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Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas Markets River Cruise

Introduction
Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas Markets River Cruise image

Amsterdam to Basel / 7-Night Cruise

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Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas Markets River Cruise

Step into a holiday dreamscape as you journey past fairytale castles, terraced vineyards, and charming riverside towns along the majestic Rhine River. Begin in Amsterdam, where glittering canals, historic gabled houses, and festive lights create a picture-perfect seasonal welcome. In Strasbourg, stroll through France’s oldest—and most enchanting—Christmas Market, filled with handcrafted treasures and warm Alsatian charm. Continue to Rüdesheim’s famed Drosselgasse, alive with cozy restaurants, open-air wine gardens, and a lively holiday market that captures the very heart of German Christmas traditions. Your elegantly decorated ship sets the perfect stage for celebrating the season, with twinkling décor, Christmas trees, and festive onboard traditions. Each departure features a memorable holiday feast with all the trimmings—an unforgettable way to embrace the spirit of Christmas on the Rhine.

Holiday Rhine Adventure

Holiday Rhine Adventure image

At a glance

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Monday, December 9, 2024

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Friday, December 13, 2024

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Day 1 - Amsterdam Embarkation and Welcome

Day 1 - Amsterdam Embarkation and Welcome image

Board Your Ship in Festive Amsterdam

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Amsterdam River Cruise Embarkation

Board your ship for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise.
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Dinner

DateSaturday, Dec 7, 2024
Dinner is included on this day.
Sunday, December 8, 2024

Day 2 - Amsterdam Canal Cruise and Scenic Sailing

Day 2 - Amsterdam Canal Cruise and Scenic Sailing image

Amsterdam Canal Cruise and Scenic Rhine Sailing

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Amsterdam Canal Cruise

DateSunday, Dec 8, 2024
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you'll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise.
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Scenic Cruising from Amsterdam

Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.
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Breakfast

DateSunday, Dec 8, 2024
Breakfast is included on this day.
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Lunch

DateSunday, Dec 8, 2024
Lunch is included on this day.
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Dinner

DateSunday, Dec 8, 2024
Dinner is included on this day.
Monday, December 9, 2024

Day 3 - Cologne Walking Tour & Christmas Markets

Day 3 - Cologne Walking Tour & Christmas Markets image

Guided Tour of Cologne and Christmas Markets

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Cruising to Cologne

Enjoy cruising to Cologne before joining a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town.
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Cologne Walking Tour & Christmas Markets

DateMonday, Dec 9, 2024
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. Then, visit one of Europe’s largest and most renowned Christmas Markets.
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Cologne Bike Tour

DateMonday, Dec 9, 2024
Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
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Breakfast

DateMonday, Dec 9, 2024
Breakfast is included on this day.
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Lunch

DateMonday, Dec 9, 2024
Lunch is included on this day.
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Dinner

DateMonday, Dec 9, 2024
Dinner is included on this day.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Day 4 - Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim Christmas Markets

Day 4 - Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim Christmas Markets image

Cruise the Rhine Gorge and Explore Rüdesheim

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Cruising the Rhine Gorge

Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim.
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Rüdesheim Wine Tasting

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
Join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of Rüdesheim's iconic vineyards.
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Explore Drosselgasse and Christmas Markets

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
Enjoy free time in Rüdesheim to explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s cultural heart, and the Christmas Markets.
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Gondola Ride to Niederwalddenkmal

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
Soar high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal and enjoy free time visiting the Christmas Markets.
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Vineyard Hike in Rüdesheim

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards.
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Guided Bike Tour along the Rhine

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
Join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River.
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Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
Let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments.
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Rüdesheimer Coffee Experience

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
Taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
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Breakfast

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
Breakfast is included on this day.
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Lunch

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
Lunch is included on this day.
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Dinner

DateTuesday, Dec 10, 2024
Dinner is included on this day.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Day 5 - Ludwigshafen Excursions and Christmas Markets

Day 5 - Ludwigshafen Excursions and Christmas Markets image

Explore Heidelberg, Speyer, or Ladenburg by Tour or Bike

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Romantic Heidelberg Tour and Christmas Markets

DateWednesday, Dec 11, 2024
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. Here you can also enjoy visiting some of the festive Christmas Markets.
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Heidelberg Philosopher’s Path Hike

DateWednesday, Dec 11, 2024
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.
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Medieval Speyer and Christmas Markets

DateWednesday, Dec 11, 2024
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. In your free time, you might choose to visit the Christmas Markets or Technik Museum featuring exhibits of vintage cars, military aircraft and even a submarine.
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Ladenburg Bike Tour

DateWednesday, Dec 11, 2024
Alternatively, join a guided bike tour of Ladenburg.
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Breakfast

DateWednesday, Dec 11, 2024
Breakfast is included on this day.
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Lunch

DateWednesday, Dec 11, 2024
Lunch is included on this day.
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Dinner

DateWednesday, Dec 11, 2024
Dinner is included on this day.
Thursday, December 12, 2024

Day 6 - Strasbourg Tour and Christmas Markets

Day 6 - Strasbourg Tour and Christmas Markets image

Discover Strasbourg's Charm and Festive Markets

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Strasbourg City Tour and Christmas Markets

DateThursday, Dec 12, 2024
Enjoy a short drive to 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. During the tour you will receive free time to visit the Christmas Markets.
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Strasbourg Guided Bike Ride

DateThursday, Dec 12, 2024
Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
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Breakfast

DateThursday, Dec 12, 2024
Breakfast is included on this day.
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Lunch

DateThursday, Dec 12, 2024
Lunch is included on this day.
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Dinner

DateThursday, Dec 12, 2024
Dinner is included on this day.
Friday, December 13, 2024

Day 7 - Basel City Tour, Lucerne or Three Countries Bike

Day 7 - Basel City Tour, Lucerne or Three Countries Bike image

Discover Basel, Lucerne, and Swiss Wine

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Basel City Tour and Christmas Market

DateFriday, Dec 13, 2024
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.
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Three Countries Bike Tour

DateFriday, Dec 13, 2024
Take a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany.
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Full-day Lucerne Excursion and Christmas Markets

DateFriday, Dec 13, 2024
Alternatively, you may opt to visit Lucerne and its Christmas Markets with a full-day excursion.
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Swiss Wine Tasting

DateFriday, Dec 13, 2024
In the afternoon, for guests who have not chosen the full-day Lucerne excursion, visit a local winery to sample Swiss wines.
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Wildegg Castle Tour or Hike

DateFriday, Dec 13, 2024
Tour Wildegg Castle, a fortress built by the Habsburgs in the early 13th century that features a 3,300 square meter garden, or embark on an exhilarating hike to the castle.
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Breakfast

DateFriday, Dec 13, 2024
Breakfast is included on this day.
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Lunch

DateFriday, Dec 13, 2024
Lunch is included on this day.
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Dinner

DateFriday, Dec 13, 2024
Dinner is included on this day.
Saturday, December 14, 2024

Day 8 - Basel Disembarkation

Day 8 - Basel Disembarkation image

Farewell to Basel and Disembarkation

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Basel Disembarkation

DateSaturday, Dec 14, 2024
Bid farewell to Basel as you prepare for your journey home.
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Breakfast

DateSaturday, Dec 14, 2024
Breakfast is included on this day.
Map of the trip locations

Map

A. Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands

B. Cologne

Cologne, Germany

C. Rhine Gorge

Rhine Gorge, Germany

D. Rüdesheim

Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany

E. Ludwigshafen

Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany

F. Strasbourg

Strasbourg, France

G. Basel

Basel, Switzerland