Rhine & Moselle Fairytales
Pages from fairytales come to life as you find inspiration along the fabled, castle-laden Rhine and its breathtaking tributary, the Moselle, with fascinating scenery of Europe’s steepest vineyards lining its shores. Encounter some of the prettiest towns of the Alsace—Strasbourg and Riquewihr—that blend their German and French heritage into one enchanting masterpiece. Cochem and Bernkastel, towns that grew up below a castle, give you a sense of what it was like to live during the Middle Ages. Visit Trier, once known as the second Rome as no other city in Germany has so many monuments from Roman times; and Koblenz, where history meets at two rivers. Bygone grandeur of a different kind can be found at Mannheim’s glorious Baroque Palace. Colorful canals and glistening lakes, hilltop towns and majestic alps, mighty fortresses and storied castles, and hearty beer and delicate wines can all be experienced on this fairytale journey through time.
This river cruise journeys through Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France and Switzerland, calling at Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Cologne, Lahnstein, Cochem, Wasserbillig, Bernkastel and Rüdesheim.
You’ll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaCerto, AmaPrima and 2 sister ships.
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
- 13 Mar 2027 – 24 Mar 2027
from $7,638 pp twin share * - 17 Apr 2027 – 28 Apr 2027
from $7,668 pp twin share * - 24 Apr 2027 – 05 May 2027
from $8,782 pp twin share * - 30 Apr 2027 – 11 May 2027
from $8,205 pp twin share * - 05 May 2027 – 16 May 2027
from $8,955 pp twin share * - 12 Jun 2027 – 23 Jun 2027
from $8,205 pp twin share * - 03 Jul 2027 – 14 Jul 2027
from $7,569 pp twin share * - 24 Jul 2027 – 04 Aug 2027
from $7,455 pp twin share * - 14 Aug 2027 – 25 Aug 2027
from $7,587 pp twin share * - 04 Sep 2027 – 15 Sep 2027
from $8,895 pp twin share * - 25 Sep 2027 – 06 Oct 2027
from $8,895 pp twin share * - 30 Oct 2027 – 10 Nov 2027
from $8,349 pp twin share * - 06 Nov 2027 – 17 Nov 2027
from $7,299 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION. Board the ship for your Rhine & Moselle Fairytales cruise.
Day 2 – Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.
Day 3 – Cologne
COLOGNE, GERMANY. Join a guided tour through Cologne’s 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. End your city tour with a visit to a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
Day 4 – Lahnstein
LAHNSTEIN. Visit Lahneck Castle, a 13th-century medieval fortress in the riverside town of Lahnstein. There are a treasure trove of legends surrounding this castle, some including the twelve Knights Templar. Hear these stories and more on a guided tour through this historic castle. Alternatively, take the aerial cable car over the Rhine to Koblenz, which boasts a rich history spanning more than 2,000 years. For those seeking a more active adventure, explore the area on the “Two Rivers Bike Tour,” which takes you along both the Rhine and Moselle rivers; or go on a hike around Lahnstein to Burg Lahneck Castle.
Day 5 – Cochem
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. Join a guided tour through the castle and then walk through its Old Town. For those wishing to have a more active exploration of the area, you can go on a guided hike to the castle or a bike tour through Cochem.
Day 6 – Wasserbillig
WASSERBILLIG. Explore Trier, Germany’s oldest city, where you can discover on a city tour why it has been called the “Rome of the North” as it has impressive Roman relics and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alternatively, go in search of the secrets of the Porta Nigra Gate on a tour that takes you back to a time when Rome ruled the world from the Emperor’s seat in Trier. You may also join a hike high above Trier to Petrisberg.
Day 7 – Bernkastel
BERNKASTEL. Bernkastel will enchant you as you walk through its colorful Old Town center and past many medieval and Renaissance buildings on a guided tour that also includes a winery visit and tasting. Cycling enthusiasts can choose to join a bike tour and hikers can opt to trek up to the ruins of Landshut Castle, which dates all the way back to the 9th century.
Day 8 – Rüdesheim
RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM. Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river, before reaching Rüdesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, and afterwards, be treated to a wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour through the Rheingau wine region. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
Day 9 – Ludwigshafen
LUDWIGSHAFEN. You have a choice of several excursions, depending on your interest. Visit Heidelberg, a perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Alternatively, relive a bygone era on an excursion to the glorious Schwetzingen Baroque Palace. Tour this splendid palace furnished with over 800 exhibits. You can also hike the historic Philosopher’s Path along the Neckar River or bike to the charming town of Ladenburg and glide past its half-timbered architecture.
Day 10 – Strasbourg
STRASBOURG, FRANCE. Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “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 Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, the active adventurer can take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
Day 11 – Breisach
BREISACH, GERMANY. 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 Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Those wishing for a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic 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.
Day 12 – Basel
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Switzerland as you prepare for your return flight home.
Highlights
- Choice of standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours
- Included cable car ride to Koblenz with walking tour
- Guided visit to Burg Lahneck, a 13th-century medieval fortress
Pages from fairytales come to life as you find inspiration along the fabled, castle-laden Rhine and its breathtaking tributary, the Moselle, with fascinating scenery of Europe’s steepest vineyards lining its shores. Encounter some of the prettiest towns of the Alsace—Strasbourg and Riquewihr—that blend their German and French heritage into one enchanting masterpiece. Cochem and Bernkastel, towns that grew up below a castle, give you a sense of what it was like to live during the Middle Ages. Visit Trier, once known as the second Rome as no other city in Germany has so many monuments from Roman times; and Koblenz, where history meets at two rivers. Bygone grandeur of a different kind can be found at Mannheim’s glorious Baroque Palace. Colorful canals and glistening lakes, hilltop towns and majestic alps, mighty fortresses and storied castles, and hearty beer and delicate wines can all be experienced on this fairytale journey through time.
This river cruise journeys through Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France and Switzerland, calling at Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Cologne, Lahnstein, Cochem, Wasserbillig, Bernkastel and Rüdesheim.
You’ll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaCerto, AmaPrima and 2 sister ships.
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Inclusions
- Canal cruise.
- Scenic cruising.
- Cologne walking tour and Kölsch beer tasting.
- Cologne bike tour.
- Burg Lahneck visit.
- Cable car ride to Koblenz & walking tour.
FAQs
Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaCerto, AmaPrima and 2 sister ships.
Stateroom categories available
- Suite
- Category AA+
- Category AA
- Category AB
- Category BA
- Category BB
- Category C
- Category D
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 12 days and 11 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 13 Mar 2027 and 17 Nov 2027, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Provided by: AMAWaterwaysFine Print
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