Top Cologne Trips & Tours in December 2025

from $1,718

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Rhineland And Dutch Christmas

5 Day Itinerary aboard MS L'Europe

• Experience the magic of Christmas
• Explore romantic Rhine Valley
• Tour the city of Cologne

Starts / Ends

Strasbourg / Amsterdam

Activity Level

Variable

Embark on MS L'Europe and join its 5-day cruise on the Rhine River to explore the famous Christmas markets of the Rhineland. Set off from charming Strasbourg, France, and cruise along the Rhine to beautiful Cologne, where you'll find cozy markets and a stunning cathedral. Your journey concludes in historic Amsterdam.

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from $4,139

EBD $4000

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Swiss Alps and Rhine Castles - Cruise Only

Basel - Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaserena

• Explore Basel’s medieval charm
• Discover Lucerne’s landmarks
• Stroll Strasbourg’s streets
• Taste Rudesheim’s coffee

Starts / Ends

Basel / Amsterdam

Activity Level

Variable

Experience an 8-day Rhine River cruise on the MS Amaserena, visiting festive cities like Basel, Strasbourg, and Cologne. Enjoy Christmas markets, cultural highlights, and beautiful winter scenery, concluding your journey in historic Amsterdam.

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from $3,999

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Rhine Holiday Markets

Basel - Cologne - 8 Day Itinerary aboard S.S. Antoinette

• Visit Basel’s Christmas Market
• Tour to Doktorenhof vinegar estate
• Savor mulled wine at Cologne
• Walk through the Cologne Old Town

Starts / Ends

Basel / Cologne

Activities

Festival Visits

Activity Level

Variable

Experience the holiday season on an 8-day Rhine Holiday Market river cruise from Basel to Cologne aboard the S.S. Antoinette. Discover Strasbourg, known as the "Capital of Christmas,". Sail through the romantic Rhine Valley, past historic castles and quaint villages. Each stop brings traditions, delightful excursions, and unforgettable memories.

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from $6,519

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Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps

13 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaserena

• Discover Amsterdam’s charming canal
• Explore Cologne’s historic treasure
• Cruise Rhine Gorge’s castles
• Visit Rudesheim’s scenic vineyards

Starts / Ends

Amsterdam / Basel

Activity Level

Variable

Sail aboard the MS Amaserena on a 13-day cruise through Europe, featuring Amsterdam’s canals, Germany’s Rhine Gorge castles, France’s Alsace charm, and Italy’s glamorous Lake Como. Explore five countries and iconic landmarks.

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from $4,139

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Christmas Markets on the Rhine - Cruise Only

8 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaprima

• Admire Amsterdam's famous canals
• Bike along Rüdesheim
• Visit Strasbourg’s Christmas Market
• Enjoy Europe's Christmas markets

Activity Level

Variable

Enjoy a 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard the MS Amaprima. As you sail the Rhine River, visit classic Christmas markets, bike along Rüdesheim, boat down canals, and visit historic castles that highlight this region of central Europe, including stops in Cologne, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Breisach.

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from $5,858

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Romantic Rhine (Northbound)

Basel to Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Avalon View

• Black Forest excursion
• Strasbourg cathedral visit
• Heidelberg castle tour
• Rhine Gorge sailing

Starts / Ends

Basel / Amsterdam

Activities

Hiking

Activity Level

Variable

Set sail on an 8-day Rhine River cruise, traveling from Basel to Amsterdam aboard Avalon View. Explore Germany’s Black Forest, Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral, and Heidelberg Castle. Walk through Mainz, sail the Rhine Gorge past ancient castles, and visit Cologne’s cathedral before ending among Amsterdam’s canals.

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from $3,930

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Romantic Rhine (Southbound)

Amsterdam to Basel - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Avalon View

• Guided walking tour in Amsterdam
• See Cologne’s twin-steepled Gothic
• Sail along Rhine Gorge
• Discover Strasbourg’s Iconic Sights

Starts / Ends

Amsterdam / Basel

Activities

Biking, Wine Tasting, Village Visits, Urban Exploration

Activity Level

Variable

Experience an 8-day Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard Avalon View. Explore Amsterdam canals, Cologne’s Gothic cathedral, Rhine Gorge castles, Rüdesheim vineyards, Heidelberg Castle, Strasbourg’s La Petite France, the Black Forest, and Basel’s city center. Optional guided excursions are available throughout the journey.

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from $5,099

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Rhine Holiday Markets

Basel to Cologne - 8 Day Itinerary aboard S.S Elisabeth

• Stroll Basel’s Christmas Street
• Explore Strasbourg’s markets
• Tour historic Baden-Baden
• See Cologne Cathedral

Starts / Ends

Basel / Cologne

Activities

Christmas Market Visits, Spa Relaxation, Local Market Visits, Archaeological Site Visits

Activity Level

Variable

During the 8-Day Rhine Holiday Markets Cruise aboard S.S. Elisabeth, celebrate the holiday season on a scenic Christmas Market Rhine river cruise from Basel to Cologne. Visit charming cities like Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, Mainz, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Cologne.

