Soak up the festive atmosphere along the River Rhine, visiting the many traditional Christmas markets with their colourful gifts and delicacies.
Explore Amsterdam's picturesque canals and enjoy a walking tour of Cologne, before visiting the city's Christmas market. Admire stunning scenery as you cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge to the charming wine-making town of Rudesheim.
Discover Heidelberg and its red-walled castle or tour medieval Speyer. Continue to Strasbourg, capital of the Alsace region, which has one of the best Christmas Markets in the world, and from Breisach, visit the picturesque town of Riquewihr or historic Freiburg with its red sandstone Gothic cathedral before sailing to Basel.
F103 Operated by AMA Waterways
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Christmas on the Rhine Itinerary
Day 1 - Amsterdam (Holland)
Embark your luxurious river cruise ship in Amsterdam. Meet your fellow travellers tonight at the Welcome Dinner. (D)
Day 2 - Amsterdam
Admire beautiful 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th-century merchant houses on a guided canal boat tour. Walk to the historic Begijnhof and enjoy free to time to explore. Then enjoy a panoramic city tour of Amsterdam, including a photo stop at a Dutch windmill. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Cologne (Germany)
Spend the day in Cologne with a walking tour through the old part of the city and visit the Gothic Cathedral before experiencing the renowned Christmas Market in Cathedral Square. In 2019 there is the option to join the bike ride along the Rhine or visit a local tavern for a tasting of Cologne's traditional Kolsh beer and Reibekuchen. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Rhine Gorge – Rudesheim
Cruise through the delightful Rhine Gorge, past the famous Lorelei Rock and on to Rudesheim. Here, choose from a wine tasting excursion, a gondola ride over the town or a guided bike tour along the Rhine river. This afternoon visit the Christmas Markets with over 120 stalls before exploring Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or enjoy some famous Rudesheimer Coffee. On the reverse itinerary enjoy an evening walking tour of Koblenz. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Mannheim or Ludwigshafen – Heidelberg
From Mannheim (2018) or Ludwigshafen (2019), take a half-day excursion to Heidelberg, with its red-walled castle home to the Great Vat or perhaps explore Speyer renowned for its cathedral and medieval Altportel or Old Gate. There is also the option to visit the Mannheim Baroque Palace (2018 only). (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Strasbourg (France)
Cruise to Strasbourg, capital of the Alsace region, and a city known for its timber-framed buildings. Enjoy a panoramic tour taking in the European Parliament, before exploring the Petite France district on foot. Alternatively, join the bike tour of the Old Town or a hike to the cathedral (2018 only). (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Breisach (Germany)
Today choose to visit the picturesque town of Riquewihr which looks just as it did in the Middle Ages, or enjoy a walking tour of historic Freiburg with its red sandstone Gothic cathedral. Alternatively join the guided bike tour through the countryside. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Basel (Switzerland)
After breakfast, disembark in Basel. (B)
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary