2027 Swiss Alps and Rhine Castles
Cruise Dates: August 31 to September 7, 2027
Starting Price: $5,079 per person double occupancy
Optional Post-Cruise Extension 2 Nights Amsterdam: $1,060 per person double occupancy
Fairytale Journey to Castles, & Vineyards
Begin with a stunning pre-cruise stay in Italy’s Lake Como and Milan, then travel to Basel, Switzerland, to board your Rhine River cruise. Sail through France’s Alsace region and Germany, visiting Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, and Cologne, and cruise the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge with its 40 fairytale castles. Conclude in Amsterdam, where canal-lined streets provide the perfect finale. This journey spans Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, blending iconic sights with breathtaking scenery.
2027 Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles with Amawaterways
Cruise Dates: August 31 to September 7, 2027
Starting Price: $5,079 per person double occupancy
Optional Post-Cruise Extension 2 Nights Amsterdam: $1,060 per person double occupancy
Begin with a stunning pre-cruise stay in Italy’s Lake Como and Milan, then travel to Basel, Switzerland, to board your Rhine River cruise. Sail through France’s Alsace region and Germany, visiting Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, and Cologne, and cruise the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge with its 40 fairytale castles. Conclude in Amsterdam, where canal-lined streets provide the perfect finale. This journey spans Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, blending iconic sights with breathtaking scenery.
Trip Itinerary
(Optional Pre-Cruise) Day 1 - Welcome to Milan
Arrive in Milan and check into your hotel.
(Optional Pre-Cruise) Day 2 - Milan, Italy
Discover Milan’s elegance on a guided stroll through its historic heart. Enjoy a visit to the Duomo,
marveling at its Gothic interiors and ascending to the breathtaking rooftop terraces, and explore the majestic Sforza
Castle, a Renaissance fortress with Leonardo da Vinci frescoes and extensive art collections. (B)
(Optional Pre-Cruise) Day 3 - Arrive at Lake Como
This morning, you will depart Milan for Lake Como. When you arrive,
be treated to a walking tour of Lake Como, a former glacial lake and popular resort area for the rich and famous
since Roman times. Gaze at the azure waters and impressive villas that line the lakeside from the hills above and
perhaps recognize the scenery from such Hollywood blockbusters as Ocean’s Twelve and Casino Royale. (B)
(Optional Pre-Cruise) Day 4 - Lake Como
Let the wind tousle your hair as you board your boat for a scenic ride along
Lake Como to its stunning pearl, Bellagio. This intimate village offers postcard-perfect views whether you choose to
stroll along the lakeside or venture up hill to its cobbled streets. Browse the shops or sample the local fare at
Bellagio’s restaurants before returning to the boat. (B)
(Optional Pre-Cruise) Day 5 - Lake Como - Embarkation
Check out of your Lake Como hotel and, en
route to Basel, you will stop in Lucerne for a short orientation tour and free time for lunch. Once you arrive in Basel,
embark your ship for your Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles cruise. (B,D)
Day 6 - Basel, Switzerland
Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city.
Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town
hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided
bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Alternatively, you may opt to
visit Lucerne with a full-day excursion. In the afternoon, for guests who have not chosen the full-day Lucerne
excursion, visit a local winery to sample Swiss wines, tour Wildegg Castle, a fortress built by the Habsburgs in the
early 13th century that features a 3,300 square meter garden, or embark on an exhilarating hike to the castle. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a short drive to the Place de la République before walking through the iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de
l’Orangerie. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Ludwigshafen, Germany
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops. Later in the day, cruise to the charming village of Rüdesheim and let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Rudesheim, Germany
Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards and drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching Lahnstein, where you will enjoy an exclusive evening visit at Burg Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Cologne, Germany
Enjoy cruising to Cologne, then join a guided tour through the 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. (B,L,D)
Day 11 -Amsterdam, Netherlands
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Alternatively, get a taste of local flavor, passing iconic canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats while tasting Dutch specialties at one of Amsterdam’s grand cafes. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Disembarkation
Disembark from your ship and prepare for your journey home.
