Rhine Christmas Markets (2027) - 8 days Basel to Düsseldorf

Destination:

France,

Germany,

Swaziland,

Switzerland,

Duration:

8 days

Style:

River/Small ship/Barge,

Travel Period:

December 2027 - December 2027

Sail through the heart of Europe on a festive journey along the Rhine. Explore storybook towns, twinkling Christmas markets and local traditions between Basel and Düsseldorf. With guided walks, seasonal tastes and optional adventures along the way, this river cruise blends cultural highlights with the magic of the holidays.

Ships

Trafalgar Verity

Your Itinerary

Day to day notes

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Featured Excursions do not require booking. Excursions that are listed as "Choose between..." must be booked onboard however there is no additional cost. Please refer to the excursion details below to view purchasing options for our Masterpiece Collection excursions where applicable. Note: The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.

Day 1 - Welcome to Basel

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Join your ship in Basel and settle in as your festive journey begins. Meet your Experience Director and Experience Manager, then relax and get to know your surroundings. Enjoy dinner on board and start soaking up the seasonal atmosphere of your Christmas market cruise.

Day 2 - Get to know Basel

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Explore the Swiss city of Basel with a Local Specialist, discovering a mix of medieval architecture, riverside elegance and seasonal spirit. Wander through the Christmas market in the historic old town, filled with Swiss crafts, warming drinks and festive stalls beneath the spires of Barfüsserkirche. For those keen to see more, an Optional Experience to Lucerne reveals one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities. See the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument, stroll through the old town’s painted facades, and browse for classic Swiss souvenirs – from fine chocolate to precision watches.

Excursions

Optional Experience

See the Lion Monument and stroll across Chapel Bridge before browsing a lakeside Christmas market filled with Swiss traditions, handmade crafts, seasonal bites and warming drinks.

Pricing Info
€39.00

Day 3 - Sail to Strasbourg

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Get to know Strasbourg on a walking tour with a Local Specialist. From half-timbered houses to the city’s soaring cathedral, the old town blends history with festive cheer. Explore the Strasbourg Christmas market, one of the oldest in Europe, known for its handcrafted ornaments and regional delicacies. If you’d like to venture further, choose an Optional Experience to sample wines at a local winery before exploring the Christmas markets of Obernai.

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Walk through Strasbourg’s timbered old town and discover Alsatian traditions as you browse festive displays filled with local crafts and sweet seasonal treats.

Optional Experience

Travel along the Alsatian wine route through the Vosges foothills, stopping at a family-owned winery to sample regional wines. Continue to Obernai, where timber-framed houses line the cobbled streets and local treats await. Soak up the festive spirit as you wander through one of the region’s best-loved Christmas markets.

Pricing Info
€80.00

Day 4 - Discover Speyer & Mannheim

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Spend the day your way in Speyer. Join a Local Specialist for a walking tour through one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its Romanesque cathedral and charming Christmas market. Or choose a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to Doktorenhof, a private vinegar estate where centuries-old methods meet local passion. Taste artisan vinegars in candlelit cellars and learn how this family-run operation supports biodiversity and tradition. In the afternoon, you can opt to visit Mannheim. A city where grand 18th-century architecture meets a modern cultural scene. Join a guided walk through the city’s Baroque squares and see the impressive palace complex before exploring local shops and festive market stalls at your own pace.

Excursions

Optional Experience

Wander the romantic streets of Heidelberg’s Old Town beneath the glow of castle ruins, then explore the Christmas market spread across the squares with stalls full of festive crafts and sweet local treats.

Pricing Info
€79.00

Iconic Experience

Walk through Speyer’s old town past colourful buildings and historic landmarks before arriving at the town square, transformed with twinkling lights and traditional festive stalls.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

Discover a unique side of the Palatinate wine region with a vinegar tasting at Weinessiggut Doktorenhof. Using premium wines and traditional methods, the Wiedemann family crafts artisanal vinegars with herbs and fruits, all produced sustainably with natural materials. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by promoting eco-friendly farming and artisanal craftsmanship.

Day 5 - Explore Mainz and Rüdesheim

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Enjoy a guided stroll through Mainz Christmas market with your Experience Manager and Experience Director – a chance to explore traditional stalls set against the backdrop of the city’s grand cathedral. Then join the Breuer family at their traditional weingasthaus for a Be My Guest experience featuring a lunch with seasonal dishes, local wine and live music. Climb aboard the Winzerexpress, a miniature train that winds through the vineyards and cobbled lanes of Rüdesheim. Travel past timber-framed houses dressed for the season as you ride from the old town to panoramic hilltop views. At the Rüdesheim Christmas Market, stalls showcase local crafts and festive treats from across Europe.

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Ride a mini train past hillside vineyards to Rüdesheim’s Christmas market, where lights and local flavours fill every corner of this riverside town.

Iconic Experience

Browse the Christmas stalls in Mainz’s historic square, where half-timbered facades frame one of Germany’s oldest cathedrals.

Be My Guest experience

Join the Breuer family at their traditional weingasthaus in Rüdesheim, a warm and welcoming spot in the heart of the Drosselgasse. Enjoy seasonal specialities, local wine and live music, all served with stories and hospitality passed down through generations.

Day 6 - Scenic sailing Middle Rhine-Koblenz

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Leave Rüdesheim behind this morning as the ship sails through the scenic Middle Rhine, passing castles and vineyard-covered hills. Get to know Koblenz with a Local Specialist who’ll guide you through the city’s old town and landmarks, including the Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine and Moselle meet. The Christmas market fills the streets with colour and tradition, perfect for browsing local treats and gifts.

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Explore the heart of Koblenz on foot, where winding streets lead to a market filled with wooden stalls, local crafts and the scent of mulled wine.

Day 7 - Discover cultural Cologne

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Explore Cologne’s old town on a walking tour with your Experience Director and Experience Manager. You’ll see the city’s famous cathedral and visit its Christmas markets, known for their regional crafts, hearty food and local traditions. There’s time to discover more on your own or join an optional visit to the Michael Schumacher Private Collection. Another option takes you behind the scenes of Cologne’s Kölsch beer culture. Back in the heart of the city, the markets offer plenty to experience – from seasonal snacks to local music and handmade gifts.

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Stand beneath the iconic Cologne Cathedral, then follow cobbled lanes through the Old Town to festive market stalls filled with spiced treats, handmade gifts and winter warmth.

Optional Experience

Shift gears and celebrate the career of seven-time Formula One World Champion, Michael Schumacher, with a visit to this exclusive exhibition. See original race cars, including 12 Formula One vehicles, plus helmets, overalls and trophies from his legendary career, a rare glimpse into one of F1’s greatest legacies.

Pricing Info
€39.00

Optional Experience

Discover Cologne’s brewing heritage with a visit to traditional Kölsch beer halls. You’ll learn about the city’s unique beer culture, where Kölsch is served in small glasses and continuously refilled. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, hear local brewing traditions, and, of course, sample this crisp, refreshing drink just as the locals do.

Pricing Info
€59.00

Day 8 - Tschüss Düsseldorf

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Your Christmas market cruise ends in Düsseldorf, where it’s time to say goodbye to your ship crew, Experience Director, Experience Manager and fellow guests. Disembark with festive memories, new friendships and a true taste of Europe’s holiday traditions.

Dates & Pricing

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Number of Passengers:

Adults16 to 110 Years

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