The Reformation & Enchanting Rhine River Cruise on the Rhine with Guest Speaker Dave Buegler| Nov 1, 2023
Join Guest Speaker Dave Buegler for a 7 Night Enchanting Rhine River Cruise on Amawaterways' AmaSiena starting at $3598 from Zurich on November 1, 2023. A journey from Zurich to Amsterdam and walk in the footsteps of Zwigli and Martin Luther on the Trail of the Reformation. During your cruise, grand cities blend in perfect harmony with their historical past and their progressive future. Inspirational towns have given way to great stories, poetry, and music, like Heidelberg, where Mark Twain wrote A Tramp Abroad. Timeless traditions remain intact—from the making of Kölsch, Cologne’s legendary brew, to the making of Rüdesheimer coffee. Take a front-row seat on an enchanting journey that takes you along the Rhine and through its designated UNESCO World Heritage Site with its 40 castles strung like pearls on its riverbanks and to magnificent cities and charming villages alike.
What's Included
- Meals on Ship
- Port Charges
- Cruise
- Cruise Taxes
- Free WIFI
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 NOVEMBER 1: DEPART THE USA
Board your overnight flight to Switzerland.
Day 2 NOVEMBER 2: ARRIVE IN ZURICH - EMBARKATION IN BASEL
Arrive in Zurich today and enjoy a brief city tour and talk about the Reformation in Switzerland before transferring to Basel. Embark the ship this afternoon. Tonight, gather on board and meet your fellow passengers. (D)
Day 3 NOVEMBER 3: BREISACH
Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside; or go to the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions, as well as home to elaborate cuckoo clocks, striking half-timber houses, ruined castles and quaint towns. (B, L, D)
Day 4 NOVEMBER 4: STRASBOURG
Strasbourg, the capital city of Alsace, offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République. Then, walk through its iconic UNESCO World Heritage “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. For the active adventurer, you can take a guided bike ride through this captivating city and Parc de l’Orangerie. (B, L, D)
Day 5 NOVEMBER 5: LUDWIGSHAFEN – WORMS – RÜDESHEIM
From Ludwigshafen journey to Worms. Explore the ancient city of Worms, site of the famous Diet of Worms, where Luther refused to back down from his criticism of the church. The city’s Reformation Monument features statues of major figures in the Reformation. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim, where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy. (B,L,D)
Day 6 NOVEMBER 6: RÜDESHEIM – MAINZ –RHINE GORGE
Travel from Rudesheim to visit the Rhine River city of Mainz, where Johann Gutenberg developed the processes of movable type, which permitted printing to be done on a production scale. It was an essential tool which made the Reformation possible for it allowed the words of the reformers to be distributed to the masses. During the afternoon, set sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein, where you’ll enjoy an exclusive festive celebration. (B,L,D)
Day 7 NOVEMBER 7: COLOGNE
Home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral, this 2,000-year-old city is also a bustling cosmopolitan hotspot. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral, where the remains of the fabled Three Kings—the Magi— are believed to rest. Alternatively, ride a bike along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten; or visit a local tavern to taste Kölsch beer and Reibekuchen—potato pancakes served with apple sauce. (B, L, D) *Note: Guests traveling on the German Reformation Extension will disembark today and begin their Post-Tour.
Day 8 NOVEMBER 8: AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam boasts amazing history, art, architecture, and museums, and you have a choice as to how you wish to explore it. The famous canals of Amsterdam await discovery on your city tour beginning with a scenic canal cruise. (B, L, D)
Day 9 NOVEMBER 9: AMSTERDAM – DISEMBARKATION
Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homeward flight or enjoy an extension. (B)
Enhance Your Journey
Swiss Reformation Pre Tour
Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2023 | Starting at $1,699*
OCTOBER 29: DEPART THE USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Geneva
OCTOBER 30: ARRIVE IN GENEVA
Arrive in Geneva and check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
OCTOBER 31: GENEVA
Geneva was the center of the Swiss Reformation movement with John Calvin as its chief theologian. We will begin the day by visiting St. Peter’s Cathedral where Calvin taught the Reformed doctrine. You can see Calvin’s chair and climb 157 steps up to the top of the North Tower, where the view is worth the effort! Under the Cathedral are the ruins of a Roman sanctuary, a 4th century basilica and a 6th century church! Calvin’s Academy is near by and is also called The Protestant Lecture Hall. John Knox also taught here for three years. Next we see the Reformation Monument which was constructed between 1909 to 1917. This impressive monument is also referred to as the “Protestant Rome!” The giant wall is 325 feet long and 30 feet high and displays 15 foot tall statues of four Geneva Reformation leaders: Guillaume Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza and John Knox. Spend the afternoon shopping or relaxing by the lake. Overnight in Geneva.
