Trish York

After experiencing a river cruise during winter it was time to try one in the summer so we boarded the AmaPrima in Amsterdam for our 7-night cruise along the famous Rhine River. 

Leaving the Netherlands we were soon on our way to Germany and the most scenic stretch of the Rhine but first a stop in Cologne to visit the UNESCO World Heritage cathedral (Kölner Dom) that dominates the city skyline. After a quick night in Koblenz, on the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle (my favorite river in Germany), we were headed to the famous Rhine Gorge. 

We spent a lazy afternoon on the top deck of the ship turning heads from side to side as we sailed by vineyards and castles perched high above the river. We spent a few hours in the little town of Rüdesheim (known for its brandy and sekt /sparkling wine) and enjoyed a hike through the vineyards. I loved the Fachwerk (half-timbered) houses of the old town. Germany has more than 2 million half-timbered buildings!

As we continued south we had options to visit the university city of Heidelberg with its castle overlooking the town or Speyer known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Soon we were ready to visit our third country of the trip - France. Sitting on the border with Germany is Strasbourg a city with rivers and canals. It is also home to European Parliament and Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock.For an afternoon excursion we rode in the French countryside to the charming wine village of Riquewihr. This little town has not changed much since the 16th century and is best known for its Riesling wines. 

We sailed into our fourth and final country - Switzerland - and overnighted in Basel, the country's oldest university city. With a beautiful old town and Romanesque-Gothic cathedral situated along the banks of the river you can see why the city's unofficial emblem is actually the Rhine River. People were swimming and strolling along the banks long into the warm summer night. 

The AmaPrima hosts 162 guests with a crew of 50. Some staterooms offer both a French Balcony and an Outside Balcony. You'll also find a sun deck pool, fitness room and comfortable space to relax. 

Since I always like adding a little pre and post exploration to my river cruises I started this trip in Germany visiting friends in Munich and Frankfurt before flying to Amsterdam. I also like to try and fit in some hotel tours while in the area. This way I can better recommend them to clients. After flying into Amsterdam I visited the university town of Leiden. With beautiful architecture, canals, bridges and hidden courtyards this undiscovered town was a delight in spite of the summer rain.