FAM Report: A Rhine River Cruise
Although many of us are still being quarantined, we are starting to see signs of restrictions being lifted later this year. So, we want to keep looking forward and encouraging you to do the same by educating yourself on wonderful global destinations.
We regularly feature familiarization (FAM) reports, created by our incredible certified graduates. This month’s report is by Christina Marangolo, CTA, of AAA Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Christina sailed along the Rhine River in late November 2019, and her report should spark your imagination about trips you can book for late 2020 and into 2021. For more inspiration, you can explore the many destination courses that are included as a benefit in our Premium Access Lounge.
Here are Christina’s tips about her trip:
Stroopwafels, Kolsch beer, ancient castles, bicycle tours, Christmas markets…These are just a few of the many fantastic things you can experience on a Rhine River Cruise with AmaWaterways. I was fortunate enough to travel with them at the end of November when the Christmas Markets were just beginning to open. I sailed from Amsterdam, through Germany to Basel, Switzerland. I was greeted at the Amsterdam airport by a driver who took me directly to where the AmaStella was docked. My flight arrived early enough that I was able to check in to my room and walk right into town to explore the amazing city before dinner.
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We were docked overnight, and, before sailing away, I took advantage of the complimentary canal cruise tour and admired the famous architecture and bridges Amsterdam is known for. The next day, we arrived in Cologne, Germany where I took a walking tour to see some of the main attractions, including the incredible cathedral. and ended with a Kolsch beer tasting, along with another local favorite, potato pancakes.
The next day was truly majestic as we sailed through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO world heritage site. It was castle after castle for hours until we reached the quaint town of Rudesheim. This area is known for its winemaking, so I decided to go on a vineyard hike, where I learned a bit about the wine and observed spectacular views of the town and the Rhine River below. Later that evening, there was a choice between visiting Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or tasting the delicious specialty, Rudesheimer coffee made with locally distilled brandy, whipped cream, and chocolate flakes.
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We continued on and docked in Ludwigshafen, where I was torn on what to do because of the many great options that were offered: a bike tour through the medieval town of Ladenburg, a mountain hike above Heidelberg, a walking tour through Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, or a visit of Heidelberg Castle, followed by a walking tour of the old city. I chose the Heidelberg Castle tour, and it certainly did not disappoint.
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One advantage of sailing with AmaWaterways is that they keep bicycles onboard with them, so, while in one of Europe’s most bicycle-friendly towns, Strasbourg, I decided to take the 13-mile bike tour. We covered so much of the area, and I really enjoyed this different and exhilarating approach to touring. Because we were docked there through early evening, I also had the opportunity to go back into town on foot where I was lucky enough to view amazing Christmas décor on every street as well as to experience the first day of the famous Christmas markets. It definitely was one of the highlights of the entire trip.
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Our last stop was in Breisach, where I chose the Black Forest Hike as my excursion. It was about a 40-minute drive through Freiburg to get where we started the two-mile light hike through the forest. At the end of the trail, we came across a cottage, similar to the storybook fairy tales, where we, of course, enjoyed a piece of Black Forest cake! This location also is known for making the original cuckoo clocks. So, after the hike, I had some time to shop around for these unique items.
The cruise ended in Basel, Switzerland, where travelers can choose to either continue their trip in Zurich or fly home. Everything about this journey was amazing, from the fabulous food to the impeccable crew, and I hope my travels bring me back to another AmaWaterways cruise.
Thank you, Christina!
For more learning about the fascinating destination of Germany, sign up for The Frankfurt-Rhine-Main Region in Germany: Diversity at Its Best! TOMORROW, May 27, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) and Going Cuckoo—the SouthWest Germany Travel Agent Training THURSDAY, May 28, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT).
