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Departure & Pricing
Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Your departure
Upgrades, transfers, accommodation and more can be quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.
Experience the Rhine's festive charm, UNESCO castles and seasonal traditions aboard a decorated river ship
- Forty castles strung along the Rhine's UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Guided walking tours through Colmar, Strasbourg and medieval Heidelberg
- Seasonal flavours including glühwein, Riesling wines and Rüdesheimer coffee
Trip Details
- Departs
- Sat 25 Dec 2027
- Returns
- Sat 1 Jan 2028
- Embarks
- Basel
- Disembarks
- Amsterdam
- Ship
- AmaFiora
- Operator
- AMAWaterways
Coming to life with seasonal lights and holiday festivities, the legendary Rhine captivates those who glide along its waters at the start of the holiday season. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste seasonal flavors such as glühwein , and to touch history up close with guided walking tours and active excursions. Timeless traditions remain intact—from the brewing of Germany’s legendary beers to the making of Rüdesheimer coffee. Take a front-row seat on an enchanting journey that takes you along the Rhine and through its designated UNESCO World Heritage Site with its 40 castles strung like pearls on its riverbanks and to magnificent cities and charming villages alike. From the majestic Swiss Alps to Amsterdam’s colorful canals, board your beautifully decorated ship and journey into the heart of the destinations you visit, experiencing the holiday spirit that comes alive on board and on shore along the Rhine during this Festive Delights river cruise.
This river cruise journeys through Switzerland, Germany, France and Netherlands, calling at Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Ludwigshafen, Rüdesheim, Monheim, Utrecht and Amsterdam.
You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaFiora.
Your transports AmaFiora
- Deck plans
- 4
Piano Deck
Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.
Itinerary
- 1
Basel
Sat 25 DecEMBARKATION – BASEL, SWITZERLAND. Embark the ship. Tonight, gather on board and meet your fellow passengers. - 2
Breisach
Sun 26 DecBREISACH, GERMANY. Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Colmar, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and perhaps get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, a small replica of the famous version in New York, to commemorate the sculptor’s Colmar birthplace. Those wishing for a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike through the heart of the Kaiserstuhl, a volcanic region in the Rhine plain known for its unique landscapes, vineyards, and exceptional biodiversity. - 3
Strasbourg
Mon 27 DecSTRASBOURG, FRANCE. Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic UNESCO World Heritage “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. For the active adventurer, you can take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l’Orangerie. - 4
Ludwigshafen
Tue 28 DecLUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY – RÜDESHEIM. Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the 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, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy. - 5
Rüdesheim
Wed 29 DecRÜDESHEIM – RHINE GORGE. 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. If you prefer a more active adventure, you can join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River to Schloss Johannisberg or hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein where you’ll enjoy a visit to Lahneck Castle. - 6
Monheim
Thu 30 DecMONHEIM - DÜSSELDORF. The quaint town of Monheim is your gateway to both Cologne and Düsseldorf. In the morning, choose either a half-day or full-day tour of Cologne. 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 and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral, where the remains of the fabled Three Kings—the Magi— are believed to rest. In the afternoon, for those who have not chosen the full-day tour in Cologne, explore historic Düsseldorf on foot with a knowledgeable local tour guide, or cover more ground with an active bike tour of the city. - 7
Utrecht
Fri 31 DecUTRECHT – AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. In the morning, explore charming Utrecht on a walking tour or sip beer during a special tasting tour. Then, enjoy a scenic cruise to Amsterdam before setting out on the city's famous canals. Embark on a picturesque canal cruise throughout the city, giving you a close-up view of these inspiring waterways. If you prefer exploring the world with your taste buds, stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café. Depending on docking location, Taste of Amsterdam may not operate; therefore, an alternative tour will operate instead. - 8
Amsterdam
Sat 1 JanAMSTERDAM – DISEMBARKATION. Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight.
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- Colmar excursion.
- Breisach wine country bike tour.
- Kaiserstuhl Vineyards hike.
- “The Gem of Alsace” tour.
- Strasbourg bike tour.
- “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion.
Accommodation
Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ship AmaFiora.
Stateroom categories available
- Suite
- Category AA
- Category AB
- Category BA
- Category BB
- Category CA
- Category CB
- Category D
Common questions about this voyage
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Book this cruise
Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.
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Enchanting Rhine (Taste of Christmas)
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Enchanting Rhine (Taste of Christmas)
- Choice of included excursions: walking tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest activities
- Seven nights aboard AmaWaterways river ships with festive onboard dining
- Access to holiday markets, castles, cathedrals and scenic gondola rides
Enchanting Rhine
- Extensive lineup of included tours with choice of excursion types
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