12 Day AmaWaterways River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel 2026

Day 1 Amsterdam

Step aboard your ship in Amsterdam and settle in for your Rhine & Moselle Fairytales cruise. This evening, gather for your Welcome Dinner.

Day 2 Amsterdam

Begin your cruise with a guided canal tour through Amsterdam’s waterways, followed by a visit to the historic Begijnhof. Or, choose a culinary-focused walk that weaves past canals, narrow bridges, and gabled houses while you sample Dutch specialties.

Day 3 Cologne

Explore Cologne’s Old Town with a guided walking tour that passes the Cologne Rathaus, Fishmarkt, and Great St. Martin Church, ending with a tasting of Kölsch beer. Or, take a guided bike tour along the Rhine and through the Stadtgarten.

Day 4 Lahnstein

Arrive in Lahnstein, where medieval fortresses overlook the meeting of the Rhine and Lahn Rivers. Choose from several excursions including a guided tour of Burg Lahneck Castle, known for its dramatic hilltop setting; a cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for panoramic river views; a hike to Burg Lahneck Castle; or bike along the “Two Rivers” route for a scenic, active experience.

Day 5 Cochem

Spend the morning taking in the beauty of the Moselle on this scenic stretch of the river before reaching Cochem with its half-timbered houses and Reichsburg Castle.

Day 6 Trier

Explore the German town of Trier—known as the “Rome of the North”—on a guided tour featuring its Roman landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alternatively, join a guided hike up to Petrisberg Hill for sweeping views of the area.

Day 7 Bernkastel

Arrive in Bernkastel, a storybook town in the heart of the Moselle wine region. Join a guided walking tour through its colorful market square before tasting local wines. Or, choose a bike ride along the Moselle River or a hike up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.

Day 8 Rüdesheim

Spend the morning in Rüdesheim with a choice of three excursions. Take a gondola ride over the vineyards to the Niederwalddenkmal Monument followed by a Riesling tasting; opt for a vineyard hike; or bike through the Rheingau wine region.

Day 9 Ludwigshafen

Today, you’ll have the choice of several excursions. Visit Heidelberg for views of its hilltop castle and medieval lanes; tour the gardens at Schwetzingen Palace with over 800 exhibits; join a hike along the Philosopher’s Path; or  bike to the charming town of Ladenburg and glide past its half-timbered architecture.

Day 10 Strasbourg

See Strasbourg’s blend of French and German influences on a guided walking tour through the UNESCO-designated Petite France district, with its timber-framed houses and charming canals. Or, explore the city on a guided bike tour that includes Parc de l’Orangerie.

Day 11 Breisach

After arriving in Breisach, you can choose from several different ways to explore the Alsace and Black Forest region. Step back in time with a tour of the charming, medieval village of Riquewihr, known for its preserved 16th-century streets and Dolder Gate. Then visit a local winery for a tasting of Alsatian wines. Opt to take an excursion to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral with a beautiful pire, followed by a tasting at a regional winery. For those wishing for a more active adventure, join a hike through the volcanic landscapes and vineyards of the Kaiserstuhl region; or bike through Breisach’s surrounding wine country.

Day 12 Basel

After breakfast, disembark and bid farewell to Basel as you prepare for your flight home.