Rhine in Flames

8 Days Basel to Amsterdam
Rhine in Flames
Rhine in Flames
Rhine in Flames

Overview

Amadeus
Cruise Operated By:
 (11) Reviews
Total No. of River Cruises 35
Rhine Moments of Pure Fascination Step aboard for an eight-day river voyage rich in elegance, flavor, and unforgettable impressions, unfolding from the tri-border region near Basel to the timeless canals of Amsterdam. The Rhine guides you through its most iconic landscapes, from the dramatic Upper Middle Rhine Valley where castles crown sunlit hills and legends come alive, to the gentle Moselle with its terraced vineyards, storybook towns, and celebrated Rieslings savored at their source. Along the way, cultural treasures await in historic cities such as Strasbourg, Cologne, and Amsterdam, each read more revealing a distinctive character shaped by centuries of art, architecture, and life along the river.

A truly spectacular finale elevates the journey: a grand fireworks display perfectly synchronized to music. Hundreds of glowing lights transform riverbanks, hillsides, and ancient fortresses into a radiant spectacle, casting the landscape in shimmering color and light. These eight days on the Rhine are far more than a cruise – they are a refined encounter with culture, scenery, and moments of joy that linger long after the voyage has ended.
Our Price From
A$4,278 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $237 per person
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Trip Length
8 Days
Trip Starts
Basel
Trip Ends
Amsterdam
Departures
Cruise Ship
Passengers
158
Crew
46
Launched
2026
Cruise Code
FBA
Rivers Sailed
Countries Visited:

Itinerary

Embarkation from 4:00pm

At the meeting point of Switzerland, Germany, and France, your adventure begins. Board your vessel and toast the start of your Rhine voyage with a welcome cocktail, followed by a Welcome dinner to set the tone for the days ahead.

Strasbourg & the Black Forest

Step into Strasbourg, the heart of Alsace, on a guided city tour and a walk through the charming old town, highlighted by the majestic cathedral. Later, cruise along the Ill River and see both historic and modern sides of the city from the water. For a full-day option, venture into the Black Forest: marvel at the cascading Triberg Waterfalls, enjoy a regional lunch, and explore the open-air Vogtsbauernhof museum to experience centuries of local craftsmanship. Free time allows for further personal exploration.

Heidelberg Castle & Pretzel Tasting

Discover Speyer, one of Germany's oldest towns, on a morning stroll through its historic streets, sampling the famous Speyer pretzel along the way. In the afternoon, head to Heidelberg, where the romantic old town and castle views will captivate you. For those seeking an active adventure, the Philosophenweg offers a scenic hike with sweeping views over the city, the Neckar River, and the castle. Later, set sail for your next destination.

Sailing past Castles and Lorelei Rock along the Rhine Gorge

Rüdesheim welcomes you with its picturesque streets and historic charm. Take a guided walk and explore Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Then cruise through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, the highlight of the journey, where around 40 castles rise along sunlit hillsides, and the legendary Lorelei rock seems to appear straight from a fairy tale.

Arrive in Koblenz late afternoon to stroll through the old town and admire the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Onboard, enjoy Music on the Rhine, where soprano Bethany Barber brings Beethoven, Schumann, and Offenbach to life.

Rhine in Flames – Fireworks Viewed from the Sun Deck

Today brings a change of scenery as we leave the Rhine behind and follow the Moselle, its most important tributary. Flowing gently through rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards, the river leads us to the charming town of Cochem. A guided walk through the historic center reveals a place where heritage and landscape blend seamlessly.

As evening falls, your ship becomes the finest vantage point of all. After dinner, take a seat on the sun deck and witness an extraordinary spectacle: a brilliant fireworks display perfectly synchronized to music, illuminating the sky and riverbanks in vivid color. Afterwards, the AMADEUS Aurea continues her journey upstream toward Cologne.

Kölsch tasting

Arrive in Cologne after a restful night, a city that breathes over 2,000 years of history at every turn. Join a guided tour through the old town to discover the stunning cathedral and charming streets. Along the way, enjoy a freshly poured Kölsch, a true taste of the region. Afterward, set sail once more as the Rhine continues to reveal its treasures.

Shanty choir on board

Amsterdam welcomes you with its unique mix of heritage and modern life. Begin with a city and canal tour to see its highlights from the water. In the afternoon, pedal through the scenic Waterland region on a panoramic E-bike tour, or choose a visit to Zaanse Schans to explore traditional windmills, crafts, and Dutch cheese. The day concludes with a festive gala dinner and the lively sounds of a shanty choir aboard.

Disembarkation after breakfast

After breakfast, we bid you farewell and wish you a safe journey home.

