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Christmas Markets Along the Rhine & Main
Nuremberg's Christmas Market at night
Discover the sights and sounds of Christmas markets season along the
legendary Rhine. Festive stalls are decorated with holly branches and twinkling
lights. Local artisans demonstrate their crafts - handmade ornaments, toys and
nutcrackers. And the scent of gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine
fills the air.
Revel in Cologne's festive atmosphere, where the Christmas market is
held in front of the beautifully illuminated Gothic cathedral. Journey along
the "Romantic Road" to Rothenburg, Europe's most famous fairytale
medieval city. Tour Heidelberg, the oldest university town in Germany,
and Nuremberg, home to one of Germany's most traditional holiday markets.
Celebrate the spirit of the season in style and comfort aboard your luxurious
floating hotel - the beautiful River Princess or River Countess.
Combine Two Cruises and Save!
Continue your holiday with a second cruise, from Nuremberg
to Vienna onboard the River Empress or River Duchess and experience
a truly Grand Christmas Markets cruise from Cologne to Vienna. Save 10% on your
second cruise and pay no additional airfare.
- Roundtrip flight to Europe
- 8-Day (7-night) cruise aboard the deluxe River
Princess or River Countess in an outside cabin
- All meals aboard ship, dining in one luxurious seating
- Festive dinner in a Rüdesheim Schloss, with entertainment
- Comprehensive sightseeing including 6 guided excursions
- Visits to 6 Christmas markets in Cologne, Rüdesheim,
Heidelberg, Rothenburg, Würzburg and Nuremberg
- Services of a Cruise Manager
- All transfers for passengers on flights operated by the
River Cruise Operator
- Nuremberg - City tour
- Guided visits to Christmas markets in 6 cities:
Cologne, Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, Rothenburg, Würzburg and Nuremberg
- Rüdesheim - Tour Siegfried's Music Museum and dinner
in the Rüdesheimer Schloss
- Heidelberg - Castle and city tour
- Full-day Romantic Road and Rothenburg with lunch
- Würzburg - Tour Prince-Bishop's Residenz
- Bamberg - Guided walk
Itinerary Detail (also offered in from Nuremberg to Cologne)
Board your trans-Atlantic flight to Europe. |
After embarkation, take a short stroll to Cologne's spectacular Gothic
cathedral, a dramatic backdrop to the city's Christmas market
outside. The cathedral, which took 700 years to complete, is the most visited
building in Germany, and its spires and stained glass windows never fail
to impress. Early this evening, join your fellow passengers for dinner onboard.
At midnight, your beautiful ship begins its journey up the Rhine. |
Relax onboard as the hills and castles of the Rhineland glide by. Shortly
after lunch arrive in Rüdesheim. Your afternoon begins with a tour
of Siegfried's Museum of mechanical musical instruments. Rüdesheim's
Christmas market is one of the most popular in Germany. You can find
handicrafts and unique Christmas decorations from all over Europe. The scents
of cinnamon, Glühwein (warm spiced wine), roasting chestnuts and
gingerbread fill the air. Explore the market, then enjoy dinner at the Rüdesheimer
Schloss (castle), complete with entertainment and fine local wine. |
Disembark in Mainz for a tour to romantic Heidelberg, the oldest
university town in Germany. Tour the picturesque medieval castle and enjoy
free time to browse the Christmas market in the town center. Return
to the ship in Frankfurt for your cruise up the scenic Main River. |
Awake in the quaint town of Wertheim. Take a short stroll to see
the market square with its many colorful half-timbered houses. Continue
by coach along Germany's fabled "Romantic Road", between the Main
river and the Alps, to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Europe's best-preserved
medieval walled city. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon
you have time to visit this city's Christmas market, and Germany's
most famous Christmas store and museum. |
Disembark in Würzburg for a tour of the magnificent Prince Bishop's
Residenz, one of Europe's finest Baroque palaces, famous for its Tiepolo
frescoes. Visit the splendid Baroque marketplace and colorful Christmas
market. Rejoin the ship in Kitzingen and continue up the Main to Bamberg. |
Arrive in Bamberg and enjoy a leisurely walking tour of this perfectly
preserved architectural gem, listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Boasting Renaissance palaces, Baroque houses and a breathtaking cathedral,
Bamberg is one of Germany's most beautiful cities. Photographers will delight
in Bamberg's Old Town Hall, situated in the midst of a river on a picturesque
bridge. This afternoon, cruise on the Main-Danube Canal, a 20th century
engineering wonder. Ascend through enormous stair-step locks to Nuremberg,
over 1,000 ft above sea level. Tonight your captain will host the Christmas
cocktail party followed by your farewell dinner. |
The highlight of your Christmas markets cruise is Nuremberg. Your
tour begins with the outer (modern) city, including the courthouse where
the Nuremberg trials were held. Your guides will then lead you through the
ancient walled Old Town. The afternoon is free to explore Germany's most
famous Christmas market at your own pace. The market was first started
by traders in the 17th century, and now it is Germany's most popular. Be
sure to visit the international market in the neighboring square. It features
unusual handicrafts and Christmas decorations from as far away as China
and Russia. Don't forget to take home some freshly baked Lebkuchen
(gingerbread), a Nuremberg specialty. |
Disembark for your flight home. |
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