NOVEMBER 1: GENEVA TO ZURICH
We depart very early for Zurich, a beautiful city filled with history and ambience, framed by the breathtaking Alps. Zurich was at the center of the Swiss Reformation in the 16th century under the leadership of Ulrich Zwingli. Visit the Grossmunster Church, the mother church of the Reformation in Switzerland where Zwingli began teaching his Reform theologies that led to Zurich’s freedom from Rome’s control. Also see the Helferei where Zwingli lived. We will visit the shore of the Limmat river where the Anabaptists were drowned. Dinner & overnight in Zurich.
NOVEMBER 2: ZURICH TO BASEL
Enjoy a free morning at your hotel in Zurich before driving to Basel to embark on your journey up the Rhine river.
Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight
than their group and/or traveling companion.
German Reformation Post Tour
November 7-12, 2023 | Starting at $1,699*
NOVEMBER 7: DISEMBARK IN COLOGNE
Home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral, this 2,000 year-old city is also a bustling cosmopolitan hotspot. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral, where the remains of the fabled Three Kings—the Magi— are believed to rest. Learn about Cologne's Jewish history today as you wander through the town. Drive to Erfurt for dinner & Overnight
NOVEMBER 8: ERFURT & EISLEBEN
Our journey continues as we explore Eisleben, situated in the countryside of the Harz mountains. Luther was born and baptized in Eisleben and also died there. Visit his house where he was born and died. Continue on to Erfurt, the spiritual home of Martin Luther. Sights include a visit to the Augustinian Monastery where Luther served as a monk. We will also visit the Franciscan church where Luther preached in 1529 and St. Mary’s Church where he was ordained as a priest. Visit the Luther House where Luther was educated from 1498-1501. Continue to the Wartburg Castle, where Luther took shelter from the wrath of the Pope and translated the New Testament from Greek to German.
NOVEMBER 9: WITTENBERG & OVERNIGHT
Today’s journey in Wittenberg recalls the life and work of Martin Luther. See the gates of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) where he nailed his 95 Theses in 1517 challenging the Catholic Church, then visit the Stadtkirche (City Church) where Luther and his associates preached the gospel to the common people. Take advantage of buying your lunch of bratwurst or weiner-schnitzel in the town square dominated by the monuments of Luther and Melanchthon. We will visit the Lutherhalle, an important museum located in the Augustinian monastery in which Luther lived, first as a monk and later as owner with his wife Katharina von Bora and family. Lutherhalle’s collection of objects related to the history of the German Reformation include Luther’s own desk, the pulpit from which he preached at the Stadtkirche, his teaching robe, and first editions of his books. Return to your hotel in Wittenberg for dinner & overnight.
NOVEMBER 10: BERLIN TOUR & OVERNIGHT
Drive to Berlin this morning. Our visit will begin with a city tour that showcases the three centers of Berlin: the west around Kurfuerstendamm Boulevard and the Memorial Church, then we visit the new center around Potsdamer Square and finally the eastern section around Unter Den Linden, the Brandenburg Gate and Alexanderplatz. Check in to your hotel in Berlin for dinner and overnight.
NOVEMBER 11: BERLIN TOUR & OVERNIGHT
What other city in Europe has changed over the last ten years as much as Berlin? Our tour of this once divided metropolis includes the restored Reichstag, the monumental Bradenburg Gate, Charlotten Palace, the 210-foot Victory Column in the vast Tiergarten Park and a visit to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Visit the Pergamon Museum, one of the five wonderful museums that sit on Berlin’s Museum Island. The Pergamon Museum is divided into three distinct sections: the Antiquity Collection, the Islamic Art Museum, and the Near East Museum. Return to your hotel in Berlin for dinner & overnight.
NOVEMBER 12: RETURN TO THE USA
Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight
than their group and/or traveling companion.
Departure Dates
-
Wednesday, November 1, 2023From $3598
