Itinerary
Christmas in the Heart of Germany!
9 Day River Cruise & Tour
November 29 - December 7, 2010

Day 1 Seattle/ Los Angeles

Board an overnight transatlantic flight from Seattle or Los Angeles to Cologne, Germany.

Day 2 Cologne, Germany

Welcome to Cologne! Today we will transfer from the Cologne airport to the ship.

Day 3 Cologne, Germany

Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town as you make your way to the cathedral, the city’s beloved land-mark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cologne boasts no fewer than five Christmas Markets, so we have planned an entire day in this city for you to discover these markets at your own pace following the tour. Be sure to visit the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market, as well as Alter Markt in front of the City Hall, Neumarkt in Cologne’s shopping area, and the Medieval Christmas Market in front of the Chocolate Museum. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner)

Day 4 Cruising the romantic Rhine, Koblenz

In the morning, you’ll cruise to Koblenz via the breathtaking 40 miles of the upper-middle Rhine Valley, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its 40 castles strung like pearls on the hillside, and the famous Lorelei Rock, the valley is the perfect example of the romantic Rhine. Once you arrive in Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, you’ll be-gin your walking tour through romantic alleys with their half-timbered houses decorated for the season. You’ll pass by St. Castor’s Church, the Church of Our Lady, Schängel Fountain, and historic City Hall. Afterward, delight in the Koblenz Christmas Market with its dozens of wooden stands offering arts and crafts, spicy mulled wine, and sweet Christmas cakes, and watch the local chil-dren skating on the Christmas Market rink. (BB, L, D)

Day 5 Mainz, Rudesheim

Enjoy the morning at leisure in the town of Mainz, once home to Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. Stroll through Old Town and the city square, where you’ll see Kaiserdom, St. Stephan’s Church, and Kurfu¨rstliche Schloss. Explore the St. Nicholas Christmas Market with the 1,000-year- old St. Martin’s Cathedral as a backdrop. During the afternoon, cruise from Mainz to Ru¨desheim, located in the heart of the Rhine Valley. Ru¨desheim has been a magnet for romantics ever since the early 19th century. Its rolling hills, historical monuments, and winding alleyways are a real treat. While in Ru¨desheim, you’ll visit Sieg-fried’s Mechanical Music Museum and its unique collection of mechanical musical instruments, which is housed in one of Ru¨desheim’s 16th-century mansions. (BB, L, D)

Day 6 Speyer (Heidelberg)

Situated on the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is one of Germany’s most beautiful cities and one of the best-preserved Medieval cities in Europe. It is also home to one of Germany’s oldest universities. Your tour of Heidelberg takes you past the ro-mantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a once fortified Gothic castle, and through Old Town, which is all dressed up for the holidays. You’ll have ample time to explore the Heidelberg Christmas Market, which spans over five squares. Marvel at the Christmas Pyra-mid rotating inside the tower at the Marktplatz, or take a ride on the carousel. (BB, D)

Day 7 Strasbourg

Situated halfway between Paris and Prague, Strasbourg is known as “The Crossroads of Europe” and home of the magnificent, single-spire Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral and many beautiful half-timbered houses. See Strasbourg as it has been seen through the centuries—on a canal cruise. Cruise past the Ponts-Couverts, which are covered bridges linked by Medieval watchtowers once used for observation purposes. Admire the modern building that houses the European Parliament, and enjoy Petite France, which is especially picturesque at this time of year. And visit the oldest Christmas Market in France in a breathtaking setting right in front of Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral. (BB, L, D)

Day 8 Basel, Switzerland

Your city walk introduces you to Basel, Switzerland’s second-largest city. Over the centuries, it has been a center for banking, trade, and education, all of which are showcased by its striking Town Hall and exquisite patrician homes. Delight in Basel’s Christ-mas Market in the heart of the historic Old Town, and visit the illuminated Christmas Street, which is beautifully decorated with over 100 Christmas trees. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

Day 9 Basel, Switzerland

Transfer from ship to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg where you’ll fly home.