Christmas Markets along the Rhine

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive Köln (Cologne), Germany

  Embark ms Treasures

• Day 2: Koln

  "Brunch aboard the riverboat in Köln / Excursion to Aachen Christmas Market / Cruise to Rüdesheim."

• Day 3: Cruising on the Rhine

  "Visit Rüdesheim Christmas Market & Siegfrieds Musikkabinett / Cookie baking demonstration & Rüdesheim Coffee"

• Day 4: Heidelberg

  "Excursion from Speyer to Heidelberg / Tour of historic Heidelberger Schlöss (Heidelberg Castle) / Visit to Heidelberg Christmas Market / Christmas lunch at Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg"

• Day 5: Plittersdorf

  "Arrive Plittersdorf / Visit Baden-Baden Christmas Market & Kurhaus casino"

• Day 6: Strasbourg

  "Walking tour and visit to Strasbourg Christmas Market / Walk through La Petite France"

• Day 7: Riquewihr

  "Visit Christmas Markets in Riquewihr & Colmar in Alsace / Cruise to Basel"

• Day 8: Switzerland

  Depart Basel, Switzerland

• Rüdesheim

  "Holiday carols, children’s laughter, carousels... the season’s joyful noises reverberate across this little town on the Rhine as you browse the shops and stalls of its Weihnachtsmarkt, winding their way through its quaint cobblestone streets; the largest nativity scene in Europe adorns the market square. Even the Drosselgasse, a narrow lane famed for its wine bars, is all done up in yuletide green and gold. Heart-shaped lebkuchen, local favorites like schweinebraten and jagerschnitzel – and especially Rüdesheim Coffee, laced with locally produced brandy – tempt your taste buds. While in Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett, housed in a centuries-old castle."

• Heidelberg

  "With thousands of stars twinkling in the trees... hundreds of booths sprawling across five city squares... and an ice rink glistening in the shadow of Heidelberger Schlöss... you’ll think you’ve stepped inside a snowglobe at this shining Weihnachtsmarkt! Festooned with figures from the city’s history, the glowing Christmas Pyramid dominates the Marktplatz. On the Universitätsplatz, a carousel turns, and the scent of almonds and glühwein fills the air. You can skate to holiday tunes at the rink on the Karlsplatz... hunt for crafts at the Anatomiegarten... or stroll past the crèche on the Kornmarkt. You’ll also take a funicular to the medieval Old Town for a walking tour and lunch at the Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg, and explore iconic Heidelberger Schlöss (Heidelberg Castle)."

• Baden-Baden

  "The Black Forest’s special magic casts its spell over the Christmas Market of this famous spa town, set adjacent to its sumptuous Belle Èpoque casino complex – the Kurhaus – which screen icon Marlene Dietrich called “the most beautiful casino in the world.” Cheered by the strains of local choirs and bands performing holiday music – or perhaps by the baaaas of bleating sheep from the market’s “living Nativity” – you can check out booth upon booth of carved wooden toys and ornaments, silver jewelry, decorative candles and goodies galore. Join us for a guided visit inside the 250-year-old Kurhaus, and explore more of Baden-Baden’s holiday charms as you wish."

• Strasbourg

  "Steaming mulled wine... gingerbread... Advent wreaths... a towering Christmas tree, dwarfed by soaring Strasbourg Cathedral... nearly every street and building aglow with lights and decorations... bredle, the tiny, traditional holiday cakes of Alsace... the unmistakable sights, sounds, flavors and smells of the Alsatian holidays surround you at Strasbourg’s Marchés de Noël, the oldest and largest in France. A dozen themed markets fan out from the cathedral along the Grand Rue – the original Christkindelsmärik... the Bredle Market... the Kingdom of the Wine Growers... the Children’s Village... the Village of Sharing and others. Artisans show off their wares in stalls that stretch on as far as the eye can see... and the ancient heart of this canal-crossed city is bathed in gold! A lecture on local storytelling traditions and a guided walk through La Petite France round out your unforgettable day in Strasbourg."

• Riquewihr

  "Aside from the electricity that lights up its intimate Christmas Market every December, this Alsatian village hasn’t changed much since its days as a Winzerdorf (wine village) in the 16th century. Fortified by glühwein, you’ll stroll among stalls laden with crafts and local delicacies, set among historic halftimbered houses and shops dressed in yuletide finery... it’s like a fairy tale come to life!"

• Colmar

  "A little piece of holiday heaven... that’s Colmar at Christmastime! Le Marché de Noël’s five main venues spread merriment throughout this beautifully preserved medieval city on the Alsatian Wine Route, its 14th- and 15th-century façades draped in greenery and twinkling lights. Tiny faces beam with delight amid the toys, gingerbread, merry-go-round and animated Nativity scene of the Children’s Market in Petite Venise. Crépes, sausages, baguettes, chocolates and other local favorites – and of course Alsatian wine – make the mouth water at Place Jeanne d’Arc. Master glaziers, sculptors, jewelers and other artisans display their work in the Covered Market in the historic Koïfhus (customs house)... and you’ll find everything from candles to roast chestnuts at Place de l’Ancienne Douane and Place des Dominicains, warmed by the stained glass windows of the Gothic Dominican church."

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.