Francis through the Enchanted Rhine

Francis through the Enchanted Rhine - November 2011
AMAWaterways - MS AMACello

On November 12th, we arrived in Basel, Switzerland for the start of our journey. Though it’s cold this time of year, the markets were bustling and the fresh produce was beautiful. Winter squash and the last of the summer vegetables filled the stands next to cider kiosks.

While we weren’t in Basel for a long time, we did manage to see the Hotel Bar at Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois Basel, which is a stunning Virtuoso property. It has a very old-world feel with dark wood and crystal sconces and chandaliers. Heavy velvet drapes and leather furniture complete the feel, letting you know that you must be in Switzerland.

For our river cruise, we chose AmaWaterways, the premier river cruise operator in Europe, Russia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Our particular vessel was the MS AMACello which carries 148 passangers down the river Rhine. From the moment we stepped aboard we knew that the service would be impeccable. The staff greeted us all from the top deck of the ship as we boarded, and the friendly service continued throughout our stay.

For those used to cruises, small, cramped cabins are the biggest complaint, but the rooms on the MS AMACello are quite spacious and well-appointed. Because it is a small river boat cruise, every room also comes with a beautiful view of the passing scenery on the bank, or swans on the river, depending on the day.

The boat is also appointed with a beautiful bar and restaurant, giving a scenic view and offering delicious local cuisine.

The boat cruise allows passengers to disembark at beautiful destinations, much like any larger cruse. We stopped first in Heidelberg in southwest Germany, where mink is a must in the cold weather. The city’s architecture is beautiful, as well. Our next stop was Rüdesheim, a popular stop on any Rhine River cruse. One of the popular attractions in this riverside town is Seigfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum. It is the first museum collection of automated musical instruments in Germany and holds an impressive collection.

One of our last stops was Cologne, Germany. As we entered the city, we were treated to an onboard Wine Lecture, and upon arrival, took a guided walking tour through the oldest part of the city, visiting Cologne’s treasure, the legendary 13th century Gothic cathedral. The tour ended with a tasting of Kölsch, Cologne’s specialty beer, which has a straw-yellow hue and is brewed in the city. Dinner was provided by Früh beer makers in their private cellar.

I must say that being my first river cruise I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. If you are looking for complete entertainment from the moment you walk on the ship with things like casinos and shows, this is definitely not the way to travel for you. But if you like to get to know the smaller cities in an intimate arena, with a slow pace, then this is definitely the way to travel for you!

Check out my day by day journey via photos here:

Post by Travelworld of Coronado.