Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Switzerland
After arriving in Zürich or Basel by 3 pm, you'll board the river cruise ship by 5 pm. Before departure, check out the city center's Christmas atmosphere and try some traditional Swiss treats like waffles, gingerbread, and raclette. The ship departs in the evening, so you'll want to grab a bite from the local food stalls before heading back onboard.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Stroll through city centre and enjoy festive illumination
- Sample Christmas delicacies: waffles, gingerbread, sweets, and Swiss raclette
- Day 2
Freiburg and Black Forest
You have options here. Spend your morning exploring Freiburg's medieval city center in the Black Forest, or venture deeper into the region to see local traditions and holiday decorations. In the afternoon, you could head to the half-timbered village of Colmar or browse Breisach's Christmas market where you'll find pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake. Either way, there's plenty of time to sample what the area has to offer before returning to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city center (Activity Classic option)
- Guided Tour to the Black Forest to experience local traditions and Christmas mood (Activity Discovery option)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to visit Colmar village with half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings
- Browse Breisach's Christmas market and sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake
Landmarks Black Forest Colmar - Day 3
Strasbourg
Join a city sightseeing tour through Strasbourg to see the gothic cathedral with its ancient murals and astronomical clock, then wander through the charming La Petite France district. After that, you can either explore an Alsatian wine-country village or spend the afternoon at Strasbourg's French winter markets browsing lights, music, and seasonal items. The markets have a different feel than what you've seen so far on the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City Sightseeing including gothic cathedral with stained-glass and astronomical clock
- Visit to La Petite France District
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace and French wine-country village
- Browse French winter markets of Strasbourg
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France District - Day 4
Heidelberg and Speyer
Choose between two options for the day. One path takes you on a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle to see the renaissance ruins and the Great Vat, then you'll walk through the German Christmas markets in the city. The alternative is a relaxing morning sailing followed by exploring Speyer's Christmas markets, sights, seasonal treats, and handicrafts. Either way, you'll have good food and festive holiday shopping.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour including Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime with Great Vat visit (Activity Discovery option)
- Visit local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg (Activity Discovery option)
- Explore Speyer Christmas markets (Classic option alternative)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Great Vat - Day 5
Rüdesheim Wine Country
This morning starts with a guided tour of the Mechanical Music Museum in Rüdesheim, which offers a unique look at old instruments and usually includes a special treat. After that, browse the city's Christmas markets filled with sparkling decorations, seasonal treats, and handmade items. You'll head back to the ship by evening for departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour the Mechanical Music Museum in Rüdesheim (Activity Discovery)
Optional Activities
- Browse tantalizing treats and seasonal handiwork at winter markets in Rüdesheim
Landmarks Mechanical Music Museum - Day 6
Main River and Bavaria
Take a guided tour of a picturesque village along the Main River. Back onboard, you have the option to join a German cookie-baking demonstration while sailing or just relax with a drink. There's live entertainment in the evening before the overnight cruise to Würzburg, so plan to settle in for the night aboard the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River (Activity Classic)
- German Cookie-Baking Demonstration on board while sailing (Activity Discovery)
- Live entertainment on board
- Day 7
Würzburg and Rothenburg
You'll get a guided sightseeing tour of Würzburg, the Pearl of the Romantic Road, featuring the Old Main Bridge, fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence. From there, you can optionally visit the Bavarian town of Rothenburg and its Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum, which has the world's largest collection of traditional German Christmas decorations. Before the ship departs, spend some free time at Würzburg's Christmas markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg, the "Pearl of the Romantic Road" including Old Main Bridge, fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence (Activity Classic)
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Rothenburg, Bavarian town with Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum
- Browse Würzburg's Christmas markets
Landmarks Würzburg Old Main Bridge Würzburg Fortress Bishop's Residence, Würzburg Rothenburg Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas Museum - Day 8
Bamberg
Start the day with an onboard Christmas Traditions lecture while sailing to Bamberg. Once there, take a guided tour through this medieval city, former home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties, and explore the dozens of nativity scenes scattered throughout. You'll browse the quaint Christmas markets and try traditional German dumplings, sausage, and Bavarian ale. Live entertainment continues onboard in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing (Activity Discovery)
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg including nativity scenes (Activity Classic)
- Live entertainment on board
Optional Activities
- Browse Bamberg's Christmas markets
- Sample traditional German dumplings, sausage, and Bavarian ale
Landmarks Bamberg - Day 9
Nuremberg
You'll choose between a guided tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, or explore the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds. Afterward, spend free time at Nuremberg's Christmas Markets sampling bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and other Christkindlmarkt specialties. The ship docks overnight in Nuremberg, so you have the evening to settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle (Activity Classic option)
- Guided Tour of historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds (Activity Classic option)
Optional Activities
- Browse Christmas Markets of Nuremberg
- Sample Bavarian fare: bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and Christkindlmarkt delicacies
Landmarks Kaiserburg Castle Nuremberg Gothic Cathedral Nuremberg Rally Grounds - Day 10
Nuremberg to Prague
After saying goodbye to the cruise crew, you'll head to Prague, the Golden City. Stroll through the exquisite streets at your own pace and spend your free evening in one of Prague's cafés having dinner and trying Czech beer. This marks the transition from river cruising to exploring the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll through exquisite streets of Prague
- Spend free evening in Prague's cafés for dinner and Czech beer
Landmarks Prague - Day 11
Prague
Join a guided city walk visiting Hradčany Castle Grounds, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town's Astronomical Clock. In the afternoon, browse Prague's Christmas Markets where you'll find brightly colored wooden stalls filled with ornaments, handmade toys, and handicrafts. Take your time exploring since there's a lot to see in the Old Town area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk to visit Hradčany Castle Grounds, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town's Astronomical Clock (Activity Classic)
Optional Activities
- Browse Christmas Markets of Prague
- Explore ornaments, handmade toys, and handicrafts at market stalls
Landmarks Hradčany Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Old Town Square Astronomical Clock - Day 12
Departure from Prague
Have breakfast this morning and then depart Prague at your convenience. Pack up and head out whenever works for your travel plans. This is the final day of your holiday river cruise adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
