Enchanting Rhine Beer Country Cruise
A beer-loving, castle-spotting, river-cruising adventure through Europe with AmaWaterways, hosted by Asia + Eric.
Think German beer country, Rhine River magic, brewery stops, scenic villages, vineyard-covered hills, and a group of travelers who understand the joy of a great drink in a great place.
We’ll also be sailing over our wedding anniversary on October 10th—and finally experiencing the river Eric has always dreamed of cruising. Come raise a glass and celebrate with us.
Basel to Amsterdam • October 9–16, 2027 • Limited promotional inventory
Regional beer, historic cities, vineyard-covered hills, castle-lined cruising, and the ease of unpacking only once.
This is the vibe
This is not your average river cruise.
This is the trip where you accidentally make best friends over an Altbier tasting in Düsseldorf, you spend the afternoon sailing past castles with a drink in your hand, and you come home with 1,000 photos and at least three stories that start with: “Okay, so we were in this little place in Germany...”
And because we will be onboard for our wedding anniversary on October 10th, there will absolutely be a reason to raise a glass together!
Beer country energy
Cologne Kölsch, Düsseldorf Altbier, regional pours, beer halls, tasting experiences, and plenty of opportunities to say prost with new travel friends.
Rhine River magic
Castles, riverside towns, vineyard-covered hills, scenic sailing, Germany, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Peak fall-in-Europe vibes
Pretzels, pints, cobblestones, crisp October weather, charming villages, and “why are we not doing this every year?” energy.
Coming in October 2026
An optional Lake Como pre-cruise experience is in the works.
Before the cruise, we are planning an intimate five-day extension centered around a private villa on Lake Como, followed by train travel to Basel and one night in Basel before embarkation.
The villa, final itinerary, inclusions, and pricing are still being built. Those details will be released in October 2026 and cannot be booked yet.
For now, the only thing available to reserve is the October 9–16, 2027 AmaWaterways Rhine River sailing.
Booking the river cruise does not automatically reserve space in the future Lake Como extension. Extension details and booking instructions will be released separately in October 2026.
Meet your hosts
We built this around things we genuinely love.
If you have followed Travel with Asia for any length of time, you probably already know that Eric and I love two things: travel and trying local beer.
We have spent years visiting breweries, beer halls, taprooms, and tasting rooms everywhere from Arizona to Europe. This route takes us straight through some of Europe’s best-known beer regions, including Cologne and Düsseldorf.
This sailing is also particularly special because October 10th is our wedding anniversary—and because the Rhine is the river Eric has always wanted to sail. We are creating the kind of trip we would personally choose: organized without being over-scheduled, social without being forced, and full of reasons to raise a glass.
Picture yourself here
This is what the week feels like.
Europe without the constant hotel changes. Incredible scenery without having to plan every transfer. Built-in community without losing the freedom to do your own thing.
- 🏰Watching castles drift past as the ship sails through the Rhine Gorge
- 🥂Raising a glass with us as we celebrate our anniversary onboard
- 🍺Comparing Kölsch in Cologne with Altbier in Düsseldorf
- 🍷Tasting Riesling surrounded by the vineyards of Rüdesheim
- 🇫🇷Walking through the fairytale streets of Strasbourg and Colmar
- 🚲Choosing between walking tours, biking, hiking, tasting experiences, and independent time
- 🧳Waking up somewhere new without packing and unpacking your suitcase
The itinerary
Eight days from Basel to Amsterdam
Grand cities, storybook towns, legendary wine country, and one of Europe’s most scenic stretches of river.
Basel, Switzerland
Board the ship, settle into your stateroom, meet the group, and begin your Enchanting Rhine journey.
Breisach + Colmar
Explore fairytale Colmar, hike through the volcanic Kaiserstuhl region, or bike through the surrounding wine country.
Strasbourg, France
Wander through La Petite France, admire the cathedral and astronomical clock, or explore the city by bike.
Heidelberg, Speyer + Rüdesheim
Choose romantic Heidelberg, the Philosopher’s Path, historic Speyer, or an active biking adventure before sailing onward.
