My first trip to Europe felt like a dream I want to relive again and again. In ten days I visited four countries and 11 cities by river cruise, and I’m already eager to go back.
I hadn’t been drawn to cruises before. The idea of rigid schedules, seasickness, and limited time in each port never appealed to me. That changed when I had the chance to sail with Amadeus River Cruises from Amsterdam to Basel on the Amadeus Silver II. Traveling to Europe had been a goal for the past couple of years, and this itinerary arrived at the perfect time.
Bridger and I flew direct from Seattle to Amsterdam and arrived a day before boarding for an eight-day, seven-night cruise. We stayed in an Airbnb near the Rijksmuseum and the canals, which put most of Amsterdam within easy walking distance.
Amsterdam quickly became one of my favorite cities. I expected a party town but found historic canals, beautiful museums, charming shops, and friendly locals. We spent our first day sampling local cafes, taking photos at the I Amsterdam sign, and walking by the Anne Frank House (we didn’t get tickets in time, so that visit is for next trip).
Day 1:
Our first stop was Bakers & Roasters for a hearty brunch—avocado toast with fried eggs and bacon hit the spot. We walked the canals, shopped, and soaked up the museum district. Though we missed the Anne Frank Museum this time, the Van Gogh Museum and a canal tour were highlights.
Day 2:
We started a rainy morning at CT Coffee + Coconuts—three floors of bright decor and great food. The CT Full Breakfast, with avocado egg toast and coconut yogurt, was one of the best breakfasts of the trip. Afterward we toured the Van Gogh Museum and tracked down matcha at Lavinia Good Food—one of the best matcha lattes I’ve had. Later that day we boarded the Amadeus Silver II to begin our Rhine River cruise.
The ship was well-appointed for river travel—about 160 guests, three passenger decks, a sun deck, a restaurant and bar, a small fitness room, and even shuffleboard and a life-size chess table on top. Cabins felt like boutique hotel rooms with lots of storage and either a small balcony or tall windows that opened partway.
Our group was welcomed with a canal cruise and a local cheese tasting (I’m dairy-intolerant, but Amsterdam goat cheese was delicious). We wandered the Red-Light District that evening just to see it; it felt like a tourist attraction more than anything else.
Day 3:
Buffet breakfasts were tempting and the ship’s kitchen was incredibly accommodating to my lactose intolerance. The chef modified meals—swapping cream-based dishes for broth-based options, offering olive oil and vinegar for salads, and bringing fresh fruit for dessert. That flexibility made it easy to eat well while enjoying local flavors.
We explored more of Amsterdam by bus, visited museums, and rejoined the ship in Hoorn. The next morning we cruised toward Cologne.
Activity Recommendations for Amsterdam, The Netherlands:
- Buy Anne Frank House tickets well in advance
- Reserve a time block for the Van Gogh Museum
- Rent bikes and ride through Vondelpark (biking is serious here)
- Take photos at the I Amsterdam sign in the museum district
- Do a canal cruise
- Explore De Negen Straatjes (The 9 Streets) for boutique shopping
Food Recommendations for Amsterdam:
- Bakers and Roasters
- CT Coffee + Coconuts
- Lavinia Good Food (matcha latté)
- Winkel 43 (famous Dutch apple pie)
- Food Hallen (great variety of restaurants)
- The Avocado Show
- Omelegg
- MarQt (healthy grocery)
- SLA (make-your-own salad)
- Stroopwafel from a market cart
- Plenty of excellent coffee spots like Pluk and Back to Black
Day 4:
I tried to keep up my morning workouts, but running on the sun deck wasn’t ideal—quiet hours are respected aboard river ships. I managed a circuit in the fitness room instead. Cologne was our next stop and its cathedral was breathtaking: gothic architecture, original stained glass saved during WWII, and rich history. We skipped some tourist activities in favor of a peaceful lunch at a health-focused cafe where we enjoyed avocado bread and galettes.
That evening the ship hosted a showcase dinner that highlighted the chef’s creativity. The dairy-free menu made for one of the most memorable meals of the trip—light seafood dishes and a lemon sorbet with rosemary and gin that I still remember.
Day 5:
River cruising is relaxing because you unpack once and wake up in a new town each morning. The crew maintained cabins daily, left fresh water and the itinerary, and made life easy. We kept active between ports—shuffleboard, deck workouts, and long walks through towns. In Cochem we toured a castle, tasted Riesling, and learned about the long history of vineyards along the Rhine.
Day 6:
Koblenz and Rüdesheim offered a mix of activity and scenery. I took a CrossFit class at a local gym—an unforgettable way to exercise abroad—and hunted down another matcha latte before the ship sailed. The stretch between Koblenz and Rüdesheim is called Castle Country for a reason: countless medieval castles, steep vineyards, and postcard-perfect villages along the river.
Day 7:
We docked near Heidelberg and rode the funicular up to Heidelberg Castle. The town’s red roofs and riverside charm were delightful. I found a fantastic healthy café, Your Good Love, serving juices, chia puddings, acai bowls, and matcha—perfect fuel before sampling local sausages and schnitzel. Later we sailed to Speyer and enjoyed a playful pirate-themed dinner on board.
Day 8:
Strasbourg was one of my favorite stops. Spring in France was picturesque—open-air markets, bakeries, the cathedral, and classic street scenes with accordion music and cyclists. I tried my first macaron and indulged in local pastries and pretzels.
Day 9:
We arrived in Basel, Switzerland, on a national holiday so many shops were closed and the city felt expensive and challenging to navigate with dietary needs. After a short stay we took a first-class train to Düsseldorf to meet friends. First-class train travel added comfort for the long ride.
Day 10:
On our final morning we made our way to the Düsseldorf airport and began the long flight home. The return trip was tiring, but the memories and friendships made on the cruise were worth every hour.
Overall, this was a trip of a lifetime. I experienced varied cultures, made new friends, and traveled Europe with the person I love. My favorite cities included Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg, and Strasbourg. The mix of shore excursions, local cuisine, and scenic river cruising created a travel experience I highly recommend.
How I stayed healthy on the trip
I value a morning routine and regular exercise, so I accepted that travel would change my habits while finding ways to stay consistent. The ship’s chef accommodated my lactose intolerance, and I focused on balanced breakfasts—eggs, vegetables, avocado, and nuts—to power my days. I packed a few travel essentials: Primal Kitchen collagen bars, Vital Proteins collagen packets, RXBARs, brain octane oil, Brazil nuts, roasted sunflower seeds, and a favorite dark chocolate. I also brought a multivitamin and a probiotic.
Exercise included three sessions in the ship gym, a failed sun-deck run (noise issues), one CrossFit class in Germany, and several deck circuits. Much of the trip’s activity came from walking through towns and sightseeing.
More about Amadeus River Cruises
The Amadeus Silver II felt like a five-star hotel on water. Typical ship amenities included local cuisine, complimentary local wine and beer with meals, Wi‑Fi, attentive service, bikes to ride onshore, and planned excursions. Amadeus offers multiple itineraries across Europe—8, 10, and 15 days—and focuses on curated, comfortable river travel.
Interested in joining a hosted river cruise?
I’m planning to host a similar river cruise with Amadeus next year and would love to know if you’d be interested in traveling with me. I’d help plan menus, select cities and excursions, and include workouts and wellness activities for travelers who want an active, healthy experience. If this sounds like something you’d join, please leave a comment with your interest and any questions.
If you have questions or feedback about the trip, please leave them in the comments below.