"Basque" in the culture of Northern Spain on our 4-night land package in Bilbao and San Sebastian
“Basque” in the culture of Northern Spain on our 4-night land package in Bilbao and San Sebastian.
Originating in Northern Spain and Southern France, the Basque people comprise one of the oldest ethnic groups in Europe, dating as far back as 5,000 years. Centuries ago they were seafarers and farmers, believed in fascinating mythology, and spoke a unique language called Euskara, mysteriously unrelated to any other languages of Europe. Today, Euskara is spoken by less than 1/3 of Basque people, yet much of their culture and traditions still thrive.
Food is King in Basque Country
The hills are alive with grapes that produce txakoli, a dry and sparkling white wine. Poured from green bottles, often from great heights that emphasize its effervescence, txakoli is most popularly paired with pintxos (Basque tapas) in the bars of San Sebastián, Spain. These tiny finger foods, historically served with a slice of bread, are the essence of Basque cuisine with both traditional options like tortilla de patatas (potato and onion omelette) and mini haute cuisine experiments. The chefs who create them are typically competitive in nature, making nearly every bite at every pintxos bar (traditionally visited on a crawl) a mouthwatering experience. And then there are the sagardotegi (Basque cider houses), where cider flows powerfully from giant barrels and a multi-course set menu generally consists of a cod fish, a giant steak, and walnuts with local cheese and quince paste. Cider season only lasts from January through April or May, but if your cruise is in early spring, the lively sagardotegi are great fun to work in to your land program in Northern Spain!
Shape Shifters and Goddesses
Though Basque mythology was largely overtaken by Christianity, some Basques still believe in the legends of the “old country,” in which Lurra (the Earth) is the center of the universe. Some of the most important mythological characters are Ama Lurra (Mother Earth), the goddess Eguzi Amandrea (Grandmother Sun) and Ilargi Amandrea (Grandmother Moon). Mari is the Mother Goddess of Old Europe and personifies natural phenomena as well as all the animals. Other mythological characters include Olentzaro, a charcoal maker who, much like Santa, delivers presents to children on Christmas by way of their chimneys; Sorgin, a wicked witch who can shapeshift into animals; and Lamia, a beautiful mermaid-like creature.
Sports and Leisure
If the culture thus far sounds exotic, you’ll recognize this next centuries-old Basque tradition, held annually about an hour south of San Sebastián in Pamplona: the running of the bulls. A weeklong celebration honoring St. Fermin, Pamplona’s patron saint, this festival has attracted hundreds of thousands of thrill seekers who want to be a part of the dangerous spectacle. The practice began simply as a way to herd bulls from their corral to the bullfighting ring but was later adopted into the festivities of St. Fermin’s festival, which today includes a pyrotechnic rocket launch known as txupinazo, processions, a noisemaking event called El Struendo (The Roar), a parade, and traditional Basque sports including aizkolaris (wood chopping) and harri-jasotze (stone lifting). Pelota (Basque hand ball) is perhaps the most competitive activity among the Basque people today and creativity flows at bertsolaris, improvisational Basque musical poetry slams.
Why Reserve Our Optional Land Package in Spain’s Basque Country
Add a bonus country to your Taste of Bordeaux river cruise: Spain! Make the most of your international airfare and indulge your wanderlust by exploring this intriguing, culture-rich region. Whether you’re a self-described foodie, exploring your Spanish heritage or are simply interested in extending your journey, our 4-night Basque Country land package, which includes visits to Bilbao and San Sebastián, is sure to inspire you.
What’s Included in Your Optional Land Package
- 2 nights in Bilbao at the Hesperia Bilbao (or similar)
- 2 nights in San Sebastián at the NH Collection Aránzazu (or similar)
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Convenient transfers between your hotel and ship
- Guided tours
- The services of one of our wonderful Cruise Managers throughout your river cruise and land journey
For a limited time, enjoy this wonderful land package courtesy of AmaWaterways on select river cruises.
Contact your preferred travel advisor to extend your Taste of Bordeaux journey into Basque Country today!
- Hot Deals!
Why River Cruise with AmaWaterways
THE HEART OF THE RIVER™
With over two decades of experience on the world’s rivers, our family-owned and operated company has remained focused on what we do best: providing our guests with innovative and unforgettable travel experiences. When you step aboard AmaWaterways, each day brings a genuine smile that warms the heart, every river a new culture that inspires, and each course a moment to savor and share.
