Rhine Holiday Markets     

Basel to Cologne - 9 days

For your exclusive pricing and availability, call us at:  1 888 321 4737

Celebrate the holidays in three countries all on one unforgettable journey along the Rhine

Basel, Switzerland, is located exactly at the corners of three countries, Germany, France and Switzerland. Holiday festivities take place in this perfect traditional Swiss atmosphere of the historic Old Town. Christmas ornaments, tasty baked goods, bratwurst and spiced glühwein are plentiful and provide the ideal starting place for your cruise. A visit to Strasbourg will mesmerize you. This charming town clustered along narrow, winding lanes and quaint canals appears to have been lifted out of the pages of a Grimm's fairy tale. It's hard to believe, but this town becomes even more alive during the holidays with one of the oldest and largest Christmas Markets in France. As you sail the Rhine, especially the 40 miles along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you are in a winter wonderland with ancient fortresses, medieval castles and half-timbered villages.

The legacy of Germany's holiday traditions lives on

Germany, where many of our signature holiday traditions began-Christmas trees, nutcrackers, gingerbread, candy canes and the legend of St. Nick-is certain to warm your heart and lift your spirits. Stroll through the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle and the city's Christmas Market spanning five squares. You'll be awed as you browse through the Christmas Market in Cologne located in front of the grand cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the streets of Mainz with over 2,000 years of history and home to Gutenberg's printing press, and enjoy Siegfried's Mechanical Museum with its unique collection of self-playing music instruments while in Rüdesheim.

 This cruise offers so much!

The personality of each country shines even more brightly at this time of the year with its special holiday traditions. We invite you to share in the joy of the Christmas season and enter into a special festive mood as you sail along the Rhine through three wonderful countries.

Cruise Highlights include:

7-night cruise in an outside stateroom on the regal Grand

Classical European cuisine with a twist of contemporary elegance

Complimentary wine during dinner, and bottled water in your stateroom

7 shore excursions fully hosted by English-speaking guides

State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions

Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners

Enriching onboard entertainment and insightful lectures

Services of a Uniworld Cruise Manager and attentive all English-speaking crew

All transfers

 Like many Americans, Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Having worked in Germany "Christkindl" markets bring back magical memories to me and my chlldren of beautiful singing, fairytale medieval city settings, stunning decorations, warm, cozy cafes and the wonderful smells of sausage, sweets and Gluhwein. Enjoy tradition.  Enjoy this most wonderful time of the year.

Bill Wolf, President, EuropebyAir

For your exclusive pricing and availability, call us at:  1 888 321 4737

 Itinerary:

DAY 1:	Depart Home Gateway City to Basel
DAY 2:	Basel (embark)
	Arrive in Basel where you'll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)
DAY 3:	Basel
	Featured Excursion: Basel walking tour and Christmas Markets
	Irresistible Optional Tour: Half-day tour of Lucerne
	Enjoy a walking tour through Basel. Delight in Basel's Christmas Market in the heart of the historic Old Town and visit the illuminated Christmas Street, beautifully decorated with over 100 Christmas trees. And if you are looking for truly unique gifts, visit the shop of Johann Wanner with its array of elegant angels, ornaments, and glass-blown figurines. (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Dinner)
DAY 4:	Strasbourg
	Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise and Christmas Markets
	Irresistible Optional Tour: Alsatian wine road and wine tasting
	Cruise through Strasbourg on a canal cruise, viewing Petite France, especially picturesque at this time of year. Visit the oldest Christmas Market in France, in a breathtaking setting right in front of Strasbourg's gothic cathedral. (BB, L, D)
DAY 5:	Speyer (Heidelberg), Mainz
	Featured Excursion: Full-day Heidelberg including lunch at a local restaurant
	Your guided tour includes a visit to the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle and a stroll through Old Town, capped by a lunch at a local Restaurant. You'll have ample time to explore the Heidelberg Christmas Market spanning over five squares. Marvel at the Christmas Pyramid with figures from the city's history rotating inside the tower at the Marktplatz, or take a ride on the nostalgic carousel turning merrily around at the Universitätsplatz. (BB, L, D)
DAY 6:	Mainz, Rüdesheim
	Featured Excursion: Mainz walking tour, Christmas Market, Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum
	Our walking tour of downtown Mainz includes a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. After the museum, we will walk through Old Town and end up in the historic market square in Mainz. Stroll through the 200-year-old St. Nicholas Christmas Market with the 1,000-year-old St. Marti?s Cathedral as a backdrop. During the afternoon, we cruise from Mainz to Rüdesheim, where we will visit Siegfried's Mechanical Museum, or we'll visit the Christmas Market of the Nations along Rüdesheim's most popular street, the Drosselgasse. (BB, L, D)
DAY 7:	Rüdesheim, Cruising the Romantic Rhine, Koblenz
	Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour and Christmas Market
	Departing in the morning from Rüdesheim to Koblenz, yo5ll sail along one of the most beautiful sections of the Rhine River Valley, the scenic 40 miles of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once docked in Koblenz, your walking tour will take you through romantic alleys with half-timbered houses, decorated for the season. We'll pass by St. Castor's Church and the Church of Our Lady, and then we'll proceed to the market square with the Schaengel Fountain and historic City Hall. Afterwards, we'll visit the Koblenz Christmas Market. Delight in the dozens of wooden stands with arts and crafts, spicy mulled wine, and sweet Christmas cakes. (BB, L, D)
DAY 8:	Cologne
	Featured Excursion: Walking tour, Cathedral visit and Christmas Markets
	Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town as you make your way to the cathedral, the cit?s most famous landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. As Cologne boasts no less than five Christmas Markets, we have planned an entire day in this city for you to discover the markets at your own pace after the tour. Gaze at the biggest Christmas tree in Rhineland in front of the impressive setting of the cathedral. (BB, L, Captai?s Farewell Dinner) Note: On Sundays and Catholic holidays, guided tours inside the cathedral will not be possible.
DAY 9:	Cologne (disembark), transfer to airport
	Disembark the ship in Cologne and transfer to Cologne Airport for your flight home.

For exclusive pricing and availability call us at:  1 888 321 4737