Christmas Market Cruise on the Rhine

Celebrate Christmas on the Rhine, Europe's largest river. We start our journey on land in Zurich, Switzerland's elegant capital and continue to charming Lucerne. During your festive river journey we will take you to glittering Christmas markets, romantic medieval towns while you can enjoy Switzerland's wintertime Alpine views. We begin our sailing at the port town of Basel from where we venture north to the legendary Black Forest region, the medieval town of Strasbourg, the university town of Heidelberg, and historic Cologne, the ancient Roman settlement famous for its majestic Cathedral, bustling Christmas market and winter carnival. End your winter voyage in colorful Amsterdam, with its many canals and gingerbread-like houses

CRUISE SPECIAL - 10% DISCOUNT FOR ALL 2013 DEPARTURES
(Discount is valid in each cabin category on a limited cabin stock and subject to availability)

NEW CRUISE SPECIAL - ADDITIONAL 20% DISCOUNT ON CRUISE ONLY PORTION FOR DEPARTURES: Dec 9 and Dec 20  2013 - IF BOOKED BY FEB 28 2013

ITINERARY - 2013

Day 1 ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Arrive in Zurich and optional transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free for you to start exploring this beautiful town. Perhaps visit the Old Town or shop along the Bahnhofstrasse and Niederdorf. (B)
Day 2 ZURICH
Your morning walking tour of Zurich will include Grossmünster, St. Peter, with the largest church clock face in the world, Old Town, Town Hall and Fraumünster, which offers an exceptional 360° panoramic view of Zurich. The afternoon and evening is free for you to explore on your own or visit Europe’s largest indoor Christmas Market located in the town’s main railway station or the markets on the Bahnhofstrasse and in the city center. (B)
Day 3 ZURICH - LUCERNE
After breakfast, continue on to Vitznau where you will enjoy a cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne. The looming mountains surrounding the lake provide a breathtaking view. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the town on your own or visit the enchanting Christmas Market located at the train station. (B)
Day 4 LUCERNE
Situated on Lake Lucerne, the city is a medieval jewel. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour that will explore some of the city’s cobblestone streets, monuments, fountain-embellished public squares, covered bridges and colorful frescoed buildings. The afternoon brings free time to shop for watches, knives and world-famous chocolates. Or, you can join the optional tour and cable car ride to the top of Mount Pilatus. (B)
Day 5 LUCERNE - BASEL - EMBARKATION
This morning, depart from Lucerne, visiting the Lion Monument en route to Basel. Arrive in Basel for a city tour before embarking your luxurious river cruise ship. Switzerland’s second largest city is ideally located at the crossroads of Switzerland, France and Germany. After settling into your stateroom this afternoon, you may wish to visit Basel’s Christmas Market on Barfsserplatz. Tonight, gather on board for a Welcome Dinner. (B,D)
Day 6 BREISACH - COLMAR, FRANCE OR FREIBURG, GERMANY
Today, choose either a city tour of Colmar or a tour through the famous Black Forest region of Germany. On the Black Forest tour, you will drive through a scenic forested area where you will encounter a number of lakes as well as charming examples of rural architecture. Visit the historical Freiburg city center and Augustinerplatz, site of Freiburg’s Münster, a gothic cathedral constructed of red sandstone. Your tour will also include the Christmas Markets of Freiburg. In the alternative, travel to medieval Colmar, situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and the self-proclaimed “Capital of Alsatian Wine.” During your city tour, you will see half-timbered framed houses, the German- influenced Old Quarter and the Launch River. You will also enjoy a wine tasting. Colmar is beautifully decorated with stunning illuminations during the Advent period and offers five Christmas Markets. (B,L,D)
Day 7 STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Capital and principal city of the Alsace region in northeastern France, Strasbourg is situated on the Ill River, where it flows into the Rhine on the border with Germany. Enjoy a canal cruise of the picturesque town, known for its black and white timber-framed buildings, covered bridges and medieval watch towers. Then take a walking tour through town. See the European Parliament and visit the “La Petite France” district, where you will see the sandstone gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. You will also visit Strasbourg’s famous Christmas market. A guided bicycle tour is also available (capacity controlled). The ship moors overnight in Strasbourg. (B,L,D)
Day 8 SPEYER - HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
Early this morning, cruise to Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for the Speyer Cathedral, many churches and the Altpörtel (old gate) with a 13th-century gate tower. Arrive after lunch time and choose either a city tour of medieval Speyer or an excursion to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle, with its Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th century wine cask, and beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. Heidelberg also contains what is said to be the longest pedestrian shopping street in Germany, the “Haupstrasse,” where you can enjoy free time to explore the festive Christmas Markets. (B,L,D)
Day 9 RÜDESHEIM - RHINE CASTLES - KOBLENZ
This morning, arrive in Rüdesheim and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants before wine tasting at a local vintner. You will also visit the Christmas Markets with more than 120 stands from 12 nations. This afternoon, your ship departs for Koblenz. You will cruise through the Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful stretch of the river, passing castle after castle. Arrive in Koblenz late this afternoon. Your Cruise Manager will lead a walking tour through this charming town. (B,L,D)
Day 10 KOBLENZ - COLOGNE
This afternoon, the ship cruises to Cologne for a walking tour through the old part of the city and visit to the fabled 13th-century gothic cathedral. During your free time, return to the cathedral square to browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Market or explore the city on your own. The ship departs tonight for Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
Day 11 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Admire beautiful 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th-century merchant houses on a guided canal boat tour. Then enjoy a motor coach tour of Amsterdam, including a photo stop at a windmill, followed by free time in Amsterdam. This evening, bid farewell to your fellow passengers at the Farewell Dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 12 AMSTERDAM - DISEMBARKATION
Optional Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)
 

Itinerary outline 2013: