Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps (Taste of Christmas)

Amsterdam canal cruise and scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge included
Choice of excursions: guided tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest activities
Seven nights aboard AmaWaterways river ships with festive onboard traditions

$6,551 pp twin share

7 nights

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Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps (Christmas Time)

Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps - route map

When & how much

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4 departures

Cruise Snapshot

7 Nights

Eight-day Rhine river cruise through Christmas markets and castles across Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland

Amsterdam canal cruise and scenic Rhine Gorge sailing with fairytale castles
Christmas markets in Cologne, Strasbourg and Rudesheim with wine tastings
Choice of guided tours, bike rides, hikes and visits to Basel and Lucerne

Trip Details

Departs: Tue 5 Dec 2028
Returns: Tue 12 Dec 2028
Embarks: Amsterdam
Disembarks: Basel
Ship: AmaVenita
Operator: AMAWaterways

Discover fairytale castles and historic vineyards as part of this spectacular Rhine River holiday fantasy. Explore the canal-laden city of Amsterdam in all its seasonal glory, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Wander the stalls of France’s oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg and explore the restaurants, open-air wine gardens, and Christmas Market of Drosselgasse, the cultural heart of Rüdesheim. Sail aboard an elegantly decorated ship through cities and towns brimming with beautiful decor, glittering Christmas trees and holiday spirit. Plus, enjoy festive onboard traditions and an exquisite holiday feast with all the trimmings on every Christmas Markets departure. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a Christmas miracle.

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 AmaSerena and AmaVenita.

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.

$6,551

pp twin share

Enquire

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Life in transit

AmaVenita

Details · AmaWaterways

AmaVenita

Deck plans: 4

AmaVenita · Deck plans

Piano Deck

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
Amsterdam
Tue 5 Dec
AMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION. Embark your ship in Amsterdam for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise.
2
Amsterdam
Wed 6 Dec
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
Cologne
Thu 7 Dec
COLOGNE, GERMANY. Join a guided tour through the Old Town. During your free time, browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Markets, offering 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
4
Rüdesheim
Fri 8 Dec
RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY. Experience a stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rudesheim. In the afternoon, join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the town, perhaps to explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s cultural heart, and the Christmas markets. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal and with free time visiting the Christmas markets. 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, RðCdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
5
Ludwigshafen
Sat 9 Dec
LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY. 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. Here you can also enjoy visiting some of the festive Christmas Markets. 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, Altpð6rtel. In your free time, you might choose to visit the Christmas Markets or Technik Museum featuring exhibits of vintage cars, military aircraft and even a submarine!
6
Strasbourg
Sun 10 Dec
STRASBOURG, FRANCE. 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 Nð4tre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. During the tour you will receive free time to visit the Christmas markets. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
7
Basel
Mon 11 Dec
BASEL, SWITZERLAND. 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 walk beneath the city’s towers – nine of which date back to 1386 – and the medieval Chapel Bridge, one of the oldest wooden bridges in Europe. For those guests who have not chosen our full-day Lucerne excursion, your afternoon is full of possibilities. Sample Swiss wines at a local winery, tour Wildegg Castle – a fortress built by the Habsburgs in the early 13th century that features a 3,300 square meter garden, embark on an exhilarating hike to the castle or spend your afternoon strolling through Basel’s Christmas Markets. Not combinable with other tours offered this day.
8
Basel
Tue 12 Dec
BASEL – DISEMBARKATION. Prepare for your flight home.