 private)

• →Visit Cologne Cathedral — free entry, tower climb ~£5 (book via GetYourGuide)
• →Explore Roman-Germanic Museum (free exterior, museum ~£8)
• →Stroll Hohe Strasse and the old town
• →Evening Kölsch beer at Früh or Päffgen Brauhaus (~£3 per 200ml glass)

Head south along the UNESCO Middle Rhine Valley. Stop first at Koblenz to see the dramatic Deutsches Eck (German Corner) where the Rhine and Moselle meet, and the Romanesque Basilica of St. Castor. Continue to Rüdesheim for the famous Drosselgasse tavern lane, Brömserburg Castle (9th century), and wine tasting in the Rheingau region. The scenic train ride itself passes the legendary Lorelei Rock.

🚌Train Cologne to Koblenz (~£15, 1 hr), then regional train to Rüdesheim (~£8, 1 hr). The Rhine Gorge train is one of Europe's most scenic rail routes.

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Rüdesheim or Bingen (~£50-70 private room)

• →Visit the Deutsches Eck monument at the river confluence in Koblenz (free)
• →Explore the Romanesque Basilica of St. Castor (free)
• →Walk Drosselgasse tavern street in Rüdesheim
• →Visit Brömserburg Castle and Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet (~£8)
• →Wine tasting at a Rheingau weingut (vineyard) (~£12)

Travel south to Speyer, a compact and walkable riverside city with a magnificent UNESCO-listed Romanesque imperial cathedral — one of the largest Romanesque churches in the world. Entry is free. Wander the historic town centre, discover Roman and Celtic heritage sites, and explore the Judengasse (medieval Jewish quarter). Speyer is compact enough to cover on foot.

🚌Train Rüdesheim to Speyer via Mainz (~£18-25, 1.5 hrs with change). Walk everywhere locally.

🛏Hotel Goldener Engel or Gästehaus in Speyer (~£55-75 private room)

• →Visit Speyer Cathedral (UNESCO) — free entry
• →Explore the Jewish Museum and medieval mikveh (ritual bath) (~£5)
• →Walk the historic Maximilianstrasse pedestrian boulevard
• →Discover the Altpörtel city gate tower (~£3)
• →Visit the Historisches Museum der Pfalz (~£8)

Cross into France and arrive in Strasbourg, the stunning capital of Alsace. The Grande Île (Great Island) UNESCO old town is best explored on foot — half-timbered houses, canals, and the soaring Gothic cathedral make it one of Europe's most photogenic cities. Try tarte flambée (Alsatian pizza) and a glass of Riesling for lunch. The Petite France district is the highlight.

🚌Train Speyer to Strasbourg (~£15-20, 1 hr). Tram and walking locally — the tram network is excellent.

🛏Ciarus Hostel Strasbourg or Hotel du Rhin (~£28-38 dorm, £75 private)

• →Explore Petite France and the Ill canal quarter (free)
• →Visit Strasbourg Cathedral — free entry, tower platform ~£5
• →Wander the Grande Île UNESCO old town
• →Book a canal boat tour via GetYourGuide (~£12)
• →Lunch of tarte flambée and Riesling at a winstub (~£15)

Take a short trip across the Rhine border to Breisach, a charming German town perched above the river with St. Stephen's Cathedral offering great views over the Alsace plain. Breisach is home to one of Europe's largest wine cellars (Badischer Winzerkeller — tours available). The town is a gateway to the Black Forest. Return to Strasbourg or continue south towards Basel.

🚌Train Strasbourg to Freiburg via Breisach (~£12-18). Local bus to Breisach from Freiburg (~£5 return).

🛏Stay in Freiburg im Breisgau for more options (A&O Hostel Freiburg ~£25 dorm, £65 private)

• →Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, Breisach (free, views over Rhine)
• →Tour the Badischer Winzerkeller wine cellars (~£10 with tasting)
• →Walk the historic old town and ramparts
• →Optional: short trip into the Black Forest edge by local bus

Travel through Basel — worth a couple of hours for the colourful Rathaus (Town Hall) and riverside old town — before heading by train into France. Stop in Vienne, a small city packed with Roman monuments. The Temple of Augustus & Livia and the Roman theatre at Mont Pipet are free to explore. Try a Côtes du Rhône at a local cave.

🚌Train Freiburg/Basel to Lyon (~£25-40, 1.5-2 hrs), then regional train Lyon to Vienne (~£5, 25 mins).

🛏Budget hotel or chambre d'hôte in Vienne (~£60-75 private room)

• →Visit Basel Rathaus (Town Hall) — free exterior, old town walk
• →Explore Basel's riverside old town and Rhine promenade
• →Visit the Roman Temple of Augustus & Livia in Vienne (free)
• →Explore the Roman theatre at Mont Pipet (~£4)
• →Visit the Abbey of Saint Pierre museum (~£5)
• →Wine tasting at a local Vienne cave (wine shop) (~£10)

Arrive in Lyon, France's undisputed culinary capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Spend the afternoon exploring Vieux Lyon (Old Town), ducking through the famous traboules — secret Renaissance passageways hidden between buildings. Climb up to Fourvière Basilica for sweeping city views. Book a bouchon (traditional Lyonnaise bistro) for dinner — this is where quenelles, andouillette, and tarte aux pralines rule.

🚌Train from Vienne to Lyon Part-Dieu (~£5, 25 mins). Metro, funicular, and walking locally.

🛏Slo Living Hostel Lyon or Auberge de Jeunesse du Vieux Lyon (~£22-32 dorm, £70 private)

• →Explore Vieux Lyon UNESCO old town and traboules passageways (free)
• →Visit Fourvière Basilica — free entry, funicular ~£3 return
• →Book a food tour of Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse market via GetYourGuide (~£25)
• →Dinner at a traditional bouchon lyonnais (~£20-30 for two courses and wine)

A full day in Lyon to go deeper. Start at the morning market on Quai Saint-Antoine along the Saône — one of France's best outdoor food markets. Afternoon options: take a day trip into the Beaujolais or Burgundy wine villages by local bus or hire a bike, or explore Lyon's Croix-Rousse district (the old silk-weavers' quarter). Book a wine pairing experience for the evening.

🚌Local metro, tram, and bus in Lyon (day pass ~£4). Regional buses to Beaujolais (~£8 return).

🛏Same hostel as Day 9

• →Browse Quai Saint-Antoine morning market (free, budget €10 for tastings)
• →Visit the Musée des Confluences (~£9)
• →Day trip to Beaujolais villages by local bus (e.g. Oingt or Villefranche-sur-Saône, ~£8 return)
• →Book a Beaujolais wine tasting experience via GetYourGuide (~£30)
• →Explore Croix-Rousse district and silk-weaving history (free)

Head back south into the Rhône Valley. If you didn't fully explore Vienne on Day 8, today's the day — the Roman ruins are excellent and largely free. Continue to Tain-l'Hermitage, home to some of the Rhône's most prestigious wines (Hermitage AOC). The Valrhona chocolate factory is also based here with a shop and museum. End the day in Tournon-sur-Rhône across the river.

🚌Train Lyon to Tain-l'Hermitage/Tournon (~£12, 45 mins). Walk between Tain and Tournon across the bridge.

🛏Budget hotel in Valence or Tournon (~£55-70 private room)

• →Revisit or explore Vienne's Roman Theatre and Temple of Augustus (free/~£4)
• →Walk medieval Old Town streets of Vienne
• →Visit Tain-l'Hermitage wine caves for tasting (~£10-15)
• →Visit the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona in Tain-l'Hermitage (~£8)
• →Walk across the suspension bridge to Tournon castle (free exterior)

Continue south to Viviers, one of the Rhône Valley's most unspoilt medieval villages. The old episcopal city is car-free and almost entirely preserved from the Renaissance period. Visit St. Vincent Cathedral, the Maison des Chevaliers (Knights' House), and wander the winding stone streets. This is the kind of place the cruise ship passengers can only see from the deck — you can actually stay and soak it in.

🚌Train or regional bus from Valence/Tournon to Montélimar (~£10), then taxi or local bus to Viviers (~£8). Alternatively hire a car for this leg (~£30/day) for maximum flexibility.

🛏Chambre d'hôte or small hotel in Viviers or Montélimar (~£55-70 private room)

• →Visit St. Vincent Cathedral in Viviers (free)
• →Walk the medieval old town and Maison des Chevaliers (free)
• →Explore Renaissance buildings and episcopal quarter
• →Visit local wine cooperative for a Côtes du Rhône tasting (~£8)

Arrive in Arles — one of Provence's most captivating cities, packed with Roman ruins, Van Gogh history, and a vibrant Saturday market. The Roman amphitheatre (Les Arènes) still hosts bullfights and events. Follow the self-guided Van Gogh trail with plaques marking where he painted his most famous works. Don't miss the Saturday Provençal market on Boulevard des Lices.

🚌Train Montélimar to Arles (~£18-25, 1.5 hrs). Walking and cycling locally — Arles is compact and very bikeable.

🛏La Maison du Voyageur or budget hotel in Arles (~£55-75 private room)

• →Visit Les Arènes Roman amphitheatre (~£9, book via GetYourGuide)
• →Self-guided Van Gogh painting locations trail (free — plaques throughout the city)
• →Visit the Musée Réattu or Fondation Vincent van Gogh (~£8)
• →Browse the Saturday Provençal market on Boulevard des Lices (free)
• →Explore Gallo-Roman ruins: Alyscamps necropolis (~£5)

Travel to Avignon, the walled city that was the seat of the papacy in the 14th century. The Palais des Papes is enormous and best explored with the included audio guide. Walk along the remains of the famous Pont d'Avignon (Saint-Bénézet Bridge) for the classic view. The walled old town is UNESCO-listed and full of museums, galleries, and excellent restaurants.

🚌Train Arles to Avignon Centre (~£8, 20 mins). Walking within the walled city — everything is compact.

🛏Auberge Bagatelle Avignon or hotel in the walled city (~£25-35 dorm, £75 private)

• →Visit Palais des Papes UNESCO World Heritage Site (~£12, audio guide included)
• →Walk Pont d'Avignon bridge ruins (~£5)
• →Visit Avignon Cathedral (free)
• →Explore cardinal residences and Place de l'Horloge (free)
• →Stroll the ramparts and medieval streets (free)
• →Visit the Musée du Petit Palais (~£6)

A final morning to soak up Avignon before heading home or onwards. Catch the morning light on the Palais des Papes, explore any museums or cardinal residences you haven't visited, and pick up Provençal lavender products, olive oil, or wines at the market. The TGV from Avignon TGV station connects easily to Paris (2h40) or you can continue south to Marseille (25 mins) for onward flights.

🚌Avignon TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon (~£35-60). Avignon Centre to Marseille St-Charles (~£12). Or onward by bus/car.

🛏Check out — departure day

• →Morning walk along the ramparts and Les Rochers des Doms park (free, great views)
• →Visit any remaining museums or galleries
• →Browse local market for Provençal produce and souvenirs
• →Depart: TGV to Paris (~£35-60, 2h40), or train to Marseille (~£12, 25 mins) for flights