Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles

Choice of included excursions: standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours
Accommodation aboard AmaWaterways river ships with multiple stateroom categories
Guided visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Cologne Cathedral and Speyer

$7,085 pp twin share

7 nights

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City Escapes: Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals

Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles (Christmas Time) - route map

When & how much

Choose your departure

31 departures

Cruise Snapshot

7 Nights

Rhine River cruise through Swiss Alps, French vineyards, German castles and Dutch canals across five countries

Cruise through UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge with 40 castles
Explore fairytale cities including Strasbourg, Cologne and Amsterdam
Visit historic vineyards and sample regional wines

Trip Details

Departs: Tue 11 May 2027
Returns: Tue 18 May 2027
Embarks: Basel
Disembarks: Amsterdam
Ship: AmaSerena
Operator: AMAWaterways

Discover fairytale castles, historic vineyards and the stunning remnant of a world frozen over with glaciers, Italy’s Lake Como, as part of this Rhine River cruise fantasy. Embark your ship in Italy’s haven for the rich and famous, Lake Como. Continue on to Basel before crossing the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg. 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. You’ll also enjoy cruising through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like pearls along the river banks. Conclude your cruise by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a dream come true.

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

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaVenita, AmaSofia 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.

$7,085

pp twin share

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Life in transit

AmaSerena

Details · AmaWaterways

AmaSerena

Deck plans: 4

AmaSerena · 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
Basel
Tue 11 May
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - EMBARKATION. Embark your ship in Basel for your Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles cruise.
2
Basel
Wed 12 May
BASEL. 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. In the afternoon, visit a local winery to sample Swiss wines, or embark on an exhilarating hike to the castle.
3
Strasbourg
Thu 13 May
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.
4
Ludwigshafen
Fri 14 May
LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY – RÜDESHEIM. 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. Later in the day, cruise to the charming village of Rüdesheim and 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
Rüdesheim
Sat 15 May
RÜDESHEIM. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards and 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, cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching Lahnstein, where you will enjoy a unique evening visit at Lahneck Castle.
6
Cologne
Sun 16 May
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 Fishmarkt, 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. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
7
Amsterdam
Mon 17 May
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Alternatively, get a taste of local flavor, passing iconic canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats while tasting Dutch specialties at one of Amsterdam’s grand cafes. May be replaced with alternate tour based on docking location.
8
Amsterdam
Tue 18 May
AMSTERDAM – DISEMBARKATION. Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

Klus 177 Wine Tasting.
Castle Ruins Hike.
“The Gem of Alsace” tour.
Strasbourg bike tour.
“Romantic Heidelberg” excursion.
“Secrets of Speyer” tour.

Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaVenita, AmaSofia and AmaSerena.

Stateroom categories available

Suite
Category AA
Category AB
Category BA
Category BB
Category C
Category D
Category E

City Escapes: Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals stateroom

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 23 Mar 2027 and 04 Jan 2028, 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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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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