Enchanting Rhine River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam

Cruise from Basel through the Rhine’s vineyard-clad hills and storybook Alsace villages like colourful Colmar.
Wander Strasbourg’s cobbled lanes and admire the soaring gothic cathedral where French and German heritage meet.
Explore romantic Heidelberg and Speyer’s Romanesque cathedral before sipping Rüdesheim’s famed brandy coffee.
Glide past castle-studded cliffs of the Rhine Gorge and uncover Burg Lahneck’s fairytale charm in Lahnstein.
Conclude in Amsterdam, cycling beside tranquil canals and tasting Dutch delicacies in the city’s lively heart.

Days

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,304 Reviews

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,304 Reviews

Trip Itinerary

At a Glance

DAY

Arrive in Basel

DAY

Discover Breisach and Beyond

DAY

Explore Strasbourg

DAY

Ludwigshafen to Rudesheim

DAY

Rudesheim to Rhine Gorge & Lahnstein

DAY

Dusseldorf Experience

DAY

Amsterdam by Water & by Flavor

DAY

Depart from Amsterdam

Travel Itinerary

Trip Starts

Trip Stop

Trip Ends

Detailed Itinerary

DAY

Arrive in Basel

Multi Day Tour

Basel

Today, board the ship in Basel for your Enchanting Rhine cruise.

Meal

Dinner

Your Accommodation

AmaViola

Brightly colored floral and geometric patterns from stateroom to Main Lounge immediately show you that the AmaViola is no ordinary river cruise ship. Twin balconies in most staterooms maximize your enjoyment as steeples and vineyards glide by. Mouthwatering cuisine worthy of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an exclusive and internationally renowned gastronomic society, is served from sunrise to sunset. There's something symphonic about the flourish and style of The Chef's Table specialty restaurant and the coordinated effort to serve each bold, beautiful and delicious course of the regionally inspired tasting menu. Butterfly wallpaper in the hair salon highlights how you'll emerge brand new while an inviting Sun Deck pool with a swim-up bar refreshes your spirit. Plus, AmaViola inspires you to be the best version of yourself with a walking track, fitness room and fleet of onboard bikes to keep you happy and healthy during your cruise.

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DAY

Discover Breisach and Beyond

Multi Day Tour

Breisach

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Colmar, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and perhaps get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, a small replica of the famous version in New York, to commemorate the sculptor’s Colmar birthplace. Those wishing for a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike through the heart of the Kaiserstuhl, a volcanic region in the Rhine plain known for its unique landscapes, vineyards, and exceptional biodiversity.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Your Accommodation

AmaViola

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DAY

Explore Strasbourg

Multi Day Tour

Strasbourg

Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic UNESCO World Heritage “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Notre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. For the active adventurer, you can take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l’Orangerie.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Your Accommodation

AmaViola

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DAY

Ludwigshafen to Rudesheim

Multi Day Tour

Ludwigshafen to Rudesheim

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three 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 18thcentury 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 be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Or ride along the river Neckar to the medieval town of Ladenburg where you’ll have some free time to explore the shops and quaint Marktplatz. 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 Altportel, Old Gate. Later in the day, sail to Rudesheim where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rudesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy. *Please note that cruises sailing in February will dock in Mainz in place of Rudesheim and a selection of alternative excursions will be available."

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Your Accommodation

AmaViola

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DAY

Rudesheim to Rhine Gorge & Lahnstein

Multi Day Tour

Rudesheim to Rhine Gorge to Lahnstein

Your exploration of Rudesheim continues with your choice of three excursions. Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the river. Afterwards, indulge your taste buds with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike through Rudesheim’s vineyards, taking in views of the town, the Roman Bridge and Bromersburg Castle. Or join a guided bike ride through the town and along the Rhine River. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein where you’ll enjoy a visit to Lahneck Castle. *Please note that cruises sailing in February will dock in Mainz in place of Rudesheim and a selection of alternative excursions will be available.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Your Accommodation

AmaViola

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DAY

Dusseldorf Experience

Multi Day Tour

Dusseldorf

As a leading hub for German culture, commerce and architecture, Düsseldorf is a must visit city for any travelers on the Rhine. Here, you will have multiple options for the day’s excursion. Explore this grand city on the Rhine by joining a walking tour, concluding with a tasting of Altbier, a local specialty brewed using traditional techniques. Alternatively, cover more ground with an active bike tour of the city. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a brief trip to the nearby city of Cologne. 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.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Your Accommodation

AmaViola

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DAY

Amsterdam by Water & by Flavor

Multi Day Tour

Amsterdam

Amsterdam boasts amazing history, art, architecture, and museums, and you have a choice as to how you wish to explore it. Begin the day with a scenic cruise around this beautiful city before setting out on Amsterdam’s famous canals. Embark on a picturesque canal cruise throughout the city, giving you a closeup view of these inspiring waterways. If you prefer exploring the world with your taste buds, stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café. **Depending on docking location, A Taste of Amsterdam may not operate; therefore, an alternative tour will operate instead.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Your Accommodation

AmaViola

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DAY

Depart from Amsterdam

Multi Day Tour

Disembarkation

Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight.

Meal

Breakfast

What to Expect

Explore what moves you.

Basel Old Town

Strasbourg

Amsterdam

Know when to go.

Place

Conditions

Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall

AmsterdamOccasional Showers

21°C / 69°F

55mm / 2.2"

Weather data is based on monthly averages.

Popularity rating

ExcellentBased on 5,304 Reviews

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Our GoWay tour representative, Michael Keon, was on top of all of our concerns and questions in a professional manner and we look forward to working with him in the future. Michael was very easy to work with and treated us like family.Thomas

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Our travel agent, Melissa Moses, created the perfect itinerary for our recent holiday to Portugal. Melissa had also planned our previous trip to England/Scotland. We have a great deal of confidence in her ability as she really listens to what we are looking for and she caters the plans according to our comfort levels and interests. customer

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This was the first time we had utilized Goway. We wanted a custom itinerary for a 3 week Italy, Athens and Greek Island adventure. Edwina Brislane was receptive to our goals for the trip, had helpful suggestions and reacted well to our requested revisions. Lisa Dachuk helped "tie a ribbon" on the trip and ensured we had considered all aspects of the experience. Lisa dealt quickly with a couple of requests while on the trip and celebrated a successful trip with us. We enjoyed working with both Edwina and Lisa. Their knowledge and enthusiasm contributed to our very memorable trip.Dan & Gail

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I recently traveled to Greece with friends, and our entire experience was exceptional thanks to the planning support we received from Avery at GoWay. Every part of our itinerary was organized with care, accuracy, and great attention to detail. Our accommodations — Hera Hotel Athens and Sofitel Athens Airport — were comfortable, well‑located, and exactly what we needed. All airfares from Calgary and the multiple transfers (airport to city centre, city centre to Piraeus Port, and back again) were perfectly coordinated and made the trip completely stress‑free. The 7‑night Idyllic Aegean Cruise was a major highlight. It was beautifully arranged and gave us an unforgettable way to explore the islands. Our excursions were equally impressive: Skip‑the‑Line Acropolis & Acropolis Museum timed entry, which made sightseeing smooth and efficient Classical Greece: Olympia, Delphi & Meteora, a breathtaking and well‑paced journey through some of Greece’s most iconic historical sites Avery was consistently responsive, knowledgeable, and proactive throughout the planning process. Every confirmation, transfer, and timing detail was handled flawlessly, allowing us to simply enjoy the trip without worrying about logistics. I highly recommend GoWay Travel — and especially Avery — for anyone planning a trip to Greece. This was one of the best travel experiences I’ve had, thanks to their outstanding service and organization.Lorraine

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What do the experts say?

Samantha Buckley

Destination Specialist

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To make your trip that little bit more special, Goway can upgrade Swiss Travel Passes just for a day so guests can experience the panoramic trains in a higher class of service without paying the increase for their entire trip

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Samantha Buckley

Destination Specialist

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Winter and Summer are the best time to visit. Winter provides arguably the best scenic pictures, world-class skiing, and unique winter experiences. Summer provides some of the best hiking, and comfortable summer temperatures for touring.

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Mike Keon

Destination Specialist

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If you are looking for somewhere off the beaten track, then make sure you visit Bachalpsee. This stunning mountain lake located in the Bernese Oberland is one of the most picturesque locations in Switzerland

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Mike Keon

Destination Specialist

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Switzerland experiences four distinct seasons, with generally mild summers and cold, snowy winters, but be prepared for unpredictable weather, especially in the mountains, where conditions can change rapidly.

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