- Itinerary
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Enjoy a 7 night River Cruise.
Glide past sleepy villages, explore idyllic riverside towns adorned with glittering lights and experience the unique ambience of the magical Yuletide markets. The seasonal tradition of a German Christmas awaits, with a special gala dinner to celebrate Christmas Day.
Selected dates in December 2022.
Itineraries
Day 1 (Embark)
Time : 4:00 pm
Arrival in Cologne
Arrive at the airport for your flight to Düsseldorf or Cologne, or take the Eurostar to Brussels from London St Pancras International. On arrival, transfer by coach to your cruise ship moored in the heart of picturesque Cologne. The city will look quite magnificent at this very special time of year, with fairy lights twinkling along the harbourside and the monumental Christmas tree standing proudly against a historic backdrop.
We are moored overnight so you may fancy a wander ashore to start exploring this charismatic city, so full of atmosphere at this special time of year. It won’t be long before our first excellent dinner is served in the ship’s restaurant, over which you can get acquainted with some of your fellow travellers. Enjoy a digestif in the welcoming lounge as you ponder all that the next few days has in store!
Day 2
Time : 12:30 pm
Koblenz
To really get in the Christmas mood, nothing beats waking up on board to find you’re already cruising through an entrancing winter wonderland. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and relax while a kaleidoscope of riverside views drifts by in all their seasonal glory.
Day 3
Time : 7:00 am
Rudesheim
During breakfast the ship effortlessly glides out of port as we commence a spectacular morning’s cruising, sailing upstream. One of the cruise highlights will be our passage through the magnificent Rhine Gorge; here where the swifter current sweeps between the narrowing valley sides that tower above, the river twists and turns towards the famous Loreley Rock, where legend has it, unsuspecting sailors were lured to their deaths by enchanting maidens.
Day 4
Time : 12:00 pm
Speyer on Christmas Eve
Unwind after breakfast this morning as the ship gently cruises to Speyer. As you lounge back and enjoy a relaxing Christmas Eve, the landscape becomes much wider and flatter, with gently rolling hills and vineyards that are home to the Liebfraumilch wines. Take to the deck and enjoy the bracing as we continue our Christmas journey upstream.
Day 5
Time : 7:00 am
Strasbourg
This morning we cruise gently upstream, passing through two spectacular locks, whose elaborate engineering never ceases to fascinate. After breakfast why not find a comfortable chair in the lounge and enjoy a relaxing morning – the perfect start to Christmas Day. For this special day, we’re on own way to Strasbourg, hailed the capital of Christmas.
Day 6
Boppard
After a relaxing Boxing Day breakfast, wrap up in your winter warmers and head to the sun deck or relax in the lounge and soak up the atmosphere of this magical river as we cruise downstream. We have another delicious lunch on board before we reach Boppard, a gorgeous town on a dramatic, almost U-shaped river bend. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Rhine’, the town is renowned for its storybook medieval atmosphere of captivating cobbled streets lined by tucked-away shops, traditional houses and characterful restaurants.
Day 7
Cologne
This morning enjoy more glorious views of dramatic, rocky vineyard-topped valley sides dotted with romantic ruined castles. What better way to spend your last morning on board than on deck or in the welcoming lounge as we progress majestically downstream. As the towering spires of Cologne’s cathedral come into view on the wintry skyline, we moor in the shadow of this ancient monument once again.
Day 8
Return Home
Transfer to the train station or airport for your return flight to the UK.
Enjoy a 7 night River Cruise.
Glide past sleepy villages, explore idyllic riverside towns adorned with glittering lights and experience the unique ambience of the magical Yuletide markets. The seasonal tradition of a German Christmas awaits, with a special gala dinner to celebrate Christmas Day.
Selected dates in December 2022.
