Experience the deep-rooted European holiday traditions during the most festive time of year as you sail along the Rhine and Main rivers. Get lost in the Christmas Markets of Cologne, located in front of its UNESCO-designated Gothic cathedral. Marvel at an immaculate example of Baroque architecture at another UNESCO Site, Würzburg Residenz, a reminder of life lived on a grand scale. Savor the storybook atmosphere and seasonal traditions of some of Europe’s most charming towns, Wertheim and Rüdesheim; and along the way, get swept up in the many treasures just waiting to be discovered. Cherish the glory of the holiday season and visit some of Europe’s most timeless Christmas Markets.
Note: Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.
From Prague, the “City of Spires,” to the heartland of Germany along the Rhine and Main rivers and to cosmopolitan Amsterdam, you’ll get an up-close look at the magnificent castles, medieval towns, Christmas Markets and forever-inspiring cities. Experience the deep-rooted European holiday traditions during the most festive time of year as you sail along the Rhine and Main rivers. Get lost in the Christmas Markets of Cologne, located in front of its UNESCO-designated Gothic cathedral. Marvel at an immaculate example of Baroque architecture at another UNESCO Site, Würzburg Residenz, a reminder of life lived on a grand scale. Savor the storybook atmosphere and seasonal traditions of some of Europe’s most charming towns, Wertheim and Rüdesheim; and along the way, get swept up in the many treasures just waiting to be discovered. Cherish the glory of the holiday season and visit some of Europe’s most timeless Christmas Markets.
Note: Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.
Treasures of the Main & Rhine (Christmas)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Day 1 | Nuremberg | EMBARKATION |
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Embark the ship in Nuremberg for your Treasures of the Main & Rhine Christmas cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Bamberg | UNESCO city walking tour, smoked beer tasting and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR “Taste of Bamberg” and Christmas Market |
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Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions followed by a tasting of the city’s famous smoked beer and a visit to Bamberg’s charming Christmas Markets. Or indulge in the local flavors by sampling smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla pastry, a local favorite whose recipe dates back to 1427. And for those wishing to explore the town more actively, hop on a bike for a guided bike tour along the Main River and to its quirky quarters beyond the town center. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Würzburg | Full-day Rothenburg excursion and Christmas Market* |
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| | OR Walking tour and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR Marienberg Fortress hike |
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Head out on a full-day excursion to picturesque Rothenburg on the “Romantic Road,” known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town. Alternatively, you may choose from a variety of other tours. Visit Würzburg, nestled along the “Romantic Road” in the middle of Germany’s largest wine producing region. Join a walking tour of this beautiful city bursting with Baroque splendor and festive Christmas Markets. Or admire its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. As an alternative, hike up to Marienberg Fortress, dating back to the 13th century, and overlooking the Main. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 4 | Wertheim | Walking tour and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR Pretzel bakery visit and tasting |
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| | OR Walking tour and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR Miltenberg Castle hike |
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Wertheim's old town center still features half-timbered houses and the Gothic architecture of the Stiftskirche, its oldest Protestant church. You may either join a guided walking tour through the historic city center and local Christmas Markets or learn the art of pretzel making with a visit to a local bakery. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley. Alternatively, enjoy a guided walking tour through the medieval town of Miltenberg, the “Pearl of the Main,” where you’ll see you will see the Schnatterloch (old market square) and one of the oldest inns in Germany, the Hotel Zum Reisen. Or, opt for a hike up into the surrounding hills to Miltenberg Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Rüdesheim | Gondola ride, wine tasting and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau |
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| Rhine Gorge | Castles of the Rhine scenic cruising |
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| Lahnstein | Exclusive Burg Lahneck Castle visit |
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Cruise from the meandering Main River to the captivating Rhine River en route to the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Once there, you will have a choice of three excursions. Take a peaceful ride over the vineyards on Rüdesheim’s gondola. Afterwards, wine connoisseurs will want to go on a wine tasting with a local vintner and visit the town’s fairytale Christmas Markets. Alternatively, hike through a Rüdesheim vineyard or take a bike ride through the Rheingau wine region. Later in the day, set sail towards Lahnstein through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles. Cap the day off with an exclusive visit to Burg Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Cologne | Cologne Walking tour and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR Cologne Cathedral Architecture tour |
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Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town. During your free time, browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Markets, offering 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise |
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| | OR A Taste of Amsterdam** |
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View Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise, taking in the magic of its iconic bridges. If you prefer exploring the world with your taste buds, stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café. (B,L,D)
**May be replaced with Jordaan District Walking Tour based on docking location
Day 8 | Amsterdam | DISEMBARKATION |
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Bid farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homebound flight. (B)
Day 1 | Prague | Hotel check-in |
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Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore this beautiful city.
