Compare Christmas Markets on the Rhine by AMA Waterways

Day 1: Arrive In Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Embarkation

Meals: Dinner

Arrive in charming Amsterdam and board your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Amsterdam

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The famous canals of Amsterdam await discovery on your city tour. Begin with a scenic canal cruise and see the tall narrow homes lining the water, the Skinny Bridge, and the house where Anne Frank and her family lived in hiding during WWII. Next, you’ll walk to Begijnhof, known for its historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages and have some free time to explore. Later, enjoy a panoramic city tour on which you’ll see the Royal Palace, Westerkerk and stop for photos at a Dutch windmill before returning to the ship. This afternoon depart for Germany.

Day 3: Cologne, Germany

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The ship arrives in Cologne around lunchtime. You will have a guided tour of the city, strolling through the Old Town and Cathedral Square, and visiting the fabled Gothic cathedral. This evening, you will experience the elaborate Christmas Market in Cathedral Square, one of Europe’s largest and most renowned. The ship cruises overnight.

Day 4: Rhine Gorge – Rüdesheim

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, cruise through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, admiring its many castles and fortress ruins and the legendary Lorelei Rock. This afternoon you will arrive in the winemaking town of Rüdesheim where you will have the option to take one of three excursions: wine tasting with a local vintner, a gondola ride above the town to see the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, or a guided bike tour along the Rhine River to one of Germany's best wine regions. Later you’ll have free time to shop at the town’s Christmas Market and explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s most famous and charming street, a narrow passage lined with shops and taverns. This evening, visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, home to a remarkable collection of old robotic and self-playing musical instruments, or join us for some Rüdesheimer Coffee. The ship sails overnight.

Day 5: Mannheim – Heidelberg

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Arrive in Speyer, where you have a choice between three excursions this afternoon. Your first option is a half-day excursion to the historic university town of Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled castle with its Great Vat (a 49,000-gallon wine cask) and enjoy beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and city below. You can also opt to enjoy Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its cathedral, numerous churches and the medieval Altpörtel (Old Gate), on either a city tour or biking tour. You will have time later to visit the local Christmas Markets. This evening, the ship continues onward to Strasbourg, France.

Day 6: Strasbourg, France

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Capital city of France’s Alsace region, Strasbourg is situated on the Rhine at the German border. After arriving this morning, enjoy one of three excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour that will take you past the Orangery, the European Parliament and the Place de Republique. Afterwards, explore on foot with a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood, where you will see the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock, and have a chance to visit Strasbourg’s famous Christmas Market – said to be the oldest and best in all of France. Your other options are a bike tour to the Old Town, or a hike that starts at the Orangery and makes its way to the cathedral. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish. The ship moors in Strasbourg overnight.

Day 7: Breisach, Germany

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You have two exciting excursions to choose from today. The first is a walking tour of Riquewihr, a picturesque town renowned for its historic architecture and for its Riesling wines, followed by time at the town’s Christmas Market. A second option is a walking tour of the beautiful towns of Breisach and Freiburg, where you will visit the historical city center and Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral constructed of red sandstone. You will also visit Christmas Markets here. Your third option is guided bike tour of Breisach that takes you through the Rheinau woods. Tonight, the ship cruises towards Switzerland.

Day 8: Basel, Switzerland – Disembarkation – Lucerne

Meals: Breakfast

Disembark after breakfast and head off on a city tour of cosmopolitan Basel. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and old, elegant homes. You will have free time in Basel for lunch on your as well a chance to visit Christmas Markets. Later, we will depart for Lucerne, stopping en route to visit the Lion Monument, built to honor the Swiss Guards who fought for King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. After arriving mid-afternoon and checking in to your hotel, the remainder of the evening is yours to spend at your leisure, perhaps visiting Lucerne’s charming Christmas Market.

Day 9: Lucerne

Meals: Breakfast

Situated on Lake Lucerne, this city is truly a medieval gem. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour that will explore some of the city’s famous cobblestone streets, monuments, fountain-embellished public squares, covered bridges and colorful fresco-covered buildings. You will have free time in the afternoon to shop for Swiss-made watches, knives, and delicious chocolates.

Day 10: Lucerne – Zurich

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a free morning in Lucerne before checking out of your hotel. Afterwards, you will cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, where you will board a motor coach for a scenic drive to Zurich. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the town or visit Zurich’s enchanting indoor Christmas Market (located inside the city’s main train station).

Day 11: Zurich

Meals: Breakfast

Your morning walking tour of picturesque Zurich will include the Grossmünster and St. Peter, which has the largest church clock face in the world. You will also see the Old Town, the Town Hall and the Fraumünster abbey, home to five world-famous Chagall windows. The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own, visit the Christmas Markets or stroll the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most expensive shopping avenues.

Day 12: Depart Zurich

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home.