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from $6,729

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Captivating Rhine

14 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaprima

• Explore Heidelberg’s medieval charm
• Wander Strasbourg’s storybook lanes
• Discover Colmar’s colorful beauty
• Hike in the mystical Black Forest

Activity Level

Variable

Sail the legendary Rhine on a 14-day cruise with stays in Lucerne and Zurich aboard the MS Amaprima. From Amsterdam’s canals to the Swiss Alps, explore vineyard-clad hills, fairytale towns, and historic cities along this enchanting river.

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from $7,159

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Christmas Markets on the Rhine

14 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaprima

• Cruise the canals of Amsterdam
• Browse Cologne´s Christmas market
• Visit the historic Rüdesheim
• Explore the streets of Lucerne

Activity Level

Variable

Embark on a 14-day cruise with 2 nights in Lucerne and Zurich aboard the MS Amaprima. From Amsterdam’s canals to Switzerland’s lakes, explore Europe’s enchanting Christmas markets, sip glühwein, and soak in the holiday magic.

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from $4,039

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Enchanting Rhine - Cruise Only

Basel - Amsterdam - 8 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaviola

• Visit Heidelberg’s historic sites
• Experience Dusseldorf’s culture
• Explore Cologne’s Old Town
• Enjoy Dutch specialties

Activity Level

Variable

Embark on an 8-day cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard the MS Amaviola, where vibrant cities and charming towns reveal rich histories. Sail along the Rhine's UNESCO World Heritage stretch, featuring stunning castles and delightful villages.

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from $22,790

OBC

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Christmas & New Year

Budapest - Amsterdam - 15 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Opal

• Witness Vienna’s imperial charm
• Discover Cesky Krumlov’s streets
• Visit Nuremberg’s Imperial Castle
• Admire Wurzburg’s vineyards

Starts / Ends

Budapest / Amsterdam

Activity Level

Variable

Set sail on a 15-day Scenic Opal cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam, celebrating the holidays with visits to festive markets and historic cities. Experience Christmas in Vienna and ring in the New Year in Wurzburg, soaking in Europe’s rich culture and seasonal charm.

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from $5,899

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Enchanting Rhine

Zurich - Amsterdam - 12 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaviola

• Explore Cologne’s Old Town
• Experience Dusseldorf, a city rich
• Enjoy Dutch specialties
• Visit Heidelberg’s historic sites

Activity Level

Variable

Embark on a 12-day cruise with stays in Zurich and Lucerne aboard the MS Amaviola, where vibrant cities and charming towns reveal rich histories. Sail along the Rhine's UNESCO World Heritage stretch, featuring stunning castles and delightful villages.

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from $6,829

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Captivating Rhine

Amsterdam - Zurich - 14 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaviola

• Join a guided bike tour
• Visit Speyer
• Enjoy Parc de l’Orangerie
• Explore the Black Forest

Activity Level

Variable

From Amsterdam’s colorful canals to the majestic Swiss Alps, enjoy a 14-day exploration of the Rhine Valley, starting with two days in Amsterdam followed by 7 nights aboard the MS Amaviola, and concluding with four nights in Switzerland between Lucerne and Zurich. Sample the local brews of beer and coffee with chances to hike and bike as well!

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from $4,039

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Enchanting Rhine - Cruise Only

8 Day Itinerary aboard MS AmaSiena

• Visit Riquewihr
• Go to Freiburg
• Tour Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame
• Taste Rüdesheimer Coffee

Activity Level

Variable

Enjoy an enchanting 7-night cruise from Basel to Amsterdam along the Rhine to magnificent cities and charming villages alike. You are bound to live timeless traditions on the MS Amasiena as you cruise down the Rhine River.

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from $4,039

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Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps - Cruise Only

8 Day Itinerary aboard MS Amaserena

• Taste Kölsch beer
• Visit Cologne Cathedral
• Cruise through the Rhine Gorge
• Discover Lake Lucerne

Starts / Ends

Amsterdam / Basel

Activity Level

Variable

Discover fairytale castles, historic vineyards and the stunning remnant of a world frozen over with glaciers, Italy’s Lake Como, as part of this all-encompassing Rhine River cruise and land fantasy. Start by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history.

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from $6,829

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Christmas Markets on the Rhine

Amsterdam - Zurich - 14 Day Itinerary aboard MS AmaSiena

• Visit Zaanse Schanse
• Ride a bike along the Rhine
• Enjoy Christmas traditions
• Explore Speyer

Activities

Land & Sea Exploration

Activity Level

Variable

This 14-day Christmas Markets cruise on the Rhine aboard the MS Amasiena starts with 2 nights in Amsterdam, followed by a 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, 2 nights in Lucerne, and ends with 2 nights in Zürich. Imagine a 14-days full of timeless European holiday memories!

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from $5,899

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Enchanting Rhine

12 Day Itinerary aboard MS AmaSiena

• Visit Old Town in Zurich
• Stroll along Chapel Bridge
• Explore Black Forest
• Discover La Petite France district

Activity Level

Variable

This 12-day exploration of the Rhine Valley starts with two nights in both Zurich and Lucerne, Switzerland before departing on an enchanting 7-night cruise from Basel to Amsterdam, aboard the MS Amasiena. As you cruise the Rhine River, you'll stop in the historic towns of Breisach, Strasbourg, Ludwigshafen, Rudesheim, and Cologne.

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