Day 2 | Prague | City Tour and Christmas Markets |
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Experience the wonders of Prague and its historic city center that is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site on your city tour and visit the city’s sparkling Christmas Markets or you can hike to the grand castle. See Rudolfinum and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. Visit the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock. (B)
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery known to have existed in 993. Pilsner Urquell was created in 1842, being the first pilsner ever made, whilst Budweiser came into being in the city of Budweis. Beer is a core part of the country’s national identity, so much so the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. The country is home to more than 100 breweries with a combination of big names and micro establishments offering a huge range of styles, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech’s beer some of the very best in the world. (B)
Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Nuremberg |
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| Nuremberg | City Tour and Christmas Markets |
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Depart Prague after breakfast and drive through the scenic countryside to Nuremberg. Enjoy a guided city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Additionally, meander through the stalls of Nuremberg’s charming Christmas Markets. (B,D)
Day 5 | Bamberg | UNESCO city walking tour, smoked beer tasting and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR “Taste of Bamberg” and Christmas Market |
|
Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem to see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions followed by a tasting of the city’s famous smoked beer and a visit to Bamberg’s charming Christmas Markets. Or indulge in the local flavors by sampling smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla pastry, a local favorite whose recipe dates back to 1427. And for those wishing to explore the town more actively, hop on a bike for a guided bike tour along the Main River and to its quirky quarters beyond the town center. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Würzburg | Full-day Rothenburg excursion and Christmas Market* |
|
| | OR Walking tour and Christmas Markets |
|
| | OR Marienberg Fortress hike |
|
Head out on a full-day excursion to picturesque Rothenburg on the “Romantic Road,” known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town. Alternatively, you may choose from a variety of other tours. Visit Würzburg, nestled along the “Romantic Road” in the middle of Germany’s largest wine producing region. Join a walking tour of this beautiful city bursting with Baroque splendor and festive Christmas Markets. Or admire its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo. As an alternative, hike up to Marienberg Fortress, dating back to the 13th century, and overlooking the Main. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 7 | Wertheim | Walking tour and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR Pretzel bakery visit and tasting |
|
| | OR Walking tour and Christmas Markets |
|
| | OR Miltenberg Castle hike |
|
Wertheim's old town center still features half-timbered houses and the Gothic architecture of the Stiftskirche, its oldest Protestant church. You may either join a guided walking tour through the historic city center and local Christmas Markets or learn the art of pretzel making with a visit to a local bakery. For those seeking a more active adventure, take a scenic bike ride through the Main River Valley. Alternatively, enjoy a guided walking tour through the medieval town of Miltenberg, the “Pearl of the Main,” where you’ll see you will see the Schnatterloch (old market square) and one of the oldest inns in Germany, the Hotel Zum Reisen. Or, opt for a hike up into the surrounding hills to Miltenberg Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Rüdesheim | Gondola ride, wine tasting and Christmas Markets |
|
| | OR Guided bike tour of the Rheingau |
|
| Rhine Gorge | Castles of the Rhine scenic cruising |
|
| Lahnstein | Exclusive Burg Lahneck Castle visit |
|
Cruise from the meandering Main River to the captivating Rhine River en route to the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Once there, you will have a choice of three excursions. Take a peaceful ride over the vineyards on Rüdesheim’s gondola. Afterwards, wine connoisseurs will want to go on a wine tasting with a local vintner and visit the town’s fairytale Christmas Markets. Alternatively, hike through a Rüdesheim vineyard or take a bike ride through the Rheingau wine region. Later in the day, set sail towards Lahnstein through the Rhine River Gorge, famous for its beautiful and imposing castles. Cap the day off with an exclusive visit to Burg Lahneck Castle. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Cologne | Cologne Walking tour and Christmas Markets |
|
| | OR Cologne Cathedral Architecture tour |
|
Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town. During your free time, browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Markets, offering 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Amsterdam | Canal cruise |
|
| | OR A Taste of Amsterdam** |
|
View Amsterdam on a scenic canal cruise, taking in the magic of its iconic bridges. If you prefer exploring the world with your taste buds, stroll past traditional canals, gabled houses, narrow bridges and house boats to taste Dutch specialties at a grand Amsterdam café. (B,L,D)
**May be replaced with Jordaan District Walking Tour based on docking location
Day 11 | Amsterdam | DISEMBARKATION |
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Bid farewell to Amsterdam and prepare for your homebound flight. (B)