Itinerary
- Day 1
Basel or Zurich to Breisach
You'll arrive in Zurich or Basel by 3 pm and board your river cruise ship by 5 pm. The rest of the day is yours to explore and get a feel for the Swiss Christmas season before the ship sets sail for Breisach in the evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Basel or Zurich on a free day before boarding
Landmarks/POIs Basel Zurich - Day 2
Breisach - Black Forest - Strasbourg
Choose between a full-day guided tour through the Black Forest to see local traditions and holiday decorations, or visit a winery in Breisach for a tasting and lesson on German winemaking. After your morning activity, you can join an optional guided excursion to Colmar to walk through the medieval half-timbered village. The ship cruises to Strasbourg in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour to the Black Forest (full-day option)
- Visit to a local winery in Breisach with wine tasting (alternative option)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Colmar
Landmarks/POIs Black Forest Breisach Colmar - Day 3
Strasbourg
Start with a guided city tour of Strasbourg to see the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock, then explore the charming La Petite France district. Spend your afternoon wandering through the Christmas markets on your own, or join an optional tour of Alsace's wine region. The ship heads to Mainz overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City Sightseeing Tour including Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral with ancient murals and astronomical clock
- Visit to La Petite France District
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Strasbourg's French winter markets
- Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace's wine country
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France Alsace wine country - Day 4
Mainz - Heidelberg - Rudesheim
You have two guided options today: tour Heidelberg Castle to see the Renaissance ruins and the Great Vat (a massive wine barrel), or take a guided walk through Heidelberg including the Gutenberg Museum about printing history. Free time lets you check out the Christmas market at your pace. There's live entertainment on board in the evening before the ship docks in Rudesheim.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle with the Great Vat (full-day option)
- Guided City Walk including visit to the Gutenberg Museum (alternative option)
Optional Activities
- Explore Heidelberg's local Christmas market at own pace
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Gutenberg Museum - Day 5
Rudesheim - Rhine Gorge - Koblenz
Visit the Mechanical Music Museum in Rudesheim on a guided tour with a local treat included. Then wander the Christmas markets and warm up with mulled wine. As you sail toward Koblenz, you'll pass through the Rhine Gorge with views of castles on 400-foot cliffs and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Once docked in Koblenz, explore more markets at your own pace. Dinner and live entertainment wrap up the night on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of the Mechanical Music Museum
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge (UNESCO World Heritage site) with views of ancient castles and Rock of the Lorelei
Optional Activities
- Enjoy Rudesheim's Christmas markets at own pace
- Explore Koblenz local Christmas markets at own pace
Landmarks/POIs Mechanical Music Museum Rhine Gorge Rock of the Lorelei - Day 6
Koblenz - Cologne - Amsterdam
A guided walk takes you through Cologne to see the twin spires of the Gothic cathedral. Spend your free time in the Christmas markets soaking up the festive mood. The ship departs for Amsterdam with an overnight cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk of Cologne with twin-steepled Gothic cathedral
Optional Activities
- Enjoy Cologne's Christmas markets during free time
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral - Day 7
Amsterdam
You'll take a guided canal cruise past the grand homes from Amsterdam's Golden Age. The day is mostly free to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, or you can join an optional guided tour to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and traditional Dutch houses. The ship stays docked in Amsterdam overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam's Golden Age
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Amsterdam's Christmas atmosphere
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans with historic windmills and Dutch houses
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canals Zaanse Schans - Day 8
Amsterdam
Breakfast is served this morning before you disembark. Make arrangements for your onward travel as needed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
