Rhine Holiday Markets (Reverse)
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Zurich or Basel
Day 2 - Arrive Cologne You will be met at the airport and transferred to your ship. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Days 3 - Cologne Cologne goes all out to celebrate the holidays with a total of six Christmas Markets. The top four you'll want to visit are: the market at the Cologne Cathedral; the Alter Markt in front of City Hall; the Neumarkt, the oldest, located near the Church St. Aposteln, and the Rudolfplatz in front of the medieval gatehouse. Why not toast the holidays with a glass or two of Cologne's own beer called Kölcsh, a pale fermented beer!
Day 4 - Koblenz Set amidst 2,000 years of history between the Ehrenbreitstein Castle, one of the largest in all of Europe, and Stolzenfels Castle, one of the most romantic castles on the Rhine, Koblenz will enchant you! Your visit to this romantic town takes you to the largest Christmas Markets in the Rhine Valley.
Day 5 - Mainz - Rüdesheim This morning, take a guided walking tour through Mainz, well-known for one of its most famous citizens, Gütenberg, and his priceless 42-line Bible. Stroll through the 200-year-old St. Nicholas Christmas Market with its 1,000 year-old St. Martin's Cathedral. Spend the afternoon enjoying Siegfried's Musical Cabinet Museum and perhaps visit the Christmas Market along Rüdesheim's most popular street, the Drosselgasse.
Day 6 - Speyer - Heidelberg The "Cathedral City" of Speyer is your gateway to one of Germany's most romantic cities, the storied city of Heidelberg. Your full-day excursion here will provide you with ample time to explore the Heidelberg Christmas Market spanning over five squares.
Day 7 - Strasbourg After a morning exploring this medieval city by canal, browse through the oldest Christmas Market in France, located in front of Strasbourg's Gothic Cathedral and stroll the elegant boulevards of Petite France. Whilst in France, don't miss the edible holiday delights like Buche de Noel, a delectable Christmas cake.
Day 8 - Basel Experience the delights of Basel's Christmas Market in the heart of the historic Old Town.
Then visit the illuminated Christmas street decorated with over 100 Christmas trees. And for truly unique gifts, visit Johann Wanner's with its array of elegant angels and ornaments.
Day 9 - Depart Basel After breakfast your Tour Manager will organise your transfer to Zurich airport for your return flight.
Day 10 - Cruise Ship operating this itinerary: River Queen
Day 11 - Please note Holiday Markets generally open thru Dec 23. We reserve the right to substitute appropriate sights & excursions in keeping with the celebrations of the season. New year's cruise, no Holiday Markets.
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