Itinerary
- Day 1
Zurich to Basel
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception)
Landmarks Basel - Day 2
Basel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Basel with market visit - explore Old Town, Basel Minster, and Christmas markets on Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz
- Läckerli baking workshop - learn to craft traditional spiced honey cookies with a local baker
Landmarks Basel Minster Münsterplatz Barfüsserplatz - Day 3
Strasbourg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Strasbourg - Visit the cathedral and charming Petit France district with your local guide, followed by free time to explore the magical Christmas markets, among Europe's largest and most popular
- Alsace Christmas beer brewery visit - Learn about the tradition of Christmas beer or Bière de Noël dating back to the Middle Ages, and taste local beers from Alsace, France's most prominent beer-producing region
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral Petit France Place Kléber Christmas Market - Day 4
Mannheim - Heidelberg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Orientation tour of Heidelberg with free time - Transfer by coach from Mannheim to Heidelberg for a brief walking tour of the old town, then explore on your own. The town is charming at Christmas with elaborate decorations, traditional markets, ice skating rink and festive treats
- Historical tour of Heidelberg - Guided tour of Heidelberg including a visit to Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. Explore the courtyard, the balcony with incredible views over the Old Town and view the great Heidelberg Tun, the world's largest wine barrel
- Private classical concert at Bruchsal Palace - Enjoy an exclusive evening concert at Bruchsal Palace with a welcome drink, witnessing the grandeur of the theatre room and a fabulous performance by accomplished musicians and a soloist
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Heidelberg Old Town Bruchsal Palace - Day 5
Rüdesheim
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mini-train ride from pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with 350 self-playing instruments from the 18th and 19th century
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Rüdesheim - Day 6
Rüdesheim to Cologne
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
- Walking tour of Cologne's Old Town
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelei Statue Cologne Cathedral Cathedral Christmas Market - Day 7
Düsseldorf
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf with local guide
Landmarks Düsseldorf Old Town Königsallee - Day 8
Amsterdam
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals - Day 9
Amsterdam
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise - See more than 100 kilometres of Amsterdam's most picturesque canals and historical waterways on a one-hour cruise
- Walking tour of Amsterdam - Explore the maze of canals and bridges in the city centre with a guide covering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture, including a tasting of herring, a local delicacy
- Excursion to Schermerhorn and Alkmaar - Visit the nearby villages to explore windmills, an iconic feature of Dutch culture. Schermerhorn has World Heritage-listed windmills dating back to the 16th century
Landmarks Amsterdam Schermerhorn Windmills Alkmaar - Day 10
Cologne
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne's Old Town
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cathedral Christmas Market Cologne Old Town - Day 11
Cologne to Rüdesheim
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
- Mini-train ride to Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum
- Guided visit to Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelei Statue Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum - Day 12
Cruising Day
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Gourmet Christmas feast)
Included Activities
- Gourmet Christmas feast
- Special Christmas celebrations and entertainment
- Day 13
Würzburg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour - A short coach transfer to Würzburg's centre where your local guide shows you their hometown, leading you towards the historic market square with time to wander
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg - Coach journey from Würzburg to Rothenburg along the Romantic Road, an important trading route during the Middle Ages. Guided tour in Rothenburg seeing the well-preserved medieval Old Town, Gothic and Renaissance City Hall, and the famous City Councillors' Tavern
Landmarks Würzburg Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Day 14
Bamberg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg's World Heritage Old Town
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Cathedral Bamberg Town Hall - Day 15
Nuremberg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of the Old Town - Drive into Nuremberg's city centre for a walking tour with a local guide to see the Imperial Castle overlooking the city, St. Egidien's Church and market square
