M. William Phelps is the New York Timesbest-selling author of 45 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. He has written for numerous publications, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television, including, his weekly Investigation Discovery (ID) series “Dark Minds,” “Deadly Women,” “Snapped,” “Sex, Lies & Murder,” “Notorious: The Happy Face Killer,” “Forensic Files,” “Evil Lives Here,” and many more. In 2024-25, Phelps has three television projects in the works, including a Hulu special focused on the murder of Mary Yoder by Katie Conely, the subject of his book We Thought We Knew You. Making his acting debut, Phelps plays a forensic professor in a horror film slated for 2025 release.
His #1 hit Apple true-crime podcast franchise Paper Ghosts is now in its fourth season, “The Ozarks,” and Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps , his ongoing, weekly podcast, is consistently in the top 100—where, each week, Phelps dives deeply into murder, missing people and unsolved, cold case cases rarely covered.
Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer.
Itinerary
Route: Amsterdam to Basel
Dates: May 14-21, 2025
Ship: AmaPrima
May 14, 2025 AMSTERDAM (Embarkation)
Board the ship in Amsterdam for your captivating Rhine cruise.
May 15, 2025 AMSTERDAM
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.
May 16, 2025 DUSSELDORF
As a leading hub for German culture, commerce, and architecture, Düsseldorf is a must-visit city for any travelers on the Rhine. Here, you will have multiple options for the day’s excursion. Explore this grand city on the Rhine by joining a walking tour, concluding with a tasting of Altbier, a local specialty brewed using traditional techniques. Alternatively, cover more ground with an active bike tour of the city. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a brief trip to the nearby city of Cologne. 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.
May 17, 2025 RHINE GORGE / RUDESHEIM
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal, then join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. 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.
May 18, 2025 LUDWIGSHAFEN
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three 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 join a guided bike tour along the shores of the river Neckar and enjoy a cycling break to explore the picturesque medieval town of Ladenburg.
May 19, 2025 STRASBOURG
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.
May 20, 2025 BREISACH
Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Colmar, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and perhaps get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, a small replica of the famous version in New York, to commemorate the sculptor’s Colmar birthplace. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the countryside, or hike in the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions.
May 21, 2025 BASEL (Disembarkation)
After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home.
NO DEPOSIT DUE TODAY! MONIES WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE END OF JUNE
Deposit is $1000/person. $250/person is non-refundable.
Additional $1500/person is due 185 days prior to departure (November 10, 2024).
Balance is due 125 days prior to departure (January 9, 2025).
more than 125 days prior – $250 non-refundable
91 to 125 days prior – 50% non-refundable
90 days or less prior – non-refundable
For more information on this cruise contact Nicole Zima
Phone: 407-457-9799 / Email: nicole@sailawaygrouptravel.com
Terms & Conditions
ITINERARY:
Schedule and times are subject to change without notice due to water levels, wind factors and other conditions.
REGISTRATION FORM
To book a stateroom on this sailing, you must submit a completed registration form with deposit. For your convenience the registration form can be completed and electronically signed online by all passengers traveling.
For PC users the PDF form can be completed online, saved and returned via email to nicole@sailawaygrouptravel.com.
For MAC users, the process for properly filling in and saving a PDF form is slightly different than on a Windows machine. By default, the Mac’s Preview application is set to open all PDF files, but Preview will not save the data you put into the forms. Right-click on the pdf or hold down the Control key on your keyboard and click on it. A menu will appear, select “Open With”. Choose Acrobat Reader from the list of programs. From within Acrobat you will be able to fill in the fields and save the file with your text and submit the completed form via email.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
All Guests will be required to check‐in online to complete and submit their PASSENGER INFORMATION FORM before final documentation will be processed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Sail Away Group Travel strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to safeguard your trip investment.
