Experience a unique and original way to discover the most beloved Christmas markets along the romantic Rhine River. Board the MS Amasonata in Amsterdam and cruise towards Basel, making stops to visit Heidelberg and Cologne's Cathedral and bustling Christmas markets. Enjoy a wine tasting in the medieval Rudesheim, tour the historic university town of Heidelberg, and explore Strasbourg's famous Christmas market - said to be the oldest and best in all France. Conclude your journey in Basel, home to 40 museums and considered the city of culture.
Highlights
Join a scenic canal cruise and see Amsterdam's narrow homes lining the water
Visit the renowned Christmas Market in Cologne's Cathedral Square
Admire the castles and fortress ruins along the picturesque Rhine Gorge
Visit Strasbourg’s Christmas Market– said to be the oldest in all of France
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
The famous canals of Amsterdam await discovery on your city tour. Begin with a scenic canal cruise and see the tall narrow homes lining the water, the Skinny Bridge, and the house where Anne Frank and her family lived in hiding during WWII. Next, walk to Begijnhof, known for its historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages and have some free time to explore. Later, enjoy a panoramic city tour on which you can see the Royal Palace, Westerkerk, and stop for photos at a Dutch windmill before returning to the ship. This afternoon depart for Germany.
The ship arrives in Cologne around lunchtime. You have a guided tour of the city, strolling through the Old Town and Cathedral Square, and visiting the fabled Gothic cathedral. This evening, experience the elaborate Christmas Market in Cathedral Square, one of Europe’s largest and most renowned. The ship cruises overnight.
This morning, cruise through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, admiring its many castles and fortress ruins and the legendary Lorelei Rock. This afternoon arrive in the winemaking town of Rüdesheim where you have the option to take one of three excursions: wine tasting with a local vintner, a gondola ride above the town to see the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, or a guided bike tour along the Rhine River to one of Germany's best wine regions. Later you have free time to shop at the town’s Christmas Market and explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s most famous and charming street, a narrow passage lined with shops and taverns. This evening, visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, home to a remarkable collection of old robotic and self-playing musical instruments, or enjoy some Rüdesheimer Coffee. The ship sails overnight.
Arrive in Speyer, where you have a choice between three excursions this afternoon. Your first option is a half-day excursion to the historic university town of Heidelberg, where you can visit the red-walled castle with its Great Vat (a 49,000-gallon wine cask) and enjoy beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and city below. You can also opt to enjoy Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its cathedral, numerous churches and the medieval Altpörtel (Old Gate), on either a city tour or biking tour. Later , have time to visit the local Christmas Markets. This evening, the ship continues onward to Strasbourg, France.
Capital city of France’s Alsace region, Strasbourg is situated on the Rhine at the German border. After arriving this morning, enjoy one of three excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour that takes you past the Orangery, the European Parliament, and the Place de Republique. Afterwards, explore on foot with a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood, where you can see the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock, and have a chance to visit Strasbourg’s famous Christmas Market – said to be the oldest and best in all of France. Your other options are a bike tour to the Old Town, or a hike that starts at the Orangery and makes its way to the cathedral. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish. The ship moors in Strasbourg overnight.
You have two exciting excursions to choose from today. The first is a walking tour of Riquewihr, a picturesque town renowned for its historic architecture and for its Riesling wines, followed by time at the town’s Christmas Market. A second option is a walking tour of the beautiful towns of Breisach and Freiburg, where you may visit the historical city center and Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral constructed of red sandstone. You can also visit Christmas Markets here. Your third option is guided bike tour of Breisach that takes you through the Rheinau woods. Tonight, the ship cruises towards Switzerland.
Day 8: Basel, Switzerland | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark your cruise in Basel and catch your independent flight home.
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$2,899
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Cat. E
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
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Cat. D
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
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Cat. C
Violin & Cello Deck. French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
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Cat. BB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft
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Cat BA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Cat AB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft
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Cat. AA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Cat. AA+
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 250 sq. ft.
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Suite
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.
Notes
Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 169 reviews on
32 minutes ago
Friendly and professional interactions. Answered my questions and followed up on initial contact.
Tim Elliott
1 day ago
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
2 days ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
2 days ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
3 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.