|
|
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: Basel to Cologne
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 Basel |
| Day 2: |
Basel (embark) |
| |
Arrive in Basel where you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D) |
| Day 3: |
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 Welcome Dinner) |
| Day 4: |
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 5: |
Speyer (Heidelberg), Mainz |
| |
Featured Excursion: Full-Day Heidelberg including lunch at a local restaurant |
| |
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 6: |
Mainz, Rüdesheim |
| |
Featured Excursion: Mainz walking tour, Christmas Market, Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum |
| |
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. During the afternoon, we cruise from Mainz to Rüdesheim, where we will visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum, or we’ll visit the Christmas Market of the Nations along Rüdesheim’s most popular street, the Drosselgasse. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 7: |
Rüdesheim, Cruising the Romantic Rhine, Koblenz |
| |
Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour and Christmas Market |
| |
Departing in the morning from Rüdesheim to Koblenz, 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. Once docked in Koblenz, your walking tour 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. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 8: |
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 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 Farewell Dinner) Note: On SunDays and Catholic holiDays, guided tours inside the cathedral will not be possible. |
| Day 9: |
Cologne (disembark), transfer to airport |
| |
Disembark the ship in Cologne and transfer to Cologne 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
|
|
|
|
| Full Service Luxury Cruises Vacation Planner |
| Click here to start planning a great luxury cruises, tour vacations with our Virtuoso Travel Advisors. You may call us too, but we'd really appreciate it if you complete a vacation planner first so we can determine which destination specialist to introduce you to. Thank you very much! Call 1 800 330 8820 or 415 446 5252 to book your cruise vacations. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
   
We accept credit cards:   
|
|
During this time of price volatility in the luxury cruises, cruise lines, vacations, travel, tour and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked.
Disclaimer: We've worked hard to make all the luxury cruise vacations, cruise lines and travel packages information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
Travel Agent Career Opportunities
State of California seller of travel License No: 2061139-40
We are on the Better Business Bureau Honor Roll.
© 1998 TravelWizard.Com, Luxury Cruises, Vacations and Custom Travel Packages Dept. All rights reserved. | |
|
|
