Logos Christmas Market
Rhine River Cruise 2024
December 3 ~ 13, 2024
with
Dr. Bill Creasy
Email: groups@devotiontravel.com
Dr. Bill Creasy invites you to join him in Europe on a 9-night Christmas Market Land and River Cruise package December 2024.
A festive journey destined to delight travelers of all ages.
Visit Switzerland, France and Germany, all of which provide the perfect backdrop for this true connoisseur’s Christmas market cruise. Discover the roots of our Christmas traditions as we explore some of Europe’s most charming towns. Browse for unique ornaments in Basel’s Christmas Market. Sip vin chaud as we stroll to Place Kléber to behold the enormous, brilliantly lighted tree that Strasbourg offers modern celebrants. See how the baroque town hall of Koblenz is transformed into an Advent calendar and find unexpected treasures in the red-roofed stalls clustered around Cologne’s magnificent cathedral.
Cruise Highlights
Experience the deeprooted holiday traditions of Europe at its most festive time of year and get caught up in the magic of the holidays with visits to some of the world’s most timeless Christmas Markets.
5-Shore Excursions from a selection of excursions are included in your price.
Warm up with a mug of steamy glühwein while at the Cologne Christmas Market located in front of its UNESCO designated Gothic cathedral. Let the "Capital of Noël," Strasbourg, the oldest and largest Christmas Market in France, captivate you the way it has for so many others for centuries.
Meander through Heidelberg’s majestic Christmas Market nestled idyllically amongst the historic squares of the Old Town.
Marvel while in Gengenbachat at the world’s largest Advent calendar, where every evening at 6:00 PM, the brightly lit windows of the neoclassical town hall open and behind each one is a picture by a famous artist, such as Andy Warhol.
Cherish all the glory of the season in grand European style as you cruise along the Rhine.
On Board AmaSiena:
Daily entertainment including cultural performances
Free high speed internet access
Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
Sip and Sail Cocktail Hour
And much more...
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3: LOS ANGELES/ AMSTERDAM
We depart for Holland from the Los Angeles International Airport for our flights to Amsterdam.
DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: AMSTERDAM
We arrive at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport. Transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5: AMSTERDAM (embarkation)
Transfer to board the ship in Amsterdam for our Christmas Markets on the Rhine cruise. (B,D)
Day 4 - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6: AMSTERDAM
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and we’ll get to enjoy some of them on our canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7: COLOGNE
Enjoy cruising to Cologne, home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town. Explore the UNESCO designated cathedral and then visit one of Europe’s largest and most renowned Christmas Markets located in front of the cathedral. Alternatively, ride a bike along the Rhine or visit a local tavern to taste Cologne’s traditional Kölsch beer and reibekuchen mit apfelmus—potato pancakes served with applesauce. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8: RHINE GORGE RÜDESHEIM
Cruise through the castleladen Rhine River Gorge before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Once in Rüdesheim, you will have four choices of morning excursions. Wine connoisseurs will want to go to a wine cellar for a wine tasting followed by a Christmas Market visit to enjoy holiday traditions from around the world. Or go on a hike through the vineyards. Alternatively, you can take a peaceful ride over the vineyards on Rüdesheim’s gondolafollowed by a visit to the Christmas Market. You may also opt to join a guided bike tour through the town and along the Rhine River before visiting the Christmas Market. Later in the day, you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee. (B,L,D)
Day 7 – MONDAY, DECEMBER 9: LUDWIGSHAFEN
You have the choice to explore two of Germany’s historically rich cities, along with their festive Christmas Markets. Visit Heidelberg, a city that will capture your heart with its mighty castle and historic university. While here, wander along one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets, the Hauptstrasse, soaking up the Yuletide celebrations at the town’s Christmas Markets. Or hike along the Neckar River on the historic Philosopher’s Path followed by free time to enjoy the Christmas Markets. Alternatively, you can bike along the Neckar River to the medieval town of Ladenburg and visit its Marktplatz, or explore one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also have time to visit its Christmas Market in front of the “Old Mint” (Alten Münze) in the famous Maximilianstrasse, with a view of the romantic Imperial cathedral (Kaiserdom). (B,L,D)
Day 8 – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10: STRASBOURG
Strasbourg is even more alluring during the season of Advent. The Christkindelsmärik dates back to 1570, making it the oldest Christmas Market in France. Enjoy a panoramic bus tour that takes you past the Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique. Afterwards, walk through the historic town center on the Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and through the lovely “La Petite France” district, where you will see the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock and then visit the town’s famous Christmas Market. You can also choose to explore Strasbourg’s different districts by bicycle. Later in the day, opt to visit Gengenbach’s Christmas Markets and the town’s famous illuminated town hall Advent calendar. (B,L,D)
Day 9 – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11: BREISACH
Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture and famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate, followed by a visit to its charming Christmas Markets. Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Then enjoy free time at the Freiburg Christmas Markets. Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through Breisach’s countryside. (B,L,D)
Day 10 – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12: BASEL (disembarkation)
Disembark the ship and transfer enjoy a panoramic tour of Basel before being transferred to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B)
DAY 11 – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13: DEPART FOR USA
We are transferred to the airport for our flights home. (B)
Note:
This is a moderately strenuous tour, walking on cobblestone streets and hills. For your safety and enjoyment you should be able to walk a mile briskly and climb 100 stairs. Most sites are not handicapped accessible.
While we do our very best to make sure all items listed in your itinerary are included, there are times when conditions beyond our control affect your program/itinerary, including but not limited to delays, weather, political climate, time constraints, or changes by your group leader and/or land operator. Many sites are not handicap accessible.
Trip price is based on double occupancy and includes roundtrip economy air from LAX; breakfasts lunches and dinners as noted in the program; port fees, standard gratuities on board the cruise and at hotels. Trip price does not include extra airline baggage charges, travel insurance, individual transfers, optional items or personal expenses.