Beautiful sights and idyllic Christmas markets wait to greet you along the Rhine and Moselle rivers during the festive season. Glide along Amsterdam’s network of canals. Discover Cochem in the Moselle Valley, sprinkled with a thousand twinkling lights. Enjoy the magic of Christmas in Lucerne and Zurich.
Be met on arrival in Amsterdam and transferred to your premium river ship. Perhaps take a stroll to the Ice Village Christmas Market and pick up some traditional Dutch Christmas treats, before meeting your Cruise Director and fellow passengers during a Welcome Reception.
With historic houses lining its banks and studded with low bridges, Amsterdam’s network of 17th-century canals lends the city its nickname – ‘The Venice of the North’. Today, you’ll board a glass-top boat and glide past the city’s waterside sights with a local guide. Back on land, enjoy some free time to explore before saying goodbye to Amsterdam. Later on tonight, enjoy a special Captain's Welcome Dinner on board.
Having entered Germany, arrive in Cologne and be met by the magnificent Cologne Cathedral on the bank of the Rhine. You will disembark your ship here, learning on a guided tour about the famous twin spires of this landmark cathedral, which took over six centuries to complete.
Insider Experience – Cologne Christmas Market
Be immersed in the festive spirit with a visit to the city’s impressive Christmas market, backdropped by the iconic Kolner Dom Cathedral. Here, you’ll have the chance to sample mulled wine and some local delicacies.
Sit back and soak up the scenery as you cruise through some of Europe’s prettiest stretches along the Moselle River. Disembark in the town of Cochem in the Moselle Valley for a special experience. Cochem’s Christmas market is just as idyllic as the town itself. The town goes to great lengths to decorate festively and create seasonal flair for those who visit.
Insider Experience – Schlagkamp Winery
Take a scenic drive to the Schlagkamp Winery. Upon arrival, enjoy a sampling of five typical wines of the region. The owner will take you through the intricacies of each wine and share insights into Moselle viticulture. Later, explore the in-house wine cellar museum and depart with a special souvenir.
Cruise through the Rhine Gorge – considered the most beautiful section of the Rhine River. Dock in Rüdesheim and ride the Winzerexpress mini-train through the town to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Here, discover a magnificent collection of automated musical instruments. Follow the scent of gingerbread to the Old Town where you’ll find Rüdesheim’s charming Christmas market in full swing. Be sure to call in on the famous Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store for decorations and gifts.
Arrive in Strasbourg, the Alsatian city that straddles the border between France and Germany. Discover the picturesque sites on a guided tour and enjoy the pretty scenery. You will also have time to explore the Christkindelsmärik Christmas market, the oldest in France. More than 300 chalet-style stalls are strung throughout the city’s historic district with a towering Christmas tree at its centre. If you’re feeling peckish, this is the perfect opportunity to taste some local treats.
Disembark in Breisach to explore the Black Forest region. Travel by coach, on a scenic drive through Kaiserstuhl and Karlsplatz to the Freiburg Christmas Markets where you will enjoy a gingerbread tasting.
Return to your river ship where the gourmet delights continue as you indulge in a sumptuous Farewell Dinner.
After breakfast on board, disembark and enjoy a guided tour of Basel. Later you will be transferred from Basel to Lucerne to check in to your hotel.
This evening, perhaps enjoy an optional traditional dinner and entertainment at a Swiss Folklore Restaurant
With its breathtaking Swiss Alps backdrop, this city is a delight to explore. Enjoy a magical Christmas walking tour and hear about the seasonal traditions of Lucerne while wandering the many stalls of Lucerne’s Christmas markets. You’ll be sure to feel the magic of the festive spirit come alive.
Enjoy a special experience before travelling to Zurich where the afternoon is at leisure.
Insider Experience – Mt Pilatus
This morning travel to the peak of Mt Pilatus along the world’s steepest cog-wheel railway, enjoying views of rolling hills, rocky mountain ledges and snow-tipped peaks.
Today is at your leisure to explore Zurich. This evening, discover Zurich on a guided tour. Visit one of Europe’s largest indoor Christmas markets and the famous Singing Christmas Tree.
Following your tour, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant.
Be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Sit back and soak up the scenery as you cruise through some of Europe’s prettiest stretches along the Moselle River. Disembark in the town of Cochem in the Moselle Valley for a special experience. Cochem’s Christmas market is just as idyllic as the town itself. The town goes to great lengths to decorate festively and create seasonal flair for those who visit.
Insider Experience – Schlagkamp Winery
Take a scenic drive to the Schlagkamp Winery. Upon arrival, enjoy a sampling of five typical wines of the region. The owner will take you through the intricacies of each wine and share insights into Moselle viticulture. Later, explore the in-house wine cellar museum and depart with a special souvenir.
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