HOLIDAY RIVER CRUISING IN EUROPE

European Christmas Market (Credit: AmaWaterways)

At AmaWaterways, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The river cruising company has two holiday-themed river cruises in Europe guaranteed to get you in the spirit of the season. "From caroling along cobblestone streets of Europe to sipping seasonal hot spiced-wine, AmaWaterways lights up the Rhine and Danube Rivers this holiday season ... Starting in late November, vendors sell local food, hot wine, and sweet desserts like gingerbread and pastries. Local artisans create wooden toys, handmade crafts ornaments and more." Details about the cruises offered:


Christmas Time Cruise – The 10-night itinerary starts with two nights in Prague, Czech Republic. Passengers travel to Nuremberg, Germany to embark on the Danube River onboard one of AmaWaterways' signature ships: AmaCerto, AmaDolce, AmaLegro or AmaLyra. In Nuremberg, passengers visit the world's largest Christmas market and then cross the Continental Divide on their way to Regensburg to explore Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Travelers also visit Austria's beautiful cities such as Passau, Linz, Melk and Vienna. The itinerary includes excursions to Salzburg, the setting for "The Sound of Music"; Benedictine Abbey tour in Melk; optional Mozart and Strauss concert in Vienna; and local Christmas markets at each stop. Ending in Budapest, Hungary, passengers explore old Buda and modern Pest which includes sightseeing stops at the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace and St. Stephen's Basilica. North American travelers can book voyages from Nov. 18- Dec. 25, 2012.

Christmas on the Rhine – The 12-night itinerary starts in Switzerland with two nights in elegant Zurich then two nights in captivating Lucerne, exploring local Christmas markets and the Lion Monument. In Basel, travelers explore Switzerland's second largest city before embarking on the AmaCello, a 148-passenger ship, for a 7-night cruise. Passengers cruise on the Rhine River from Basel to Amsterdam enjoying both French and German scenery along the way. Passengers can choose between the Colmar, France "Alsace" excursion with wine tasting or the "Black Forest" region of Germany. The itinerary includes a visit to Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region in northeastern France; a medieval tour in Speyer; a tour of the red-walled castle in Heidelberg; a tour of Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rudesheim; a tour through the charming town of Koblenz; a visit to the 13th century gothic cathedral in Cologne; and a canal cruise and city tour in Amsterdam. North American travelers can book voyages from Nov. 25- Dec. 23, 2012.

Additionally, AmaWaterways offers a fleet of bicycles onboard these ships for passengers wanting to explore the serene paths along the rivers (capacity controlled).

More info at 855-626-1730 or www.amawaterways.com/brochure.