Christmas on the Rhine

Length

7 nights

Region

Rhine

Countries

Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland

Day by day

Shown from Amsterdam to Basel. Direction and ports can vary by sailing.

1. Day 1

   Amsterdam: boarding

   Amsterdam, The Netherlands

   Board the ship in Amsterdam, a city of about 90 islands linked by 1,500 bridges, and home to the Rijksmuseum.

2. Day 2

   Dordrecht and the Dutch waterways

   Dordrecht, The Netherlands

   Sail the Waal and Merwede through farmland and past windmills to Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland.

   Tours: Historic Dordrecht (included), Historic Gouda & Stroopwafel, The Highlights of Kinderdijk

3. Day 3

   Cologne: Christmas markets

   Cologne, Germany

   Themed markets run across the city during the season, including one beside Cologne Cathedral and a tented market at the harbor.

   Tours: Christmas in Cologne (included), Cologne’s Beer Culture & Dinner

4. Day 4

   Koblenz and the Middle Rhine

   Koblenz and Rüdesheim, Germany

   Visit the Koblenz market around the Schängel fountain, then sail the Middle Rhine to Rüdesheim and its Christmas Market of Nations.

   Tours: Historic Koblenz at Christmas (included), Rüdesheim Festive Market (included), Dine in Rüdesheim am Rhein, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Medieval Marksburg Castle, Wine Tasting & Dinner at Eberbach Monastery, Wine Tasting & Dinner at Schloss Johannisberg Estate

5. Day 5

   Mannheim and Speyer: Christmas markets

   Mannheim and Speyer, Germany

   Mannheim's market has more than 160 booths around the water tower. Later, take a walking tour of Speyer and its Christmas market.

   Tours: Mannheim & Yuletide Market (included), Speyer & Its Christmas Market (included), Highlights of Heidelberg at Christmas

6. Day 6

   Strasbourg: Christkindelsmärik

   Strasbourg, France

   Strasbourg's market in the cathedral square dates to 1570, making it the oldest in France. Stalls sell Alsatian food and mulled wine.

   Tours: Strasbourg Highlights (included), Christmas Flavors of Alsace, Panoramic Strasbourg by Land & Water, Medieval Castle of Haut Koenigsbourg at Christmas Time, Gengenbach at Christmas, Strasbourg’s Historic Wine Cellar & Christmas Market

7. Day 7

   Breisach and the Black Forest area

   Breisach, Germany

   The Weihnachtsmarkt sits in the old town near St. Stephen's Cathedral. The included tour visits the Christmas markets of Freiburg, with an organ concert.

   Tours: Freiburg Yuletide Market & Organ Concert (included), Festive Colmar & Riquewihr, Medieval Staufen & Schnapps Distillery, Medieval Staufen & Wine, The Colmar Pocket in World War II: Museum & Memorial, Christmastime in the Black Forest

8. Day 8

   Basel: departure

   Basel, Switzerland

   Leave the ship and travel home, or continue on a post-cruise extension.

Dates

Availability changes. Ask us to confirm. More sailings may be available.

What's included

Virtuoso benefits

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