Rüdesheim + Rhine Gorge
Ride the gondola, taste local Riesling, hike the vineyards, then enjoy castle-lined scenic cruising and a special castle visit.
Cologne + Düsseldorf
Explore Cologne’s Old Town and famous cathedral, sample its signature Kölsch culture, then continue to Düsseldorf for an Altbier tasting or active city exploration.
Utrecht + Amsterdam
Begin with charming Utrecht before sailing into Amsterdam for canals, cafés, local flavor, and a perfect final evening.
Amsterdam
Disembark after breakfast and continue home—or add extra nights in Amsterdam to keep the adventure going.
What is included
Almost everything that makes the trip easy.
AmaWaterways is known for including the experiences travelers actually care about—from excursions and meals to drinks, Wi-Fi, entertainment, and onboard wellness.
Seven-night river cruise
Your river-view stateroom aboard AmaWaterways, sailing from Basel to Amsterdam.
Meals + drinks
Onboard dining, regional cuisine, sparkling wine at breakfast, and wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
Daily excursions
Multiple included choices designed for different interests and activity levels.
Sip & Sail
Complimentary cocktail hour before dinner and plenty of time to connect with the group.
Active options
Guided biking, hiking, onboard wellness classes, and complimentary bicycles where available.
Hosted support
Pre-trip preparation, group communication, personal support, and special hosted touches from Asia + Eric.
Limited-time opportunity
AmaWaterways Anniversary Promotion
This sailing is currently being offered during a special anniversary promotion, creating an exceptional opportunity to reserve early while promotional inventory and preferred cabin categories remain available.
River cruise ships are small, and each cabin category has limited inventory. Once a preferred category sells out, it may not return—even if the promotion is still running.
Now booking
Reserve the Rhine sailing now.
The AmaWaterways sailing from Basel to Amsterdam is open for booking now. The separate Lake Como extension will be announced in October 2026 after the villa and full package details are finalized.
Choose your cabin
Review current cabin categories, promotional pricing, and booking terms inside TravelJoy.
Who this trip is for
This is for travelers who want Europe to feel easy, meaningful, and fun.
Couples + celebrations
Perfect for anniversaries, milestone birthdays, bucket-list trips, and couples who want to experience Europe together.
Solo travelers
Join a welcoming hosted group while still having the freedom to choose your own excursions and downtime.
Europe lovers
Ideal for travelers who want history, culture, food, wine, scenery, and charming towns without constant logistics.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before booking
Can I book the Lake Como extension now?
No. The Lake Como villa extension is still being developed and will be released separately in October 2026. At this time, only the October 9–16, 2027 Rhine sailing is available to reserve.
Can I travel solo?
Absolutely. Hosted trips are a wonderful option for solo travelers because you have a built-in group while still having the freedom to participate at your own pace.
Do I have to participate in every excursion?
No. AmaWaterways typically offers several included excursion choices, and you may also stay onboard or explore independently when permitted.
Is airfare included?
Airfare is not included unless specifically listed in your TravelJoy package. Asia can assist with flight planning and additional pre- or post-cruise stays.
Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Personalized options will be provided after booking based on your trip cost and traveler details.
How do I reserve my cabin?
Click any Reserve or Book button on this page. You will be taken to the TravelJoy booking page where you can review available options, complete your traveler information, and submit the required payment.
What happens after I book?
You will receive confirmation and next steps, be added to the private trip communications, and receive ongoing preparation support leading up to departure.
October 9–16, 2027
Come celebrate, explore, and sail the Rhine with us.
Reserve your cabin while the best categories and current promotional inventory are still available. We cannot wait to share this river, this anniversary, and this unforgettable journey with you.
Important: Dates, itinerary details, promotions, inclusions, pricing, ship assignments, excursions, and availability are subject to change. The Lake Como villa experience is not currently available for booking and is subject to final villa confirmation, pricing, inclusions, and minimum participation requirements. Review all booking terms and conditions inside TravelJoy before submitting payment.