Rhineland Christmas Markets Cruise

London to Cologne

We meet at St Pancras at our dedicated Departure Office before boarding the Eurostar to Brussels. We continue by train, travelling to Cologne, where we overnight. Tonight, you are free to explore the city.

On Day 2, enjoy a walking tour of the city, taking in many of its famous sights. The excellent Christmas market here is one of the fi nest in Europe, with beautiful stalls surrounded a resplendent Christmas tree in the market square centre. The festivities are watched over by the noble presence of Cologne's magnificent cathedral with its dual spires reaching up into the German sky. Later this afternoon we board our ship, the A-Rosa Aqua, setting sail towards Mannheim.

Mannheim

This morning we cruise along the stunning Rhine. We travel past the pretty little villages nestled beneath hilltop castles and sweeping vineyards. This afternoon, we arrive in Mannheim, a charming city that dates back to the 8th century, and sits at the meeting point between the Rhine and the River Neckar. You have some free time here, perhaps to discover the sights of the city and its famous city squares. After out rime here, we re-board the ship to sail to Kehl.

Strasbourg

We arrive in Kehl this morning, from where there is an option to visit nearby Strasbourg, the attractive capital of Alsace. The historic city center, called the Grand Île, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and for good reason. It is packed with half-timbered houses and narrow waterways to discover, and the colors of these buildings are exceptionally pretty. Strasbourg also hosts a popular Christmas Market, which has been held around the Cathedral since 1570. Local delicacies, festive treats and traditional produce are all put on show and sale for the public, and these stalls are well worth a browse.

Mainz and home

Today we arrive in Mainz, where there is free time to explore this Roman city, famous as the home of Johannes von Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, and for its marvellous Romanesque cathedral of St Martin. This a quintessential Rhineland town has all the classic German touches, from the attractive riverside lined with taverns and restaurants to the impressive university buildings sat amongst attractive greenery. With more than 100 stalls to choose from, Mainz Christmas Market is a fantastic place to absorb the festive atmosphere.

On Day 6 we arrive in Cologne, you have time here to see Cologne's Christmas markets before we travel by train to Brussels. Here we join the Eurostar to St Pancras International, where our tour concludes.

Departure Times

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.