Christmastime on the Romantic Rhine (Northbound)

River/Barge Cruise

8 Day River Cruise Basel to Amsterdam
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this winter wonderland journey along the Rhine River, which starts in Switzerland with stops in France, Germany, and Holland! Each town is festively lit and decorated, and strains of Christmas carols fill the air. Board your vessel in Basel, Switzerland, then head for Breisach, Germany, the gateway to the Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Here’s your first chance to explore a Christmas market offering many traditional items. Continue your river cruise to Strasbourg, France, where you’ll visit the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe and its centerpiece is a giant Christmas tree. Choose between a visit to the ruins of Heidelberg’s castle, towering magnificently over the city, and watch the skaters on the ice rink below or a guided walk in Mainz with a visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Next up is the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. You’re sure to be enthralled by the life-size figures of Europe’s largest nativity scene on the Market Square. Pass through the dramatic views of the Rhine Gorge before arriving in Cologne—your last stop in Germany. Here, you’ll explore the 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral. Wander through the Christmas market, try some traditional Lebkuchen and get some inner warmth with a cup of Glühwein. As an exclamation point to this wonderful Rhine River cruise, you’ll spend time in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”

Notes:
  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
  • Christmas markets are open from the first weekend in December, depending on the location.

From price

$9,463
$6,963
Price per person, twin share
Tour Provider Avalon Waterways
Number Of Days
8
Start Location
Zurich, Switzerland
End Location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Age Range
Avg. 40+
Group Size
20 to 90
Tour Style
Premium
Tour Themes
River/Small ship/Barge
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate

Departure dates

Price per person, twin share
Start End Availability Price
08 Dec 2026 15 Dec 2026 Available $9,623
15 Dec 2026 22 Dec 2026 Available $9,463
$6,963

Itinerary details

Day 1 - BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH

(D)

Day 2 - BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
The Beautiful Black Forest

CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG

(B,L,D)

Day 3 - STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Joyeux Noël in Strasbourg

CLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit Alsace’s wine country today.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ

(B,L,D)

Day 4 - MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of Wine

DISCOVERY Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel,” OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.

In your free time visit the local Christmas market: explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sounds.

Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM

(B,L,D)

Day 5 - RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE–KOBLENZ
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.

Spend some free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Rüdesheim’s Christmas markets, while warming up with some hot-mulled wine or their local delicacies.

En route to Koblenz, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors.

Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History

Enjoy free time in Koblenz to explore local Christmas markets on your own before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ

(B,L,D)


Day 6 - COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.

Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne’s Christmas markets.

DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy an onboard lecture to learn about European Christmas traditions.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

(B,L,D)

Day 7 - AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam

CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”

With a free day to explore before your cruise ends, take time to enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

(B,L,D)

Day 8 - AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Frequently Asked Questions

This tour offers a unique 'winter wonderland' experience along the legendary Rhine River, visiting festive Christmas markets across Switzerland, France, Germany, and Holland. You will travel on Avalon Waterways' premium Suite Ships, which feature industry-exclusive Panorama Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and Open Air Balconies, ensuring you have the best possible views of the scenic landscapes.
This tour is designed for travelers who appreciate premium comfort and a festive atmosphere. Those who love European history, gothic architecture, and the magic of traditional Christmas markets—complete with glühwein and local delicacies—will enjoy this journey the most.
Pros include the high-end accommodations with panorama suites, a rich itinerary covering four different countries, and a blend of guided excursions and free time. A potential con is that the itinerary is subject to change due to weather or water levels, which may require the use of motorcoaches instead of the ship.
While the text does not explicitly mention specific groups, the premium nature of the cruise and the romantic setting of European Christmas markets make it an excellent choice for couples. It is also suitable for solo travelers or families looking for a high-comfort, organized holiday experience.
This tour is wonderful for both. First-time visitors will benefit from the guided tours of iconic landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral and Amsterdam's canals, while experienced travelers will enjoy the specialized focus on seasonal Christmas traditions and the premium ship amenities.
The physicality rating for this tour is 'Easy to Moderate.' While the cruise itself provides a relaxing way to travel between cities, some activities involve guided city walks and visiting historic sites, so travelers with significant mobility concerns may wish to contact the provider for specific accessibility details.
This tour is primarily focused on sightseeing and culture. The itinerary is filled with visits to gothic cathedrals, museums, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, with a strong emphasis on experiencing the local holiday cultures and traditions of the Rhine region.
The pace of the tour is generally relaxed. While it covers several cities in eight days, the journey is conducted via a river cruise, allowing you to see the scenery from the comfort of your suite, and includes several opportunities for free time to explore at your own leisure.
The itinerary feels balanced and relaxed. By combining guided excursions with free time in cities like Strasbourg, Cologne, and Amsterdam, guests can experience the highlights without feeling rushed, complemented by overnight dockings and evening cruises.
Yes, the tour includes many key highlights, such as the Black Forest, Strasbourg's gothic cathedral, Heidelberg Castle, the Rhine Gorge, Cologne's twin-spired cathedral, and a canal cruise through Amsterdam.
The tour includes several 'Guided Tours' and 'Guided City Walks' throughout the itinerary, which typically ensures that language barriers are managed by the professional guides provided by Avalon Waterways.
Disclaimer:
These FAQs have been generated with the assistance of AI to provide a general overview. They are intended as a starting point only and should be reviewed based on your knowledge, current supplier information and client requirements.
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