Gilded Getaways presents · Chapters Abroad Society
Enchanted Autumn
on the Rhine & Moselle
A fairytale with a passport. A little mystery. A little magic. And one very special 40th birthday.
Join Alexandra for 10 nights of castles, vineyards, storybook villages, and deliciously atmospheric autumn in Europe.
October 27–November 6, 2027
AmaWaterways’ AmaCerto · Basel → Amsterdam
From $5,149 per person · $400 deposit per person · Payment plans available
— Alexandra
Welcome to Chapter One
Tell me this doesn’t sound like the beginning of a fairytale.
I've been dreaming about hosting a group trip for a VERY long time. So naturally, when it finally happened, I decided to combine it with my 40th birthday, my favorite season, my favorite holiday, and a river cruise through some of the most storybook landscapes in Europe.
Obvi!
We're following the Rhine and Moselle through Switzerland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands: vineyards, medieval villages, historic cities, castles, and landscapes that look as though they've wandered straight out of a novel.
Your spooky-season invitation
Golden foliage. Old-world villages. Wine country. Castles. Folklore. Cozy cafes. A little mystery. A little magic.
Halloween adds a little spooky atmosphere to the journey. This is autumn in Europe, shared with a small collection of curious travelers.”
— Alexandra Broaddus, your Gilded Getaways host
A very good reason to book your chapter now
The magic is in the journey.
The perks make it even sweeter.
Per person, just for being part of our travel collective.
Complimentary one-category cabin upgrade for Category C and above, subject to availability.
Prepaid gratuities for eligible balcony staterooms and above.
Your favorite cabin category is worth choosing early. Reserve with a $400 deposit per person, then use an available payment plan for the rest.
The current TravelJoy packages list booking availability through October 30, 2026. Rates, promotional eligibility, upgrades, and inventory are subject to availability and the booking terms. Review your selected package for the applicable total; do not assume an additional $750 deduction from displayed prices.
Why you’ll love this chapter
A little witchy. A little wine-y.
Very much your kind of Europe.
A storybook setting
Fairytale castle-lined scenery, medieval towns, and the Rhine Gorge, where every bend seems to have a story.
Wine-country wandering
Rhine and Moselle vineyards, local flavors, and tastings. Yes, this chapter pairs beautifully with a glass of wine.
Your kind of magic
Walk, bike, hike, explore—or find a cozy cafe with a book. The group experience is shared. The way YOU experience it is entirely your own.
The journey · October 27–November 6, 2027
Eleven days. Two rivers.
A whole new collection of stories.
Day 1 · Oct 27Basel
Board AmaCerto and settle into your home on the river. Your first chapter starts here.
Day 2 · Oct 28Breisach
Choose your own adventure: explore the enchanting Alsatian village of Riquewihr with an Alsatian wine tasting, visit Freiburg with a regional winery tasting, or cycle through the wine country surrounding Breisach.
Day 3 · Oct 29Strasbourg
Explore La Petite France, Strasbourg’s storybook district, or experience the city by bike.
Day 4 · Oct 30Ludwigshafen & Rüdesheim
Explore romantic Heidelberg, visit Mannheim Baroque Palace, or hike Heidelberg’s Philosopher’s Path. Ama’s description also mentions the gardens of Schwetzingen Palace. Later, sail to Rüdesheim for Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet or a traditional Rüdesheimer Coffee prepared with local brandy.
Day 5 · Oct 31Rüdesheim & the Rhine Gorge · Halloween 🎃
Take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Monument followed by a Riesling tasting, explore the vineyards on foot, or bike through the Rheingau. Then sail through the legendary Rhine Gorge, surrounded by castles and centuries of stories. And yes… it’s Halloween.
Day 6 · Nov 01Bernkastel
Wander through the colorful medieval Old Town with a guided walking tour and Moselle wine tasting, or hike to the ruins of Landshut Castle. Add scenic cruising through wine country, and this chapter practically writes itself.
Day 7 · Nov 02Wasserbillig, Luxembourg · Explore Trier
From Wasserbillig, Luxembourg, explore Trier, Germany—the “Rome of the North”—with its Roman landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites, or hike Petrisberg Hill. Spend the afternoon relaxing onboard as we sail toward our next destination.
Day 8 · Nov 03Cochem
Visit magnificent Reichsburg Castle before a walking tour of Cochem’s narrow cobblestone streets, or bike along the Moselle River. There’s scenic cruising to enjoy, too.
Day 9 · Nov 04Cologne
Discover Cologne’s historic Old Town, enjoy a local Kölsch, or explore by bike.
Day 10 · Nov 05Amsterdam
Cruise the canals, wander through the medieval Begijnhof, or experience Amsterdam through its food and neighborhoods.
Day 11 · Nov 06Amsterdam · Farewell
Breakfast, farewell, and the bittersweet realization that Chapter One has come to an end… unless you’re adding extra time in Amsterdam. Details coming soon!
Excursion choices are alternatives, not a promise that every option can be taken. Itinerary and excursions are subject to change.
