DPP Travel

DPP Travel

AMA Christmas Castles & Swiss Alps Dec 2023 -40341 - Pullin

Dec 11, 2023 to Dec 18, 2023
Basel to Amsterdam
Discover fairytale castles and historic vineyards as part of this spectacular Rhine River holiday fantasy. Explore the canal-laden city of Amsterdam in all its seasonal glory, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Wander the stalls of France’s oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg and explore the restaurants, open-air wine gardens, and Christmas Market of Drosselgasse, the cultural heart of Rüdesheim. Sail aboard an elegantly decorated ship through cities and towns brimming with beautiful decor, glittering Christmas trees, and holiday spirit. Plus, enjoy festive onboard traditions and an exquisite holiday feast with all the trimmings on every Christmas Markets departure. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a Christmas miracle.
 
 
 
We'll be cruising on the AMAMora; you may view the deck plans and ship information HERE.
 
Any bookings will receive a $250 per person discount-not combinable with other promotions.
All prices are per person unless otherwise noted. 
When you fill out the credit card authorization form, permitting DPP Travel to charge your deposit for the cruise sailing. Your card will not automatically be charged; you are simply allowing the charge to take place. 
You will receive an additional invoice for our service fee mentioned below. 
 
What's included in this trip:
  • SPACIOUS STATEROOMS
  • Seven nights of luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with French balconies)
  • A computer for internet access
  • Entertainment on Demand system featuring movies, T.V. shows, news, and music
  • Desk and sitting area
  • Bottled water replenished daily
  • AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES
  • Wellness Activities with a dedicated Wellness Host leading various exercise classes and discussions on healthy eating and relaxation techniques, both onboard and onshore.
  • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
  • Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Sun deck whirlpool with walking track
  • Fitness room, Massage services, and hair salon
  • Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar
  • Daily entertainment, including cultural performances
  • AWARD-WINNING DINING
  • All onboard dining in a variety of venues
  • Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
  • The Chef's Table specialty restaurant
  • Captain's Welcome Cocktail and Dinner
  • La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience
  • Unlimited fine wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
  • Tapas, sandwiches, snacks, and refreshments are served daily in the Main Lounge
  • A WORLD OF EXPLORATION
  • Immersive tours in every destination
  • Gentle, regular, active, and late-riser tour options
  • Bike tours and hikes
  • Special Interest Tours
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Personal headset for easy exploration
  • Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways
 

What's not included:

  1. Travel insurance -We will offer you 3 quotes to compare and decide; if you decline, you will be required to sign a waiver
  2. Pre or post-stay, but you may add those; please see the pricing page for details and costs.
  3. Airfare isn't included but may be purchased through AMA Waterways or on your own.
 

The itinerary below includes the pre-stay option. Look to day 4 for beginning of cruise

DAY 1 Lake Como Hotel check-in
 
 
Arrive in Lake Como and check into your hotel.
DAY 2 Lake Como Walking Tour
 
 
Be treated to a walking tour of Lake Como, a former glacial lake and popular resort area for the rich and famous since Roman times. Gaze at the azure waters and impressive villas that line the lakeside from the hills above and perhaps recognize the scenery from such Hollywood blockbusters as Ocean’s Twelve and Casino Royale. (B)
DAY 3 Lake Como Lake Como boat excursion to the “Pearl of Lake Como,” Bellagio
 
 
Let the wind tousle your hair as you board your boat for a scenic ride along Lake Como to its stunning pearl, Bellagio. This intimate village offers postcard-perfect views whether you choose to stroll along the lakeside or venture up hill to its cobbled streets. Browse the shops or sample the local fare at Bellagio’s restaurants before returning to the boat. (B)
DAY 4 Lake Como Transfer to Basel with Lake Lucerne tour
 
 
    EMBARKATION
 
 
Check out of your Lake Como hotel and, en route to Basel, be treated to a Bellinzona orientation tour. Once you arrive in Basel, embark your ship for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise. (B,D)
DAY 5 Basel “City of Art” tour with Christmas Markets
 
 
    OR Three countries bike tour
 
 
    OR Full-Day Lake Lucerne excursion with Christmas Markets
 
 
    Lake Lucerne with Christmas Markets
 
 
Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Both tours offer free time to visit Basel’s Christmas Markets. Alternatively, go on a full-day excursion to Lake Lucerne or spend your afternoon there. Lake Lucerne is known for its Lion Monument – the figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792 – which Mark Twain described as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” Whether you choose the full-day excursion or half-day tour to Lake Lucerne, you’ll also see Lake Lucerne’s spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century, plus enjoy free time to explore the Christmas Markets. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 Strasbourg “The Gem of Alsace” tour and Christmas Markets
 
 
    OR Strasbourg bike tour
 
 
    Gengenbach Christmas Market Tour
 
 
Strasbourg 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 before walking through its iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. During the tour you will receive free time to visit the Christmas markets. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie. In the afternoon, visit the picturesque town Gengenbach stroll through the town’s narrow streets full of half-timbered houses. Enjoy the Gengenbach Christmas Market, packed with holiday treats and centers around the 18th century town hall. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 Ludwigshafen Heidelberg tour and Christmas Markets
 