UNPACK ONCE: A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE
Step aboard and unpack once aboard one of our luxury ships that transport you from one destination to the next. With AmaWaterways, every day is a “see” day as we cruise through grand capitals and charming towns. Our ships dock near city centers, meaning you can step right off the ship and explore.
ALL EXCURSIONS INCLUDED – CHOOSE FROM UP TO EIGHT EACH DAY
AmaWaterways has curated a diverse menu of shore excursions included as part of your cruise fare. Our roster of options caters to a range of interest and activity levels, including tours for gentle and active walkers as well as late risers. Enjoy city tours, guided hikes, exhilarating bike rides, and tastings of local specialties—all on one itinerary!
AWARD-WINNING INCLUDED DINING EXPERIENCES
With membership in the internationally recognized La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, and Tables et Auberges de France, AmaWaterways takes pride in preparing exquisite, regionally inspired cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. You can also enjoy complimentary hand-selected wines and local beers during every lunch and dinner on board.
THE LUXURY OF SPACE - FEWER GUESTS ON BOARD
Spacious and uncrowded, our award-winning fleet offers elegantly appointed staterooms and suites and welcomes fewer guests than many traditional river cruise ships. Our innovative AmaMagna offers enhanced personal space with more than 50% luxury suite accommodations as well as four unique dining venues, a chic onboard cinema and an expansive Zen Wellness Studio.
ENHANCE YOUR BEST SELF
Join our dedicated Wellness Hosts for complimentary small-group fitness classes on board your ship. For a gentler approach to wellness, we invite you to take a dip in the sun-deck pool or indulge in a spa treatment. Healthy cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients is always available, as are vegetarian, gluten-free and low-sodium choices.
UNPARALLELED PERSONALIZED SERVICE
Our extraordinary Cruise Managers and crew continuously go above and beyond to enhance the onboard experience, surprising and delighting our guests with thoughtful details, getting to know you personally and anticipating your needs before you ever have to ask. Our people are the main reason more guests return to cruise with us than with any other river cruise line - a testament to their passion and unrivaled service.
EXTRAORDINARY CRUISE MANAGERS
AmaWaterways’ extraordinary Cruise Managers are the best in the industry: destination experts with extensive experience in providing exceptional levels of personalized service. Warm-hearted, genuine and knowledgeable, they are there for you every step of your journey, including during our optional land packages before and after your river cruise.
LEADERS IN INNOVATION
Continuously innovating the river cruise experience, we were the first to offer twin-balcony staterooms, complimentary bikes, a full-sized pickleball court, and a complimentary multi-course specialty restaurant, The Chef's Table. As industry leaders, we work to minimize our impact on the world’s rivers, reducing single-use plastics across our fleet and installing solar panels on AmaMagna.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay in touch with our high-quality complimentary Wi-Fi, available on board throughout our fleet. In addition, our easy-to-use myAmaCruise app allows you view and share an interactive map that follows your river cruise itinerary, share photos with friends and family, learn about each port of call, find available excursions and even access your electronic travel documents.
Sustainability & Global Impact
With AmaWaterways
As we cruise along storied waterways and immerse ourselves in culture throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, it is of utmost importance to us that we not only support the local communities, but that we also minimize our impact on the environment and the precious natural ecosystems we sail through. Here are a few of the ways we are accomplishing our mission of making a positive impact on the world.
At AmaWaterways, we celebrate Earth Day every day and are delighted to walk you through some of the sustainable features on board our award-winning AmaMagna as well as the environmentally measures we are taking fleetwide to reduce our carbon footprint.
Green Award Certification
In early 2020, our award-winning AmaKristina became the first river cruise ship in the industry to be honored with the prestigious Green Award* certification for industry-leading safety, quality and environmental performance. Soon after, 19 additional ships in our European fleet were also recognized. To earn this award, our river cruise ships were evaluated on the environmental impact of such things as our engines, fuel consumption, waste and maintenance, pollution prevention.
Environmentally-Friendly Ship Design
Our river cruise fleet has been thoughtfully designed with eco-friendly elements. These include energy-saving LED lights, special insulated windows that reduce energy needs for heating and cooling, power locks to plug into a port’s power supply instead of running generators, solar heating systems, water treatment plants that provide microfiltration and recycling of all water used on board. AmaMagna also has an innovative 10-engine configuration designed to reduce fuel consumption and solar panels have been installed on all stateroom balconies. In addition, the Zambezi Queen uses a water jet propulsion system that protects the Chobe riverbed, water-saving taps and showers, biodegradable detergents and soaps, and a five-stage water purification plant.