If you’ve booked the post-cruise extension in Amsterdam, enjoy a visit to Zaanse Schans, where you’ll step back in time and experience traditional Dutch life. This charming area features authentic windmills, historic houses, and shops relocated to recreate a picturesque 17th- and 18th-century village. Later in the day, you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B)
(Optional Post-Cruise) Day 13 - Amsterdam
Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture. (B)
(Optional Post-Cruise) Day 14 - Amsterdam
Bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)
Excursions
- Tour Basel, Switzerland’s cultural capital, or visit Lake Lucerne and its famous Lion Monument.
- Discover the fairytale beauty of Strasbourg, with its half-timbered houses in “La Petite France.”
- Step into history at Heidelberg Castle or visit Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Sip wine and ride a gondola over the vineyards of Rüdesheim before visiting Lahneck Castle.
- Admire the Rhine Gorge, lined with ancient castles and steep vineyard slopes.
- Explore Cologne’s Old Town and its magnificent Gothic Cathedral, then taste traditional Kölsch beer.
- Cruise the scenic canals of Amsterdam or sample local Dutch treats at a grand café.
Seasonal Guide
Late Summer Along the Rhine and the Alps
Late summer along the Rhine and the Alps is a season painted in gold. The sun lingers lovingly over vineyard-clad hills, and the air carries a soft, mellow warmth that invites you to wander cobbled streets and linger at open-air cafés. From the serene beauty of Lake Como to the fairytale castles of Germany and the gentle canals of Amsterdam, every day feels radiant and full of life.
In Switzerland, mountain peaks gleam under crystal skies, and the crisp air hints at the coming autumn. The vineyards of Rüdesheim and the Rhine Gorge reach their ripest hues, while in Strasbourg and Heidelberg, flowers still bloom along charming bridges and window boxes. It’s a time when the rivers sparkle, the crowds thin, and the pace slows just enough to let every view truly sink in.
Sailing during this season means savoring the best of both worlds — warm, sunny days perfect for bike rides, gondola views, or castle visits, and tranquil evenings that glow under pastel sunsets. Whether you’re gliding along the Rhine, sipping Riesling amid rolling vineyards, or watching the light dance over Lake Como, late summer brings a timeless kind of magic to Europe’s heart.
Weather Overview
- Average Daytime Highs: 23–28°C (73–82°F)
- Evening Temperatures: 14–18°C (57–64°F)
- Sunlight: Around 13 hours of daylight — bright mornings, golden afternoons, and soft twilight evenings
- Conditions: Warm and mostly sunny, with refreshing breezes along the lakes and rivers
Packing Essentials
- A light jacket or wrap for cooler evenings on deck
- A light jacket or wrap for cooler evenings on deck
- Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets and vineyard paths
- Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen for outdoor tours
- A compact umbrella or rain jacket (occasional summer showers)
- A small day bag for excursions and bike rides
- Step Behind the Scene and Discover the Adventure You Didn’t See -
You Had Me at Lake Como: The Rhine’s Most Incredible "Plus One"
It isn’t just a destination; it’s a feeling. Imagine crystal-clear waters mirrored by jagged mountain peaks, dotted with grand Italian villas that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a Renaissance painting.
Important Information
*Pricing, availability, and special offers can change at any time before the cruise is booked and confirmed.
Deposit: $400 per person due at booking
Final payment due: June 2, 2027
NOT INCLUDED IN CRUISE FARE:
- Flights to and from the U.S.
- Trip protection
- Pre and post cruise
Optional Pre-Cruise Extension: 2 Nights Milan 2 Nights Lake Como
- $2,360 per person double occupancy
- $3,560 per person solo occupancy
Optional Post-Cruise Extension: 2 Nights Amsterdam
- $1,060 per person double occupancy
- $1,700 per person solo occupancy