Let’s be honest: One of the greatest luxuries of a river cruise is those few days that you have a slow morning. Waking up to a new view, grabbing a coffee and lingering over breakfast…it’s so nice. So when an excursion has me putting on real clothes before 9 a.m. and skipping my second cappuccino (and extra glass of wine the night before), that says something.

These are five AmaWaterways excursions I’d gladly get out of bed for again. No notes, no regrets, and no complaints about my alarm ringing before 8 a.m.

5. Monet’s Gardens at Giverny (Giverny, France)

Even if you slept through every art history class (you can think of this as my confession), this excursion is still impressive. I know next to nothing about Monet, and yet I was out there gasping at flowers like I was on the judging panel of a garden competition. The lily pond? Gorgeous. The green Japanese bridge? Iconic. It’s the kind of place that quietly leaves an impression you’ll think about long after you’ve sailed away.

4. Philosopher’s Path Hike (Heidelberg, Germany)

There’s something special about this excursion. It’s quieter and more reflective than some of the others. The walk up the path is steady but scenic, winding through trees until you reach a viewpoint that stops you in your tracks. From the top, you get sweeping views of Heidelberg’s old town and the castle perched above the river. This stop is easily one of the most beautiful cityscapes on the itinerary. German poets like Eichendorff and Hölderlin were inspired by this very view, and standing there, I could absolutely see why.

3. Strasbourg Bike Tour (Strasbourg, France)

Strasbourg is one of those cities that always looks good from any angle – and cruising through it on a bike just makes it better. You zip past canals, cross bridges, and swing by the (Strasbourg) Notre Dame Cathedral like it’s just a casual neighborhood landmark. But trust me, it’s anything but. This tour is fast-paced and easy, and honestly? I’ve never bothered doing any other tour in Strasbourg. This one delivers. Every. Single. Time.

2. Würzburg Residence Tour (Würzburg, Germany)

Is it dramatic to call this place the Versailles of Bavaria? Maybe. But also, not really. The scale of the place is overwhelming (in a good way): Ornate rooms, sweeping staircases, and ceilings that feel like they belong in a museum. No seriously, the staircase at the entrance alone is worth the ticket. By the time you reach the massive fresco above the staircase, it’s hard not to be completely awestruck. And that’s not even the best part. My favorite room is the gilded Mirror Cabinet. Does the photo above not speak for itself?

1. Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum (Rüdesheim, Germany)

Ah, Siegfried’s … This place is pure, joyful chaos. You’re standing in a 15th-century knight’s manor, the Brömserhof, while mechanical instruments from the 1800s start playing themselves. It’s weird and wonderful and unlike anything else I’ve ever done on a cruise. Typically this excursion is done in the afternoon and evenings, but I would be remiss not to mention it on this list because it is my favorite. I’ve actually gone three times in one week before and would have gone again if I had the opportunity. Not for everyone, but for me? It was almost a spiritual awakening when I saw the self-playing violins for the first time.

Not every excursion is worth setting an alarm for. Trust me. But these excursions prove that whether it’s the views, the history or the sheer weirdness of it all, some things can actually be worth losing a little sleep over. The only question is: Which one are you waking up early for?