Festive Markets of the Rhine: Cologne to Strasbourg

Your festive break begins today as we meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras station. Boarding the Eurostar, we travel to Brussels in Belgium, and switch rail services to Cologne. In this German riverside city, we board our luxurious cruise ship, which is bedecked in Christmas finery. After a welcome cocktail on board ahead of dinner, we set sail through the night towards Koblenz.

Please note: the departure on 30th November will operate a reverse itinerary starting in Strasbourg and ending in Cologne.

• Dinner

We reach Koblenz this morning for some time to explore. Koblenz is a picturesque city which lies at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Famous for its historic charm, its landmarks include the Deutsches Eck, where the two rivers meet, and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress which offers stunning views. At this time of year, the medieval streets, buildings, and squares of the Old Town are adorned with twinkling festive lights and decorations.

Our cruise then continues, sailing through the stunning Rhine Gorge and by the famous Lorelei Rock. This part of the Rhine is a UNESCO World Heritage site and regarded as one of the most beautiful stretches, surrounded by dramatic cliffs, medieval castles, terraced vineyards, and charming villages.

Later, we arrive at the wine town of Rüdesheim. You have time to wander amongst the Christmas stalls browsing for gifts, or maybe sample a Rüdesheim Coffee, made with local Asbach Uralt Brandy and served with whipped cream. You could stroll along the Drosselgasse, a street in the Old Town lined with half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and wine bars. Back on board, we continue toward Speyer after dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Seasonal delights await us again today in Speyer. On a trip to Heidelberg, we have a guided tour of the picturesque university town. It is known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape. There is also time here to wander its Christmas market.

This afternoon there is free time for you to discover Speyer independently, which also has a delightful Christmas market. We take in the sights of this historic German city and its famous cathedral before a leisurely evening soaking up the festive atmosphere. During dinner this evening, we set sail for Strasbourg.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arriving in Strasbourg, you have the choice between two excursions. You could join a tour of Obernai, a nearby Alsace town at the foot of Mont Sainte-Odile with striking historic architecture and charming Christmas markets. Alternatively, you could have a city tour of Strasbourg, discovering its fascinating history and Gothic cathedral.

After your excursion, the rest of the afternoon is free in Strasbourg. The city sits on the French-German border and blends the best of the two cultures, with colorful half-timbered houses, shops and cobbled streets all aglow with Christmas lights and markets.

Our evening concludes with a spectacular gala dinner on board.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Rhine River has presented many festive moments during this seasonal cruise from Cologne to Strasbourg. From the charm of Koblenz to the fairytale scenes along the Rhine Gorge and historic Strasbourg, we have absorbed the beauty of Germany and France - and explored the Christmas markets of Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, Speyer, and Strasbourg.s

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We head to Strasbourg rail station and catch the train to Paris, switching in the French capital to the Eurostar. Your vacation comes to an end as we arrive at London St Pancras, where you can make your way home.

• Breakfast