Rhineland Christmas Markets Cruise
A festive cruise past the Rhine's historic towns
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Discover the truly special festive beauty of the Rhine river and its superb cities on this Christmas Markets cruise which takes you on a fantastic voyage through the stalls, streets and squares of this magnificent corner of the world.
We meet at St Pancras to board the Eurostar to Paris. We continue by train, travelling to Strasbourg, and here, we board our excellent vessel, the MS Beethoven. After we are settled into our cabins, we are treated to a welcome cocktail before dinner later tonight. The ship sets sail overnight.
Today we set sail through what is one of the highlights of the cruise: the Rhine Gorge. This ancient gorge is truly beautiful, the winding river forming a perfect bend through the valley walls, which are lined by vineyards. We drift pass the enormous Lorelei Rock, a famous natural structure said to be looked over by the ghost of a woman who lures sailors to their doom. In the lounge, you are invited to learn how to decorate bredeles, tasty biscuits local to the region, by hand. This afternoon, we moor at pretty Rüdesheim where we pay a visit to the charming and eccentric Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, where we see over 350 mechanical instruments playing music by themselves. You are free later to head to the fantastic Christmas market here.
Sailing into Mainz this morning, you have a tour then the rest of the day to uncover this traditional German town and its chocolate-box Christmas market. Our walking tour tells the story of Mainz, and visits several important locations including the famous Gutenberg Museum and magnificent Saint-Martin's Cathedral. You are free afterwards to discover Mainz's Christmas market.
We arrive into Kehl this morning after sailing overnight. Across from this small German town, the enchanting city of Strasbourg leaps into life for Christmas, with its colourful houses rendered brighter and more cheery than ever with Christmas lights and decorations of all shapes and sizes. Here you can enjoy an optional Strasbourg city tour, or venture out into the beautiful Alsace region on a 'Winterly Alsace' excursion. Alternatively, use your time here as you wish, perhaps to visit the fantastic Christmas Market.
Today we disembark and transfer to the station. We board our train to Paris and then change for the Eurostar to London.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
An escorted experience and all travel arrangements
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Enhancing your tour
Please note: This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.
A festive cruise past the Rhine's historic towns
Call:
Enquire
The definitive guide to our 2020 summer & winter rail holidays to a wide range of destinations in Europe.
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