Christmas Markets along the Rhine (port-to-port package)

STRASBOURG - SPEYER - RÜDESHEIM - KOBLENZ - COLOGNE - Strasbourg(4)

You'll board our ship at 6 p.m. We’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Enjoy an evening of entertainment on board.

We'll spend the morning cruising to Speyer. Enjoy an afternoon on your own in the city or join us for an optional excursion: Heidelberg and its Christmas Market. We'll leave by coach for Heidelberg for a visit of the city and its castle (exteriors). The city was the center of German Romanticism during the 19th century. After a guided tour of the old town, enjoy some time on your own exploring the enchanting Christmas market. You'll discover some great finds for your holiday shopping at the Marktplatz, Universitätsplatz (with its antique carousel), and the winter wonderland at the Kornmarkt. Enjoy an evening of entertainment on board. We'll remain in Speyer for the night.

We’ll spend the morning cruising to Rüdesheim. This afternoon, join us for an optional tour of the city by tourist train and a visit to the mechanical music cabinet museum.(2) We’ll board a tourist train for Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.(2) The museum holds approximately 350 exhibits of mechanical instruments dating from the 18th to the 20th centuries – from delicate musical boxes to a gigantic piano-orchestrion. Afterwards, spend some time strolling through the Christmas Market of Nations, enjoying what the ambiance has to offer. The 120 wooden chalets set the stage for an authentic German Christmas market displaying artisan objects, great gift ideas, and delicious culinary specialties such as local confections and cookies, and of course, pretzels! You’ll return to the ship by walking down the famous Drosselgasse. After our excursion, we’ll return on board for dinner. In the evening, the famous Drosselgasse awaits you once again with its numerous cafés, bars, and music. We'll remain in Rüdesheim for the night.

This morning, we’ll pass through the beautiful and romantic Rhine Valley. The fascinating Rhine River has been the muse for many legends, including the Rock of the Lorelei. Each twist and turn of the river reveals another castle atop a peak above the sprawling vineyards. In the afternoon, we’ll set out on an optional tour of Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Located at the crossroads of the Rhine and Moselle regions and surrounded by several mountain peaks, Koblenz is a rich mosaic of culture and history. We’ll take the funicular railway up the hill to visit the historic castle, where we'll have a magnificent view across the city and valleys. You’ll immediately understand the strategic importance of this fortress throughout history, as the lands stretch as far as the eye can see. What better way to wrap up the day than to check out the holiday market in Koblenz? Gingerbread, grilled almonds, cinnamon, and mulled wine scents waft through the air at the city's traditional Christmas market set up at several squares throughout the picturesque old town. Tonight we’ll enjoy our gala dinner on board. Our ship will cruise to Cologne overnight.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Possible transfer by coach to Strasbourg.(4)