 
    OR Medieval Speyer and Christmas Markets
 
 
    OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s hike
 
 
  Rüdesheim OR Ladenburg bike tour
 
 
    Wine Tasting
 
 
    OR Rüdesheimer coffee
 
 
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. Here you can also enjoy visiting some of the festive Christmas Markets. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. In your free time, you might choose to visit the Christmas Markets or Technik Museum featuring exhibits of vintage cars, military aircraft and even a submarine! Or pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops. Later in the day, cruise to the charming village of Rüdesheim and join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 Rüdesheim Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
 
 
    Gondola ride and Christmas Market
 
 
    OR Vineyard hike
 
 
    OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau
 
 
  Rhine Gorge Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising
 
 
  Lahnstein Unique Lahneck Castle visit
 
 
Let Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the town, perhaps to explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s cultural heart, and the Christmas Markets. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching Lahnstein, where you will enjoy a unique evening visit at Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
DAY 9 Cologne “Holy City” walking tour and Christmas Markets
 
 
    OR Kölsch beer and local specialties tasting
 
 
    OR Cologne bike tour
 
 
Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces. Continue to the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall, and see other local sights. During your free time, browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Markets, offering 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. For a different view, visit a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer, only made in Cologne, and reibekuchen mit apfelmus, potato pancakes typically served with applesauce. Active adventurists will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
DAY 10 Amsterdam Canal cruise tour
 
 
    A Taste of Amsterdam*
 
 
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Alternatively, get a taste of local flavor, passing iconic canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges, and house boats while tasting Dutch specialties at one of Amsterdam’s grand cafes. Please note: tour depends upon docking location and may be replaced with Jordaan District Walking Tour. (B,L,D)

*May be replaced with Jordaan District Walking Tour based on docking location
DAY 11 Amsterdam DISEMBARKATION
 
 
Bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight home.
 

 

  

Cancellation policy:

Deposit:
Each person traveling requires a deposit of $400 at the time of booking. The deposit is refundable within six days of a booking; you will receive half the guarantee back after seven days. 
**When you accept or decline travel insurance, we will review the cancellation terms with you; as each policy differs, we can't make a blanket statement on refunds.** See below Terms & Conditions
 
PLEASE NOTE:
A $150 per booking non-refundable planning fee will be invoiced separately from your deposit and must be paid before moving forward with any travel plans. This is a fee charged by DPP Travel; you can read more about our services here.
 
Terms & Conditions:
Prices are per person, U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy of a cabin, or standard hotel room unless indicated otherwise. | Single rates are available for the cruise-only, at a supplement of plus-50% for standard rooms, plus-100% for other rooms, such as deluxe rooms and suites. | Single rates for land are available as a supplement. | Please see individual itineraries for the amount of the supplement. | Pricing accuracy is assured only at the time of printing. | If any of the cost factors increases, such as airfare, port or dock charges, fuel, insurance, taxes, surcharges, or others, we reserve the right to increase cruise or cruise tour prices without notice.
 
Cancellation Policy: For any cruise/land booking, whether under deposit, partially paid, or paid in full, including air packages, the following travel agent or guest-requested situations are considered cancellations and penalties will apply as noted below: changes to departure date; substitutions of itinerary; substitution of another person for original booked guest(s); or changing to a promotional fare. All cancellations must be in writing. For all air-inclusive packages canceled after the issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be processed only after the return of the airline ticket. The following cancellation charges will be assessed for all written cancellations received before departure up to the scheduled departure time.
 
Cancellation received | Following charges will apply: (Broken out by days before departure) 121 days or more is $200 per person | 120-90 days is $400 per person | 89-60 days is 35% of total fare | 59-30 days is 50% of total fare | 29-7 days is 80% of total fare | six days before sailing is 100% cancellation. Full Fare is defined as the full cost of any cruise, land, or air component purchased from AmaWaterways. All air purchased through AmaWaterways has a cancellation penalty of $350 per person for Economy and $600 per person for Business class. In the event you purchase a non-refundable ticket, the full Fare is under penalty.
 
*Certain airline tickets, including all intra-Asia Flights within 90 days of departure and published price tickets, are 100% non-refundable. Penalty rates shown are for flight arrangements deposited/booked from July 1, 2014, onward. Except as otherwise provided in your Passenger Ticket Contract, there is no refund for unused services or unused portions of cruise, cruise/tour, or airfare after travel begins.
 

Available Packages

Category CA-French Balcony
Unavailable as of September 6, 2023

$4,808.00
Deposit: $800.00 per person

  • Violin & Cello Deck, 155 sq. ft.
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows, and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hairdryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV that also works as a computer
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies, and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water is replenished daily
  • Desk and chair

Category AA- French & Outside Balcony - per person cost
Unavailable as of September 6, 2023

$6,008.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

  • Violin Deck, 235 sq. ft.
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows, and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hairdryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV that also works as a computer
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies, and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair

Suite- French & Outside Balcony - per person cost
Unavailable as of September 6, 2023

$7,308.00
Deposit: $400.00 per person

  • Violin Deck, 300 sq. ft.
  • In-room temperature control
  • Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows, and duvet
  • Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
  • Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hairdryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
  • Flat-screen TV that also works as a computer
  • Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies, and music library
  • Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Desk and chair

Extra Options

Pre-Stay Option- per person double occupancy cost
Unavailable as of September 6, 2023

$1,440.00

DPP Travel Service Fee
Unavailable as of September 6, 2023

$150.00

required fee billed by DPP Travel for services provided before, during, and after travel

Gratuities - per person charge
Unavailable as of September 6, 2023

$144.00

Gratuities for your time on the ship, this is a per person charge.