A Greener Onboard Experience
To reduce overall plastic consumption, we use paper straws (upon request), refillable glass water bottles in all staterooms, and hand out recyclable tetra-pak water containers for excursions across the fleet (where available). We have lessened unnecessary food waste from large-scale buffets by serving a la carte lunches on board our European fleet. For our personal audio devices used on excursions, we are proud to partner with Quietvox, which utilizes biodegradable rice paper bags and rechargeable batteries. In addition, our luggage tags and handy travel wallets are both made from recycled plastic bottle material and are now delivered to guest staterooms on board our ships in Europe, reducing our carbon footprint. The usage of our innovative myAmaCruise app and electronic travel documents has also significantly reduced paper consumption both pre-cruise and on board.
The Greenest Cities in the World
We are proud to partner with and visit many cities on our river cruise and land journeys that share our commitment to protecting the natural ecosystems we cruise through.
AmaWaterways’ Wellness Program
Enhance Your Best Self
AmaWaterways strives to ensure every guest is able to enhance their best self on board. We are proud to offer a variety of guided hikes, biking excursions, engaging fitness classes led by professionally trained Wellness Hosts* as well as heated sun-deck pools, whirlpools, fitness rooms and massage services**. Overseen fleetwide by our Corporate Wellness Host and Ironman event participant, Selina Wank, our wellness activities are an enriching way to nourish your mind, body and spirit during your river cruise.
*Wellness Hosts available on all ships except AmaVida, AmaDouro, AmaSintra, AmaDahlia, AmaLilia and Zambezi Queen.
**Massage services available for a nominal fee.
Complimentary Fitness Classes
A variety of daily activities are available for guests, with group classes such as pilates, resistance band stretching, cardio, active wellness walks and dance, based on each individual Wellness Host’s expertise. Guests of all ages and activity levels are encouraged to participate and simple modifications are offered for guests with mobility limitations.
Mekong Wellness Activities
While cruising through Vietnam and Cambodia, guests may participate in morning stretching, core strengthening, resistance band classes and active wellness walks as well as some of the regionally-inspired wellness activities below.
Tea Ceremony: Let our Wellness Host introduce you to the traditional way of making 100% organic teas for the purposes of detoxifying, healing and reenergizing.
Meditation: A 30-minute focus on breathing techniques, centering one’s thoughts and the use of a healing bowl.
Tai Chi: An art that embraces the mind, body and spirit.
Yoga: An easy 30 to 45-minute introduction to yoga.
More Ways to Relax
With fewer guests on board, we are able to offer an array of amenities on our award-winning ships. When you’re not off exploring another stunning destination, take some time to unwind, relax and rejuvenate with our pools, massage services and more.
Sun Deck Pool
Soak up some rays or take a dip in our refreshing pool with a swim-up bar as we pass by centuries-old castles, charming villages and other breathtaking scenery.
Fitness Room
Are you looking for a way to stay fit on vacation? Hit the treadmill or lift some weights while cruising from one destination to the next.
Massage Services
After a marvelous day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage.
Hair Salon
Whether you’d like to dress up for the captain’s special dinner or a night out on the town, you can complete your look by getting your hair styled in our salon.
Why River Cruise with AmaWaterways
THE HEART OF THE RIVER™
With over two decades of experience on the world’s rivers, our family-owned and operated company has remained focused on what we do best: providing our guests with innovative and unforgettable travel experiences. When you step aboard AmaWaterways, each day brings a genuine smile that warms the heart, every river a new culture that inspires, and each course a moment to savor and share.
UNPACK ONCE: A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE
Step aboard and unpack once aboard one of our luxury ships that transport you from one destination to the next. With AmaWaterways, every day is a “see” day as we cruise through grand capitals and charming towns. Our ships dock near city centers, meaning you can step right off the ship and explore.
ALL EXCURSIONS INCLUDED – CHOOSE FROM UP TO EIGHT EACH DAY
AmaWaterways has curated a diverse menu of shore excursions included as part of your cruise fare. Our roster of options caters to a range of interest and activity levels, including tours for gentle and active walkers as well as late risers. Enjoy city tours, guided hikes, exhilarating bike rides, and tastings of local specialties—all on one itinerary!
