Christmas on the Rhine

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Begin your journey in Amsterdam, amidst the city’s iconic canals and vibrant winter atmosphere. Embark upon an enchanting 7-night Rhine River cruise that takes you to Heidelberg and Cologne, famous for its majestic Cathedral and magical Christmas markets. Explore the Black Forest and historic Alsace, scenic regions with holiday traditions all their own. You will also visit two of Switzerland’s loveliest and most cosmopolitan cities, Lucerne and Zurich, where you enjoy a lake excursion, bustling Christmas Markets and pristine Alpine vistas.

Day 1 – Depart United States

Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Your R&J Tour Director is there is assist you throughout your trip.

Day 2 – Arrive in Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Embarkation

Arrive in charming Amsterdam and board your luxurious river cruise ship the AmaReina. Settle in before a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Included Meals: Dinner

Ship: AmaReina

Day 3 – Amsterdam

After breakfast, your tour of Amsterdam begins with a scenic canal cruise through the city known as the “Venice of the North.” See the beautiful homes that line the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous Anne Frank House. Then, enjoy a panoramic city tour, where you will see the great landmarks of Amsterdam including a photo stop at a windmill. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore Amsterdam before returning to the ship. We depart early this afternoon for Germany.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Cologne, Germany

The ship arrives in Cologne around lunch time. You will have a guided tour of the city, strolling through the Old Town and Cathedral Square, and visiting the fabled 13th- century Gothic Cathedral. During your free time, browse the festive Christmas Market in Cathedral Square – one of Europe’s best – or explore the city on your own. The ship cruises overnight.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Rhine Gorge – Rudesheim

This morning, we cruise through the fascinating Rhine Gorge, passing castle after castle and the infamous Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rüdesheim in time for an early afternoon wine tasting with a local vintner. Explore the town’s Christmas Markets during your free time, or the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants. This evening, visit the historic Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and its collection of robotic and self-playing musical instruments, made during the 18th-20th centuries. The ship departs very late tonight and cruises to Speyer.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – Speyer – Heidelberg

Arrive in Speyer around lunchtime. Speyer is one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its Cathedral, churches, and the Altpörtel – a 13th-century gate tower. Choose either a tour of Medieval Speyer or a half day excursion to Heidelberg, where you will visit the red-walled Castle and its Great Vat, a 49,000-gallon 18th-century wine cask, and see beautiful views of the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg below. You will have free time to wander what is said to be the longest pedestrian shopping street in Germany, the “Haupstrasse,” or some of the city’s colorful Christmas Markets. This evening, the ship cruises to Strasbourg, France.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 – Strasbourg, France

Capital of the Alsace region in northeastern France, Strasbourg is situated on the Ill River, where it flows into the Rhine on the German border. After arriving this morning, you will visit Strasbourg’s famous Christmas market – said to be the oldest and best of its kind in the country. You will also take a walking tour along the town’s narrow cobbled streets, see the European Parliament and visit the “La Petite France” district, with its sandstone Gothic cathedral and famous astronomical clock. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. The ship moors overnight in Strasbourg.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Breisach, Germany

The ship arrives in Breisach after lunch today. You have two exciting excursions to choose from today. The first is a visit to Riquewihr, a picturesque town that looks much as it did back in the 16th century. A second option is a walking tour of Breisach and Freiburg. Breisach is a beautiful town that houses one of Europe’s largest wine cellars. In Freiburg, you will visit the historical city center and the Augustinerplatz, site of Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral constructed of red sandstone. Rejoin the ship in Breisach. This evening, we set sail for Basel, Switzerland.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 – Basel, Switzerland (Disembarkation) – Lucerne

Disembark after breakfast and head off on a city tour of cosmopolitan Basel. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. You will have free time for lunch on your own, then depart for Lucerne, stopping to visit the Lion Monument en route. After arriving mid-afternoon and checking in to your hotel, you may wish to visit Basel’s fantastic Christmas Market on Barfsserplatz.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Radisson Blu (2 Nights)

Day 10 – Lucerne

Situated on Lake Lucerne, this city is truly a medieval gem. After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour that will explore some of the city’s famous cobblestone streets, monuments, fountain-embellished public squares, covered bridges and colorful fresco-covered buildings. You will have free time in the afternoon to shop for watches, knives, and delicious Swiss chocolates. As an alternative, you may take an optional tour and cable car ride (seasonal) to the top of Mount Pilatus, the mountain that dominates the city. The return trip down the mountain is via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, an engineering marvel.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 – Lucerne – Zurich

Enjoy a free morning in Lucerne before checking out of your hotel. Afterwards, you will cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, where you will board a motor coach for a scenic drive to Zurich. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the town or visit Zurich’s enchanting indoor Christmas Market (located inside the city’s main train station).

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Hotel Continental (2 Nights)

Day 12 – Zurich

Your morning walking tour of picturesque Zurich will include the Grossmünster and St. Peter, which has the largest church clock face in the world. You will also see the Old Town, the Town Hall and Fraumünster, which was fully renovated in 2004 and now offers an exceptional 360° panoramic view of Zurich. The afternoon and evening is free for you to explore on your own or visit Europe’s largest indoor Christmas Market or the markets on Bahnhofstrasse and in the city center.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 – Depart Zurich

After breakfast, bid farewell to Switzerland and prepare for your return flight home.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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