Christmas on the Rhine Basel to Amsterdam
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an enchanting 8-day tour that takes you through the heart of Europe, immersing you in the festive spirit of the holiday season. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of cultural exploration and festive cheer, taking you from the charming Swiss city of Basel to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam. Along the way, you'll discover the magic of Christmas markets, the beauty of medieval towns, and the allure of the Rhine River. You'll taste traditional holiday treats, explore historic landmarks, and marvel at the stunning landscapes of the Rhine Valley. This tour is perfect for those seeking a unique holiday experience, combining the joy of Christmas with the thrill of travel.
Included
Meals including regional specialties
Vikings Cruise ship
7 nights onboard cruise ship
Outside staterooms with river view
Bottled water replenished daily
Voltage: 220V & 110V (US outlet), plus USB ports
Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed with optional twin-bed configuration
All Upper & Middle Deck staterooms have a full veranda or French balcony (a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door)
Private bathroom with shower; heated floor & anti-fog mirror; premium Freyja toiletries; robes & slippers (upon request)
40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control
* All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.
Viking Freya: Standard Stateroom ,Explorer Suite, Viking Egdir: Explorer Suite ,Standard Stateroom, Viking Hlin: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Idun: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Gefjon: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Eir: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Einar: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Bragi: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Baldur: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Alruna: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Tialfi: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Skirnir: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Sigyn: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Sigrun: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Rolf: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Mimir: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Mani: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Magni: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite, Viking Kara: Standard Stateroom ,Stateroom ,Suite ,Explorer Suite
The services of a guide are included
One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
Port taxes & fees
Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
Visits to UNESCO Sites
Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
Onboard gratuities
Destinations
Dordrecht
Mannheim
Amsterdam
Basel
Dusseldorf
Strasbourg
CologneMap
Attractions
Heidelberg Botanical Garden
Rijksmuseum
Cologne Cathedral
Duisburg Inner Harbour
Basel MinsterDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Basel
- Basel - Arrival day
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- Basel Minster
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Begin your journey in the delightful city of Basel, Switzerland's best-kept secret. Settle into your stateroom and prepare to explore the magical yuletide affair of Basel's medieval Old Town. Wander through cobblestone streets lined with wooden chalet-style huts selling festive treats and gifts. Enjoy a warming cup of aromatic glühwein and browse the stalls for hand-carved tree decorations and cheerfully painted ceramics.
Day 2 – Day 2: Breisach
Day 2: Breisach
On day two, we'll visit the charming town of Breisach, a gateway to the fabled Black Forest region. Located in one of the warmest parts of Germany, Breisach is renowned for its wine production. Explore Europe's largest cellars and marvel at the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral, a prominent landmark visible throughout the town.
Day 3 – Day 3: Strasbourg
- Strasbourg
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Day three takes us to Strasbourg, the capital of Christmas in France. The city's cathedral square transforms into a winter wonderland, hosting the oldest Christmas market in France, the Christkindelsmärik. Browse hundreds of stalls filled with colorful wares, fine food, and mulled wine, and savor Alsatian specialties like bretzels, bredele, knacks, and pain d'epices.
Day 4 – Day 4: Mannheim and Rüdesheim
- Mannheim
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- Heidelberg Botanical Garden
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Day four brings us to Mannheim's Christmas market, one of Germany's oldest and largest. Browse over 160 booths offering handicrafts and handmade items from around the world. Later, we'll head to the picturesque Rhine Valley town of Rüdesheim. Explore the vibrant Drosselgasse, a narrow alleyway lined with decorated restaurants and bars, and enjoy traditional Rhineland music, glühwein, and Christmas beer.
Day 5 – Day 5: Middle Rhine and Koblenz
- Koblenz
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On day five, we'll sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, passing vineyard-blanketed hills and admiring splendid castles and dramatic rocks along the banks. Marvel at the Lorelei Rock and its eponymous river maiden. Later, we'll visit Koblenz, a traditional German city with a centuries-old wine heritage. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Koblenz Christmas market, centered around the Schängel fountain.
Day 6 – Day 6: Cologne and Düsseldorf
- Cologne
- Dusseldorf
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- Cologne Cathedral
- Duisburg Inner Harbour
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Day six takes us to Cologne, where themed winter markets feature across the city during the holiday season. Browse colorful market stalls for handmade gifts, beautiful artwork, and colorful crafts beneath the towering Gothic Cologne Cathedral. Later, we'll visit Düsseldorf, where the yuletide season is a feast for the senses. Explore several Christmas markets located throughout the city, offering a range of tasty treats and crafts by local artists.
Day 7 – Day 7: Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt Delta and Dordrecht
- Dordrecht
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On day seven, we'll sail the bucolic waters of the Rhine, deep into the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt Delta, where classic Dutch landscapes unfurl all around. Marvel at how much of this land was reclaimed from the sea, saved by the stirrings of traditional windmills and the building of dikes. Later, we'll visit Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland, where you can explore the picturesque waterways and decorative bridges on foot.
Day 8 – Day 8: Amsterdam
- Amsterdam - Departure day
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- Rijksmuseum
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On the final day of our tour, we'll explore the Dutch capital of Amsterdam. This city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums, and abundant bicycles is a delight to explore. Visit the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands' grand repository of art and cultural history, and discover the legacy of the Dutch Golden Age. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home, carrying with you the memories of a truly magical holiday experience.
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