Get the chance to explore the amusing Christmas markets and explore the astonishing landmarks in the Neckar Valley and magnificent Rothenburg in this 5-day cruise aboard MS Victor Hugo. Hop on the old-time carousel like a kid, savor the scrumptious food, and enjoy a beer or sip of mulled wine. Wander through narrow, cobblestone streets, arches and fortified gates, and pastel-colored, half-timbered buildings in Rothenburg and see the UNESCO-listed cathedral in Speyer.
Highlights
Explore Heidelberg, the most romantic city in Germany
See Rothenburg ob der Tauber and its whimsical Christmas Market
Tour in historic Speyer and its Imperial Cathedral
Stroll through the vibrant, inspiring town of Eberbach
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Passengers are welcome in the ship at 1:00 p.m. and you can drop off your luggage before heading out on a panoramic tour to see the holiday decorations in Strasbourg and spend some free time at its famous Christmas markets. In the evening, passengers are welcome to (re)board at 6:00 p.m. After you’ve comfortably settled into your cabins, you'll be introduced the crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight, enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment on board. Your ship will begin to cruise to Mannheim in the evening.
Arrive in Mannheim, the starting point for the tour of Heidelberg and its castle (exterior only). Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest and most famous university town. The late 18th- and 19th-century Romanticists found quite the inspiration in this riverside setting. After a guided tour of the old town, enjoy some free time wandering through the local Christmas markets. Soak up the atmosphere, jump on the old-time carousel like a kid, enjoy the scrumptious food, and throw back a beer or sip on mulled wine*. There’s no better way to welcome the season than being at the heart of the festivities. After the tour, you’ll return on board in Heidelberg.
You’ll spend the afternoon cruising the Neckar River towards Eberbach. You’ll pass by what the Germans call the “Romantic Four”—Neckargemünd and its wonderfully decorated half-timbered homes dominated by Dilsberg Castle above the city; Neckasteinach and its four castles that form a ribbon around the river bends; Hirschhorn, its castle, and former Carmelite cloister; and lastly, the arrival point at the quaint city of Eberbach. Enjoy some free time to stroll through the vibrant, inspiring town located on what was once an old trade route linking Mannheim to Prague.
Join the cruise for dinner and an evening of entertainment.
Full-day excursion included: Heilbronn (lunch included - approximately 2.5 hours of round-trip travel).
You'll travel from Eberbach to Heilbronn, the wine capital of historic Wurtemberg—an ancient Imperial Free City sitting within beautiful forests and vineyards.
During your stroll through downtown, you'll see the astronomical clock on the old City Hall in the market square; St. Kilian's Church and its Renaissance-style belfry; and the Deutschhof, an old monastery that now houses the city museums.
At Christmastime, the city overflows with music and traditional spices such as aniseed and cinnamon. Enjoy browsing the decorated stands brimming with crafts and souvenirs around St. Kilian's Church, the City Hall, and the market square. You'll have lunch in a local restaurant.
After the excursion, you'll return on board in Heidelberg. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.
On arrival, join a tour of Speyer. The city is littered with impressive landmarks, including the UNESCO-listed cathedral and medieval ruins from the time when it was inhabited by one of the most important Jewish communities in Germany. Speyer also hosts a delightful and ethereal Christmas and New Year market on the famous Maximilianstrasse in front of the Alten Münze (Old Mint).
Tonight is your festive gala evening. Your ship will begin to cruise to Strasbourg.
Day 5: Strasbourg | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$1,6372-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
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Main Deck-Cat A
28 Cabins with high windows (27 twins, 1 double cabin) Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Main Deck- Cat B
Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Main Deck- Cat C
Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat A
17 cabins with picture windows with sliding top section (16 twins, 1 double cabin) Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat B
Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat C
Shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.
Notes
20% discount on children between 2-10 years
30% discount for 3rd person in triple cabin
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
