Join Us For A Unique Experience Christmas Market Watercolor Workshop River Cruise
Experience the magic of the holiday season with our Christmas Markets Watercolor Workshop River Cruise. Cruise through the heart of Europe aboard an elegantly decorated AmaWaterways ship, enjoying the festive traditions of the Rhine River with your paint brush in hand.
Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland, this unforgettable itinerary invites you to immerse yourself in picturesque towns, majestic castles, and glittering Holiday traditions — a truly magical watercolor workshop experience onboard.
workshop includes:
- Half-day watercolor workshops onboard in a private classroom space
- 7-nights luxury accommodation onboard the Star Legend, an all suite ship
- All excursions
- All onboard meals and beverages
workshop DOES NOT INclude:
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities
What You'll See & Paint Christmas Along The Rhine River
Embrace the holiday spirit and cruise and paint with us on a luxurious Christmas Markets River Cruise Workshop with AmaWaterways. From the festive streets of Amsterdam to the charming stalls of Strasbourg, each stop along the Rhine River serves as your artistic inspiration. Guided by watercolor instructor Cindy Briggs, you’ll capture the essence of Europe’s most enchanting holiday markets, historic castles, and snow-dusted mountains.
Onboard, stay warm on our elegantly appointed ship with AmaWaterways for seated, classroom-style workshops, transforming your journey into art alongside a small group of fellow painters. Experience the magic of European holiday traditions, cruise through the majestic Alps of Switzerland, and create lasting memories on this unique watercolor workshop cruise.
What You'll Learn Watercolor Workshop Itinerary
We’ve transformed traditional watercolor workshops by combining artistic instruction, cultural immersion, and community engagement aboard luxury cruises. This workshop is open to all skill levels, guided by professional watercolor artist Al Kline, who will teach a variety of techniques, including:
Urban Sketching
Capturing the essence of cityscapes and architectural elements through quick, on-location sketches.
Value Studies
Understanding light and shadow to create depth and dimension in your work.
Plein Air Techniques
Painting outdoors to directly engage with natural landscapes and lighting conditions.
Composition and Design
Arranging elements effectively within your artwork to achieve balance and harmony.
Impressionistic Approaches
Embracing loose brushwork and vibrant colors to convey mood and atmosphere.
YOUR WATERCOLOR INSTRUCTOR
meet the artist
Meet Cindy Briggs
your Watercolor instructor
Cindy Briggs is a watercolor artist and instructor known for her luminous, expressive style, capturing landscapes, cityscapes, and florals. With over 25 years of experience, she leads workshops around the world, inspiring artists to embrace vibrant color, dynamic composition, and a confident, personal style.
A Signature Member of the National and Northwest Watercolor Societies, Cindy’s work has been featured in SPLASH 24, PleinAir Magazine, Outdoor Painter, and Watercolor Magazine.
She is the cover artist for the April/May 2026 issue of International Artist Magazine, with an 8-page feature on her travels and painting throughout Europe, and continues to collaborate with leading brands including Daniel Smith.
Cindy encourages artists to immerse themselves in the experience, explore new ways of seeing, and refine their own unique style.
Why You Should Join Our
watercolor workshop cruises
Are you ready to set sail and paint with us?
watercolor workshop ITINERARY
DAY ONE & TWO | Tuesday – Wednesday, December 15 & 16
Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
Excursion & Watercolor Workshop Onboard
Arrive and settle into your stateroom on embarkation day. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group and artist meet-and-greet. This is where you will receive an itinerary for the trip, meet other artists and the instructor, and get excited for this incredible painting journey you’re about to embark on.
On your second day in Amsterdam, you’ll get to enjoy some of the 165 canals on a lovely canal cruise. Alternatively, get a taste of local flavor, passing iconic canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats while tasting Dutch specialties at one of Amsterdam’s grand cafes.