Your home on the river
Unpack once.
Then Europe unfolds around you.
For 10 nights, AmaCerto becomes our floating home.
Wake up somewhere new. Explore. Come back aboard. Enjoy dinner. Watch the landscape drift past. Read a few pages. Have a glass of wine.
Then wake up somewhere new again.
No repacking your suitcase every few days. No figuring out how to get from one hotel to the next. Just more Europe, with less logistics.
The details, beautifully handled
What’s included in your chapter
Your cruise includes
- 10-night luxury AmaWaterways river cruise aboard AmaCerto
- Elegant stateroom accommodations
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner onboard
- Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Included excursions throughout the journey
- Wi-Fi onboard and evening entertainment
- Hosted support from Alexandra before and throughout the trip
- Your first Chapters Abroad Society adventure, with a few special surprises
Plan separately for
- International airfare
- Transportation not listed as included, including airport transfers
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Optional pre- and post-cruise hotels
- Personal purchases, spa services, and other personal onboard expenses
- Optional excursions and experiences not included with the cruise
- Gratuities unless included with your applicable promotion
Find your home on the river
Your next chapter starts with a cabin.
“If you're not sure which category makes sense for you, please don't spend three hours comparing them yourself. That's literally what I'm here for. I'm happy to talk through the options and guide you to the right fit.” — Alexandra
| Category | Deck | Your space | Starting at |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Piano | Fixed windows · 160 sq. ft. | $5,149 |
| D | Piano | Fixed windows · 160 sq. ft. | $5,218 |
| C | Violin & Cello | French balcony · 170 sq. ft. | $7,298 |
| BB | Cello | French & outside balconies · 210 sq. ft. | $8,148 |
| BA | Violin |
French & outside balconies · 210 sq. ft. Alexandra & Nick booked this category! |
$8,448 |
| AB | Cello | French & outside balconies · 235 sq. ft. | $8,748 |
| AA | Violin | French & outside balconies · 235 sq. ft. | $8,948 |
| AA+ | Violin | French & outside balconies · 290 sq. ft. | $9,948 |
| SS | Violin | French & outside balconies · 300 sq. ft. | $11,048 |
Prices shown are the starting package amounts based on double occupancy. Cabin pricing varies by category and availability. Confirm occupancy, inclusions, promotional benefits, and the final total in your selected booking package. Solo travelers: contact Alexandra for applicable pricing.
You don’t need to have every flight and side quest figured out today. Choose your cruise cabin first. Alexandra can help with the details, and payment plans are available. Final payment is due in July 2027; your booking documents will confirm the exact due date.
Make it even more magical
There should be room for your own kind of magic.
“I'll be around for our group moments, but I'm not interested in herding everyone from Point A to Point B for ten straight days.”
Join the excursions that sound irresistible. Spend the next afternoon tucked into a cafe with a book. Bike. Walk. Taste. Explore. Or simply watch Europe drift past your balcony.
Alexandra can help arrange airfare, private transportation, recommended travel insurance, extra nights in Amsterdam, Basel, or Lake Lucerne, and pre- or post-cruise experiences at additional cost. Extension details will follow as plans are finalized.
A note from Alexandra
This trip is personal.
“I'm turning 40. Celebrating my favorite season. Finally hosting the kind of group trip I've dreamed about joining for years!
And I'm opening the first chapter of Chapters Abroad Society with some of my favorite people, and hopefully some wonderful new ones!
The best stories aren't just meant to be read. They're meant to be experienced.”
Before you turn the page
A few things you might be wondering
What happens after I book?
You’ll receive your cruise information, access to private trip communications, pre-departure updates, suggested flights, optional excursions and add-ons, final travel documents before departure, and information about your Chapters Abroad Society experience.
Is this a Halloween-themed cruise?
This is Alexandra’s spooky-season 40th birthday celebration during an autumn river cruise. Think castles, folklore, cozy cafes, books, wine country, and Halloween atmosphere. A dedicated shipwide Halloween program is not promised.
Do I have to join every group activity?
The group experience is shared; the way YOU experience it is entirely your own. There’s room for individual adventures, unexpected discoveries, long walks, good conversations, and books.
How do the deposit and cancellation terms work?
The deposit is $400 per person. Once confirmed, $200 per person is nonrefundable. Two weeks after your deposit, the full deposit is nonrefundable. Beginning July 29, 2027, the booking is 100% nonrefundable.
Cancellation notice must be sent to Alexandra Broaddus during standard business hours or by email to alexandra@gildedgetawaysllc.com, identifying each guest’s name, ship, cruise start and end dates, and reason for cancellation. Review the complete booking terms before submitting payment.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
Travel insurance is recommended and is not included in the cruise price. Alexandra can help you explore coverage options.
When should I reserve?
ASAP! The current packages list booking availability through October 30, 2026 for the best promos! If this sounds like your kind of chapter, reserve your preferred available cabin now. All prices, cabin options, and promotional benefits remain subject to availability and booking terms.