AWARD-WINNING INCLUDED DINING EXPERIENCES
With membership in the internationally recognized La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, and Tables et Auberges de France, AmaWaterways takes pride in preparing exquisite, regionally inspired cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. You can also enjoy complimentary hand-selected wines and local beers during every lunch and dinner on board.
THE LUXURY OF SPACE - FEWER GUESTS ON BOARD
Spacious and uncrowded, our award-winning fleet offers elegantly appointed staterooms and suites and welcomes fewer guests than many traditional river cruise ships. Our innovative AmaMagna offers enhanced personal space with more than 50% luxury suite accommodations as well as four unique dining venues, a chic onboard cinema and an expansive Zen Wellness Studio.
ENHANCE YOUR BEST SELF
Join our dedicated Wellness Hosts for complimentary small-group fitness classes on board your ship. For a gentler approach to wellness, we invite you to take a dip in the sun-deck pool or indulge in a spa treatment. Healthy cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients is always available, as are vegetarian, gluten-free and low-sodium choices.
UNPARALLELED PERSONALIZED SERVICE
Our extraordinary Cruise Managers and crew continuously go above and beyond to enhance the onboard experience, surprising and delighting our guests with thoughtful details, getting to know you personally and anticipating your needs before you ever have to ask. Our people are the main reason more guests return to cruise with us than with any other river cruise line - a testament to their passion and unrivaled service.
EXTRAORDINARY CRUISE MANAGERS
AmaWaterways’ extraordinary Cruise Managers are the best in the industry: destination experts with extensive experience in providing exceptional levels of personalized service. Warm-hearted, genuine and knowledgeable, they are there for you every step of your journey, including during our optional land packages before and after your river cruise.
LEADERS IN INNOVATION
Continuously innovating the river cruise experience, we were the first to offer twin-balcony staterooms, complimentary bikes, a full-sized pickleball court, and a complimentary multi-course specialty restaurant, The Chef's Table. As industry leaders, we work to minimize our impact on the world’s rivers, reducing single-use plastics across our fleet and installing solar panels on AmaMagna.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay in touch with our high-quality complimentary Wi-Fi, available on board throughout our fleet. In addition, our easy-to-use myAmaCruise app allows you view and share an interactive map that follows your river cruise itinerary, share photos with friends and family, learn about each port of call, find available excursions and even access your electronic travel documents.
Sustainability & Global Impact
With AmaWaterways
As we cruise along storied waterways and immerse ourselves in culture throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, it is of utmost importance to us that we not only support the local communities, but that we also minimize our impact on the environment and the precious natural ecosystems we sail through. Here are a few of the ways we are accomplishing our mission of making a positive impact on the world.
At AmaWaterways, we celebrate Earth Day every day and are delighted to walk you through some of the sustainable features on board our award-winning AmaMagna as well as the environmentally measures we are taking fleetwide to reduce our carbon footprint.
Green Award Certification
In early 2020, our award-winning AmaKristina became the first river cruise ship in the industry to be honored with the prestigious Green Award* certification for industry-leading safety, quality and environmental performance. Soon after, 19 additional ships in our European fleet were also recognized. To earn this award, our river cruise ships were evaluated on the environmental impact of such things as our engines, fuel consumption, waste and maintenance, pollution prevention.
Environmentally-Friendly Ship Design
Our river cruise fleet has been thoughtfully designed with eco-friendly elements. These include energy-saving LED lights, special insulated windows that reduce energy needs for heating and cooling, power locks to plug into a port’s power supply instead of running generators, solar heating systems, water treatment plants that provide microfiltration and recycling of all water used on board. AmaMagna also has an innovative 10-engine configuration designed to reduce fuel consumption and solar panels have been installed on all stateroom balconies. In addition, the Zambezi Queen uses a water jet propulsion system that protects the Chobe riverbed, water-saving taps and showers, biodegradable detergents and soaps, and a five-stage water purification plant.
A Greener Onboard Experience
To reduce overall plastic consumption, we use paper straws (upon request), refillable glass water bottles in all staterooms, and hand out recyclable tetra-pak water containers for excursions across the fleet (where available). We have lessened unnecessary food waste from large-scale buffets by serving a la carte lunches on board our European fleet. For our personal audio devices used on excursions, we are proud to partner with Quietvox, which utilizes biodegradable rice paper bags and rechargeable batteries. In addition, our luggage tags and handy travel wallets are both made from recycled plastic bottle material and are now delivered to guest staterooms on board our ships in Europe, reducing our carbon footprint. The usage of our innovative myAmaCruise app and electronic travel documents has also significantly reduced paper consumption both pre-cruise and on board.