In the afternoon, enjoy a workshop on-board the AmaSerena before we depart Amsterdam for our next destination.
day three | Thursday, December 17
Cologne, Germany
Excursion & Watercolor Workshop Onboard
Enjoy cruising to Cologne, where we will join a guided tour through the beautiful Old Town. During your free time, browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Markets, offering 160 market stalls.
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.
Before or after your excursion (depending on port of call times), we will have our watercolor workshop with Cindy Briggs back onboard.
Day four | Friday, December 18
Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge
Excursion & Watercolor Workshop Onboard
Let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments. Or enjoy a drink and the stunning views by soaring high above the dormant vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal.
Afterwards, enjoy free time in the town, perhaps to explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s cultural heart, and the Christmas Markets. Later in the day, cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching Lahnstein, where you will enjoy a unique evening visit at Lahneck Castle.
After your excursion for the day, enjoy a 4 hour watercolor workshop onboard with Cindy Briggs.
day five | Saturday, December 19
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Excursion & Watercolor Workshop Onboard
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. Here you can also enjoy visiting some of the festive Christmas Markets.
In your free time, you might choose to visit the Christmas Markets or Technik Museum featuring exhibits of vintage cars, military aircraft and even a submarine.
Later in the day, cruise to the charming village of Rüdesheim and join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
Depending on port-of-call times, your watercolor workshop will be in the morning or afternoon.
DAY six | Sunday, December 20
Strasbourg, France
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. During the tour, you will receive free time to visit the Christmas markets. In the afternoon, visit the picturesque town Gengenbach, where you will stroll through the town’s narrow streets full of half-timbered houses. Enjoy the Gengenbach Christmas Market, packed with holiday treats and centers around the 18th century town hall.
Depending on port-of-call times, your workshop with Cindy Briggs will be either in the morning or afternoon for 4 hours, ensuring you make the most of every excursion offered.
Day seven & EIGHT | Monday – Tuesday, December 21 & 22
Basel, Switzerland
On your last few days with us, get to know Basel – Switzerland’s third largest city. 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 and visit Basel’s beautiful Christmas Markets.
Basel, Switzerland is where we say farewell and prepare for your trip home or post-cruise experience in Lake Como.
On Day Seven, December 21, we will have a workshop during our last full day onboard together. On disembarkation day, there is no workshop.
More than a watercolor workshop What's Included
Small Group Painting Experience
- Daily painting and lessons
- One-on-one instruction with world renown artist
- Festive onboard traditions and an exquisite holiday feast with all the trimmings on every Christmas Markets cruise
- Welcome dinner and drinks with other students and meet-and-greet with the artist
- Personalized service from on-site travel coordinator
- Small private group setting experience
- Free time for painting or sketching in all port cities or leisure time of choice
Spacious Accommodation
- 7 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with twin balconies)
- Entertainment-On-Demand
A Variety of Amenities
- Wellness Activities with a dedicated Wellness Host
- Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
- Sun deck pool with swim-up bar and walking track
- Fitness room
- Daily entertainment including cultural performances
Award-Wining Dining
- All onboard dining in a variety of venues
- Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
- The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
- Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner
- La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience
- Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
- Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
- Tapas, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
A World of Exploration
- Immersive tours in every destination
- Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
- Bike tours and hikes
- Special Interest Tours
- Knowledgeable guides
- Personal headset for easy exploration
- Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways
*The workshop fee does not include airfare, passport or visa fees, transportation to/from airports travel insurance, and other exclusions as outlined in the deposit form
the votes are in!
New friendships and painting techniques
Return home with beautiful paintings, incredible memories and newfound friendships. Paint By Destination’s watercolor workshops will exceed your expectations and prove to be an investment in both your artistic growth and overall well-being.
Incredible value for
money
Not only will you receive top-notch guidance to improve your watercolor painting skills, but you will enjoy luxury accommodation, curated excursions, and immersive cultural experiences along the most iconic rivers in the world. The convenience and comfort of having everything organized for you makes this worth every cent.