Christmas Markets on the Rhine with AmaWaterways
Christmas Market cruise with excursions in Düsseldorf, Germany's fashion capital; the winemaking town of Rüdesheim; Strasbourg, one of Europe's most beautiful cities; and medieval Colmar & Freiburg
| Style | Independent Package Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted | ||
| Departures | November 2025 – December 2026 | ||
| Themes | Grand Tours, Bucket List, River Cruises | ||
| What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness.Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Embark on a scenic cruise aboard the 5-star AmaWaterways ship, stopping to travel back in time as you wander along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns adorned with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden vendor stalls filled with handcrafted treasures. Experience the magic of roaming through these iconic Christmas markets that are plentiful and on full display for your pleasure.
Discover the magic of Cologne's Old Town and one of Europe's largest and most famous Christmas Markets; immerse yourself in holiday traditions from around the globe in charming Rüdesheim; experience the Yuletide cheer at Heidelberg's markets and Speyer's Christmas Market set against the backdrop of the "Old Mint" (Alten Münze) on the famous Maximilianstrasse; stroll through the Christkindelsmärik, the oldest Christmas Market in France; and soak up the whimsical blend of French and German culture in Colmar and Freiburg. Twinkling lights, the harmonic sounds of children dressed as angels singing festive carols, enticing aromas of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages, and sweet treats of every kind, and timeless wonders and treasures await you on this enchanting journey through Europe.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights aboard 5-star AmaWaterways in an outside stateroom
- 20 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; sparkling wine and juices at breakfast
- Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail, and Gala Dinner
- Sandwiches, snacks, and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
- Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
- Choice of daily shore excursions with personal headsets
- Entertainment on board
- Port taxes
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation
Why you'll love it
- Enjoy 7 nights aboard a 5-star AmaWaterways cruise ship.
- Embark on a picturesque cruise through Amsterdam, home to 165 canals.
- Experience the magic and festivities at numerous renowned Christmas Markets throughout Germany and France.
- Explore Cologne's Old Town on a guided tour, including the historic Cologne Rathaus and the Fischmarkt.
- Tour Düsseldorf, the fashion capital of Germany, and enjoy a taste of Altbier.
- Cruise through the castle-studded Rhine River Gorge to Rüdesheim and enjoy various excursions, including wine tastings, vineyard hikes, and gondola rides.
- Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet, a fascinating museum of automated musical instruments.
- Stroll along the Hauptstrasse in Heidelberg, one of Europe's longest pedestrian shopping streets.
- Explore Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities famed for its magnificent Romanesque cathedral.
- Pass by the Parc de l'Orangerie before wandering through Strasbourg's "La Petite France" district.
- Join a variety of captivating excursions in medieval Colmar and Freiburg.
- For more active exploration, embark on numerous city bike tours.
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your journey begins this evening as you depart from the USA
Day 4 Düsseldorf & Cologne, Germany
- Enjoy a scenic cruise into Düsseldorf
- Explore the magic of Cologne's Old Town, including the town hall and Fischmarkt
- Wander through one of Europe's largest and most famous Christmas Markets
- Tour Düsseldorf and enjoy a beer tasting
- For the more adventurous, join a bike tour through Düsseldorf
AmaCerto or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim
- Cruise the Rhine River Gorge and admire the surrounding castles
- Visit a local wine cellar and taste the flavors of Rüdesheim
- Or, hike through the winery's vineyards
- Or, relax during a serene gondola ride over the vineyards
- For the more adventurous, join a guided bike tour along the river
- Embrace the holiday atmosphere at Rüdesheim's Christmas Market
- Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Instrument Cabinet
- Or, relax and enjoy Rüdesheimer coffee
AmaCerto or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6 Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg & Ladenburg
- Visit Heidelberg and immerse yourself in the Yuletide cheer at the town's Christmas Markets
- Or, hike along the Neckar River and enjoy free time to enjoy the markets
- For the more adventurous, bike to medieval Ladenburg and wander the Marktplatz
- Or, explore Speyer and its magical Christmas Market
AmaCerto or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7 Strasbourg, France
- Enjoy a panoramic bus tour of Strasbourg before exploring the historic town center on the Grande Île and the "La Petite France" district
- Stroll through the Christkindelsmärik, the oldest Christmas Market in France
- For the more adventurous, join a bike tour through the city's diverse districts
- Have the chance to admire Gengenbach's famous illuminated town hall Advent calendar
AmaCerto or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 Colmar, France/Freiburg & Breisach, Germany
- Explore medieval Colmar, including the town's Christmas Markets
- Or, visit Freiburg and its Gothic cathedral before enjoying free time at the Freiburg Christmas Markets
- For the more adventurous, bike through Breisach’s countryside
AmaCerto or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 9 Basel, Switzerland/USA
- Today, you'll be escorted to the airport and bid farewell to Basel as you board your flight back home
- Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today
Breakfast
Cruise Ships
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at the time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Switzerland?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about France?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Germany?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about The Netherlands?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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