Join the MS AmaCerto on a exclusive cruise from Basel to Amsterdam. Fairytales come to life as you find inspiration along the castle-laden Rhine and its breathtaking tributary, the Moselle. From Basel, located exactly between the corners of three countries—Germany, France and Switzerland—to Strasbourg, the “Crossroads of Europe,” and finally Amsterdam, experience past and present Europe up close. Throughout your journey, wander through postcard-perfect towns such as Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel, and Rüdesheim. Let your inner adventurer out as you hike through vineyards and bike along the rivers. All along the way, savor distinctive wines, sampling the best these regions have to offer.
Highlights
Explore on foot the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood in Strasbourg
Bike along the Rhine River to one of Germany's best wine regions - Rüdesheim
Discover the secrets of the Porta Nigra gate that dates back to 180 A.D.
Admire Cochem, a fairytale village surrounded by scenic vineyards
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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 as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, you may wish to go 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 a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside.
Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République. Then walk through its iconic “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, the active adventurer can take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
You have a choice of several excursions, depending on your interest. Visit Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s CastleRoad. Alternatively, relive a bygone era on a tour of the glorious Schwetzingen Baroque Palace. Or, you may decide to visit Schwetzingen Palace Gardens with more than 100 sculptures and an assortment of whimsical buildings. The Apollotempel houses a statue of the ancient Greek god of light and the arts, playing the lyre; and the most spectacular, the Türkischer Garten with a mosque, are a few of the many highlights you can see. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdsheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy.
Your exploration of Rüdesheim continues with your choice of three excursions. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the river. Afterwards, indulge your taste buds with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards. Alternatively, you can join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River; or hike to Ehrenfels Castle, idyllically situated in the midst of the vineyards. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles.
Sail along the scenic Moselle to Bernkastel, located in the middle of the Moselle Valley’s wine-producing region, an area that’s been cultivating wine for over 500 years. Walk through its colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided tour, and afterwards, be treated to a wine tasting. Cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike tour along the shores of the Moselle River; and hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.
Set sail to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, where you can discover on a city tour why it has been called the “Rome of the North” or “Second Rome” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alternatively, go in search of the secrets of the Porta Nigra Gate on a tour that takes you back to a time when Rome ruled the world from the Emperor’s seat in Trier. You also have the choice of a bike tour through the historic city center and along the Moselle River; or hike high above Trier to Petrisberg. Later in the day, set sail along the scenic Moselle en route to Bernkastel, where you’ll visit a local winery for a special tasting.
Visit the Reichsburg Castle, an integral part of the town’s history followed by a walking tour along Cochem’s narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval houses. For a more active excursion, go on a biking tour along the Moselle River. As an alternative excursion, you can visit one of Europe’s oldest working mustard mills where you will sample Cochem’s famous mustard. Later in the day, sail to Koblenz, and join a walking tour through the picturesque Old Town.
Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral. Continue on to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, the Overstolzenhaus and the Festival Hall. For a different view of the city, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and Reibekuchen, potato pancakes typically served with apple sauce. Active adventurists may want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
View Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise followed by a walk to Begijnhof, known for its Middle Age buildings. For a different view of the city, join the Jordaan District tour or the Jewish Heritage tour. The Jordaan District tour begins at the Westerchurch and takes you past the Noordermarkt, the Karthuizerhof and the “9 streets”; afterwards, stop in a local café for a hot beverage and Dutch apple pie. The Jewish Heritage tour begins with a visit to the 17th-century Portuguese Synagogue and the Jewish Historical Museum chronicling the history of the Jewish community in Amsterdam.
Day 11: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight.
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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 254 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 254 reviews on
2 days ago
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
2 days ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
2 days ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
1 week ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
1 week ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.