Uniworld, Rhine Holiday Markets , River Cruise Vacation Package
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Priced From: $1,999 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: Nov, Dec
Ship: River Queen
From: Cologne
Switzerland, France, and Germany provide the perfect backdrop for this true connoisseur’s Christmas Markets cruise. Visit the delightful Christmas Markets of Basel, Switzerland, and Strasbourg, France.
Then continue on to Germany, where many of our signature holiday traditions began, with stops in lovely medieval villages and the majestic city of Cologne with its grand cathedral. As you sail the Rhine, especially the 40 miles along the upper middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll be captivated by ancient fortresses, medieval castles and half-timbered villages all set in a winter wonderland.
This cruise offers so much! The personality of each country shines even more brightly at this time of year because of each country’s special holiday traditions. Share the joy of the season and enter into a festive mood as you discover one beautiful gift after another along the Rhine.
Who will enjoy this cruise: Shoppers looking for unique and handcrafted gifts, Christmas enthusiasts looking for the origins of many traditions including Christmas trees, gingerbread, candy canes, and St. Nick!
Itinerary
DAY 1: Depart Home Gateway City to Cologne
DAY 2: Cologne (embark)
Arrive in Cologne where you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)
DAY 3: Cologne
Featured Excursion: Walking tour, Cathedral visit and Christmas Markets
Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town as you make your way to the cathedral, the cit?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, Captai?s Welcome Dinner)
DAY 4: Koblenz, Cruising the Romantic Rhine, Rüdesheim
Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour and Christmas Market
Irresistible Optional Tour: Rüdesheim Dinner and entertainment
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
Featured Excursion: Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, Mainz walking tour and Christmas Market
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)
Featured Excursion: Full-day in Heidelberg
Your guided tour includes a visit to the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle and a stroll through Old Town. 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, D)
DAY 7: Strasbourg
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise and Christmas Markets
Irresistible Optional Tour: Alsatian wine road and wine tasting
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
Featured Excursion: Basel walking tour and Christmas Markets
Irresistible Optional Tour: Half-day tour of Lucerne
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
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 Our Uniworld, Europe River Cruise vacation specialist.
Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
12/09
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