On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your river ship. Tonight, after enjoying some time to relax and settle in, enjoy a Welcome Reception on board. You will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow guests and meet your crew.  Perhaps take the opportunity to head into town to experience the atmosphere at the Basel Christmas Market.

Discover the magic of Colmar on an enchanting tour through France’s Alsace region. Wander storybook streets lined with half-timbered houses, then enjoy free time to explore Colmar’s famous Christmas markets, where festive lights, local crafts and seasonal treats create a truly magical atmosphere. Return to your river ship for a Welcome Dinner on board.

Arrive in Strasbourg, the charming Alsatian city that straddles the border between France and Germany. Fairytale houses line cobblestone streets, while canals weave through the city, with Strasbourg Cathedral dominating the World Heritage-listed city centre. Discover its picturesque sights on a guided tour, taking in the stunning scenery.

Insider Experience - Explore France's oldest Christmas market

You will also have time to explore the Christkindelsmärik Christmas market. More than 300 chalet-style stalls are strung throughout the city’s historic district with a towering Christmas tree at its centre.

Afterwards, return to your river ship for dinner on board.

Continue cruising through one of the highlights of your holiday – the Rhine Gorge, a stretch of river renowned by locals as the most beautiful section of the Rhine. Watch in awe as steep slopes, blanketed in vineyards and dotted with ancient castles, drift by. Your ship will then dock in Rüdesheim, a charming wine town nestled along the Rhine. Here, the Winzerexpress mini-train will take you through the town to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, home to one of Germany’s most fascinating collections of automated musical instruments.

Follow the scent of gingerbread to the heart of the Old Town, where Rüdesheim’s enchanting Christmas market is in full swing. Be sure to stop by the famous Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store, where you'll find the perfect festive decorations and gifts.

Sit back and soak up the scenery as you cruise through some of Europe’s prettiest stretches along the Moselle River. Disembark in the quaint town of Cochem in the Moselle Valley. Explore the narrow alleyways with their half-timbered houses and visit the magnificent Cochem Castle. Perched on a hill overlooking the beautiful Moselle River, this castle could be straight from the pages of a fairytale. Cochem’s Christmas market is just as idyllic as the town itself, which goes to great lengths to decorate festively and create seasonal flair for those who visit.

Having entered Germany, arrive in Cologne and be met by the magnificent Cologne Cathedral on the banks of the Rhine. You will disembark here, learning on a guided tour about the famous twin spires of this landmark cathedral, which took over six centuries to complete.  Later on tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Insider Experiences – Cologne Christmas Market

Be immersed in the festive spirit with a visit to Cologne’s impressive Christmas market, backdropped by the iconic Kölner Dom Cathedral.  Here, you’ll have the chance to sample mulled wine and some local delicacies.

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 will 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 the city’s Ice Village Christmas market at your leisure. Pick up some traditional Dutch Christmas foods and marvel at the magical display of lights strung alongside the canals.

After breakfast, disembark your ship and board a coach, passing through the beautiful landscapes of the Netherlands and northern France as you make your way to Paris. With a three-night stay in the French capital, you'll have ample time to immerse yourself in its romantic atmosphere and explore its iconic sights.

Paris is the perfect city in which to round out your European journey. This morning, open the door to some of the city’s best-loved sights on a guided tour, including the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. With the afternoon at leisure, you may wish to visit a Christmas Market. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

Enjoy a special Insider Experience this morning. The afternoon is at leisure, giving you time to wander Parisian boulevards or relax at a local cafe. This evening, perhaps experience the glamour of Paris with dinner and a cabaret show at the legendary Moulin Rouge.

Insider Experience – Musée du Fromage

Begin the day with an immersive visit to the Musée du Fromage, where one of France’s most cherished culinary traditions is brought to life. Learn about the heritage and techniques of cheesemaking during a live demonstration, then enjoy a guided tasting of fine regional cheeses thoughtfully paired with wines.

Enhance Your Journey – Moulin Rouge

Step inside the legendary Moulin Rouge for an unforgettable evening of dining and entertainment. Savour dinner before a dazzling cabaret performance featuring elaborate costumes, vibrant staging and the iconic cancan.

Your adventure comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.