I will handle all of the details before we set sail, then I will be onboard to help as needed as well. We will meet together the first night for a cocktail or tea to get to know each other, then you can go it alone or hang out with me! Either way, I look forward to sailing with you!
You are invited to join me on November 14 as we board the AmaSerena of AmaWaterways. I will be your host as we sail through the Rhine River. Contoured by vineyard-clad hills and castles from yesteryear, the legendary Rhine captivates. Experience the allure of France’s Alsace region in its welcoming capital, Strasbourg, and its priceless gem, Riquewihr. Then there is Breisach, rising above the vineyards of the Rhine, and Freiburg, one of Germany’s sunniest cities and gateway to Black Forest. Fabled towns lost in time present you with the chance to taste local flavors—Rüdesheimer coffee and Kölsch beer—and to touch history up close with guided hikes and bike rides. From Amsterdam’s colorful canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, journey into the heart of the destinations you visit.
For even more information about the sailing, you may click the Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps link below. For detailed information including what to expect each day as well as pricing, keep scrolling!!
Check in is not usually until around 3:00 PM, giving you plenty of time to check out a few of the Amsterdam highlights.
Get acquainted with your home away from home for the week.
Get to know the people you will be dining with for the week. Potentially people you will keep in touch with long after the cruise. Dinner on the AmaSerena will delight. There are choices for all tastes, but the Chef's Choice is typically my favorite. Sodas, beer, and wine are limitless during lunch and dinner onboard.
*If you are not too exhausted from your travel day.
All tour options each day are included in the cost of the cruise. Some days you will even choose 2 tours to participate in!
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam and you will get to explore several of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day set sail out of Amsterdam.
1) Holy City Walking Tour and Cathedral Visit
2) Kolsch Beer and Local Specialties Tasting
3) Guided Cologne Bike Tour
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. 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, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
On this day, you will choose two tours from 6 different options. Choosing will be a pretty difficult task, as I truly want to do it ALL.
On this day, you will select from 4 different incredible tour options!
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.
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.
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.
Pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops.
On this day, you will select from two fantastic ways to savor Strasbourg.
Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its 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.
Take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
On this day, you will either select from 4 tour choices.
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. Alternatively, go on a full-day excursion to Lucerne, or opt for one of the morning excursions and visit Lucerne in the afternoon. With either Lucerne excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to see its Lion Monument – the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792 – which Mark Twain described as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” You’ll also see Lucerne’s spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century.
Some Special Things To Look Forward To
Each day after all your touring, you can freshen up and meet in the lounge for a nightly "Sip and Sail." During this hour to hour and a half, you get to enjoy the signature cocktail of the day, or any cocktail of your choosing until it is time for dinner. In fact, try a few different ones, if you like. Your tour director may also share details of the following day at this time.
Consider accepting an invitation to dine at the Chef's Table one night. You will be wowed with the culinary excellence. This experience is also included in the cost of the cruise, so please indulge. But once is probably enough, as the menu will be the same all week in the Chef's Table.
On this night, everyone will have a chance to thank the Captain and his crew for an exceptional time on the rivers of Europe. Most people dress a little nicer on this night. Cheers to all the people who make these experiences so special.
-taxes and port fees
-all excursions/tours
-breakfast, lunch, dinner daily
-unlimited sodas, beer, and wine for lunch and dinner
-cocktails during evening sip and sail
-onboard entertainment
-professionally trained wellness host leading wellness activities
-unlimited complimentary wifi
I have toured each room and there is not a bad room on the ship. You cannot choose wrong. The French Balcony is a nice mid-range option that allows you to open the entire window wall for a great view and is the most popular choice. The weather will be chilly and you are rarely in your room, so opting for the fixed window is perfectly great as well. If you are looking to indulge a bit, go for the twin balcony where you will get the French balcony as well as a walkout balcony. If you have questions, do please let me know.
Piano Deck - Fixed Windows - 160 sq ft
Violin Deck - French Balcony - 155 sq ft
Violin and Cello Deck - French Balcony - 170 sq ft
Cello Deck - French and Outside Balconies - 210 sq ft
Cypress, Texas
+1-832-241-8055
jmeers@dreamvacations.com
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