Riviera Travel Christmas on the Rhine

– Live classical music concert on-board
– Christmas Day Gala Dinner
– Spend Christmas Day in Strasbourg

• Seven nights on-board a 5-star ship
• Return flights or Eurostar
• Full board dining
• Christmas Day Gala Dinner and the Captain’s Dinner
• Daily tours and visits
• Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
• Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi
• Services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and concierge
• All port charges, airport taxes and overseas transfers

Day 1 – Arrival in Cologne
Arrive at the airport for your flight to Düsseldorf or Cologne, or take the Eurostar to Brussels from London St Pancras International. On arrival, transfer by coach to your cruise and spend some time settling in.

Day 2 – Koblenz
To really get in the Christmas mood, nothing beats waking up on board to find you’re already cruising through an entrancing winter wonderland. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and relax while a kaleidoscope of riverside views drifts by in all their seasonal glory.

After lunch on board we arrive in the historic city of Koblenz.  Enjoy a guided tour, seeing the principal monuments, discovering ancient squares, admiring beautifully restored historic house frontages and quaint hidden passageways.

Located in the atmospheric old town, Koblenz’s Christmas market is one of the largest in the Rhineland. Enjoy some time browsing the stalls before returning to the ships for welcome cocktails and a festive folklore show.

Day 3 – Rüdesheim
During the morning, the ship cruises through the magnificent Rhine Gorge.

After lunch on board, you’ll arrive in Rüdesheim. Wander through the stall of it’s Christmas Market and try some of the delicious treats on offer including gingerbread and Rüdesheim coffee with a show of local brandy.

As the evening light fades, amble back on board to enjoy a sumptuous dinner in the ship’s excellent restaurant.

Day 4 – Speyer on Christmas Eve
Unwind after breakfast this morning as the ship gently cruises to Speyer.  We berth in historic Speyer, founded by the Celts and one of Germany’s oldest cities, celebrated for its illustrious past, for an afternoon walking tour. Speyer’s delightful Christmas market is held on the bustling Maximilanstrasse. There’s free time to explore the numerous stalls decorated with twinkling lights before stepping back on board for another splendid dinner.

Day 5 – Strasbourg on Christmas Day
This morning you cruise upstream. For this special day, we’re on own way to Strasbourg, hailed the capital of Christmas. You are sure to be captivated by the unique atmosphere of this captivating French city at Christmas time – its centre a mosaic of winding alleys and lanes lined with quirkily crooked, half-timbered houses largely unchanged since the 14th century.

This afternoon, experience a walking tour with a local guide leading us to its enchanting centre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the stunning Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg. Other unforgettable sights include the pretty Petite France quarter of pastel-coloured former artisans’ houses lining the canals, now looking merry and bright for the season . In the heart of Place Kleber you’ll find The Great Christmas Tree, the seasonal symbol of Strasbourg.

Back on board this evening, Christmas Day gala dinner is served, which is sure to be a memorable occasion.

Day 6 – Boppard
After a relaxing Boxing Day breakfast, soak up the atmosphere of this magical river as we cruise downstream. Have another delicious lunch on board before we reach Boppard, a gorgeous town on a dramatic, almost U-shaped river bend. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Rhine’, the town is renowned for its storybook medieval atmosphere of captivating cobbled streets lined by tucked-away shops, traditional houses and characterful restaurants.

This afternoon we’ll enjoy a guided tour lead a local expert, with highlights including the beautiful white stone St. Severus and Carmelite churches, the marketplace with the ruins of the fortress and the old town with its charming winding alleys and ancient houses.

Day 7 – Cologne
Spend this morning sailing back to Cologne. Christmas creates a special atmosphere here and this afternoon you can discover this fascinating city on our tour led by a local guide who’ll help you get the most out of your visit, which of course takes in the twin-spired cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe, miraculous survivor of Second World War bombing and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You’ll also see the vibrant old town, beautifully restored and boasting an abundance of excellent shopping and cosy bars, some of which still brew their own beer.

As night falls, the sumptuous Captain’s Dinner, is followed by an on-board classical music concert – the perfect finale to this memorable Christmas cruise.

Day 8 – Return home
Transfer to the train station or airport for your return flight to the UK.

MS Oscar Wilde

*All transfer times listed here are approximate