Captivating Rhine with AmaWaterways

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

• 1 Depart USA
• 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands
• 3 Amsterdam
• 4 Cologne
• 5 Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim
• 6 Ludwigshafen
• 7 Strasbourg
• 8 Breisach
• 9 Basel/USA

Dates & Prices

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Depart USA

• Your journey begins this evening as you depart from the USA

Day 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Arrive in Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Embark on your river cruise and set sail

AmaLucia, AmaSiena or AmaViola Dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Upon arrival in Amsterdam, following customs and immigration formalities, you will be met and transferred to your ship for embarkation.

Later this evening, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail followed by a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day 3 Amsterdam

• Canal cruise tour
• OR Floriade

AmaLucia, AmaSiena or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy some of the 165 canals in Amsterdam during your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.

Day 4 Cologne

• “Holy City” walking tour and cathedral visit
• OR Kölsch beer tasting
• OR Cologne bike tour

AmaLucia, AmaSiena or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy cruising the waters to Cologne. Upon arrival, join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces. Continue to Germany's oldest city hall, Kölner Rathaus, a building complex with a documented history spanning 900 years. See other local sights along the way. For a different perspective of the city, visit a local tavern to taste Cologne's famous Kölsch beer or sample reibekuchen mit apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists may join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. 

Day 5 Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim

• Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising
• Rüdesheim wine tasting
• OR Gondola ride
• OR Vineyards hike
• OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau
• Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet
• OR Rüdesheimer Coffee

AmaLucia, AmaSiena or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Or, drink up the stunning views soaring above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwald Monument. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments. Or, taste one of the town’s unique delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee, and whipped cream. 

Day 6 Ludwigshafen

• “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion
• OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour
• OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s hike
• OR Ladenburg bike tour

AmaLucia, AmaSiena or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or join a guided bike tour along the shores of the Neckar River and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg. 

Day 7 Strasbourg

• “The Gem of Alsace” tour
• OR Strasbourg bike tour

AmaLucia, AmaSiena or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany due to its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament, and the Place de la République before walking through its iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie. 

Day 8 Breisach

• Riquewihr walking tour
• OR Freiburg excursion
• OR Black Forest excursion
• OR Breisach wine country bike tour

AmaLucia, AmaSiena or AmaViola Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy your choice of several different excursions in Breisach. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and famous sights like the Dolder Tower. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing for a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside or hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. 

Note: Black Forest Hike is weather dependent and may only operate at certain times of year. Please refer to your final documents for details.

Day 9 Basel/USA

• Today you'll be escorted to the airport as you board your flight back home
• Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today

Breakfast

Cruise Ships

AmaLucia

Sister ship to the award-winning AmaLea and AmaKristina, the elegant 156-passenger AmaLucia debuted in 2021. This warm, inviting ship offers the luxury of space in which guests can peacefully unwind. From comfortable staterooms with twin balconies that keep guests well-connected via Entertainment-On-Demand, free high-speed Internet access and Wi-Fi, to the sunny Main Lounge, where delicious tapas are served throughout the day, guests have everything they need to enjoy their time spent on board. If an active mood strikes, the sun-deck walking track, pool with swim-up bar, fitness room and complimentary fleet of bikes are available. Or you can take an invigorating class led by the professionally trained onboard Wellness Host. And, of course, the exquisite cuisine served in the Main Restaurant and at The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant will satisfy your every craving aboard AmaLucia.

More information

AmaSiena

Sister ship to the award-winning AmaLea and AmaKristina, the elegant 156-passenger AmaSiena brought with her a sense of joy when she was christened in 2021. Vivid shades of red create an air of confidence throughout the Main Restaurant while bold floral patterns are sprinkled throughout the ship, from her spacious twin-balcony staterooms to her Main Lounge, with its floor-to-ceiling windows offering exceptional views of the castles along the Rhine River and the iconic windmills and pastures of Holland and Belgium. Her airy Sun Deck offers a walking track, pool with swim-up bar and ever-changing views of the scenery – even as you participate in a complimentary fitness class. And her Chef’s Table specialty restaurant offers a subtle elegance that allows each dish of its exquisite regionally-inspired tasting menu to shine. Discover all of these delights and more on board AmaSiena.

More information

AmaViola

Brightly colored floral and geometric patterns from the stateroom to Main Lounge illustrate that the AmaViola is no ordinary river cruise ship. Twin balconies in most staterooms maximize your enjoyment as steeples and vineyards glide by. Mouthwatering cuisine worthy of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an exclusive and internationally-renowned gastronomic society, is served from sunrise to sunset. There's something symphonic about the flourish and style of The Chef's Table specialty restaurant and the coordinated effort to serve each bold, beautiful, and delicious course of the regionally-inspired tasting menu. Butterfly wallpaper in the hair salon foreshadows how you'll emerge brand new while an inviting sun-deck pool with a swim-up bar refreshes your spirit. Plus, AmaViola inspires you to be the best version of yourself with a walking track, fitness room, and fleet of onboard bikes to keep you happy and healthy during your cruise.

More information

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Switzerland? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about France? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Germany? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about the Netherlands? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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