Trip Inclusions

  • Luxury accommodation in an outside river-view stateroom of your choice: Spacious Mozart Suites with a walk-out balcony, stateroom cabins on Mozart and Strauss Decks with drop-down Panorama Retractable Windows offering a wide-open view (except AMADEUS Brilliant)
  • Individual climate control and in-room safe
  • Choice of bed configuration in all categories (double or twin bedding)
  • Bottled water in every stateroom

  • Gourmet dining featuring breakfast, multi-course lunches and dinners with menu choices (including vegetarian options), afternoon tea and late-night snack
  • Free-flowing hand-selected wines from the best wine regions, draft beer, soda as well as coffee and tea with every lunch and dinner
  • Coffee and tea available 24 hours a day in the AMADEUS Club
  • Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner and Gala Dinner

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
  • Onboard fitness center open 24 hours a day
  • All gratuities on board are included in your cruise fare

  • Personalized service of an experienced, multilingual AMADEUS Cruise Director
  • AMADEUS digital audio system for all guided excursions
  • Immersive cultural or musical performances as part of the AMADEUS Experience, along with a diverse array of onboard enrichment programs, including fascinating lectures, cooking demonstrations, and music by our onboard musicians
  • Complimentary use of onboard bicycles for independent exploration
  • All port taxes, embarkation, disembarkation and lock fees included in your cruise fare

Life On Board

Amadeus
Total No. of River Cruises 35
Why pay for other people’s drinks? Why pay for shore excursions that don’t interest you? Family-owned Amadeus has spent 40-years' perfecting the balance without compromising quality. Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, but not during the day. Only pay for the shore excursions you want. Book more an excursion package in advance for a discount or book individual excursions as you go. Gourmet dining, wi-fi, bottled water in cabins and of course one of the most luxurious five-star fleets on the European waterways. To quote a regular repeat guest “Amadeus are fantastic. A really great product and the crew are all so beautiful”. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Amadeus Aurea
Amadeus Aurea

Blending modern elegance with relaxed river cruising, this ship offers panoramic views, sun deck lounging, refined dining, and peaceful spaces to enjoy life on board while at sea. Read more

On Board Inclusions
On Board Inclusions

The ambiance onboard invites you to relax in the morning before your discovery tours and unwind in style at the end of a full day's activities. Read more

Excursions
Excursions

Amadeus' excursion programs allow you to decide how you'd like to get to know each destination. Select from a wide range of optional inspiring and eventful shore excursions. Read more

Gourmet Dining
Gourmet Dining

Amadeus' exclusive menus reflect the traditions and cultures of regional cuisine and at the same time are diverse enough to satisfy an international appetite. Read more

Optional Shore Excursions

Excursion Packages can be only pre-booked while individual excursions can be booked onboard

Introductory Excursion Package $670

Enjoy a package of these pre-selected excursions for a discounted rate when purchased in advance. Additional shore excursions can be purchased onboard. View Excursions

  • Day 2 - Strasbourg with Canal Boat Tour
  • Day 3 - Romantic Heidelberg with Castle Ruins
  • Day 4 - Rüdesheim with Music Cabinet Museum
  • Day 5 - Cochem Walking Tour and Reichsburg Castle
  • Day 6 - Cologne Walking Tour and Kölsch Tasting
  • Day 7 - Amsterdam & Iconic Canal Cruise (to/from Amsterdam)

Intermediate Excursion Package $940

Enjoy a package of these pre-selected excursions for a discounted rate when purchased in advance. Additional shore excursions can be purchased onboard. View Excursions

  • Day 2 - Strasbourg with Canal Boat Tour
  • Day 3 - Speyer Walking Tour
    Romantic Heidelberg with Castle Ruins
  • Day 4 - Rüdesheim with Music Cabinet Museum
    Koblenz Walking Tour with Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
  • Day 5 - Cochem Walking Tour and Reichsburg Castle
  • Day 6 - Cologne Walking Tour and Kölsch Tasting
  • Day 7 - Zaanse Schans - Windmills, Cheese, and Tradition
    Amsterdam & Iconic Canal Cruise (to/from Amsterdam)

Individual Excursions

You can also pre-purchase individual excursions or prchase them onboard during your river cruise. View Excursions

  • Day 1 -
    Shanty Choir on Board$0
    Strasbourg with Canal Boat Tour $153
    OR Full-Day Black Forest Heritage and Triberg Waterfalls with Lunch $358
    Speyer Walking Tour $58
    Romantic Heidelberg with Castle Ruins $130
    OR AMADEUS Active: Heidelberg Philosophers Hike $112
    Rüdesheim with Music Cabinet Museum $80
    Koblenz Walking Tour with Ehrenbreitstein Fortress $108
    AMADEUS Experience: The Music of the Rhine $0
    Cochem Walking Tour and Reichsburg Castle $183
    Rhine in Flames - Enjoy Spectacular Fireworks From the Sun Deck $0
    Cologne Walking Tour and Kölsch Tasting $102
    OR Zaanse Schans - Windmills, Cheese, and Tradition $152
    AMADEUS Experience: Shanty Choir on Board $0
    Amsterdam & Iconic Canal Cruise (to/from Amsterdam) $138
    AMADEUS Active: Scenic E-Bike Tour Around Amsterdam $317

Dates & Pricing AUD AUD

Cabin Layout Options:

Select Cabin Preference:

From $4,278
Sold Out
From $8,018
Tuesday 10 Aug 2027 10 Aug 27 Basel
Tuesday 17 Aug 2027 17 Aug 27 Amsterdam
Details
Amadeus Aurea
Exclusive Savings
Oceanview
A$4,278
Save $237
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Amadeus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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