Welcome

 Introduction
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps: July 6-18, 2024

Kim and I are so very excited that after more than 25 years of working with travel agent Nancy Nelson and getting to be great friends with her and her husband Rick, that we are finally travelling together.  And we are sailing with AMA Waterways for the first time, which will make it an even more unique trip.  AND we get to share the experience with Kim's twin sister & husband, Karrie & Randy, as well as the twins' high school pals Lynn & Doug.  As an added bonus this package offered a land post extension at no additional cost so we'll be spending  three post sail days in the scenic Lake Como, Italy region.  And the trip itself is through my MOST FAVORITE part of Europe, the UNESCO Heritage Rhine River Valley with over forty medieval castles dotting the hillsides!

Days 1-4:  Travel / Amsterdam

Day 0-1:  July 6 - 8 - Travel to Amsterdam                 Confirmation LQHYTF

July 6

12:29 pm          Depart FLL       United Flight UA1755                             United Economy Plus Seats:  8A-8B

2:55 pm            Arrive Chicago              Flight Time 3 Hours-26 Minutes

 

6:20 pm            Depart Chicago United Flight UA909                              United Premium Plus Seats:  21A-21B

July 7

9:20 am            Arrive Amsterdam         Flight Time 8 Hours

 

Viator:  Private Sedan Transfer – Booking Reference BR-1104011291

July 7 - 8

Check In Kimpton DeWitt Hotel – Confirmation 67532219

July 8

Check Out Kimpton DeWitt Hotel

8:45 am                        Voledam , Marken and Windmills Tour – Confirmation 1618792-2736266

Check In On AMA Serena Stateroom #203 – Category BB (Cello Deck) Outdoor Veranda/French Balcony Combined

Day 4:  July 9 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

1:00 pm:  Amsterdam Canal Cruise (1 ½ Hours)

Late afternoon / Overnight:  Sailing For Cologne

Day 5:  July 10 – COLOGNE, GERMANY

Arrive Cologne 2:30 pm

Cologne Walking Tour (3 Hours)

Day 6:  July 11 – RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM (my most favorite place in Europe!)

Morning Cruise Through Rhine River Gorge

Arrive Rudesheim 2:00 pm

Walking Rudesheim Wine Tasting Tour:  Mark (2 1/2 Hours) / Vineyard Hike: Kim (3 Hours)

Evening:  Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Excursion (1 1/2 Hours)

Middle of the night departure

Day 7:  July 12 – LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY

Morning sailing

Arrive Ludwigshafen 12 Noon

Romantic Heidelberg Excursion (5 Hours)

Set Sail at dinner / cruise overnight

Day 8:  July 13 – STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Morning sailing

Arrive Strasbourg 9:00 am

Gem of Alsace Excursion (4 Hours)

Depart Strasbourg 1:30 pm

Afternoon-Overnight Sailing

Days 9:  July 14 – BASEL, SWITZERLAND

Morning Sailing

Arrive Basel 9:30 am

Full Day Excursion to Lake Lucerne & Mt. Pilatus

3-Day Extension: Lake Como, Italy

Day 10: July 15 – Lake Como, Italy

9:00 am Disembark AMA Serena

Transportation to Lake Como

Check Into Grand Hotel Imperiale, Lake Como

 

Day 11:  July 16 – Lake Como

Walking Tour Lake Como

Free Day

 

Day 12:  July 17 – Lake Como – Bellagio

Full day excursion: Boat Ride on Lake Como to Bellagio and back

 

Day 11:  July 18 - Lake Como  Confirmation LQHYTF

EARLY morning transfer to Milan International Airport

9:45 am            Depart Milan     United Flight UA 18                               United Premium Plus Seats:  21A-21B

12:40 pm          Arrive Newark               Flight Time 8 Hours-55 Minutes

 

3:13 pm            Depart Newark  United Flight UA 1496                            United Economy Plus Seats:  8A-8B

6:22 pm            Arrive FLL