European River Cruises
A division of Vacations To Go
Europe River Cruise Speak to a European River Cruise Specialist
800-510-4002

Rhine Holiday Markets 2010 (Cologne to Basel)


9 days with Uniworld

  1-800-510-4002 Tour Itinerary 1-800-510-4002  

Discounts are offered
on dates in red.
Click FastDeal # for Complete Pricing
FastDeal # Departs Starting
Price *
Inc Air
Starting
Price *
No Air
#T33824 Nov 29, '10 Call $1,949
#T25685 Dec 14, '10 Call $1,849
Discounts are offered
on dates in red.
Click FastDeal # for Complete Pricing

DAY 1: Depart home gateway city to Cologne 

DAY 2: Cologne
Transfer from Cologne airport to ship 

DAY 3: Cologne
Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour, cathedral visit, and Christmas Markets
Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town as you make your way to the cathedral, the city’s beloved landmark 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 Farewell Dinner)
Note: No tours inside of the Cologne Cathedral on Sundays or Catholic holidays. 

DAY 4: Cruising the Romantic Rhine, Koblenz
Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour and Christmas Market
Irresistible Optional Tour: Rüdesheim Dinner and entertainment
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 begin 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 children skating on the Christmas Market rink. (BB, L, D) 

DAY 5: Mainz, Rüdesheim
Featured Excursion: Minitrain and Siegfried's Music Museum
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 Siegfried’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)
Featured Excursion: Full-day Heidelberg and Christmas Market
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 romantic 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 Pyramid rotating inside the tower at the Marktplatz, or take a ride on the carousel. (BB, D) 

DAY 7: Strasbourg
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise and Christmas Market
Irresistible Optional Tour: Alsatian Wine Road and Tasting
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
Featured Excursion: Basel walking tour and Christmas Market
Irresistible Optional Tour: Half-Day in Lucerne
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 Christmas 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 Welcome Dinner) 

DAY 9: Depart Basel
Transfer from ship to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg where you’ll fly home. (D)

  1-800-510-4002 All This Included 1-800-510-4002  


Celebrate the holidays in three countries all on one unforgettable journey. Basel, Switzerland is situated perfectly on the Rhine between France and Germany. Strasbourg, a fairytale city, has one of the oldest and largest Christmas Markets in France. And, of course, Germany, where many of our signature holiday traditions began--Christmas trees, nutcrackers, gingerbread, candy canes and the legends of St. Nick. This is a true connoisseur's Christmas Markets' cruise, and each day will be like unwrapping one beautiful gift after another as you sail along the Rhine. 
  • 7-night cruise in an outside stateroom on River Queen
  • All onboard meals included
  • 8 shore excursions with English-speaking guides
  • Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners
  • Exciting onboard entertainment and insightful lectures

  1-800-510-4002 Tour Highlights 1-800-510-4002  


  • Basel Walking Tour and Christmas Markets
  • Canal Cruise and Christmas Markets of Strasbourg
  • Full Day Heidelberg with Lunch
  • Mainz Walking Tour, Christmas Market, Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum and Dinner at Rudesheimer Schloss
  • Koblenz Walking Tour and Christmas Market
  • Cologne Walking Tour, Cathedral Visit and Christmas Markets

  1-800-510-4002 Accommodations on this Tour 1-800-510-4002  


Category 5 Moselle Deck on the River Queen

  1-800-510-4002 Notes 1-800-510-4002  


  • Cabin upgrades are available.
  • Prices exclude additional port charges of $98.
  • Holiday markets generally open from the beginning of Advent until December 23.
  • A limited number of singles are available in Cat. 1, 2, and 3 for an additional supplement.
  • Uniworld reserves the right to substitute appropriate sights and excursions in keeping with the celebrations of the season.
  • Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

  1-800-510-4002 Terms and Conditions 1-800-510-4002  
For terms and conditions of this Uniworld tour, please click here.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive tour prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the tour origination city, we are able to offer the land portion of the package or tour, at the price quoted.


  1-800-510-4002 OR Click to inquire about a
river cruise via e-mail

Open Mon-Fri 7am to 10pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 8pm, CST

| Home | European River Cruise Companies | European Riverboats | River Maps | FAQs | News | Dates and Prices |
Copyright © 2010 by . All rights reserved. CST 2072920-50
| Change Your E-mail Address | Site Map | Terms and Conditions | Supplier Testimonials | About European River Cruises | Contact European River Cruises |