Captivating Rhine -
Taste of Christmas

Slot Zuylen is a castle near Utrecht, first built around 1250 and modified significantly in the mid-17th century, with further changes over the following centuries that have layered different architectural styles through its rooms and corridors. The AmaWaterways source description notes that beyond the castle itself, the gardens offer a quieter and more peaceful retreat. It’s offered on day two as an alternative to the Amsterdam canal cruise, walking tour and beer tasting. If you’ve already spent time in Amsterdam on day one and want something different, Slot Zuylen is worth considering.

Colmar is a town in Alsace, around 70 kilometres south of Strasbourg, and both appear on this itinerary. The main difference is scale and character. Strasbourg is a city, the capital of the Alsace region, with a UNESCO-listed La Petite France quarter and a Gothic cathedral. Colmar is smaller, its 16th-century old town is exceptionally well preserved, and its half-timbered streets feel more like a film set than most places you’ll visit. Strasbourg features on day six and Colmar on day seven, with Breisach as the ship’s docking point for the Colmar excursion.

Ludwigshafen is a city on the Rhine directly opposite Mannheim, and the port’s central location makes it a practical base for excursions across the surrounding region. Heidelberg is around 20 kilometres from Ludwigshafen, and Speyer is around 25 kilometres. Ladenburg, the destination for the bike tour option, is also nearby. This arrangement of docking at one point and excursioning to neighbouring cities is common on Rhine itineraries, where the most interesting destinations sit slightly off the main river corridor.

It’s a good choice for a first trip. The Amsterdam-to-Basel direction means every day brings a new destination, the excursion range at each port includes gentle walking tours alongside active hikes and bike rides, and the Christmas market theme gives each day a clear focus without requiring much planning on the guest’s part. The ships on this itinerary carry between 156 and 162 passengers, keeping things personal without feeling too intimate.

The itinerary covers the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, and UK citizens don’t need a visa for any of them. The Netherlands, Germany and France are Schengen Area members; Switzerland has its own bilateral arrangement with the UK. From 2025, UK travellers need to register with ETIAS before entering Schengen countries. It’s a quick online process, not a visa application.