AmaWaterways wine cruises add a unique epicurean dimension to a variety of itineraries at no additional cost. Join one of these wine cruises with a special wine host and be treated to a menu of exclusive wine and culinary experiences designed to delve deeper into the wonderful flavors and tastes of Europe.
European cities transform into majestic winter wonderlands for the holiday season – and we invite you to experience all their splendor with us. In addition to our variety of daily excursions, you will also have the opportunity to visit festive Christmas Markets in select destinations and participate in nostalgic traditions.
Maximize your Christmas experience by embarking at the height of the holiday market season with daily or near-daily visits to Christmas Markets.
Get "just a taste" of the holidays in mid-November or late December with visits to one or two Christmas Markets during your river cruise.
We are pleased to offer guests the opportunity to experience Floriade in 2022 while sailing along the Rhine River and Dutch and Belgian Waterways between April 14 and October 9. Right outside Amsterdam, this rare experience calls for its visitors to “explore, touch and change” as part of their journey into Floriade – which is set to feature stunning gardens, innovative sustainable gardening exhibits, live entertainment, talk shows, souvenirs and food stalls.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Rhône with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2024.
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through four countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
Join Chef Joanne Weir, award-winning cookbook author, restaurant owner and host of PBS television series “Plates & Places” as she hosts a special 7-night Flavors of Burgundy river cruise.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Danube with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Explore the rich history of classical music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2025
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through five countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Douro with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights.
Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the iconic Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. Discover Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at some of the leading championship courses on the continent.
AmaWaterways’ Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Magna on the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna.
Hello! "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. Each month, I love to share with you my thoughts, personal stories, travel tips and latest news on the people and places that help turn every mile of our guests' river cruise experience into one of their most cherished memories!"
In 1818, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote, “This lake exceeds anything I ever held in beauty.” He was talking about Lake Como, and from the high and mighty of the Roman Empire to modern superstars like George Clooney and Madonna, the rich and famous have long been inspired by its stunning natural splendor.
A Storybook Setting
Some places simply have to be seen to be believed, and Lake Como is filled with them. The Y-shaped lake, one of the deepest in Europe, is nestled beneath the Alps and boasts a gorgeous subtropical microclimate that means visitors can sip cappuccino beneath wisteria and palm trees or relax on the beach while gazing across the water at majestic, snow-capped mountains. The surreally gorgeous scenery led The Huffington Post to name Lake Como the most beautiful lake in the world in 2014.
There is no shortage of man-made beauty to be found, either. Lake Como is surrounded by villages, each with their own unique character. These villages are home to magnificent villas, and while most of the villas themselves are not open to the public, their spectacular Italian Renaissance-style gardens certainly are.
You can easily travel between villages by car, but Lake Como has a robust ferry system that tempts visitors to spend a day on the water, leisurely drifting from one postcard-perfect village to the next. You can journey back through 2,000 years of history in the walled city of Como, indulge in a decadent meal by lantern light in Bellagio, take a passeggiata along the lakeside promenade in Menaggio, or hop a funicular up to Brunate for a panoramic vista that will leave you breathless.
It’s no wonder that when the James Bond, Star Wars, and Ocean’s franchises needed settings that radiated luxury, class, and beauty, they all turned to Lake Como.
Beautiful Bellagio
Some call it the “Pearl of Lake Como.” Others, the most beautiful town in Europe. Seated at the junction of the lake’s three branches, Bellagio offers unrivaled views of its natural setting. The town itself is an enchanting cornucopia of cobblestone streets lined with colorful buildings whose every window and stairway bursts with flowers. We dare you to try to take a bad picture here – it’s simply not possible.
The town of Bellagio is small, but its pleasures are many. Treat yourself to some of the region’s finest shopping, stroll through rhododendrons and azaleas in the 200-year-old gardens at Villa Melzi, dance beneath the stars to live music at the wharf, or enjoy a glass of wine while admiring the scenery at La Punta, a restaurant located at the very tip of the peninsula where Lake Como divides into two. Explore this breathtaking destination on a special guided tour during your stay with AmaWaterways.
Smooth as Silk
As if awe-inspiring views and picturesque villages weren't enough, Lake Como is also famous for producing some of the finest silk in the world. In 1400, the Duke of Milan ordered the planting of mulberry trees around the lake, providing a veritable feast for silkworms. By 1972, this little region of Italy was producing more silk than China or Japan.
If you would like to experience these luscious fabrics for yourself, you can find shops selling exquisite silk scarves, ties, and more in the towns along the lake you visit during your guided tour of the area. World-renowned silk brand Frey, which recently celebrated its 120th anniversary, has stores in Bellagio and Cernobbio; while Mantero has its factory and outlet in Grandate, just a 15 minute drive from the Como’s city center.
Why Reserve Our Optional Lake Como Land Package
Add a bonus country to your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps or Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles river cruise: Italy! Make the most of your international airfare and indulge your wanderlust by spending more time in Europe and exploring this awe-inspiring destination. Whether you’re interested in the lifestyles of the rich and famous, exploring your Italian heritage or simply interested in spending more time in beautiful surroundings, this 3-night land package, which includes visits to Bellinzona, Switzerland and Bellagio, is sure to inspire you.
What’s Included in Your Optional Land Package