Great Rail Journeys
Simply Bavaria (Bavaria's Romantic Road All Inclusive)
8 daysfrom $1,601
Vacations By Rail · River cruise
Christmas on the Rhine: Cologne & Strasbourg
Celebrate the holiday season in style on a scenic Rhine cruise, exploring charming towns, historic cities and the spectacular landscapes of the Rhine Gorge
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Ship
To Cologne, where we board our luxurious ship ahead of our Christmas cruise
Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels, continuing by train to Cologne. Welcome cocktail as you board the new MS Amadeus Amara; first dinner onboard, sailing upstream toward Koblenz.
- Day 2overnight: Ship
To Koblenz and through the scenic Rhine Gorge
Free time in Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle (Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Deutsches Eck), then lunch onboard before cruising the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge.
- Day 3overnight: Ship
The historic cities of Heidelberg and Speyer
Choice of excursion to Heidelberg (Heidelberg Castle, Old Town market square, Karl Theodor Bridge) or Speyer (Romanesque cathedral, historic streets). Afternoon onboard seasonal activities: mulled wine and gingerbread-making.
- Day 4overnight: Ship
Exploring Strasbourg and celebrating Christmas
Christmas Day guided tour of Strasbourg (Strasbourg Cathedral, Petit France district), free afternoon in the city, then a Christmas-themed gala dinner onboard with a choice of traditional German or British menus.
- Day 5overnight: Ship
Guided tour of Mainz and free time in Rüdesheim
Boxing Day guided walking tour of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum, then sail to Rüdesheim for free time (Rüdesheim coffee, Drösselgasse).
- Day 6overnight: Ship
Exploring the cultural city of Cologne
Sail overnight back to Cologne; morning walking tour (Cologne Cathedral, Old Town, Hohenzollern Bridge) followed by a free afternoon (Belgian Quarter, Heinzels Winter Fairytale market, Rhine promenade). Final dinner together onboard.
- Day 7rail
Homeward bound
Cruise ends after breakfast; travel by rail to Brussels and join the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where the vacation concludes.
Included
- Escorted throughout your tour by an experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
- 6-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara
- Five-Star service onboard from English-speaking crew
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- 1st & Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
- All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day including a spectacular gala dinner
- Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
- A superb choice of excursions
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