The Greenest Cities in the World
We are proud to partner with and visit many cities on our river cruise and land journeys that share our commitment to protecting the natural ecosystems we cruise through.
AmaWaterways’ Wellness Program
Enhance Your Best Self
AmaWaterways strives to ensure every guest is able to enhance their best self on board. We are proud to offer a variety of guided hikes, biking excursions, engaging fitness classes led by professionally trained Wellness Hosts* as well as heated sun-deck pools, whirlpools, fitness rooms and massage services**. Overseen fleetwide by our Corporate Wellness Host and Ironman event participant, Selina Wank, our wellness activities are an enriching way to nourish your mind, body and spirit during your river cruise.
*Wellness Hosts available on all ships except AmaVida, AmaDouro, AmaSintra, AmaDahlia, AmaLilia and Zambezi Queen.
**Massage services available for a nominal fee.
Complimentary Fitness Classes
A variety of daily activities are available for guests, with group classes such as pilates, resistance band stretching, cardio, active wellness walks and dance, based on each individual Wellness Host’s expertise. Guests of all ages and activity levels are encouraged to participate and simple modifications are offered for guests with mobility limitations.
Mekong Wellness Activities
While cruising through Vietnam and Cambodia, guests may participate in morning stretching, core strengthening, resistance band classes and active wellness walks as well as some of the regionally-inspired wellness activities below.
Tea Ceremony: Let our Wellness Host introduce you to the traditional way of making 100% organic teas for the purposes of detoxifying, healing and reenergizing.
Meditation: A 30-minute focus on breathing techniques, centering one’s thoughts and the use of a healing bowl.
Tai Chi: An art that embraces the mind, body and spirit.
Yoga: An easy 30 to 45-minute introduction to yoga.
More Ways to Relax
With fewer guests on board, we are able to offer an array of amenities on our award-winning ships. When you’re not off exploring another stunning destination, take some time to unwind, relax and rejuvenate with our pools, massage services and more.
Sun Deck Pool
Soak up some rays or take a dip in our refreshing pool with a swim-up bar as we pass by centuries-old castles, charming villages and other breathtaking scenery.
Fitness Room
Are you looking for a way to stay fit on vacation? Hit the treadmill or lift some weights while cruising from one destination to the next.
Massage Services
After a marvelous day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage.
Hair Salon
Whether you’d like to dress up for the captain’s special dinner or a night out on the town, you can complete your look by getting your hair styled in our salon.
About AmaWaterways
Family-owned and operated for 22 years, AmaWaterways offers unparalleled river cruise experiences with 29 custom-designed ships sailing Europe’s major rivers; Southeast Asia’s Mekong River; Africa’s Chobe River; Egypt’s Nile River and Colombia’s Magdalena River (2025). Co-founded by pioneering river cruise executives Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, the company is renowned for its warm and welcoming crew; innovative and sustainable?ship design; wellness activities (including a wide choice of included small group shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options); and award-winning, locally sourced cuisine paired with complimentary fine wine. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, most AmaWaterways ships welcome an average of just 150 guests and feature onboard amenities such as a stunning Main Lounge, specialty Chef’s Table restaurant, hair and massage salons, Sun Deck walking track and heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation, highlighted by the launch of the revolutionary AmaMagna. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travelers and families, as well as group and charter options.
About AmaWaterways
Family-owned and operated for 22 years, AmaWaterways offers unparalleled river cruise experiences with 29 custom-designed ships sailing Europe’s major rivers; Southeast Asia’s Mekong River; Africa’s Chobe River; Egypt’s Nile River and Colombia’s Magdalena River (2025). Co-founded by pioneering river cruise executives Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, the company is renowned for its warm and welcoming crew; innovative and sustainable?ship design; wellness activities (including a wide choice of included small group shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options); and award-winning, locally sourced cuisine paired with complimentary fine wine. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, most AmaWaterways ships welcome an average of just 150 guests and feature onboard amenities such as a stunning Main Lounge, specialty Chef’s Table restaurant, hair and massage salons, Sun Deck walking track and heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation, highlighted by the launch of the revolutionary AmaMagna. The company also offers a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, with sailings geared towards active travelers and families, as well as group and charter options.