- World War II tour - Art Bunker visit - Discover how medieval cellars dug into the sandstone of Nuremberg's castle hill protected the city's artistic heritage during aerial bombardment. Learn about the simple but effective air-conditioning system and moisture-proof storage cells that safeguarded masterpieces
- Nuremberg's Castle and City Walls - Active walking tour exploring the cobblestone streets surrounding the Imperial Castle and admiring the impressive city walls that have stood strong since medieval times
Landmarks Nuremberg Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Old Town Nuremberg City Walls - Day 16
Regensburg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Regensburg walking tour - Expert local guide shows you the old stone bridge, the Church of St. James, and the Porta Praetoria while sharing the customs and traditions of the region during the festive period
- Bavarian beer tasting - Visit a series of traditional breweries to learn about the intricacies of brewing and sample a variety of distinctive Bavarian beers, from the crisp refreshment of Helles lager to the smooth richness of Dunkel and the fruity, spicy character of Weissbier
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Stone Bridge Church of St. James Porta Praetoria - Day 17
Passau - Schlögen
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - Journey via coach to Salzburg, Austria, surrounded by alpine peaks on the Salzach River. Known as Mozart's home and the setting of The Sound of Music. Guided tour of this incredible city followed by lunch at a local restaurant
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov - Coach journey from Passau to the Czech World Heritage-listed town of Český Krumlov. Wander this fairytale location with your guide, explore the historic centre, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau with St. Stephens Cathedral - Explore Passau's two-millennia history from Celtic and Roman times. Visit the Baroque St. Stephen's Cathedral featuring the world's largest cathedral organ, the Veste Oberhaus fortress, and beautifully preserved old town streets with museums, galleries and cafes
Landmarks Passau St. Stephen's Cathedral Veste Oberhaus Salzburg Český Krumlov - Day 18
Melk - Dürnstein - Vienna
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Melk Abbey - Guided tour through one of the world's most magnificent monastic sites, the Benedictine Abbey overlooking Melk. See the abbey church exquisitely decorated with ceiling frescoes and the library with medieval manuscripts
- Wachau Valley wine tasting - Visit one of Austria's most prominent wine regions and talk to a local vigneron to learn about wine traditions while sampling local varietals like Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, with sweeping panoramic views of the Danube and terraced vineyards
- UNESCO Wachau Valley e-bike experience - Bicycle tour along the Danube to the quaint village of Dürnstein with your guide. Pass charming villages and rolling vineyard landscapes with stops to enjoy breathtaking Danube views
Landmarks Melk Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein - Day 19
Vienna
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace - Explore the former summer residence of the Habsburg family, hear tales about the royal family and see the impressive gardens
- Cycle to Danube Island - Guided e-bike tour to Danube Island where locals come to enjoy bathing, boating, cycling and relaxing on its beaches
- Excursion to Bratislava - Coach journey to Bratislava, Slovakia's capital and a modern multicultural metropolis. Tour with a local guide to see Bratislava Castle, the Hlavné Námestie main square and the Old Town Hall
- Guided tour of Vienna - Coach ride along the famous Ringstrasse lined with ornate historic buildings, followed by immersive walking tour of Vienna's historic downtown discovering the city's rich history, architectural beauty and vibrant cultural atmosphere
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Ringstrasse Danube Island Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie - Day 20
Budapest
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace - Exclusive private classical music concert at the majestic Gödöllő Royal Palace, one of the favourite residences of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary, immersing yourself in Budapest's Imperial past
Landmarks Budapest Gödöllő Royal Palace 
- Day 21
Budapest
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth - Visit both Buda and Pest districts separated by the Danube. See Várkert Bazár before crossing Margaret Bridge to Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square
- Hospital in the Rock - Experience the labyrinths of the Hospital in the Rock, built as a secret hospital during WWII and later converted to a nuclear bunker
- Guided hike of Buda - Hike up to the World Heritage-listed site of Buda Hill combining history with panoramic beauty. See Várkert Bazár and lovingly landscaped gardens while enjoying great views over the Danube River and city architecture
- Hungarian culinary market walk - Foodie tour visiting the bustling Grand Central Market and other locations to taste local delicacies and hear fascinating stories about the city's traditions
Landmarks Buda Hill Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market - Day 22
Budapest
Landmarks Budapest
