Christmas Markets Along the Rhine

Countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland

Visit some of the world’s most timeless Christmas Markets during Europe’s most festive time of year and take part in the magic of the holidays. Enjoy a steaming mug of glühwein at the Cologne Christmas Market located in front of the city’s Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strasbourg, France’s oldest and largest Christmas market, will captivate you the same way it has for so many others over the centuries. Wander through Heidelberg’s historic Old Town squares and experience Heidelberg’s majestic Christmas Market. Visit Gengenbach’s world’s largest Advent calendar, with brightly lit windows and pictures by famous artists, including Andy Warhol, behind every opening every evening at 6:00 PM. Embrace the beauty of the season while cruising along the Rhine in grand European style.

Day One & Two | Amsterdam

Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Christmas Markets on the Rhine cruise. Scenic cruising out of Amsterdam.

Add-On Activities

• Discover History at the Rijksmuseum | In The Rijksmuseum, you can discover the history and art of Amsterdam. Nearly 8,000 pieces of art dating from the 9th century to the 19th century are displayed at this national museum. The museum displays magnificent 15th- to 17th-century paintings with masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, among others, in over 150 rooms in an impressive gold-leaf building. In addition, the museum houses some outstanding works from the 19th century as well as a collection of Asian art that is truly fascinating.
• Anne Frank House | Take a look around and explore the Secret Annex where Jewish diarist Anne Frank was in hiding for more than two years during World War II, and where she wrote her diary.
• Visit The Rembrandt House Museum | See where the Netherlands’ greatest artist lived, worked, and got inspiration for some of his masterpieces when you visit his home and workshop.
• Visit the Van Gogh Museum | You can explore over 1,000 paintings, drawings, and letters of Vincent van Gogh at the Van Gogh Museum. Van Gogh’s paintings are on display in this museum in the largest collection in the world. See how Van Gogh’s paintings were restored by conservators, plus learn about his personal history. Discover some of his greatest works, including “Sunflowers” and “The Bedroom,” as well as those of his contemporaries.

Day Three | Cologne

Enjoy a cruise to Cologne, where you can see the Cologne Cathedral, regarded as one of the most prestigious Gothic masterpieces of Germany. Embark on an enchanting tour through the Old Town. Explore the cathedral that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and then visit one of Europe’s largest and most renowned Christmas markets. If you prefer, you can take a bike ride along the Rhine or visit a local tavern to taste Cologne’s Kölsch beer and potato pancakes with applesauce.

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Excursion Options

• Cologne Walking Tour
• Cathedral Visit and Christmas Markets
• Kölsch Beer Tasting
• Cologne Bike Tour

Day Four | Rhine Gorge

Upon reaching Rüdesheim, cruise through the castle-filled Rhine River Gorge. Upon arrival in Rüdesheim, you will have four options for morning excursions. A wine tasting at a wine cellar followed by a visit to a Christmas Market will delight wine connoisseurs. You can also hike through the vineyards. You can also take a gondola ride over Rüdesheim’s vineyards followed by a visit to the Christmas Market. A guided bike tour along the Rhine River and through the town is another option before visiting the Christmas market. Siefried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum can be visited later in the day, and Rüdesheimer coffee is one of the town’s specialties.

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Excursion Options

• Wine Tasting and Christmas Markets
• Gondola Ride and Christmas Market
• Vineyards Hike
• Guided Bike Tour of the Rheingau and Christmas Markets
• Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum
• Rüdesheimer coffee

Day Five | Ludwigshafen

You have the choice to explore two of Germany’s historically rich cities, along with their festive Christmas Markets. Visit Heidelberg, a city filled with mighty castles and a historic university that will capture your heart. During your visit, stroll along Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street, the Hauptstrasse, and take in the Yuletide celebrations at the town’s Christmas Markets. Alternatively, you can hike the Philosopher’s Path along the Neckar River followed by a visit to the Christmas Markets. You can also bike along the Neckar River to Ladenburg and visit its Marktplatz, or explore Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, which has the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to its Christmas market, you will be able to admire the romantic Imperial cathedral (“Kaiserdom”) from the famous Maximilianstrasse.

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Excursion Options

• Heidelberg Tour and Christmas Markets
• Medieval Speyer and Christmas Markets
• Heidelberg Philosopher’s Path Hike and Christmas Markets
• Ladenburg Bike Tour

Day Six | Strasbourg

Strasbourg is even more enticing during Advent. In France, the oldest Christmas market is the Christkindelsmärik, which dates back to 1570. Tour the Place de la Republique, the European Parliament and the Parc de l’Orangerie on a panoramic bus tour. On the Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, walk through the historic town center and then walk through “La Petite France” to see the famous astronomical clock at the Cathedral de Nôtre Dame before visiting the town’s famous Christmas Market. Strasbourg’s different districts can also be explored by bicycle. Visit Gengenbach’s Christmas Markets and the town’s famous Advent calendar later in the day.

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Excursion Options

• “The Gem of the Alsace” Tour and Christmas Market
• Strasbourg Bike Tour

Day Seven | Breisach

The town of Breisach is the starting point for several different excursions. Take a trip back in time to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost as it did in the 16th century. You will be able to admire historic architecture and famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate, followed by a visit to its charming Christmas Markets. Alternatively, you can head to Freiburg, founded in 1120, to visit Freiburg’s Münster, the greatest Gothic cathedral on earth, before heading to the Freiburg Christmas Markets. Cycling through Breisach’s countryside is a great option for those looking for a more active excursion.

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Excursion Options

• Riquewihr Excursion and Christmas Markets
• Freiburg Excursion and Christmas Markets
• Breisach Wine Country and Bike Tour

Day Eight | Basel

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Basel as you prepare for your return flight home. Curate your Itinerary