AmaWaterways, Christmas Markets on the Rhine from Basel, December 5, 2023

Cruising from: Basel, Switzerland;

Departure Date: 5 December, 2023;

Cruise Line: AmaWaterways;

Cruise Ship: AmaCerto;

Duration: 7 days;

Ports of Call: Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rudesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam, Amsterdam;

Day 0 Basel, Switzerland

Basel, nestled on the Rhine river, is Switzerland's third-largest town and, partly because of its proximity to France and Germany, has a strong sense of its own identity. Historic landmarks of the city include the large market square with its richly decorated red sandstone town hall and the late Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. The city of culture, for connoisseurs, has the highest concentration of museums in the country. Basel also has a beautiful Old Town, modern architecture, and famous traditional Basel honey cake.

Day 1 Breisach, Germany

Breisach upon Rhine, a town with a long-standing history is where the Black Forest spills into Alsace. Cobbled streets lined with pastel-painted houses are the main characteristic of the town. The museum for municipal history has an impressive collection dating from the Stone Age to the present. The Romanesque St. Stephansmunster,the cathedral in Breisach, has a late Gothic altar by an unknown craftsman and paintings by Martin Schongauer, who is also the eponym of the Gymnasium in the city.

Day 2 Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is the capital and largest city of the Grand Est region of France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris. There are three main attractions: the cathedral, historic quarter of Petite France, with its half-timbered medieval houses and its quays overlooking branches of the river Ill and the Strasbourg Christmas market, the oldest and biggest historic Christmas market in Europe. The old town is a maze of narrow streets and alleys and the reflections of half-timbered houses with sloping roofs, reminiscent of those seen in fairytales

Day 3 Heidelberg, Germany

Heidelberg is a university town in Baden-Wurttemberg situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. Heidelberg remains primarily a university and residential city. It is one of the most romantic cities in Germany, thanks to its picturesque riverside location, its beautiful old buildings and bridges, and the castle ruins that overlook the town center. Attracting nearly four million visitors each year, the city is chock-full of historic sites and attractions for tourists, as well as excellent dining and entertainment experiences.

Day 4 Rudesheim, Germany

Rudesheim is a German town in the Rhine Gorge, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in this region. Rudesheim is known for two things: wine and the Rhein (Rhine) river. A historical landmark Drosselgasse is an integral part of the town's past. Rudesheim offers restaurants, cafes, bars, wine stalls, gelaterias, souvenirs shops and hotels. Next to its extensive vineyards, the city's rich cultural and historic background make it one of the most intriguing places to visit in the country.

Day 5 Cologne, Germany

Cologne is fourth largest city in Germany and largest city of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia. One of the key inland ports of Europe, it is the historic, cultural, and economic capital of the Rhineland. Cologne is famous for its 12 great Romanesque churches - especially the magnificent Cologne Cathedral - all an easy walk from the historic Old Town. Its university is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. Among its attractions are Roman remains, medieval churches, Baroque palaces, and museums that reflect such diverse subjects and the various products for which it is known: fragrances, mustard, and chocolate.

Day 6 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam has a rich history and famous Amsterdam residents include the diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Beside many parks, open spaces, and squares throughout the city, Amsterdam is famous for De Wallen, the red-light district. It is an unusual city to explore.

Day 7 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam has a rich history and famous Amsterdam residents include the diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Beside many parks, open spaces, and squares throughout the city, Amsterdam is famous for De Wallen, the red-light district. It is an unusual city to explore.