Festive Markets of the Rhine: Cologne to Strasbourg

Your festive break begins today as we meet the Tour Manager at St Pancras. Boarding the Eurostar, we travel to Brussels and switch rail services to Cologne. In this riverside city, we board our luxurious cruise ship, which is bedecked in Christmas finery. After a welcome cocktail on board ahead of dinner, we set sail through the night towards Koblenz.

Please note: the departure on 30th November will operate a reverse itinerary starting in Strasbourg and ending in Cologne.

• Dinner

We reach Koblenz this morning for some time to explore. Koblenz is a picturesque city which lies at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Famous for its historic charm, its landmarks include the Deutsches Eck, where the rivers meet, and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress which offers stunning views. At this time of year, the medieval streets, buildings, and squares of the Old Town are adorned with twinkling festive lights and decorations.

Our cruise then continues, sailing through the stunning Rhine Gorge and by the famous Lorelei rock. This part of the Rhine is regarded as one of the most beautiful stretches surrounded by dramatic cliffs, medieval castles, terraced vineyards, and charming villages.

Later, we arrive at the wine town of Rüdesheim. You have time to wander amongst the Christmas stalls shopping for gifts, or maybe sample a Rüdesheim Coffee, made with local Asbach Uralt Brandy and served with whipped cream. You could stroll along the Drösselgasse, a street in the Old Town lined with half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and wine bars. Back on board, we continue toward Speyer after dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Seasonal delights await us again today in Speyer. On a trip to Heidelberg, we have a guided tour of the picturesque university town. It is known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape. There is also time here to wander its Christmas market.

This afternoon there is free time for you to discover Speyer independently , which also has a delightful Christmas market. We take in the sights of this historic German city and its famous cathedral before a leisurely evening soaking up the festive atmosphere. During dinner this evening, we set sail for Strasbourg.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arriving in Strasbourg, you have the choice between two excursions. You could join a tour of Obernai, an Alsace town at the foot of Mont Sainte-Odile with striking historic architecture and charming Christmas markets. Alternatively, you could have a city tour of Strasbourg, discovering its fascinating history and Gothic cathedral.

After your excursion, the rest of the afternoon is free in Strasbourg. The city sits on the French-German border and blends the best of the two cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses, shops and cobbled streets all aglow with Christmas lights and markets. Our evening rounds off with a spectacular gala dinner on board.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We head to the railway station and catch the Eurostar to London. As we travel, look back on the festive moments we shared along the Rhine - amazing views in Koblenz, the fairytale scenes along the Rhine Gorge, and the Christmas markets of Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, Speyer and Strasbourg. Your holiday comes to an end as we arrive in London, where you can make your way home.

• Breakfast