Christmas on the Rhine Basel to Amsterdam

Begin your journey in the delightful city of Basel, Switzerland's best-kept secret. Settle into your stateroom and prepare to explore the magical yuletide affair of Basel's medieval Old Town. Wander through cobblestone streets lined with wooden chalet-style huts selling festive treats and gifts. Enjoy a warming cup of aromatic glühwein and browse the stalls for hand-carved tree decorations and cheerfully painted ceramics.

On day two, we'll visit the charming town of Breisach, a gateway to the fabled Black Forest region. Located in one of the warmest parts of Germany, Breisach is renowned for its wine production. Explore Europe's largest cellars and marvel at the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral, a prominent landmark visible throughout the town.

Day three takes us to Strasbourg, the capital of Christmas in France. The city's cathedral square transforms into a winter wonderland, hosting the oldest Christmas market in France, the Christkindelsmärik. Browse hundreds of stalls filled with colorful wares, fine food, and mulled wine, and savor Alsatian specialties like bretzels, bredele, knacks, and pain d'epices.

Day four brings us to Mannheim's Christmas market, one of Germany's oldest and largest. Browse over 160 booths offering handicrafts and handmade items from around the world. Later, we'll head to the picturesque Rhine Valley town of Rüdesheim. Explore the vibrant Drosselgasse, a narrow alleyway lined with decorated restaurants and bars, and enjoy traditional Rhineland music, glühwein, and Christmas beer.

On day five, we'll sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, passing vineyard-blanketed hills and admiring splendid castles and dramatic rocks along the banks. Marvel at the Lorelei Rock and its eponymous river maiden. Later, we'll visit Koblenz, a traditional German city with a centuries-old wine heritage. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Koblenz Christmas market, centered around the Schängel fountain.

Day six takes us to Cologne, where themed winter markets feature across the city during the holiday season. Browse colorful market stalls for handmade gifts, beautiful artwork, and colorful crafts beneath the towering Gothic Cologne Cathedral. Later, we'll visit Düsseldorf, where the yuletide season is a feast for the senses. Explore several Christmas markets located throughout the city, offering a range of tasty treats and crafts by local artists.

On day seven, we'll sail the bucolic waters of the Rhine, deep into the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt Delta, where classic Dutch landscapes unfurl all around. Marvel at how much of this land was reclaimed from the sea, saved by the stirrings of traditional windmills and the building of dikes. Later, we'll visit Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland, where you can explore the picturesque waterways and decorative bridges on foot.

On the final day of our tour, we'll explore the Dutch capital of Amsterdam. This city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums, and abundant bicycles is a delight to explore. Visit the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands' grand repository of art and cultural history, and discover the legacy of the Dutch Golden Age. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home, carrying with you the memories of a truly magical holiday experience.