Search

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour & river cruise

Festive Markets of the Rhine & Alsace

Five-day Rhine Christmas cruise from London through German and Alsatian markets

Illustration of Festive Markets of the Rhine & Alsace

Vacations By Rail operates this five-day escorted holiday journey combining train travel with a river cruise along the Rhine. The trip departs from London St Pancras on Eurostar, travels through Belgium and into Germany by rail, then embarks on a four-night cruise through Christmas markets and historic riverside towns. Each day centers on a different town or city: Cologne's festive streets, Koblenz's Deutsches Eck and fortress views, Rudesheim's market stalls, Heidelberg's ruined castle and Old Town, Speyer's UNESCO cathedral, and Strasbourg's illuminated medieval quarter and Petite France district. All meals are included, with a gala dinner on the final evening, and drinks accompany every dinner on board. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director team oversee the entire journey, arranging guided excursions and shore time. The tour suits couples and first-time cruise travelers who want comfort without independent logistics, as well as holiday enthusiasts seeking festive atmosphere and guided cultural exploration. The reverse route (beginning in Strasbourg and ending in Paris) also operates for certain December departures.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; travelers must arrange their own passage to London St Pancras.
  • Departures run in both forward (London to Paris) and reverse (Paris to London) directions depending on the date; confirm your direction before booking.
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be purchased separately.
  • Day 4 offers a choice between a guided Obernai excursion or a guided Strasbourg city tour; you do not visit both.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Ship

    Boarding our luxurious ship in Cologne

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras for a Eurostar journey to Brussels, switching rail services into Germany and Cologne to board the cruise ship. Welcome cocktail and dinner as the ship sets sail toward Koblenz overnight. (Travelers departing on the 17th December operate this tour in reverse, beginning in Strasbourg and concluding in Cologne.)

  2. Day 2overnight: Ship

    Through the Rhine Gorge from Koblenz to Rudesheim

    Morning exploration of Koblenz (Deutsches Eck, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress), then cruise through the Rhine Gorge past Lorelei Rock, arriving in Rudesheim for its Christmas markets and Drosselgasse before continuing overnight toward Speyer.

  3. Day 3overnight: Ship

    Heidelberg and Speyer's Christmas markets

    Moor in Speyer for a guided tour of Heidelberg, including its Old Town and ruined castle, with time at the Christmas markets, then free afternoon time in Speyer to see the UNESCO-listed Kaiserdom cathedral and its Christmas market.

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship

    Soaking up the festive charm of Alsace

    Choice of a tour of the medieval town of Obernai or a guided tour of Strasbourg (Gothic cathedral, Petite France district), with free time to explore Strasbourg's Christmas markets. Gala dinner on board in the evening.

  5. Day 5rail

    Homeward bound

    Disembark in Strasbourg after breakfast, travel by rail to Paris, then take the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departure from London St Pancras, arriving in Cologne to board the cruise ship with welcome cocktail and dinner as the vessel sails toward Koblenz overnight.
  • Day 2Cruise through the Rhine Gorge past Lorelei Rock, exploring Koblenz's Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress before visiting Rudesheim's Christmas markets and Drosselgasse.
  • Day 3Guided tour of Heidelberg's Old Town and ruined castle with Christmas market time, then free afternoon in Speyer to visit the UNESCO-listed Kaiserdom cathedral and its festive market.
  • Day 4Choice of guided tour through Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral and Petite France district or guided tour of medieval Obernai, with free time for Christmas markets and gala dinner on board.

Included

  • Escorted throughout by Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 4-night cruise onboard Amadeus Riva or Cara
  • Five-Star service onboard from an English-speaking crew
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • 1st & Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day including a gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, regional rail from Brussels to Cologne (outbound) and from Strasbourg to Paris (return), all in 1st and Standard Class. Rail and coach transfers throughout the tour are included.
What is the ship and what meals are provided?
The cruise operates on either the Amadeus Riva or Amadeus Cara. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day, along with a drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise. A gala dinner is served on the final evening on board.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. A Tour Manager meets travelers at London St Pancras and a Cruise Director team is on board throughout. The group is guided on shore excursions in Koblenz, Heidelberg, and Strasbourg, with a choice of activities on Day 4.
When does this tour run?
The tour is scheduled for the Christmas season in December. The itinerary runs in both forward (London to Paris) and reverse (Paris to London) directions depending on your departure date.
Which towns and cities do we visit?
The cruise stops in Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Speyer, and Strasbourg. The itinerary also includes a guided excursion to Heidelberg from Speyer. A choice of Obernai or Strasbourg is offered on Day 4.
What is included and what costs extra?
All four nights' cruise accommodation, meals with drinks, excursions, and regional rail travel are included. Not included are flights, airport transfers, cancellation and travel insurance, and the international rail fares may be subject to additional verification.

Similar journeys