Festive Cheer & Xmas Markets Rhine River Cruise

Day 1

UK to Cologne, Germany.
We depart home are and travel to Folkestone for our Eurotunnel crossing then continue through France, Belgium and into Germany, making suitable comfort stops, arriving in Cologne late afternoon. We board our ship and have time to freshen up in our cabins before our welcome reception with a glass of sparkling wine followed by our evening meal.

Day 2

Cologne - Rudesheim.
Today we cruise along the Rhine and marvel en-route at some of the Rhine Valley’s most famous landmarks including the 130m high Lorelei Rock, named after the Rhine waters siren, the legend whom is as old s time itself. In Rudesheim we visit the Mechanical Music Museum of Siegfried. It started with clocks. It was the 1960’s and the German collector Siegfried Wendel had amassed a collection of well over 100 grandfather and wall clocks. Then one fateful day, a young couple in a beaten-up Volkswagen appeared on Wendel’s doorstep to see if he might just be interested in what they had on their backseat. It wasn’t a time piece, but a gorgeous walnut-veneered, wood inlaid Polyphon. Wendel was smitten, and a love affair (or obsession) with mechanical musical instruments was born. There are approximately 350 exhibits of mechanical instruments dating from the 18th to the 20th century to look at whilst you enjoy a mug of glühwein. Visit the Christmas market with over 100 wooden chalets selling local delicacies, ornaments, Christmas gifts situated along the Rhine. Tonight, after dinner we take you to for a wine tasting. Opportunity to purchase some wine (which will be delivered back to your ship). Afterwards join Karen at one of the local bars for a drink and maybe a bit of dancing!

Day 3

Rudesheim to Koblenz.
This morning we sail to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Here we have free time to visit the Koblenz Christmas Market, with over 130 festively decorated wooden stalls offering a range of handmade gifts and Christmas decorations. Enjoy a glass or red or white glühwein whilst listening to festive music playing. Alternatively, you can explore the city’s quaint lanes and atmospheric squares filled with beautiful old buildings.

Day 4

Koblenz to Cologne.
After breakfast we cruise up the Rhine to discover the beautiful city of Cologne. The hive of festive activity takes place around the cathedral and the old town, where you will find a maze of pretty stalls also offering outstanding arts and crafts. There are also several smaller markets to enjoy including the Harbour Christmas Markets held on the Rhine, with snowy white pagoda tents reminiscent of a ship’s sails.

Day 5

Cologne to UK.
After breakfast we depart for home area, making suitable comfort stops.

B=Breakfast Included, L=Lunch Included, D=Dinner Included