Nestled in the hills above Heidelberg, Germany is the famous Heidelberg Castle—a gorgeous red-sandstone mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture that includes a 49,000-gallon wine cask from the 18th century and picturesque views of the perfectly preserved medieval town below.
Heidelberg is just one of the castles—along with countless vineyards and gorgeous views—you’ll experience on an unforgettable cruise along the Rhine River with AFAR and AmaWaterways that sails from Basel to Amsterdam November 2–9, 2020. You’ll pass through Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, seeing what traveling the AFAR way is all about—a deeper, richer experience that includes exclusive events and activities reserved only for AFAR guests.
Last year, AFAR made a splash with a new experiential event series, AFAR Sailings, that explored the gorgeous Mediterranean. In 2020, AFAR Sailings has set its sights on the majestic Rhine and teamed up with AmaWaterways—the highly regarded, family-run river cruise company that’s the AFAR Travelers’ Choice winner for Best River Cruise Line. Plus, its cofounders were recognized as 2019 AFAR Vanguard honorees for keeping their cruises personalized and intimate amid a fast-growing industry.
This special journey is aboard the award-winning AmaKristina—just one of the ships that has helped AmaWaterways reinvent river cruising (and whose godmother is Kristin Karst, the company’s cofounder and Executive Vice President). Aboard, you’ll find features like a massage and hair salon, heated pool with swim-up bar, fitness center, sun-deck walking track, and a fleet of onboard bikes. Most staterooms have both a French and outside balcony for taking in the ever-changing views, along with marble bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads.
You’ll always look forward to dining onboard; the ship’s restaurants serve exquisite cuisine using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. In fact, AmaWaterways was the first cruise line invited to join the world’s oldest gastronomic society, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, and one night you’ll enjoy a special La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs dinner celebrating the art of wine and fine dining.
Plus, you’ll be able to take advantage of an extensive on-board wellness program led by dedicated Wellness Hosts. Choose to begin your day with an exercise class or a workout in the on-board fitness studio; then go on one of the hiking or biking excursions and unwind with a soothing massage in the spa.
Miroslav Petrasko
Surrounded by this luxurious comfort, you’ll visit iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites like the charming, half-timbered homes of Strasbourg’s La Petite France; the 11th-century cathedral of Speyer; and the dramatic Cologne Cathedral—northern Europe’s largest Gothic church. You’ll also have the option to explore the countryside in an active way, living out your Brothers Grimm fantasy on a hike through the Black Forest or riding a bicycle along the Rhine and through Cologne’s historic Stadtgarten. And there will be plenty of opportunities to taste the area’s cultural traditions, sampling famous Rüdesheimer coffee and Cologne’s legendary Kölsch brew along the way.
And that’s just part of this magical itinerary, which includes extras designed exclusively for guests of this special journey. The very first night, you’ll enjoy a private cocktail reception followed by a welcome dinner just for the group at the ship’s intimate Chef Table. You’ll meet your host for the trip, Ellen Asmodeo-Giglio, AFAR’s EVP and Chief Revenue Officer, and have a meet and greet with the captain as well. On November 6, a private tasting of world-class wines awaits you in the charming German village of Rudesheim, where the vast vineyards of Schloss Johannisberg have been producing wines for more than 900 years. Today, the perfectly aligned vines lead up to a massive castle atop a hill that seemed predestined for architectural greatness, making for a stunning vista. That memory fresh in your mind, the next day you’ll hear the inspirational words of a surprise guest (it’s a secret for now!).
You can also book an optional one-night stay in Basel before your departure (for an additional cost) that includes a private city tour of this historic city with its medieval old town, a cocktail reception with canapes along with your fellow Sailings guests, breakfast the next day, and a transfer to the ship. Plus, if you book now, your trip will include economy airfare and up to $300 onboard credit per stateroom.
This unique AFAR Sailings event will happen only once, and space is limited—don’t miss out!
Learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and reserve your spot at afarsailings.com.