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Christmas Markets Along the Rhine & Moselle
Enjoy medieval gems along the Rhine
Explore the Christmas traditions of Germany, France and Switzerland on this
festive cruise along the legendary Rhine. Sail Aboard the elegant River Queen,
brightly decorated for the season.
From the illuminated splendor of Cologne's Gothic cathedral,
sheltering its Christmas market below, cruise to the fairytale villages of Cochem
and Rüdesheim, where you will find handicrafts from all over Europe. Tour romantic
Heidelberg, the oldest university town in Germany, and Strasbourg, famous for
its French delicacies. Continue to Basel for a taste of Christmas in Switzerland
before returning home with wonderful memories of the holiday season in Europe.
- Roundtrip flight to Europe
- 8-Day (7 nights) cruise aboard the River Queen
in an outside cabin
- All meals aboard ship, dining in one luxurious seating
- Festive dinner in a German Schloss, with entertainment
- Special Christmas dinner on cruises over Christmas
- Comprehensive sightseeing including 5 guided shore
excursions
- Visits to 6 Christmas Markets in Cologne, Rüdesheim,
Mainz, Heidelberg and Strasbourg
- Services of a Uniworld Cruise Manager
- All transfers for passengers on flights booked by the
River Cruise Operator
- Visits to 5 Christmas Markets in Cologne, Rüdesheim,
Mainz, Heidelberg and Strasbourg
- Cologne – Cathedral tour
- Cochem – Town and Reichsburg Castle tour
- Rüdesheim – Siegfried’s Music Museum and dinner
in the Rüdesheimer Schloss
- Heidelberg – Castle and city tour
- Strasbourg – City tour
- Basel – City tour
Itinerary Detail
Board your trans-Atlantic flight to Europe. |
Arrive in Cologne and embark your luxurious ship. After embarkation you
can take a short stroll to Cologne’s spectacular Gothic cathedral,
a dramatic backdrop to the city’s Christmas market outside. Early
this evening, join your fellow passengers for dinner onboard. |
This morning, tour Cologne's Gothic cathedral, which took 700 years to complete.
Continue up the Rhine to its confluence with the Moselle at
Koblenz. This evening the Captain will host his Welcome Aboard dinner.
After dinner, you can stroll through the nearby romantic Old Town. |
Depart for a tour of the fairytale wine village of Cochem, nestled
in a bend of the Moselle River. Local guides will take you for a
stroll through the town, known for its beautiful half-timbered houses and
quaint, narrow alleys. Tour the imposing Reichsburg castle, and then
spend the afternoon relaxing onboard as the hills and castles of the Rhineland
glide by. Arrive in Rüdesheim in time to enjoy dinner at the Rüdesheimer
Schloss, complete with entertainment and local wine. |
Your morning begins with a tour of Siegfried’s Museum, housing an
incredible collection of mechanical musical instruments. Rüdesheim’s Christkindlmarkt,
or Christmas market, is one of the largest in Germany. Sprawling
along the High street and down to the Rhine, 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. After some free time to explore the market, continue up the
Rhine to Mainz where you can visit the nearby Old Town and Christmas
market at your leisure. |
Disembark for a tour to romantic Heidelberg, the oldest university
town in Germany. Visit the medieval castle and enjoy some free time in the
town center to visit the Christmas market. |
Begin this morning’s city tour of Strasbourg by coach. First see
the modern part of the city, lined with elegant boulevards and beautiful
gardens. Then enjoy a guided walk through Petite France where you
will see both the French and German influences that have molded the historic
Old Town. Your tour ends at the spectacular single-spire Gothic cathedral.
After some free time to explore on your own, return to the ship for lunch.
This afternoon, you can visit Strasbourg’s famous and popular Christmas
market to shop for French delicacies. Cruise overnight to Basel. |
Begin your day with a tour of cosmopolitan Basel. Switzerland's
second largest city is ideally located at the crossroads of Switzerland,
France and Germany. Long an important university, banking and trade center,
Basel's glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and exquisite
18th century patrician homes. After lunch, enjoy free time to walk along
the city's charming streets, or join an optional tour to the beautiful city
of Lucerne, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps.
Tonight the captain hosts you to a farewell dinner. |
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. |
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