Begin your holiday with the VIP Home Departure Service to London Heathrow Airport or Gatwick and your direct scheduled British Airways or other leading airline flight to Basel. On arrival we transfer to the port and embark the River Queen.

We reach Basel where your included city tour visits the striking Town Hall and exquisite 18th century patrician homes. In the centre of the Old Town the Christmas market will be in full swing and a stroll along the Christmas Street is a must, illuminated by over trees. Captain's Welcome Dinner this evening.

Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace and a city of great importance both historically and today as the home to Council of Europe. Your included tour is a canal cruise to view Petit France, especially pretty at this time of year with the festive decorations, covered bridges and watchtowers. The Christmas market here is the oldest in France and sits with the Gothic cathedral as a backdrop.

From Speyer we disembark for a full-day tour to Heidelberg with a visit to the romantic ruins of the Castle and a stroll through the attractive Old Town (lunch not provided). You will then have plenty of time to browse the market that includes their Christmas Pyramid with figures from the city's history rotating within the Marktplatz Tower.

This morning enjoy a walking tour of Mainz, exploring the old town and the city square to see the Kaiserdom, St Stephan's Church and the Kirschgarten. You may choose to wander independently along the attractive riverside promenade and visit the 200-year old St Nicholas Christmas Market. Then we join an excursion to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum with its fabulous collection of musical instruments housed in one of the town's 16th century mansions.

Today we visit the 2000-year-old city of Koblenz that sits at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers. A guided city tour will introduce you to St Castor's Church and the Schaengel Fountain, and you will enjoy free time to discover the delights of the Christmas market.

Your walking tour this morning winds through the streets of Cologne past quaint squares, churches and inns before reaching the cathedral that dominates the city skyline. Surrounding the cathedral, the Christmas market provides you with a chance to experience this magical tradition with wooden stalls selling handicrafts, ceramics and local fare. Captain's Farewell Dinner onboard this evening.

We say farewell to the River Queen and her crew and transfer to Dusseldorf Airport for the return direct scheduled British Airways or other leading airline flight to London Heathrow or Gatwick where a representative will greet you and transport you to your front door.