Photo Highlights From a Rhine River Cruise Itinerary

River cruising allows guests to unpack once while enjoying multiple cities and even countries. With a relaxed pace, curated excursions and local guides, guests get to make the most of their time at each destination. Traveling aboard AmaWaterway's newest ship - the AmaSiena - on the Rhine River, here are just a few of the amazing experiences available to passengers.

Explore the city from the water on a canal river cruise - a smaller ship is used to navigate the narrow waterways - where you'll travel down some of the main thoroughfares of the city. Pass by stationary houseboats, learn about the history of the 17th-century houses - where owners have to get approval to even change the wallpaper and marvel at the bike parking decks that hold thousands of bicycles.

Wave goodbye to your first port as you embark on the Rhine River, traveling through the countryside of the Netherlands. For a special treat, look into cruises around April to see fields and fields of tulips - a national symbol for the Dutch.

River cruise ships will travel through numerous locks on their journey down the Rhine River. It's important to note that many locks - especially those located between Breisach, Germany and Basel, Switzerland - will require river cruise ships to close their upper sun decks. But you can still enjoy the engineering marvel from your balcony, lower sun decks or the main lounge.

Part of experiencing a new place is visiting popular hangouts of the locals, and in Germany, this means visiting a beer hall. Soccer will most likely be playing on the TVs - so find a seat and don't block others' views, and it's important to try local favorites like potato pancakes with applesauce.

Yes many of the cities you'll visit will have some sort of historical significance, but to really enjoy a place just do what the locals do - visit a Saturday farmer's market, sit in an outdoor café or just enjoy the park areas normally lining the river.

In Cologne, Germany you can purchase the original Eau de Cologne made in 1709 at Farina. The original scent was first created by Giovanni Maria Farina - an Italian living in Cologne - and he named the scent after the city. Today travelers can still smell - and buy - the original fragrance from Farina 1709.

The Rhine River Gorge is dotted with small German towns and castles sitting high on the mountain crests. As you cruise through this area many Cruise Directors will tell stories about the passing landscapes - like the two castles separated by a tall wall (pictured above). These were the homes of two brothers who fell in love with the same woman; one built the wall, so as never to have to see his brother - or his home again. The lady turned down each of the brothers and decided to become a nun.

The narrowest part of the river - and a UNESCO Heritage Site - the Lorelei Rock was the most dangerous portion of the river. The legend of the rock is that a woman flung herself to her death after discovering her beloved was untrue. Turning herself into a siren, she would lure ships to their destruction and fisherman to their death.

Known for their distinctive white wines, the Rhine River Valley produces its own unique blend of wine known simply as "Rhine wine". In Rudesheim am Rhein, the Weingut Adolf Storzel winery invites guests to try the local varieties in their wine cellar, giving a lesson on the process as well as an overview of each blend they create.

One of the most unique stops while in Rudesheim am Rhein, is Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Museum. This collection of over 300 musical instruments consists of all self-playing instruments that have been created over three centuries.

A true Renaissance castle, Heidelberg Palace is nestled in the hills above the city of Heidelberg. Now sitting in ruins after its destruction from attacks in the 17th and 18th centuries, guests can walk through remnants of the historical building. Still intact is the wine cellar with the famous wine barrel that holds over 58,000 gallons and stands at almost 23 feet tall.

Just a short walk down the hill sits the town of Heidelberg. A great opportunity for shopping, this town is dotted with storefronts, outdoor cafes and food stalls. Be sure to stop in the well-known Christmas market for souvenirs and gifts to bring back home.

Currently part of France, Strasbourg's ownership continuously bounced back and forth between Germany and France numerous times - the most recent being made part of France at the end of World War II. Because of this, the city is a distinctive blend of French and German.

The Council of Europe has its home offices in Strasbourg. A predecessor to the European Union, the Council of Europe was formed in 1949 and comprised of 47 members to endorse democracy across Europe and defend human rights.

Also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg, this towering cathedral created in the Gothic style first opened its doors in 1439. Inside visitors will find an astronomical clock that dates from 1843. Complete with a calendar, planetary dial and more, the clock is a favorite for its solar noon parade of Christ and the Apostles while the bird crows.

Storks are seen throughout the city - whether in souvenirs or real-life birds flying overhead. At the Parc de l'Orangerie, a whole center has been created for the repopulation and winterizing home for the birds. These birds are said to have once been completely white but started to turn black when war broke out. Their feet and beaks turned red from the blood that was shed. Only when there is peace again will these birds return to being white.

Greeting visitors with a building-sized cuckoo clock, the small town of Breitnau, Germany is one of the entry points for a hiking trail through the Black Forest. Shops in this town still specialize in the local crafts of cuckoo clock making, glass blowing and the delicious Black Forest cake.

After passing under the remnants of a colossal Roman aqueduct, hikers will enter the Black Forest. Following along a stream, this well-trodden path brings visitors past a mill and up to a historical home of the area. Learn about the lives of glass blowers, yearly festivals and the honor system of the Trust Box from local guides.

All good things must come to an end, and for many river cruises that means stopping in Basel, Switzerland. While some offer post-cruise land excursions through Switzerland, this is an ideal disembarkation as the Basel airport is close by.