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Enchanting Rhine -
Taste of Christmas
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Enchanting Rhine – Taste of Christmas
Start in Switzerland, finish in Amsterdam, and spend the week in between sailing the Rhine through some of the finest Christmas market territory in Europe. AmaWaterways‘ Enchanting Rhine Taste of Christmas River Cruise runs from Basel to Amsterdam over seven nights, with Alsatian Colmar and Strasbourg in the first half of the week, the UNESCO Rhine Gorge and an exclusive visit to Burg Lahneck Castle in the middle, and Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Utrecht rounding things off before you arrive in Amsterdam on the final day.
4.79
from
216 reviews
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Cruise Line: AmaWaterways -
Ship: AmaCerto + 5 more -
Duration: 6 Nights
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Departure: Nov - Dec
Enchanting Rhine – Taste of Christmas Prices
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Enchanting Rhine – Taste of Christmas Itinerary
The Rhine at Christmas really does look the part, and this itinerary is designed to make the most of it. You board in Basel and spend the week heading north, picking up festive markets, riverside castles and some excellent local beer and wine at almost every stop. By the time you reach Amsterdam on the final morning, you’ll have seen four countries from the water in a way that no other mode of transport quite matches.
Day 1
Basel
You board in Basel and the journey begins with a welcome dinner as the ship sets sail along the Rhine.
Day 2
Breisach
First stop is Breisach, gateway to the medieval Alsatian town of Colmar, whose 16th-century streets and half-timbered buildings are among the best-preserved in the region. Options are a walking tour of Colmar, a bike ride through the scenic countryside, or a hike through the volcanic Kaiserstuhl vineyards.
Day 3
Strasbourg
Strasbourg’s UNESCO-listed La Petite France quarter and the Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock are the highlights of the guided walking tour. Alternatively, there’s a guided bike tour through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
Day 4
Ludwigshafen
From Ludwigshafen, excursions head out to Heidelberg for a tour of the fairy-tale castle, the Philosopher’s Hike with panoramic views above the city, or a tour of the historic streets of Speyer. Later, the ship moves to Rudesheim, where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet or try a Rudesheimer Coffee, made ceremoniously with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
Day 5
Rüdesheim
More time in Rudesheim with a gondola ride and wine tasting above the vineyards, a bike tour of Schloss Johannisberg, or a vineyard hike. The afternoon brings scenic cruising through the UNESCO Rhine Gorge before the ship arrives at Lahnstein for an exclusive visit to Burg Lahneck Castle.
Day 6
Monheim
A choice of a half-day or full-day walking tour of Cologne, taking in the old town and the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, followed by the option of a walking tour of Düsseldorf with an Altbier tasting or a guided bike tour of the city.
Day 7
Utrecht
The penultimate day begins in Utrecht with a walking tour or a beer tasting, then the ship sails to Amsterdam for a canal cruise or a Taste of Amsterdam tour.
Day 8
Amsterdam
Disembark in Amsterdam.
ENCHANTING RHINE – TASTE OF CHRISTMAS HIGHLIGHTS
Rhine River Cruise Deals
Switzerland to Amsterdam with some of Europe’s best Christmas markets in between. Browse our latest AmaWaterways sailings and find the departure that suits you.
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Enchanting Rhine – Taste of Christmas Review
Enchanting Rhine – Taste of Christmas FAQs
What is Burg Lahneck, and what does the exclusive visit involve?
Burg Lahneck is a medieval castle above the confluence of the Rhine and Lahn rivers at Lahnstein, originally built in the 13th century. The visit is described as exclusive, meaning it’s arranged specifically for guests on this itinerary rather than a standard public tour.
This cruise goes to both Strasbourg and Colmar. What makes them worth visiting on the same trip?
They’re only about 70 kilometres apart, but they feel quite different. Strasbourg is a city, the Alsace regional capital, with a UNESCO-listed old quarter and a Gothic cathedral. Colmar is smaller, quieter and arguably even better preserved, with 16th-century half-timbered streets that look almost unchanged. Strasbourg is on day three, and Colmar is the excursion from Breisach on day two, so you get both in the first half of the week.
What is the Schloss Johannisberg bike tour on day five?
Schloss Johannisberg is an estate in the Rheingau wine region above Rudesheim, known for its Riesling production. The excursion on day five is a guided bike tour that takes you through the surrounding vineyards.
How does this itinerary differ from the Captivating Rhine Taste of Christmas cruise?
The two itineraries share several ports but run in opposite directions and have some different excursion options. This cruise runs from Basel to Amsterdam; the Captivating Rhine Taste of Christmas runs from Amsterdam to Basel. This itinerary includes an exclusive visit to Burg Lahneck Castle and a Schloss Johannisberg bike tour that don’t appear on the Captivating Rhine page. The Captivating Rhine includes a Slot Zuylen castle visit on day two that this itinerary doesn’t feature. If you have a preference for which city you’d like to start or end in, that’s the most practical way to choose between them.
Do I need a visa for the countries on this itinerary?
No. The itinerary covers Switzerland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and UK citizens don’t need a visa for any of them. Germany, France and the Netherlands are Schengen Area members; Switzerland has its own bilateral arrangement with the UK. From 2025, UK travellers heading to Schengen countries will need to register with ETIAS before travel. It’s a quick online process rather than a visa application.
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