Combine a relaxing river cruise along the Rhine with the opportunity to visit some of Germany’s finest Christmas Markets along the way. Experience traditional advent atmosphere and festive decor, sample local delicacies and pick up some charming Yuletide crafts and gifts.
Trip highlights
Day 1: UK to Northern France/Belgium border
Across to Calais then onwards to our hotel in Northern France/Belgium border for dinner and an overnight stay. (Dinner)
Day 2: Embark in Cologne, cruise to Mannheim
Arrival in Cologne where we embark the MS A-ROSA AQUA to commence our festive cruise, sailing to Mannheim. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3: Mannheim to Strasbourg (Kehl)
This afternoon we arrive in Mannheim. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the city’s Christmas Market which is the largest and most beautiful in southwest Germany. Set around the "Wasserturm", a historic water reservoir - Mannheim's most famous landmark, and surrounded by a large Art Nouveau garden you will find festive stalls selling handmade crafts, traditional hand-baked stollen, gingerbread and gluhwein. This evening we depart Mannheim and continue our cruise to Strasbourg. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Strasbourg (Kehl) to Mainz
During this morning we reach Kehl, near Strasbourg. Enjoy an included transfer into Strasbourg to spend a day at leisure. Discover one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Europe dating back to 1570, with a pleasant blend of German tradition and French flair. Stroll around the illuminated festive stalls set again the backdrop of the impressive Cathedral of Notre Dame. Enjoy a glass of mulled wine, vin chaud, and you are sure to be tempted by a large selection of artisan gifts. We leave Strasbourg later this evening and sail overnight to Mainz. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Mainz to Cologne
Arrival in Mainz at lunchtime. Spend an afternoon at leisure to stroll around the city with it ‘s Christmas Market centre around the six-towered Romanesque cathedral. A wonderful aroma of roast almonds, chestnuts, gingerbread and local white gluhwein wafts through the alleys of the charming old town. One of the main festive attractions is a unique life-size nativity scene with life-sized figures hand-sculpted from limewood. Mainz is renowned as the place where Gutenberg invented the printing press and you can print out your own Christmas cards in the Gutenberg Museum shop. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Disembark in Cologne
This morning we disembark in Cologne and continue to our overnight hotel in France for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7: France to UK
We depart our hotel in France and return to the UK, via Calais. (Breakfast)
Agent for Shearings , ABTA protected tour operator, ABTA V6468. Prices are from prices, per person based on 2 adults sharing a Grade A cabin on the 7 day Scenic Rhine Christmas Markets coach tour on an all inclusive basis on the ship with meals included as described in the itinerary description.. Price includes coach travel from the UK departing on 05 December 2019. Details are correct at the time of print and are subject to change and limited availability. Price shown includes all advertised savings and the inclusions as shown. Operator terms & conditions apply. Holiday code REDECAB