Captivating Rhine with AmaWaterways
7 night captivating Rhine River cruise with shore excursions in Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest cities; medieval Ludwigshafen; Strasbourg, with its French & German influences; and historic Breisach
| Style | Independent Package Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted | ||
| Departures | August 2025 – December 2026 | ||
| Themes | Grand Tours, Bucket List, River Cruises | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness.Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Contoured by vineyard-clad hills and timeless castles, the legendary Rhine captivates travelers looking for a European adventure unlike any other. Experience the allure of France’s Alsace region in its welcoming capital, Strasbourg, and its priceless gem, Riquewihr. Discover enchanting Breisach, rising above the vineyards of the Rhine, and Freiburg, one of Germany’s sunniest cities and the gateway to the Black Forest. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavors, such as Rüdesheimer coffee, Kölsch beer, and savory reibekuchen mit apfelmus, and to touch history up close with guided hikes and bike rides along the river and through charming and medieval towns. From Amsterdam’s colorful canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, this journey into the heart of France, Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland will captivate you from start to finish.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights aboard 5-star AmaWaterways
- 20 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; sparkling wine and juices at breakfast
- Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner
- Sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
- Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
- Choice of daily shore excursions with personal headsets
- Entertainment on board
- Port taxes
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation
- 2 nights Amsterdam pre-cruise and 2 Nights Lake Lucerne, 2 nights Zurich post-cruise – please call for details
Why you'll love it
- Spend 7 nights aboard your 5-star AmaWaterways cruise ship.
- Walk through Cologne and admire the city's highlights, including Cologne Cathedral and Cologne Rathaus.
- Enjoy a sip of famous Kölsch beer, or for the more active, bike ride along the Rhine through the historic Stadtgarten.
- Cruise through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the river.
- Discover the flavors of Rüdesheim's iconic vineyards during a wine tasting, or soar above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal.
- Listen to the self-playing musical instruments at Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
- Have your choice of excursions in Ludwigshafen, including walking tours of Heidelberg or Speyer, a bike tour along the river Neckar, or a hike up Philosopher's Path.
- Tour Strasbourg's Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament, and the Place de la République.
- Enjoy your choice of excursions in Breisach, including visits to Riquewihr or Freiburg, a cycle through the countryside, or a hike in the Black Forest.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
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 or similarDinner
Day 3 Amsterdam
- Explore Amsterdam's numerous canals during a cruise tour
AmaLucia or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 Cologne, Germany
- Explore Cologne during a guided walking tour
- Or, visit a local tavern and enjoy a Kölsch beer tasting
- Or, embark on a guided bike tour along the Rhine and through the Stadtgarten
AmaLucia or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim
- Cruise to Rüdesheim
- Taste the flavors of the town's iconic vineyards during a wine tasting
- Or, soar above the vineyards on a gondola ride
- Or, hike through the vineyards
- Or, join a guided bike tour along the Rhine River
- Listen to self-playing instruments at Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Music
- Or, relax and enjoy unique Rüdesheimer coffee
AmaLucia or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6 Ludwigshafen
- Visit the perfectly preserved medieval city of Heidelberg
- Or, hike up the Philosopher’s Path
- Or, visit Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities
- Or, ride a bike along the shores of the river Neckar during a bike tour
AmaLucia or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7 Strasbourg, France
- Enjoy a panoramic tour of Strasbourg
- Or, explore the city on a bike tour
AmaLucia or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 Breisach, Germany
- Explore the enchanting town of Riquewihr during a walking tour
- Or, join an excursion to Freiburg
- Or, cycle through the countryside on a bike tour
- Or, hike in the magical Black Forest
AmaLucia or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 9 Basel, Switzerland/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
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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 the 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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