Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles (Christmas Time)

Extensive choice of included tours: bike rides, hikes and special interest options
Seven nights aboard AmaWaterways river ships with multiple stateroom categories
Full-day Lake Lucerne excursion, Swiss wine tasting and castle visits included

$6,848 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

3 departures

Cruise Snapshot

7 Nights

Eight-day Rhine River cruise through four countries during Christmas, featuring 40 castles and fairytale cities

Cruise through UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge with 40 castles along riverbanks
Explore fairytale cities including Strasbourg, Cologne, Heidelberg and Amsterdam
Choose from included bike tours, hikes, wine tastings and castle excursions

Trip Details

Departs: Tue 17 Nov 2026
Returns: Tue 24 Nov 2026
Embarks: Basel
Disembarks: Amsterdam
Ship: AmaVenita
Operator: AMAWaterways

Discover fairytale castles underlaid with the winter holiday’s glow on this magical Rhine River cruise. Embark your ship in Basel before crossing the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg. Then it’s off to Germany, where you’ll immerse yourself in the seasonal atmosphere of grand city such as Cologne as well as charming villages like the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim and the university town of Heidelberg. Glide through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like Christmas lights along the riverbanks. 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 and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this Festive Delights itinerary is truly a holiday wish 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 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.

$6,848

pp twin share

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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
Basel
Tue 17 Nov
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - EMBARKATION. Embark your ship in Basel for your Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles cruise.
2
Basel
Wed 18 Nov
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. 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.
3
Strasbourg
Thu 19 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.
4
Ludwigshafen
Fri 20 Nov
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 21 Nov
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 22 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.
7
Amsterdam
Mon 23 Nov
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 24 Nov
AMSTERDAM – DISEMBARKATION. Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

"City of Art" tour.
Three countries bike tour.
Full-Day Lake Lucerne excursion.
Swiss wine tasting.
Swiss castle excursion.
Castle hike.

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

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 17 Nov 2026 and 29 Dec 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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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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