Day 1: Depart home gateway city to Cologne
Day 2: Cologne
Transfer from Cologne airport to ship
Day 3: Cologne
Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town as you make your way tothe cathedral, the city�s beloved landmark and a designated UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. Cologne boasts no fewer than five ChristmasMarkets, so we have planned an entire day in this city for you todiscover these markets at your own pace following the tour. Be sure tovisit the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market, as well as Alter Markt infront of the City Hall, Neumarkt in Cologne�s shopping area, and theMedieval Christmas Market in front of the Chocolate Museum. (BB, L,Captain�s Farewell Dinner) Note: No tours inside of the Cologne Cathedral on Sundays or Catholic holidays.
Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour, cathedral visit, and Christmas Markets
Day 4: Cruising the Romantic Rhine, Koblenz
In the morning, you�ll cruise to Koblenz via the breathtaking 40 milesof the upper-middle Rhine Valley, recognized as a UNESCO World HeritageSite. With its 40 castles strung like pearls on the hillside, and thefamous Lorelei Rock, the valley is the perfect example of the romanticRhine. Once you arrive in Koblenz, situated at the confluence of theRhine and Moselle rivers, you�ll begin your walking tour throughromantic alleys with their half-timbered houses decorated for theseason. You�ll pass by St. Castor�s Church, the Church of Our Lady,Sch�ngel Fountain, and historic City Hall. Afterward, delight in theKoblenz Christmas Market with its dozens of wooden stands offering artsand crafts, spicy mulled wine, and sweet Christmas cakes, and watch thelocal children skating on the Christmas Market rink. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour and Christmas Market
Day 5: Mainz, R�desheim
Enjoy the morning at leisure in the town of Mainz, once home toJohannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. Stroll through OldTown and the city square, where you�ll see Kaiserdom, St. Stephan�sChurch, and Kurfu�rstliche Schloss. Explore the St. Nicholas ChristmasMarket with the 1,000-year- old St. Martin�s Cathedral as a backdrop.During the afternoon, cruise from Mainz to Ru�desheim, located in theheart of the Rhine Valley. Ru�desheim has been a magnet for romanticsever since the early 19th century. Its rolling hills, historicalmonuments,and winding alleyways are a real treat. While in Ru�desheim, you�llvisit Siegfried�s Mechanical Music Museum and its unique collection ofmechanical musical instruments, which is housed in one of Ru�desheim�s16th-century mansions. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Minitrain and Siegfried's Music Museum
Day 6: Speyer (Heidelberg)
Situated on the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is one ofGermany�s most beautiful cities and one of the best-preserved Medievalcities in Europe. It is also home to one of Germany�s oldestuniversities. Your tour of Heidelberg takes you past the romantic ruinsof Heidelberg Castle, a once fortified Gothic castle, and through OldTown, which is all dressed up for the holidays. You�ll have ample timeto explore the Heidelberg Christmas Market, which spans over fivesquares. Marvel at the Christmas Pyramid rotating inside the tower atthe Marktplatz, or take a ride on the carousel. (BB, D)
Featured Excursion: Full-day Heidelberg and Christmas Market
Day 7: Strasbourg
Situated halfway between Paris and Prague, Strasbourg is known as �TheCrossroads of Europe� and home of the magnificent, single-spire GothicNotre Dame Cathedral and many beautiful half-timbered houses.See Strasbourg as it has been seen through the centuries�on a canalcruise. Cruise past the Ponts-Couverts, which are covered bridgeslinked by Medieval watchtowers once used for observation purposes.Admire the modern building that houses the European Parliament, andenjoy Petite France, which is especially picturesque at this time ofyear. And visit the oldest Christmas Market in France in a breathtakingsetting right in front of Strasbourg�sGothic cathedral. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise and Christmas Market
Day 8: Basel
Your city walk introduces you to Basel, Switzerland�s second-largestcity. Over the centuries, it has been a center for banking, trade, andeducation, all of which are showcased by its striking Town Hall andexquisite patrician homes. Delight in Basel�s Christmas Market in theheart of the historic Old Town, and visit the illuminated ChristmasStreet, which is beautifully decorated with over 100 Christmas trees.(BB, L, Captain�s Welcome Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Basel walking tour and Christmas Market
Day 9: Depart Basel
Transfer from ship to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg where you�ll fly home. (D)
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