Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Romantic
Rhine, Europe's longest river. Travel onboard an Emerald
Waterways Star-Ship, exploring the wonderful Christmas
markets of Europe while absorbing the local, festive
atmosphere at this magical time of year.
Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland.
Day
2 Basel, Switzerland
Welcome to Switzerland! Upon arrival, you will be met by a
representative of Mayflower Cruises and Tours and transferred to
your awaiting motorcoach. Journey to the town of Basel where your
captain and crew await to welcome you aboard your luxurious
Emerald Waterways Star-Ship. Enjoy time to become acquainted
with your new accommodations, and this evening, join your fellow
guests for dinner on board. Your Cruise Director will also conduct a
port talk to review the activities and itinerary for the days ahead.
Meal: D
Day
3 Breisach, Germany
Visit a typical black forest village, full of charm, cuckoo clocks, and
other German specialties. It perfectly encapsulates a traditional way
of life, all amidst the backdrop of the holiday season.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS:
Black Forest Cake demonstration and tasting
Day
4 Strasbourg, France
Upon arrival in Kehl, travel by coach across the river to Strasbourg,
the capital city of the Alsace Region in France. A local guide leads
you on a walking tour through this picturesque town. Stroll along
the Grand Île and through the charming Old Quarter, ‘La Petit
France’. Admire the historical city center and UNESCO World
Heritage Site known for its medieval black and white timber-framed
buildings, old tanning houses, baroque sandstone buildings, canals
and river locks and its centerpiece, the Gothic cathedral. Enjoy free
time to visit the stalls of Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, one of the
oldest in Europe, before returning to the ship.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS:
Guided Tour of Strasbourg
DiscoverMORE:
Tour of Riquewihr (additional expense)
Day
5 Mannheim – Heidelberg, Germany
Continue to the town of Mannheim, located at the confluence of the
Rhine and Neckar Rivers. Travel by coach to the medieval town of
Heidelberg, where you will enjoy a guided tour. Don’t miss out on
shopping for unique treasures at the Christmas Market in
Heidelberg.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
6 Koblenz, Germany
Sail through the spectacular Rhine Gorge, where a landscape of
castles and quaint towns awaits. Don’t miss the infamous Lorelei
rock and statue and other photo opportunities that abound around
every bend. Cruise to the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz, situated at
the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers.
Enjoy a tour of Koblenz and visit the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the opposite side of
the river. In the old part of the city, six areas offer more than 100
glittering, festive, cottage-style stands and Lebkuchenherzen
(traditional gingerbread hearts) to create a magical European
Christmas experience.
Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE:
Moselle & Cochem Castle Visit (additional expense)
NOTE: you can only choose either the included tour of Koblenz or the
DiscoverMORE option as both tours operate at the same time.
Day
7 Cologne, Germany
Seven markets transform picturesque Cologne into a winter
wonderland over the Christmas season. Following a guided tour of
the city, be sure to pay a visit to the shopping stalls around the Alter
Markt, Neumarkt, Rudolfplatz and the cathedral, beneath which
you’ll locate the Christmas tree. Decorated mugs hold steaming hot
Glühwein, and local vendors sell handmade sweets and local
delicacies. Don’t miss the mesmerizing ‘Stars at Night’ theme
adopted around the Neumarkt, where looking up unveils a beautiful
light display overhead.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
8 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Appreciate the windmills and landscapes as you sail through the
Dutch countryside. Today you’ll enjoy a glass-top canal boat tour
through Amsterdam’s canals, passing historic merchant houses and
delightful Christmas stalls along the way. Return to the ship for the
farewell dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
9 Amsterdam, the Netherlands / USA
It’s time to bid farewell to the Captain and crew and depart for
Schiphol Airport as you say goodbye to Europe and return home
with lifelong memories of your Christmas markets cruise along the
Rhine River.
Meal: B