Discover fairytale castles underlaid with the winter holiday’s glow on this magical Rhine River cruise. Start by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Then it’s off to Germany, where you’ll immerse yourself in the seasonal atmosphere of grand city such as Cologne as well as charming villages like the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim and the university town of Heidelberg. Glide through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like Christmas lights along the riverbanks. Cross the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg and take in spectacular panoramas of the Swiss Alps. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this Taste of Christmas Markets itinerary is truly a holiday wish come true.
Discover fairytale castles underlaid with the winter holiday’s glow on this magical Rhine River cruise. Start by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Then it’s off to Germany, where you’ll immerse yourself in the seasonal atmosphere of grand city such as Cologne as well as charming villages like the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim and the university town of Heidelberg. Glide through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like Christmas lights along the riverbanks. Cross the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg and take in spectacular panoramas of the Swiss Alps. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this Taste of Christmas Markets itinerary is truly a holiday wish come true.
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps (Taste of Christmas)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Day 1 | Amsterdam | EMBARKATION |
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Board the ship for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise |
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There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Cologne | Cologne walking tour and Kölsch beer tasting |
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| | OR Cologne Cathedral Architecture tour |
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Enjoy cruising to Cologne, then join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town, where you will see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall; the Fishmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century and the Great St. Martin Church. End your city tour with a visit to a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Rhine Gorge | Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising |
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| Rüdesheim | OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau |
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| | Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet |
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Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards, or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Ludwigshafen | “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion |
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| | OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s hike |
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| | OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour |
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Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Strasbourg | “The Gem of Alsace” tour |
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Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Basel | “City of Art” tour |
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| | OR Full-day Lucerne excursion* |
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| | OR “Three Countries” bike tour |
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Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Alternatively, you may opt to visit Lucerne with a full-day excursion. In the afternoon, enjoy a tasting of Swiss wines or venture to the powerful Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Bid farewell to Basel and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Amsterdam | Hotel check-in |
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Arrive in Amsterdam and check into your hotel.
Day 2 | Amsterdam | Walking tour |
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Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture. (B)
Day 3 | Amsterdam | Zaanse Schans visit |
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Check out of your hotel and, before transferring to your ship, visit Zaanse Schans, observing life as it used to be lived in the Netherlands. Authentic windmills, houses and shops were relocated to this picturesque area, creating a typical 17th- to 18th-century village. (B,D)
Day 4 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise |
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There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Cologne | Cologne walking tour and Kölsch beer tasting |
|
| | OR Cologne Cathedral Architecture tour |
|
Enjoy cruising to Cologne, then join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town, where you will see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall; the Fishmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century and the Great St. Martin Church. End your city tour with a visit to a local tavern to taste its famous Kölsch beer. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Rhine Gorge | Castles along the Rhine scenic cruising |
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| Rüdesheim | OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau |
|
| | Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet |
|
Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards, or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Ludwigshafen | “Romantic Heidelberg” excursion |
|
| | OR Heidelberg Philosopher’s hike |
|
| | OR “Secrets of Speyer” tour |
|
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. Or pedal along the river Neckar to the picturesque medieval city center of Ladenburg and enjoy some free time to explore the shops. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Strasbourg | “The Gem of Alsace” tour |
|
Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République before walking through its iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Basel | “City of Art” tour |
|
| | OR Full-day Lucerne excursion* |
|
| | OR “Three Countries” bike tour |
|
Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Alternatively, you may opt to visit Lucerne with a full-day excursion. In the afternoon, enjoy a tasting of Swiss wines or venture to the powerful Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 10 | Basel | DISEMBARKATION |
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| Lucerne | Walking tour and Lion Monument |
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| | Train transfer to Lake Como |
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Disembark the ship and transfer to Lucerne, where you will enjoy a guided walking tour of this breathtaking city with its spectacular medieval walls and tower. You will also visit the Lion Monument, a figure of a dying lion carved into a hillside in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792 which Mark Twain described as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” After your tour, enjoy free time for lunch on your own, then continue onto Lake Como via a scenic train ride to the town of Lugano. Arrive in Lake Como, nestled at the foot of the Alps, to check into your hotel for the evening. (B)
Day 11 | Lake Como | Walking tour |
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Be treated to a walking tour of Lake Como, a former glacial lake and popular resort area for the rich and famous since Roman times. Gaze at the azure waters and impressive villas that line the lakeside from the hills above and perhaps recognize the scenery from such Hollywood blockbusters as Ocean’s Twelve and Casino Royale. (B)
Day 12 | Lake Como | Lake Como boat excursion to the “Pearl of Lake Como,” Bellagio |
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Let the wind tousle your hair as you board your boat for a scenic ride along Lake Como to its stunning pearl, Bellagio. This intimate village offers postcard-perfect views whether you choose to stroll along the lakeside or venture up hill to its cobbled streets. Browse the shops or sample the local fare at Bellagio’s restaurants before returning to the boat. (B)
Day 13 | Lake Como | Return flight home |
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Bid farewell to Lake Como and prepare for your flight home. (B)