Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles - By AmaWaterways

Description

Included Balcony Cabin + Tax + Daily Excursions

Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles

VACATION HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 Basel

EMBARKATION

Embark your ship in Basel for your Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles cruise. (D)

DAY 2 Basel

"City of Art" tour

OR Three countries bike tour

OR Full-Day Lake Lucerne Excursion

Lake Lucerne Half-Day Tour

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 Lake Lucerne, or opt for one of the morning excursions and visit Lake Lucerne in the afternoon. With either Lake Lucerne excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to see its Lion Monument – the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792 – which Mark Twain described as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” You’ll also see Lake Lucerne’s spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century. (B,L,D)

DAY 3 Strasbourg

“The Gem of Alsace” tour

OR Strasbourg bike tour

Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its 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. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 Ludwigshafen

“Romantic Heidelberg” excursion

OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour

OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s Path hike

OR Ladenburg bike tour

RüdesheimSiegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet

OR Rüdesheimer Coffee

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. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 Rüdesheim

Rüdesheim Gondola Ride and Wine Tasting

OR Vineyard hike

OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau

Rhine GorgeCastles along the Rhine scenic cruising

LahnsteinBurg Lahneck tour

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. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 Cologne

Cologne walking tour & Kölsch beer tasting

OR Cologne Cathedral Architecture tour

OR Cologne bike tour

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. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 Amsterdam

Canal cruise tour

A Taste of Amsterdam*

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. (B,L,D)*Depending on docking location, A Taste of Amsterdam may not operate; therefore, an alternative tour will operate instead.

DAY 8 Amsterdam

DISEMBARKATION

Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)

Ships:

AmaVenita: https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/AmaVenita-river-cruise-ship

AmaSerena: https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/AmaSerena-river-cruise-ship