Christmas Market River Cruise:               Switzerland, Germany, France and The Netherlands
December 9- 16, 2025​​
From $6,00 Per Person, Double Occupancy 
    

This enchanting river cruise along the Rhine offers a winter wonderland experience with stops in festive towns. Christmas markets, beautiful landscapes, and iconic historical sites highlight the journey, with stops in Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. 

*Includes cabin/accommodation upgrade options

Countries Covered:

• Switzerland: Basel (Embarkation)

• Germany: Breisach, Heidelberg, Mainz, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Cologne

• France: Strasbourg

• Netherlands: Amsterdam

 

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Dec 9 - Day 1: Basel, Switzerland (Embarkation)

• Arrival in Basel by 3 PM. Board the ship by 5 PM.

• Evening cruise to Breisach.

• Meals Included: Dinner

Dec 10 - Day 2: Breisach, Germany – Excursion to Black Forest

• Choice of excursions:

  • Discovery: Full-day guided tour of the magical Black Forest.

  • Classic: Guided tour of Freiburg's medieval city center.

• Evening/overnight cruise to Strasbourg.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dec 11 - Day 3: Strasbourg, France

• Classic Excursion: City sightseeing tour, including the Gothic cathedral and the La Petite France district.

• Optional excursion to the Alsace wine country.

• Explore Strasbourg’s Christmas markets.

• Overnight cruise to Mainz.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dec 12 - Day 4: Mainz, Germany – Excursion to Heidelberg

• Discovery Excursion: Guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, famous for its Great Vat (world’s largest wine barrel).

• Classic Excursion: Guided city walk in Mainz with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum.

• Evening docking in Rüdesheim.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dec 13 - Day 5: Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Rhine Gorge, Koblenz

• Discovery Excursion: Guided tour of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.

• Free time at Rüdesheim’s Christmas markets.

• Cruise through the Rhine Gorge (UNESCO World Heritage site) past ancient castles and the Rock of the Lorelei.

• Overnight docking in Koblenz.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dec 14 - Day 6: Cologne, Germany

• Classic Excursion: Guided city walk of Cologne and its twin-steepled Gothic cathedral.

• Afternoon onboard lecture about European Christmas traditions.

• Overnight cruise to Amsterdam.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dec 15 - Day 7: Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Classic Excursion: Explore the waterways of Amsterdam on a guided canal cruise.

• Overnight docking in Amsterdam.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dec 16 - Day 8: Amsterdam (Disembarkation)

• Breakfast and departure

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**-NOTE- Our group will be staying In Zurich on December 8 and going to Basel, Switzerland on the 9th to board.  On December 16 when the cruise ends, we will be staying in Amsterdam for 2 nights and  departing Amsterdam for flights home on December 18.  The hotels in Zurich and Amsterdam are included in the price.