7-nt European WaterwaysAmaVenita
Itinerary
| Day | Ports of Call |
| 1 | Basel, Switzerland |
| 2 | Basel, Switzerland |
| 3 | Strasbourg, France |
| 4 | Ludwigshafen, Germany |
| 5 | Rhine Gorge, Germany |
| 6 | Cologne, Germany |
| 7 | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 8 | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
Know Before You Go
- Pricing includes cruise portion only. For pre and post accommodations, please contact your PERX Vacation Consultant.
- Please be discreet, do not discuss your industry discounts with other guests aboard your sailing.
- Please ensure that you have your ID available when boarding.
- We strongly suggest purchasing travel protection to cover medical expenses in the event that medical attention is required.
Discover fairytale castles and historic vineyards as part of this spectacular Rhine River holiday fantasy. Explore the canal-laden city of Amsterdam in all its seasonal glory, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Wander the stalls of France’s oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg and explore the restaurants, open-air wine gardens, and Christmas Market of Drosselgasse, the cultural heart of Rüdesheim. Sail aboard an elegantly decorated ship through cities and towns brimming with beautiful decor, glittering Christmas trees and holiday spirit. Plus, enjoy festive onboard traditions and an exquisite holiday feast with all the trimmings on every Christmas Markets departure. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a Christmas miracle.
“Ama” means love — and love should be shared with those who need it most. We are pleased to announce that, when you book any AmaWaterways river cruise between September 15 and October 15, 2025, a charitable donation in the amount of $100 will be made to the Travel Elevates Foundation, benefitting the Make a Miracle charity. Travel is a force of
good in the world, and we believe in the importance of supporting our global travel community.
Reminiscent of a classic ocean yacht, the AmaVenita glides regally down Europe’s great rivers. Her tastefully refined staterooms are appointed with granite desks, and most with refreshing twin-balcony staterooms, so you can enjoy fresh air and scenic views, as well as marble bathrooms with soothing multi-jet showerheads. The inviting Main Restaurant accommodates both those wishing to socialize and those seeking a more intimate meal. Dedicated wine tables for groups feature a veritable rainbow of patterns reflecting the diverse cruisers and cultures you’ll be introduced to on your cruise. In addition to AmaWaterways’ signature exquisite, locally sourced cuisine, you’ll find a massage and hair salon, gift shop, specialty coffee station, walking track, heated pool, fitness room and, of course, a fleet of complimentary bikes to use ashore. And each night, the stunning Main Lounge provides an exhilarating backdrop for enjoying performances by local entertainers.
Ship Length: 443 ft Total Staff: 51 Guest Capacity: 162
Day 1, BASEL. Embark your ship in Basel for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise. (B,D)
Day 2, BASEL. Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Both tours offer free time to visit Basel’s Christmas Markets. Alternatively, go on a full-day excursion to Lake Lucerne or spend your afternoon there. Whether you choose the full-day excursion or half-day tour to Lake Lucerne, you’ll also see the spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century, plus enjoy free time to explore the Christmas Markets. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 3, STRASBOURG. Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. During the tour you will receive free time to visit the Christmas markets. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie. In the afternoon, visit the picturesque town Gengenbach stroll through the town’s narrow streets full of half-timbered houses. Enjoy the Gengenbach Christmas Market, packed with holiday treats and centers around the 18th century town hall. (B,L,D)
Day 4, LUDWIGSHAFEN - RÜDESHEIM. Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four 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 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. Here you can also enjoy visiting some of the festive Christmas Markets. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. 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 Old Gate, Altpörtel. In your free time, you might choose to visit the Christmas Markets or Technik Museum featuring exhibits of vintage cars, military aircraft and even a submarine! Or pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops. Later in the day, cruise to the charming village of Rüdesheim and join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B,L,D)
Day 5, RÜDESHEIM - RHINE GORGE - LAHNSTEIN. Let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the town, perhaps to explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s cultural heart, and the Christmas Markets. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching Lahnstein, where you will enjoy a unique evening visit at Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 6, COLOGNE. Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town. During your free time, browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Markets, offering 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
Day 7, AMSTERDAM. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Alternatively, get a taste of local flavor, passing iconic canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats while tasting Dutch specialties at one of Amsterdam’s grand cafes. Please note: tour depends upon docking location and may be replaced with Jordaan District Walking
Tour. (B,L,D)
**May be replaced with alternate tour based on docking location
Day 8, AMSTERDAM. Bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight home.





