Sailing The Rhine with AmaWaterways
(19 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Allison Slavik
Fargo, ND
Travel Advisor & Adventure Specialist
With over 17 years of experience in hospitality, I’ve successfully transitioned my skills into the travel industry. My background in event planning has honed my ability to anticipate clients' needs, while my passion for authentic, meaningful exper...
With over 17 years of experience in hospitality, I’ve successfully transitioned my skills into the travel industry. My background in event planning has honed my ability to anticipate clients' needs, while my passion for authentic, meaningful experiences drives me to craft unforgettable vacations.
As a lifelong foodie and a Level I Sommelier, I'm always eager to share personalized dining recommendations. I also thrive on adventure—whether it’s hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, or ziplining, I love making every journey an exhilarating experience.
The most rewarding part of my job is hearing clients rave about their incredible vacations, knowing I played a part in creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Can Be Reached At
1-701-492-5000 ext:127
My husband and I had the opportunity to sail the Rhine River with AmaWaterways in late November/early December 2023. We were excited to learn it was opening weekend for many Christmas markets along the way.
Our onboard experiene with AmaWaterways was spectacular. Their attention to detail is unmatched, and their standard of service is top notch.
We were impressed with the spacious size of our stateroom and bathroom. Our room featured an outdoor balcony with veranda and a French balcony, or sliding glass door, next to the indoor sitting area. This made for a lovely panoramic view.
Our itinerary:
Basel, Switzerland (embarkation)
Breisach, Germany
Strasbourg, France
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Rüdesheim, Germany
Lahnstein, Germany
Cologne, Germany
Amsterdam, Netherlands
We boarded our ship in Basel, Switzerland and headed to a welcome reception with sparkling wine and canapés. Since it was Thanksgiving Day in America, they had a turkey dinner option on the menu, which people loved.
Breisach
The next morning we woke up in Breisach, Germany. Payton and I elected to do the bike tour through wine country this day. We pedaled past rolling hills of grape vines through picturesque villages until we made it to our destination - a local co-op winery comprised of the village's grape growers and the wine they make together as a community. Here we sampled a variety of wines. Payton and I chose to purchase a couple of small bottles to bring back to the ship with us as well. We slept well this night after our 15-mile journey by bike.
Strasbourg
The following day was spent in Strasbourg, France - also known as the Capitol of Christmas. The have the largest Christmas markets in the world with blocks and blocks of crafted gifts, treats, and delicious street food. This morning we toured Strasbourg's Notre Dame Cathedral and then got a head start on the crowds at the markets. We stuck around until nightfall so we could see all the lights lit up - what an experience!
Heidelburg
The next day we docked in Ludwigshafen and took a short motorcoach ride to Heidelberg Castle. Here we learned about the family who lived here and the building's history. We also saw the Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. It was huge! We spent the rest of our free time at a local brewery and cafe. We had a tasty plate full of meat and potatoes and a beer flight - the perfect meal for a rainy day.
Rüdesheim
Later that evening we docked in Rüdesheim. Payton and I enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant with amazing food. The next morning we explored the village's Christmas markets before sitting down for an iconic Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy and sugar cubes lit on fire and turned into a delicious sweet, warm spirit, which was then topped with coffee and fresh whipped cream and finished with grated chocolate. Delicious.
Lahnstein
That afternoon we went for a scenic sailing along the Rhine, spotting medieval castles along the way. After dinner, we had an unforgettable tour of Lahneck Castle. Closed to the public, we exclusive access for a tour lit only by candlelight. We learned about medieval weapons, saw vintage furniture and artwork, and a spooky old dollhouse. I absolutely loved it.
Cologne
The next day we woke up in Cologne. We got to sleep in this day and enjoy a lovely brunch in the ship's restaurant. Our tour of choice this day was a kolsch tasting. The experience started with a brief walking tour where we learned about the destruction there during WWII. We got to view the beautiful cathedral from the outside and then we were on to the fun part - beer! We stopped at two popular beer houses where we learned about beer drinking culture, how to sample beer, and even some of the local lore around how to cheers. We had free time this afternoon, so Payton and I headed over to the Farina store where we purchased the original eau de cologne. I really enjoy the aroma of the original. There's another brand who shall not be named who claim to be the original, but they were established after Farina. What a great souvenir for you or your loved ones!
Amsterdam
The following morning I happened to wake up early, so I enjoyed a cappuccino while snuggled up on our private veranda. I watched the countryside of the Netherlands pass by as we got closer to Amsterdam. After docking in the city, we headed to our canal cruise. We boarded a comfortable boat with panoramic windows along the sides and roof. A tour guide spoke with a microphone so we could learn about the history of these neighborhoods and the unique architecture of the houses. After the canal cruise, we had the rest of the day to ourselves. We explored some different neighborhoods and tried some different foods along the way.
The next morning it was time to disembark and say goodbye to the AmaWaterways crew who took such good care of us the past week.
What an amazing trip!