Experience a leisurely cruise vacation, sailing from the iconic canals of Amsterdam and Germany’s breathtaking Rhine Gorge to the Black Forest and Basel in Switzerland

Your Rhine cruise vacation begins today in the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. As you arrive, make your own way to the waterfront, where our specially chartered river cruise ship awaits on the Rhine.

You are greeted by the friendly Amadeus crew and shown to your cabin, where you can get settled in before enjoying a welcome cocktail while taking in the waterside views. There is time to unwind and continue to familiarize yourself with the luxurious new surroundings until the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers join you on board.

Later this evening, we enjoy our first dinner together in the panoramic restaurant, accompanied by a performance from a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir - the perfect start to our cruise down the Rhine River. Overnight ship.

Waking on our floating hotel, we enjoy breakfast onboard before getting to know Amsterdam on a sightseeing canal boat cruise. This is an iconic way to see the city, and we have the best seat to soak up stunning views of the picturesque canals, bridges and architecture.

Alternatively, you could choose to join an optional excursion: a visit to Volendam and Edam. These two historic towns are renowned for their cheese heritage, which can be uncovered on a guided tour. As well as being famed for Dutch cheese, Volendam is a stunning old town, with traditional houses lining serene canals and a small harbor.

Later, we embark on our first relaxing cruise of the trip, sailing through the Lower Rhine and enjoying dinner as the ship drifts along the river this evening. Overnight ship.

Sailing through the morning, we can enjoy the views as we approach Cologne. Arriving around midday, the city's bridges and imposing cathedral come into view.

After lunch on board, we embark on a guided tour that introduces us to its squares and Romanesque townhouses. This German city sits beside the Rhine and was founded as a military camp by the Romans, who named it Colonia, from which the modern term "colony" is derived. The city's most iconic landmark is its impressive cathedral, the largest in northern Europe. Construction of this UNESCO-listed edifice began in 1248 to house relics of the Three Wise Men. Rising more than 515 feet with spectacular twin spires, this Gothic masterpiece is the most visited attraction in Germany. There is time here to stand in awe and marvel at its ornate carvings and stained-glass windows before we wrap up our tour with a local beer tasting.

Returning to our ship, we enjoy dinner while moored in Cologne, and since we overnight here, you could stroll along the river this evening. Overnight ship.

Enjoy a morning of relaxed sailing as we leave Cologne and continue south along the Rhine, passing through Bonn en route to our first destination for the day.

After lunch, we dock in Königswinter for a trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway, a vacation highlight. Rising high into the forests, we pass the fairytale Drachenburg Castle - the name of which translates as "Dragon's Rock" and has inspired many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. Traveling to the summit, we can admire views across the rolling hills of the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany.

Departing Königswinter this evening, we begin sailing toward Koblenz and enjoy dinner on the way. Keep your eyes peeled for the highest cold-water geyser in the world, which erupts up to heights of nearly 200 feet on the approach to Andernach. Overnight ship.

Enjoy a free morning to explore Koblenz, once a Roman stronghold. Stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers to find yourself surrounded by inspiring vistas, including Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

Setting sail, we encounter another highlight of our cruise after lunch as we drift through the romantic Rhine Gorge. This UNESCO-listed section of the river is renowned for its spectacular views. Winding around bends surrounded by miles of vineyards, hilltop castles and picturesque towns, we also hear the legend of the Lorelei Rock. Soaring almost 500 feet out of the water, this monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, including the tale of an enchanting siren.

We dock in Rüdesheim and travel to the center of this renowned wine town by land train. Here, you have a choice of excursions. You could savor Rüdesheim's most famous produce with a tasting of the finest local varieties of wine or visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. After dinner, you are free to explore the town's cobbled streets, including the iconic Drosselgasse Alley. Overnight ship.

Cruising toward the Upper Rhine, we arrive in the city of Mannheim after breakfast. From here, we journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour. The picturesque university town is known for its Old Town and riverfront, which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river and cityscape.

Back on the ship, we begin sailing to Speyer after lunch. Arriving later this afternoon, you can discover one of Germany's oldest cities at your own pace. The city boasts a beautiful Old Town, and among the highlights is the 11th-century cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the most important landmarks of the Holy Roman Empire.

Returning to our ship, we enjoy dinner on board ahead of a restful overnight sailing upstream. Overnight ship.

Sailing into the historic Alsace city of Strasbourg after breakfast, you can choose between two excursions. The first is a trip into the magical Black Forest to witness stunning views. Germany's largest nature park is filled with rolling hills, fairytale villages, dense forests and wildflower meadows. On an exploration of this idyllic setting, you can learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg. Alsace is now in France, but was once part of Germany. The grand architecture of its main city reflects this blend of the two cultures. On the tour, we visit its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. Home to tanners, millers and fishermen in the Middle Ages, this pretty area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site of cobbled streets, flower-lined canals and beautiful half-timbered houses.

After your excursion this afternoon, we return to our ship for lunch and begin our final cruise toward Switzerland, enjoying the picturesque vistas en route. Overnight ship.

The changing landscapes of the Rhine have been revealed on this journey from Amsterdam and the idyllic Dutch countryside to Strasbourg and the Black Forest. En route, we have soaked up breathtaking scenery from our front-row seats, gliding through the stunning Rhine Gorge between Koblenz and Rüdesheim and sailing into cities whose stories have been written over many centuries.

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to our crew and disembark our ship for the final time. You are free to begin your travels home, either transferring to Basel's airport to fly home or riding the train to Zürich's airport.

Starting in the riverside town of Königswinter, the Drachenfels Cog Railroad carries passengers more than 700 feet to up to the top of Drachenfels mountain. First operating in 1883, the line originally used steam-powered trains before changing in 1953 to the electric trains that continue to run today. This picturesque route passes Drachenburg Castle, a palatial 19th-century villa boasting romantic turrets and great views. On arrival at the top of the mountain, you will see the ruins of Drachenfels Castle, a 12th-century fortress that was destroyed 500 years later.

Traveling through the heart of the Netherlands, the attractive wooden carriages of the Medemblik steam train provide a nostalgic journey, skirting coastlines, tulip fields and windmills. This heritage railway was originally opened in 1887 and had operated until 1941 before being closed down. Today, the route operates as a heritage train, and the livery is that of the cars of 1926 - the golden age of the Medemblik steam train.  

Thalys is a brand run by two companies, Thalys International, whose shareholders are French, Belgian and German rail companies, with Dutch Railways (NS) as a privileged partner, and also The Railway Company THI Factory, 60% of whose capital is held by SNCF, and 40% by SNCB.

It runs rail services linking Paris and Brussels with Amsterdam or Cologne. The trains are similar in design to French TGVs and can reach up to 190mph (305km/h) when travelling on dedicated high speed lines.

Comfort 1 (First Class) passengers benefit from spacious seating and are usually served complimentary light refreshments once underway. Both Comfort 1 and Comfort 2 (Standard Class) passengers have access to the Thalys Bar, which serves a selection of snacks, meals and hot and cold drinks during most journeys.

Joining the fleet in summer 2025, the MS Amadeus Amara is the latest addition to the award-winning Amadeus river cruise collection. Combining elegant design with modern luxury, the ship offers 12 spacious Amadeus suites and 70 cabins, all designed to provide a breathtaking experience on the water.

Across its 4 stylish decks, guests can enjoy a range of facilities including a panoramic bar and lounge, elegant restaurant, indoor pool and a wellness center offering massage services and a fitness room. The sun deck features sweeping views of the riverbanks, the perfect place to relax with a drink and soak up the scenery.

Each cabin is equipped with a spacious ensuite bathroom, flatscreen TV, minibar, walk-in wardrobe and either a double or twin bed. Many cabins also feature floor-to-ceiling windows, letting you soak up the views from the comfort of your room.