Rhine Christmas Markets

Begin your journey in the picturesque city of Amsterdam. Discover a true wanderer's delight steeped in history, art, and an undeniably festive atmosphere. Explore a beautiful labyrinth of narrow laneways adorned with twinkling holiday lights, canals framed by exquisitely preserved 17th-century architecture, and historic squares decorated with festive Christmas trees.

This afternoon, step aboard the ship and settle into your elegant suite. Take advantage of accommodations featuring innovative windows that effortlessly convert into a Scenic Sun Lounge, granting uninterrupted views of the ever-changing landscapes and daily life along the riverbanks. Later, relax and raise a glass to the exciting adventure ahead during tonight's welcome reception.

Spend the morning indulging in the exceptional luxuries aboard the ship. Consider savoring a freshly brewed coffee right in your suite, brought by a personal butler, before heading down for a delightful breakfast in Crystal Dining.

Upon arriving in Düsseldorf this afternoon, step ashore to find a city that truly comes alive during the holiday season. The air is sweetened by the scent of warm mulled wine, accompanied by cheerful music and the vibrant energy of lively markets. Wander through the Old Town to see it brimming with joyful revelers, and admire the traditional market stalls lining the famous Königsallee. Join a knowledgeable local guide for a captivating walking tour to uncover regional festive traditions, leaving ample free time afterward to explore the enchanting Christmas markets at your own pace.

Today, arrive in Cologne.

Cologne is a city known for its liberal and laidback lifestyle, its unique beer culture, thriving auto industry, and the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland.

Take the time to discover Cologne on a walking tour. Visit the city's center piece and icon, Cologne Cathedral, and its magnificent Christmas markets, where local vendors sell delicious treats and decorations.

Your ship will depart after dinner, allowing you plenty of time to be immersed in the tastes and scents of Christmas like hot chestnuts, freshly baked gingerbread and mulled wine.

Cruise into the Rhine Gorge, one of the most picturesque regions on this journey. The stunning 65 kilometer stretch of river is punctuated with a constellation of some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Look out for the Lorelei statue, dedicated to the tragic legend of a beautiful maiden. Disembark in Rüdesheim, a quaint town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia.

Take a mini-train from the pier to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where some 350 musical instruments from the 18th and 19th century play themselves for your enjoyment. You can have time to wander through this beautiful town before returning to your ship.

Arrive in Mannheim early this morning. Known as a ‘chessboard city’ for its methodical grid of streets, it is also home to some of the world’s most brilliant engineering minds, including Carl Benz, founder of Mercedes-Benz.

Freechoice
Today you can choose from the following Scenic Freechoice excursions on offer:

Orientation tour of Heidelberg with free time: From Mannheim, transfer by coach to Heidelberg. Enjoy a brief walking tour of Heidelberg, including the old town, and then enjoy ample free time to explore on your own. The town is particularly charming at Christmas, with elaborate decorations, a traditional market, ice skating rink and plenty of festive treats to try.

Historical tour of Heidelberg: As well as a guided tour of Heidelberg, visit Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. Explore the courtyard, the balcony that offers an incredible view over the Old Town and view the great Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest wine barrel located in the castle’s cellar.

Enrich
Private classical concert at Bruchsal Palace: Enjoy a private evening concert at Bruchsal Palace. Be greeted at the Palace with a welcome drink before witnessing the grandeur of the theater room and taking in a fabulous classical concert. Your memorable performance will feature accomplished musicians and a soloist.

Arrive in Strasbourg today. Strasbourg is located on the border of France and Germany, making it a unique mixture of both French and German architecture and culture. Over Christmas, the city is home to almost a dozen traditional markets as well as the largest natural Christmas tree in Europe, standing over 30 meters tall in Place Kléber.

Freechoice
Discover more of the city on one of these excursions:

Guided walking tour of Strasbourg: Join your local guide on a walking tour of the city, visiting the cathedral and the charming Petit France district. After your guided tour, you have free time to explore the magical markets. Strasbourg has some of the largest and most popular Christmas markets in Europe with the town squares and pedestrian zone coming alive with festive cheer.

Alsace Christmas beer - brewery visit: The cherished tradition of Christmas beer or Biere de Noel dates back to the Middle Ages and blends local brewing heritage with festive spirit. Learn about this regional tradition in the Alsace, considered to be Frances most prominent beer-producing region, during a tasting.

Arrive in Basel (Huningue) today, the cultural capital of Switzerland. With its cobblestone streets, historic buildings and a picturesque riverside setting, it’s one of the most charming cities in Europe at any time of year. Over Christmas, it is even more appealing – the beautifully decorated Old Town glows with twinkling lights, while the scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine drifts from the traditional Christmas markets on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz.
Enjoy local festivities with the following Scenic Freechoice options:

Guided tour of Basel with market visit: Step into the festive charm of Basel on a guided walk through the Old Town, where cobbled streets twinkle with fairy lights and historic facades shimmer with seasonal cheer. Discover the majestic Basel Minster, wander past elegant boutiques and galleries, and admire the tree in Münsterplatz. Your tour culminates at the famous Basel Christmas markets – a feast for the senses with handcrafted gifts, gourmet treats and warming mulled wine.

Läckerli baking workshop: Immerse yourself in a sweet Basel tradition at a Läckerli baking workshop. Under the guidance of a local baker, you can learn the art of crafting these iconic spiced honey cookies, a cherished treat dating back to the 15th century. Experience the rich aromas of cinnamon, cloves, candied peel and almonds as you roll, shape, and decorate your own batch.

Your tour concludes this morning. After one final breakfast on board, transfer to Zurich airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking with you a lifetime of magical memories of Christmas in Europe.

Please book your flight to depart out of Zurich after 11:30 AM.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from what is stated above. Please refer to the terms and conditions.