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Christmas Cruise on the Rhine

£1,995.00

Browsing the stalls laden with delicious treats in Speyer&s Christmas markets. Exploring the half-timbered houses lining Strasbourg’s pretty canal.

Experience the magic of a Christmas getaway as we sail along the Rhine on the 5-star MS Amadeus Imperial. On this Christmas market river cruise, we&ll glide past medieval towns lit by the glow of fairy lights, shop for handmade crafts at colourful festive markets and warm your hands on piping hot glühwein. We’ll visit historic cathedrals and explore ancient cities, where decorated trees and the sounds of carol singing will greet you at every turn. Back on the ship, we’ll enjoy first-class dining, excellent service, and lots of festive activities to get us in the holiday spirit.

  • 4 excursions & visits
  • 17 meals
  • Leisurely pace
Category:

Your itinerary

Day 1 – Cologne

Our door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Cologne. Upon arrival, we’ll be met and transferred to board our ship, featuring a newly designed atrium, fitness centre, expansive sun decks, café, restaurant, and bar. Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception before dinner this evening. Our ship will sail to Koblenz during the night.

MS Amadeus Imperial (5-star)

Today includes…

Dinner

Amadeus Christmas crew singing

Day 2 – Koblenz

Historic Koblenz sits at the point where the Moselle and Rhine rivers meet, with many of its cultural landmarks holding UNESCO World Heritage status. Today, we’ll explore one of Germany&s oldest and most pedestrian-friendly towns with over 2,000 years of history on a guided walking tour. Highlights include the town&s iconic Schängel Fountain at the town hall and a visit to the Memorial of Emperor Wilhelm at the renowned Deutsches Eck (German Corner). After the guided tour, we’ll return to our ship and continue through what is arguably the most scenic stretch of the journey, taking in the winter landscapes of the Middle Rhine Valley. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its vineyards, medieval architecture, and the Lorelei Rock – and we get to see them all.

MS Amadeus Imperial (5-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Walking tour of Koblenz (morning)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Rhine River views from Koblenz, Germany

Day 3 – Christmas Eve – Speyer

We’ll arrive in the former imperial town of Speyer early on Christmas Eve morning for a guided walking tour. Highlights include the Romanesque Imperial cathedral featuring its impressive twin-towered portal, along with a visit to the beautiful baroque Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate of Speyer, and the medieval Judenhof – one of Germany&s most significant Jewish medieval sites. Get in the festive spirit with a visit to a traditional German Christmas market before heading back to the ship. Relax or help decorate the Christmas tree, while carols play the background and then sit down to a gourmet Christmas dinner. The option of attending a Christmas mass at Speyer Cathedral is also available afterwards. As night falls, our cruise continues its journey.

MS Amadeus Imperial (5-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Walking tour of Speyer and Imperial cathedral (morning)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Woman and Wooden Christmas tree decorations at Christmas market in Germany in Europe in winter. German Night street Xmas and holiday fair in European city or town, December. Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

Day 4 – Christmas Day – Speyer – Strasbourg

Enjoy a relaxing Christmas morning. During lunch, our ship will dock in Strasbourg, nestled in the enchanting Alsace region. We’ll join an extended city tour later in the day, uncovering the beauty of Strasbourg&s landmarks including a visit to its cathedral. On a boat cruise along the canal, we’ll discover the famous quarter, ‘Petite France’. This former mill and tanner district still maintains its medieval charm, where some of the beautiful, half-timbered houses lining the banks are up to 500 years old. This evening, we sail for Mainz.

MS Amadeus Imperial (5-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Strasbourg city tour with canal boat tour (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Christmas tree at the famous Christmas Market in Strasbourg at night - Alsace, France

Day 5 – Boxing Day – Mainz

Spend Boxing Day in Mainz, the largest city in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. We’ll have plenty of time to independently explore its rich history of baroque palaces and a quaint Old Town. Don’t miss the fascinating Gutenberg Museum, a hidden gem for culture and literature enthusiasts, displaying artefacts related to the printing revolution. Later, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous gala dinner, as the ship heads back to Cologne.

MS Amadeus Imperial (5-star)

Today includes…

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Free time

Mainz, Germany

Day 6 – Cologne

After breakfast, we’ll make the most of our last full day by exploring Cologne. Our city tour will take us through narrow, cobbled streets and lively squares including the Alter Markt and the Heumarkt, as well as making stops at the iconic cathedral and Old Town. We’ll finish off with a refreshing glass of Kölsch, the city’s most popular beer. The afternoon is free for souvenir shopping or a leisurely stroll, before dinner on board.

MS Amadeus Imperial (5-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Cologne walking tour with Kölsch tasting (morning)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Free time

Cologne Cathedral along river Rhine Germany.

Day 7 – Cologne – Departure

Our Christmas market river cruise comes to an end today. We disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight. Upon arrival, our vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Today includes…

Breakfast

VIP travel service will greet you at the airport for your journey home