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Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps

  • Included guided tours with choice of standard, bike, hike and special interest options
  • Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ships AmaVenita and AmaSerena
  • Cologne walking tour and Kölsch beer tasting included
From
$6,998 pp twin share
7 nights
When & how much

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Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

Eight-day river cruise through Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland featuring Rhine castles and scenic gorge

  • Canal cruise through Amsterdam with 165 canals
  • Cruise through UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge with 40 castles
  • Wine tastings in Rüdesheim and Swiss wines in Basel

Trip Details

Departs
Tue 10 Nov 2026
Returns
Tue 17 Nov 2026
Embarks
Amsterdam
Disembarks
Basel
Ship
AmaVenita
Operator
AMAWaterways

Discover fairytale castles and historic vineyards as part of this spectacular Rhine River cruise fantasy. Start by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Then it’s off to Germany, where you’ll discover not only the grand city of Cologne but charming villages like the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim and the university town of Heidelberg. Enjoy cruising through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like pearls along the riverbanks. Cross the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg and take in spectacular panoramas of the Swiss Alps. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a dream come true.

This river cruise journeys through Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, calling at Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Cologne, Rüdesheim, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg, Basel and Basel.

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaVenita and AmaSerena.

On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Life in transit

AmaVenita

AmaVenita
Details · AmaWaterways

AmaVenita

Deck plans
4
AmaVenita · Deck plans

Piano Deck

AmaVenita — Piano Deck deck plan

Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Amsterdam

    Tue 10 Nov
    AMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION. Board the ship for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise.
  2. 2

    Amsterdam

    Wed 11 Nov
    AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.
  3. 3

    Cologne

    Thu 12 Nov
    COLOGNE, GERMANY. Enjoy cruising to Cologne, then join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town, where you will see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall; the Fischmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century and the Great St. Martin Church. End your city tour with a visit to a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
  4. 4

    Rüdesheim

    Fri 13 Nov
    RHINE GORGE - RÜDESHEIM. Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards, or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
  5. 5

    Ludwigshafen

    Sat 14 Nov
    LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY. Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four 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 enjoy 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 Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops.
  6. 6

    Strasbourg

    Sun 15 Nov
    STRASBOURG, FRANCE. Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
  7. 7

    Basel

    Mon 16 Nov
    BASEL, SWITZERLAND. Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Alternatively, go on a full-day excursion to Lucerne to explore its medieval towers. In the afternoon, for guests who have not chosen the full-day Lucerne excursion, visit a local winery to sample Swiss wines, tour Wildegg Castle, a fortress built by the Habsburgs in the early 13th century that features a 3,300 square meter garden, or embark on an exhilarating hike to the castle. Not combinable with other tours on this day.
  8. 8

    Basel

    Tue 17 Nov
    BASEL, SWITZERLAND – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Basel and prepare for your flight home.
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Canal cruise.
  • Scenic cruising.
  • Cologne walking tour and Kölsch beer tasting.
  • Cologne bike tour.
  • Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising.
  • Wine tasting.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaVenita and AmaSerena.

Stateroom categories available

  • Suite
  • Category AA
  • Category AB
  • Category BA
  • Category BB
  • Category C
  • Category D
  • Category E
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 8 days and 7 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 13 Oct 2026 and 17 Nov 2026, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
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From (twin) $6,998 pp
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