ENCHANTING RHINE AND YULETIDE MARKETS RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN COLOGNE
Fly to Düsseldorf or Cologne. On arrival, transfer by coach to your five-star cruise ship moored in historic Cologne, whose skyline is dominated by the spires of its magnificent cathedral. The dedicated English-speaking crew welcomes you on board and helps you to your cabin.
DAY 2 – RHINE GORGE & RÜDESHEIM
Today we will cruise the beautiful Rhine Gorge, where the river flows a little faster, the vineyard-covered valley sides are steeper and ruined castles sit atop rocky crags.
The festive period is a magical time to visit this picturesque part of Germany. The historic Yuletide markets here are the ideal places to soak up the spellbinding atmosphere while seeking out unusual presents for friends and family back home.
After lunch on board we arrive in Rüdesheim for a guided tour. The quirky, crooked houses and tiny streets provide the perfect chocolate-box setting for its Christmas market. As you wander the myriad stalls, glistening in the glow of hundreds of fairy lights, stop perhaps for a slice of gingerbread or a warming Rüdesheim coffee with its fortifying shot of locally distilled Asbach brandy and a dollop of whipped cream.
DAY 3 – RHINE GORGE & KOBLENZ
Today, we will return to cruise the magnificent Rhine Gorge before we arrive to the historic city of Koblenz, located at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Moselle. Enjoy a guided tour of Koblenz with its forest-covered hillsides that dominate the skyline, whilst the lower slopes are strewn with the pretty, half-timbered buildings so typical of the Rhineland.
Located in the old town, Koblenz’s Christmas market is one of the largest in the Rhineland. As you browse its enticing stalls, the aroma of hot chestnuts and mouth-watering sausages fills the air; don’t forget to pay a visit to the Christmas bakery, making the famous Stollen – the delicious bread made with candied and dried fruit, nuts and marzipan, traditionally eaten at this time of year.
DAY 4 – BONN & COLOGNE
Enjoy a guided tour of Bonn main sights around the old town, centred around its two spacious squares. See the city’s most prominent landmark, the soaring spire of the huge Romanesque minster, one of the oldest churches in the country and the attractive pastel pink Rococo old town hall, with its gleaming silver and gold trim.
Bonn is also famous for being the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, and the house where he was born is one of the few old buildings in the city not to have been damaged during the war. Together with the house next door, it now houses a museum dedicated to one of the greatest composers of all time.
You’ll have some free time to wander the seasonal market, centred around the old town; the old town hall’s windows are transformed into a giant Advent calendar and an imposing Christmas tree takes centre stage. No visit would be complete without sampling a glass of warming Glühwein, or mulled wine.
Back on board for lunch, we make our return to Cologne. As the towering spires of Cologne’s cathedral come into view on the wintry skyline, we moor in the shadow of this ancient monument once again. Christmas creates a special atmosphere here and you have free time to immerse yourself in the city’s seven Yuletide markets, each with its own unique theme. Every year a huge number of visitors are drawn to the more than 160 tastefully decorated festive stalls of the Cathedral Christmas market, impressively set against the spectacular backdrop of the imposing cathedral, where the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, illuminated with 50,000 LED lights, is a magnificent glittering sight to behold. There’s also plenty of live entertainment to enjoy.
DAY 5 – RETURN HOME
