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Uniworld River Cruises, Rhine HoliDay Markets, River Cruise Vacation Package
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Priced From: $1,849 pp (Cruise Only)
Dates: Nov, Dec
Ship: River Queen
From: Cologne to Basel
Switzerland, France and Germany provide the perfect backdrop for this true connoisseur’s Christmas Markets’ cruise. Each Day will be like unwrapping one beautiful gift after another all in a wonderful setting of the inescapable romantic spirit of the Rhine.
Basel, Switzerland, is located exactly at the corners of three countries, Germany, France and Switzerland. HoliDay festivities take place in this perfect traditional Swiss atmosphere of the historic Old Town. Christmas ornaments, tasty baked goods, bratwurst and spiced glühwein are plentiful and provide the ideal starting place for your cruise. A visit to Strasbourg will mesmerize you. This charming town clustered along narrow, winding lanes and quaint canals appears to have been lifted out of the pages of a Grimm’s fairy tale. It’s hard to believe, but this town becomes even more alive during the holiDays with one of the oldest and largest Christmas Markets in France. As you sail the Rhine, especially the 40 miles along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you are in a winter wonderland with ancient fortresses, medieval castles and half-timbered villages.
Itinerary
| Day 1: |
Depart Home Gateway City to Cologne |
| Day 2: |
Cologne (embark) |
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Arrive in Cologne where you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D) |
| Day 3: |
Cologne |
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Featured Excursion: Walking tour, Cathedral visit and Christmas Markets |
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Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town as you make your way to the cathedral, the city’s most famous landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. As Cologne boasts no less than five Christmas Markets, we have planned an entire Day in this city for you to discover the markets at your own pace after the tour. Gaze at the biggest Christmas tree in Rhineland in front of the impressive setting of the cathedral. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner) Note: On SunDays and Catholic holiDays, guided tours inside the cathedral will not be possible. |
| Day 4: |
Koblenz, Cruising the Romantic Rhine, Rüdesheim |
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Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour and Christmas Market |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Rüdesheim Dinner and entertainment |
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Your walking tour of Koblenz will take you through romantic alleys with half-timbered houses, decorated for the season. We’ll pass by St. Castor’s Church and the Church of Our Lady, and then we’ll proceed to the market square with the Schaengel Fountain and historic City Hall. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Koblenz Christmas Market. Delight in the dozens of wooden stands with arts and crafts, spicy mulled wine, and sweet Christmas cakes. Departing in the morning from Koblenz to Rüdesheim, you’ll sail along one of the most beautiful sections of the Rhine River Valley, the scenic 40 miles of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 5: |
Rüdesheim, Mainz |
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Featured Excursion: Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, Mainz walking tour and Christmas Market |
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In the morning, we will visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum, before cruising to Mainz. Our walking tour of downtown Mainz includes a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. After the museum, we will walk through Old Town and end up in the historic market square in Mainz. Stroll through the 200-year-old St. Nicholas Christmas Market with the 1,000-year-old St. Martin’s Cathedral as a backdrop. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 6: |
Speyer (Heidelberg) |
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Featured Excursion: Full-Day Heidelberg including lunch at a local restaurant |
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Your guided tour includes a visit to the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle and a stroll through Old Town, capped by a lunch at a local Restaurant. You’ll have ample time to explore the Heidelberg Christmas Market spanning over five squares. Marvel at the Christmas Pyramid with figures from the city’s history rotating inside the tower at the Marktplatz, or take a ride on the nostalgic carousel turning merrily around at the Universitätsplatz. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 7: |
Strasbourg |
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Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise and Christmas Markets |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Alsatian wine road and wine tasting |
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Cruise through Strasbourg on a canal cruise, viewing Petite France, especially picturesque at this time of year. Visit the oldest Christmas Market in France, in a breathtaking setting right in front of Strasbourg’s gothic cathedral. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 8: |
Basel |
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Featured Excursion: Basel walking tour and Christmas Markets |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Half-Day tour of Lucerne |
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Enjoy a walking tour through Basel. Delight in Basel’s Christmas Market in the heart of the historic Old Town and visit the illuminated Christmas Street, beautifully decorated with over 100 Christmas trees. And if you are looking for truly unique gifts, visit the shop of Johann Wanner with its array of elegant angels, ornaments, and glass-blown figurines. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner) |
| Day 9: |
Basel (disembark), transfer to airport |
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Disembark the ship in Basel and transfer to Basel Airport for your flight home. |
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the Uniworld River Cruise vacation planner to be contacted by a Uniworld, Europe River Cruise vacation specialist.
Contact : Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
12/08
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