AMA 7-Night Rhine River Cruise
Discover the Rhine River
CRUISE FROM : BASEL TO AMSTERDAM
A trip along the Rhine River is like a trip through history. Many inspiring cities have produced great literature, poetry, and music, like Heidelberg, the setting for Mark Twain’s A Tramp Abroad. The classic traditions of Cologne remain intact, including Kölsch beer making and Rüdesheimer coffee making. Discover enchanting cityscapes and charming villages, as well as 40 castles strung like pearls along the Rhine’s banks, on this enchanting journey along the Rhine.
COUNTRIES: FRANCE, GERMANY, NETHERLANDS, SWITZERLAND
RIVERS: RHINE
A Look Into The Destination and Itinerary
AMA River Cruises offers a variety of tours, including standard tours, bike tours, hikes, and special interest tours. These tours provide you with the opportunity to explore your interests while on the water. All trips include activities such as wildlife spotting, paddling excursions and more. AMA River Cruises is a great way to experience nature and history up close and personal.
Day 1
Board the ship in Basel for your Enchanting Rhine cruise.
Day 2
Breisach is your gateway to several excursions, depending on your interests. Visit the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which appears almost as it did in the 16th century. Admire historic architecture and famous sights such as the Dolder gate on a walking tour. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the cathedral said to have the most beautiful spire on earth. Those wishing an active excursion can cycle through scenic countryside or hike to the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions.
Day 3
Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, is an unforgettable destination between France and Germany. You can enjoy a panoramic view of this incredible city by taking trips to parks and museums. You can also see landscapes that are featured on postcards in “La Petite France” district, which seems to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. In addition, you can wander through “La Petite France” district with its captivating streets and the world-famous Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral with its astronomical clock. If you are an adventurous person, this city offers guided bike riding around Parc de l’Orangerie or Parc des Expositions.
Day 4
Ludwigshafen hosts excursions to multiple cities. Excursions can be taken to Heidelberg, a city along Germany’s Castle Road, where visitors can discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. An active adventure can be taken to Ladenburg—a medieval town along the river Neckar—where free time is available to explore Ladenburg’s shops or relax on its quaint Marktplatz. Alternatively, you could visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for its largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate. Later you could sail to Rüdesheim where a visit Ludwigshafen’s Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; or you could taste Rüdesheimer Coffee, Rüdesheim’s specialty made with brandy.
Day 5
Your Rüdesheim exploration includes choices of three excursions. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue to see panoramic views of the river. Afterward, enjoy a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike through Rüdesheim’s vineyards, taking in views of the town, the Roman Bridge and Bromersburg Castle. Or join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River. In the afternoon, take a trip along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein where you’ll visit Lahneck Castle.
Day 6
Home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral, this 2,000-year-old city is also a bustling cosmopolitan hotspot. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town. Alternatively, ride a bike along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. Or visit a local tavern to taste Kölsch beer and reibekuchen mit apfelmus—potato pancakes served with applesauce.
Day 7
Amsterdam has amazing history, art, architecture, and museums. As you choose to explore it, the famous canals await you. You can time your visit for a scenic canal cruise. Or you can go on a city tour to taste Dutch specialties and have the opportunity to walk by traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges, and house boats.
Day 8
Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight.