Travel on the enchanting Rhine River for a 7-night cruise beginning in cosmopolitan Basel. Continue to the legendary Black Forest region, the medieval town of Strasbourg, the university city of Heidelberg, and historic Cologne, famous for its majestic Cathedral and bustling Christmas market. Conclude your fabulous winter voyage in Amsterdam, amidst legendary canals and colorful holiday surroundings. Enjoy lake-side excursions, magical Christmas markets and wintertime Alpine vistas along the way. Experience Zurich and Amsterdam with your private guide.

Available Cruise Departure Dates:
Basel>Amsterdam (2012 & 2013): Nov 29, Dec 13 & Dec 27
Amsterdam>Basel (2012 & 2013): Dec 6 & Dec 20

Zurich is Switzerland's most important city economically, and a major European business centre. Zurich also boasts the biggest and best cultural attractions in the nation. The Swiss National Museum, Switzerland's largest church and a truly international selection of restaurants are just a few of the attractions that draw visitors to this beautiful city. Zurich embraces change. It was one of the leading lights of the Reformation and even today the city has an exciting Modern Art movement best seen in the excellent Kunsthaus and the Fraümunster Church. More traditional entertainment can be found at the Opera House and from the Tonhalle Orchestra, one of Europe's finest musical ensembles.

Enjoy an airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

The Best Western Hotel Glockenhof (4*) Is a city hotel with Zurich tradition, located just a few steps from the famous Bahnhofstrasse and in easy walking distance of Lake Zurich and the main station. Hotel has two restaurants which you can choose from. The hotel also provides you with a complimentary newspaper, a concierge, multilingual staff and foreign currency exchange. Rooms feature remote control 16-inch cable television with CNN, mini-bar and data-ports.

Overnight at Best Western Htl Glockenhof (4*).

Basel is Switzerland's third most populous city (166,209) inhabitants. With 731,000 inhabitants in the tri-national metropolitan area (as of 2004), Basel is Switzerland's third-largest urban area. Located in northwest Switzerland on the river Rhine, Basel functions as a major industrial centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The city borders both Germany and France.

Enjoy a half day walking tour of Zurich, one of the most important cities in Switzerland. Your private guide will give you a good overview of Zurich in all its aspects: through the business and shopping center (famous Bahnhofstrasse) and the Old town, and along the Lake to the greenery of the recreational areas on the outskirts. Visit Fraumünster to see the Chagall windows, stop at the Lake and at a vantage point from where you will have a wonderful view of the City. No entrance fees are included in the tour.

Enjoy a train station transfer with private vehicle and driver.

Enjoy a train ride from Zurich to Basel.

Meet your driver for a private train station transfer with vehicle and English-speaking driver. 

The Les Trois Rois (5*) One of the oldest city hotels in Europe, offering you lavish interiors and exquisite wining and dining. Situated in the heart of Basel, in the centre of the Old Town and on the banks of the Rhine, it is an ideal base for leisure and business travellers. Discover its 101 rooms and suites featuring carefully selected antique furnishings, authentic period detail, and luxurious fabrics while still offering the latest in-room technology to meet even the highest expectations of modern travellers.

Overnight at Les Trois Rois (5*).

A private car with English-speaking driver will transfer you to the Basel city port.

Tonight, gather on board for a Welcome Dinner.

MS Ama Cello vessel carries 148 passengers in unequalled luxury, comfort and style and is staffed by a highly-trained professional crew, with an ongoing emphasis on personal service. The ship feature an array of amenities specifically designed for comfort, convenience and luxury on the great waterways of Europe.

Overnight at AmaCello Ship.

Today, choose either a city tour of Colmar or a tour through the famous Black Forest region of Germany. On the Black Forest tour, you will drive through a scenic forested area where you will encounter a number of lakes as well as charming examples of rural architecture. Visit the historical Freiburg city center and Augustinerplatz, site of Freiburg’s Munster, a gothic cathedral constructed of red sandstone. Your tour will also include the Christmas Markets of Freiburg. In the alternative, travel to medieval Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and the self-proclaimed “Capital of Alsatian Wine.” During your city tour, you will see half-timbered framed houses, the German- influenced Old Quarter and the Launch River. You will also enjoy a wine tasting. Colmar is beautifully decorated with stunning illuminations during the Advent period and offers five Christmas Markets.

Overnight at AmaCello Ship.

Capital and principal city of the Alsace region in northeastern France, Strasbourg is situated on the Ill River, where it flows into the Rhine on the border with Germany. Enjoy a canal cruise of the picturesque town, known for its black and white timber- framed buildings, covered bridges and medieval watch towers. Then take a walking tour through town. See the European Parliament and visit the “La Petite France” district, where you will see the sandstone gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. You will also visit Strasbourg’s famous Christmas market. A guided bicycle tour is also available (capacity controlled). The ship moors overnight in Strasbourg.

Overnight at AmaCello Ship.

Arrive after lunch time and choose either a city tour of medieval Speyer or an excursion to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle, with its Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th century wine cask, and beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. Heidelberg also contains what is said to be the longest pedestrian shopping street in Germany, the “Haupstrasse,” where you can enjoy free time to explore the festive Christmas Markets.

Overnight at AmaCello Ship.

This morning, arrive in Rudesheim and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants before wine tasting at a local vintner. You will also visit the Christmas Markets with more than 120 stands from 12 nations. This afternoon, your ship departs for Koblenz.. You will cruise through the Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful strech of the river, passing castle after castle.

Arrive in Koblenz late this afternoon. Your Cruise Manager will lead a walking tour through this charming town.

Overnight at AmaCello Ship.

This afternoon, the ship cruises to Cologne for a walking tour through the old part of the city and visit to the fabled 13th-century gothic cathedral. During your free time, return to the cathedral square to browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Market or explore the city on your own. The ship departs tonight for Amsterdam.

Overnight at AmaCello Ship.

Admire beautiful 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th-century merchant houses on a guided canal boat tour. Then enjoy a motor coach tour of Amsterdam, including a photo stop at a windmill, followed by free time in Amsterdam. This evening, bid farewell to your fellow passengers at the Farewell Dinner.

Overnight at AmaCello Ship.

Disembark your cruise ship after breakfast, as your cruise journey has come to completion.

Meet your driver for a private port transfer.

You will be picked up by an English speaking guide at the hotel and walk for 15 minutes to the Anna Frank House. The guide will give you an introduction about the Anne Frank House but he will not be able to guide you inside the Anna Frank House, because it`s not allowed. The former hiding place, where Anne Frank wrote her diary, is now a well-known museum. The museum tells the history of the eight people in hiding and those who helped them during the war. Anne Frank's diary is among the original objects on display. Entrance fee is included.

The Convent Hotel Amsterdam (4*) has a unique history that makes it the perfect place to stay. Its location in the center of Amsterdam is ideal for visiting the city. It is a five-minute walk from Centraal Station, Dam Square and the Royal Palace. The hotel building previously housed 2 monasteries from the 13th & 14th centuries, plus a printing house. The hotel now has 148 rooms, including 11 Junior Suites, each with their own history and character.

Overnight at Convent (4*).

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer from hotel. 

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).