Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and board your river cruise ship. After settling in, you have free time to explore before and after dinner. Take a stroll through the city and check out the Christmas tree in Dam Square, or watch ice skaters in front of the Rijksmuseum. The Amsterdam Light Festival installations along the canals are particularly nice to see, especially as it gets dark. Later, head back to the ship for dinner and time to relax.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Boarding river cruise ship
- Amsterdam Light Festival viewing
Optional Activities
- Visit Christmas tree in Dam Square
- Watch ice skating in front of Rijksmuseum
- City exploration and strolling
Landmarks Dam Square Rijksmuseum 
- Day 2
Amsterdam to Utrecht
This morning, you'll take a private canal cruise through Amsterdam's medieval center and learn how the city built its innovative 17th-century canal system. You'll see holiday-decorated monuments and gabled houses from the water. By afternoon, the ship sails south to Utrecht. Once there, you can pick between a walking tour, Dutch beer tasting, or visiting Castle de Haar, which is the largest castle in the Netherlands. It's your choice depending on what interests you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Private canal cruise through Amsterdam
- Sailing to Utrecht
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Utrecht
- Dutch beer tasting tour
- Visit Castle de Haar
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System Castle de Haar 
- Day 3
Düsseldorf - Cologne
The cruise moves through scenic countryside toward Düsseldorf. You can choose an afternoon bike ride or walking tour of the historic center and Christmas Market there. If Düsseldorf doesn't appeal to you, head to Cologne instead to see the diverse architecture ranging from Romanesque churches to post-WWII buildings. You'll have options for Old Town walks or archaeological tours of Roman sites. The city's Christmas Market sits beneath the 13th-century Dom Cathedral, which is one of Europe's largest markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruising through countryside to Düsseldorf
Optional Activities
- Düsseldorf bike ride
- Düsseldorf walking tour of historic center
- Düsseldorf Christmas Market
- Cologne guided walk through Old Town with Fischmarkt and Great St. Martin Church
- Cologne archaeological walking tour of Roman sites and Belgian House
- Cologne Christmas Market
Landmarks Cologne Dom Cathedral Great St. Martin Church Fischmarkt Belgian House - Day 4
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
You'll enter the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 40 medieval castles on bluffs and charming villages decorated for the holidays. The ship glides toward Rüdesheim, the gateway to the Rheingau wine region. Pick from wine tastings, hikes, bike rides, or a gondola ride over vineyards. At Rüdesheim's Christmas Market, you can also explore Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet or try Rüdesheimer coffee, a local specialty.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruising through Upper Middle Rhine Valley
Optional Activities
- Wine cellar visit and Rheingau wine tasting
- Hiking
- Guided bike ride
- Gondola ride over vineyards
- Rüdesheim Christmas Market
- Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet
- Rücesheimer coffee tasting
Landmarks Upper Middle Rhine Valley Lorelei Rock Rheingau Wine Region Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet - Day 5
Ludwigshafen to Rhineland
From Ludwigshafen, you can explore your choice of historic Rhineland cities with festive Christmas Markets. Heidelberg offers a mighty castle and a centuries-old university, plus the Hauptstrasse shopping street and Philosopher's Path hikes. Alternatively, bike along the River Neckar to medieval Ladenburg, or check out Speyer with its Romanesque cathedral and Technik Museum. Each option gives you a different feel for the region's history and holiday atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruising to Ludwigshafen
Optional Activities
- Heidelberg castle and university tour
- Hauptstrasse shopping street walk
- Heidelberg Christmas Market
- Philosopher's Path hike
- Bike ride along River Neckar to Ladenburg
- Speyer Romanesque cathedral visit
- Speyer Technik Museum tour
- Speyer Christmas Market
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Heidelberg University Hauptstrasse Philosopher's Path Ladenburg Marktplatz Speyer Cathedral Technik Museum Old Mint (Alten Münze) - Day 6
Strasbourg
You arrive in Strasbourg, one of Europe's most popular Christmas destinations. Walk through the historic Grande Île district and the charming Petite France with half-timbered houses lining the canals. Visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and its famous astronomical clock, then explore the Christkindelsmarkt, the oldest Christmas Market in France dating back to 1570. Grab vin chaud or local Christmas cookies while you're there. You can also take an optional European Parliament tour, guided bike tour, or visit nearby Baden-Baden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruising to Strasbourg
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Grande Île historic center
- Petite France district exploration
- Cathédrale de Notre-Dame and astronomical clock visit
- Christkindelsmarkt Christmas Market
- European Parliament guided tour
- Guided bike tour of Strasbourg neighborhoods
- Baden-Baden spa town and Christmas Markets visit
Landmarks Grande Île Petite France Cathédrale de Notre-Dame European Parliament - Day 7
Breisach to Colmar
The ship stops in Breisach, positioned on the border between France's Alsace region and Germany's Black Forest. Visit the fairytale Alsatian town of Colmar and experience its blend of French and German culture. You can tour August Bartholdi's home (sculptor of the Statue of Liberty), explore the Christmas Markets, visit the Neuf-Brisach Citadel, or take a countryside bike ride. The town itself feels like stepping into a different era.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruising to Breisach
Optional Activities
- Colmar town exploration
- August Bartholdi house tour
- Colmar Christmas Markets
- Neuf-Brisach Citadel visit
- Countryside bicycle ride
Landmarks Colmar August Bartholdi House Neuf-Brisach Citadel - Day 8
Basel
You'll disembark the ship in Basel and prepare for your return flight home. This morning gives you time to pack and perhaps grab a quick breakfast before heading to the airport, depending on your flight time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
