Book Now for PES Group Savings of $250 Per Person!

Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps

Advancing Medical & Dental Patient Care and Prevention
Amsterdam to Basel on AmaWaterways AmaVenita
September 15 – 22, 2026

Join PES on an enchanting 7-night Rhine River cruise to uncover fairytale-like castles along the Rhine Gorge, explore historic hillside vineyards, and marvel at the spectacular panoramas of the Swiss Alps. Journey through the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland, as you sail in comfort and style aboard AmaWaterways’ elegant 162-guest river ship, AmaVenita.

CME/CE Overview

River Cruise Itinerary Highlights:

  • Overnight in Amsterdam and delight in a canal cruise
  • Visit Cologne’s Gothic Cathedral or visit a local tavern for German beer tasting
  • View castles along the Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the river
  • In Rüdesheim enjoy wine tasting or a gondola ride above the vineyards
  • Ludwigshafen is your gateway to medieval Heidelberg and its iconic red castle
  • Historic Strasbourg looks straight from the pages of a fairytale
  • Overnight in Basel and opt to explore Lucerne, a picturesque city surrounded by stunning alpine scenery
  • Optional 3-night Lake Como Post-Cruise Package

AmaWaterways Included Features:

  • Award-winning dining in a variety of venues, featuring regionally inspired cuisine & locally sourced ingredients
  • Included fine wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast, and complimentary Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
  • Choice of included shore excursions in every port with gentle, regular, active & late-riser tour options, plus use of bicycles and walking sticks
  • Daily onboard entertainment including lectures, port talks, nightly piano music, plus cultural and musical performances
  • Inviting public spaces including the main lounge, sundeck pool, fitness center, massage & hair salon, and walking track
View Flyer
Registration Form

Brief Itinerary

Optional AmaWaterways 2-Night Amsterdam Pre-Cruise Package
September 13 – 15, 2026

 

Hosted by AmaWaterways, arrive early in Amsterdam and stroll along the iconic meandering canals and among the city’s distinctive architecture. Visit Zaanse Schans, observing authentic 17th- and 18th-century buildings relocated to this picturesque area.

More Details

Itinerary:

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | Amsterdam, Netherlands

Embark the AmaWaterways AmaVenita in Amsterdam.

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.

Included Excursions: Canal cruise

Enjoy cruising to Cologne, then join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town, where you will see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall; the Fishmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century and the Great St. Martin Church. End your city tour with a visit to a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.

Included Excursions: Cologne walking tour and Kölsch beer tasting OR Cologne Cathedral Architecture tour OR Cologne bike tour

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards, or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. 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, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.

Included Excursions: Wine tasting OR Gondola Ride OR Vineyards hike OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau
Evening Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet 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. 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. Or pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops.

Included Excursions: “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s Path hike OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour OR Ladenburg bike 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. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.

Included Excursions: “The Gem of Alsace” tour OR Strasbourg bike tour

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. Alternatively, you may opt to visit Lucerne with a full-day excursion. In the afternoon, enjoy a tasting of Swiss wines or venture to the powerful Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall.

Included Excursions: “City of Art” tour OR Full-day Lucerne excursion* OR “Three Countries” bike tour
Afternoon Swiss wine tasting OR Rhine Falls excursion

*Not combinable with other tours on this day.

Disembark the AmaVenita. Bid farewell to Basel and prepare for your flight home.

Optional AmaWaterways 3-Night Lake Como Post-Cruise Package
September 22 – 25, 2026

 

Hosted by AmaWaterways, extend your stay in Europe with a post-cruise package in Lake Como.  Gaze at azure waters and lakeside villas from the hills above, and let the wind tousle your hair on your scenic boat ride to Bellagio.

More Details

PES Stateroom Rates:

Book Now for PES Group Savings of $250 Per Person!

About AmaVenita
Deck Plan

Rates do not include port taxes of $250 per person.

Double pricing is based on double occupancy or two people per stateroom.
Single pricing is based on one person per stateroom and is capacity-controlled by AmaWaterways and subject to change.

Reservation Booking Terms and Conditions:

Required Deposit:

Cruise: $400 per person and a non-refundable Global Tracks administration fee of $100 per person
Seminar: $200 per person

Final Payment Due: Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Cancellation Schedule: Cancellation penalties apply once deposit is paid, so please review policy below.

International Flights and Airport Transfers are not included: Global Tracks will book your air arrangements for a $100 per person ticketing fee, or you may choose to handle your own reservation. Airport transfers can be purchased once your flights are confirmed.

AmaWaterways Airport Transfers:

  • If you book your airfare with AmaWaterways, roundtrip group transfers between the airport and ship are included.
  • If you do not book your airfare with AmaWaterways, group transfers between the airport and ship can be purchased separately.

Additional Services: Please contact your PES Travel Advisor for any additional services you may need including airfare, pre- and post-cruise packages, transfers, and tours.

PES offers optional travel insurance. Travel insurance is strongly suggested and will give you the opportunity to recover monies lost through cancellations. We offer Allianz Travel Insurance as an option. Premiums vary depending on your age and the cost of your trip. Purchase within 15 days of deposit for additional benefits.

Cancellation Penalties: All cancellations must be made in writing to Global Tracks. Travel insurance and airfare are non-refundable once purchased. Any payment to Global Tracks constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set herein, including but not limited to the cancellation terms. All cancellations are subject to the Global Tracks administration fee of $100 per person paid at deposit in addition to the below schedule:

From time of deposit until May 17, 2026 $200 per person penalty
From May 18, 2026, to June 17, 2026 $400 per person penalty
From June 18, 2026, to July 17, 2026 35% of total package penalty
From July 18, 2026, to August 15, 2026 50% of total package penalty
After August 15, 2026 100% of total package penalty
View Flyer
Registration Form