Day 1: We travel into France and through Belgium before arriving at the delightful centrally located Maritim Hotel, Cologne in time for dinner.
Day 2: Cologne, Germany – DEP 17:00
Today is free at leisure to explore Cologne. One of Germany’s oldest and most beautiful cities with some of the most exceptional Christmas Markets. For sheer Christmas magic head to Heinzels Wintermarchen located in the heart of the old town and spread over the Alter Markt and Huemarkt squares there’s a wide range of festive stalls selling gifts, food and drink. The open-air ice rink glitters as skaters whizz, glide and tumble across the ice. Against a backdrop of Cologne’s impressive and renowned Gothic cathedral, Koelnerweihnachtsmarkt is the largest of the city’s markets where you can enjoy frequent musical performances and staged events as well as stalls full of delightful presents and treats. The city is also home to a vast array of other attractions with numerous museums and galleries. You'll find ancient walls and medieval churches rubbing shoulders with modern quarters, narrow streets filled with traditional old houses, breweries, beer halls, cafes and shops. We embark our ship at 16:00 today before we set sail at 17:00 and enjoy a delicious welcome dinner.
Day 3: Rudesheim, Germany – ARR 10:00. DEP 16:00
After a morning of sailing on the scenic Upper Middle Rhine with its breath-taking river landscapes, we arrive in Rudeshiem this morning. Glittering in matchless splendour and renowned as one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Germany you will find plenty of handmade artwork, handicrafts and local delicacies at the festively decorated stalls. Stroll along the world-famous Drosselgasse and the Rhine promenade and see the largest nativity scene in Germany. Watch a selection of candles, decorations, wood figures, woodcarvings, glass engravings, “
schwibbögen” arched candles, and other local traditional crafts being made. There will also be an abundance of festive dishes from the region along with the ever popular glühwein (mulled wine); and don’t forget to try the famous Rüdesheim coffee drink, made with locally distilled Asbach Uralt brandy for that warming tipple.
Day 3: Mainz, Germany – ARR 19:00. DEP 23:59
This evening we arrive in Mainz, one of the oldest cities in Germany and where great history comes alive at every turn. At the heart of the city, at the foot of the illuminated and decorated enchanting cathedral the Christmas market extends across several streets and squares with each area offering its own unique goods and attractions.
Day 4: Frankfurt, Germany - ARR 06:00. DEP: 02:00 (Day 5)
Frankfurt Weihnachtsmark is one of the largest and most popular in all of Germany. With a glittering 30m tree and a vintage carousel, the town is like a snow-globe come to life. With several festive locations sprinkled around the city, you will find countless stalls selling grilled sausages, roasted nuts, honey, candles and pretty ornaments as well as local jewellery, art and sculpture. Be sure to sample Bethmaennchen – traditional marzipan cookies, found only in Frankfurt; and of course, when in a German Christmas market, enjoying a glass of glühwein is a must!
Day 5: Koblenz, Germany. ARR 15:00. DEP 21.30
Sail the Lorelei Valley
This morning is the highlight of our voyage through the Lorelei and UNESCO World Heritage Middle Rhine Valley. The Lorelei Valley is Rhine river scenery at its most majestic and romantic, so today’s sailing is sure to be a crowning point of your cruise. Wrap up warm on the Sun Deck of your elegant A-ROSA ship and let the views unfurl in front of your eyes. And what views they are. Each gentle bend in the river delivers something new to admire, steeply-terraced vineyards plunging down towards the river, storybook villages replete with half-timbered houses and Gothic church steeples, fairy tale castles perched on hilltops, rugged cliffs and lush green forests. The Lorelei Valley is river cruising exactly as you imagined it.
During the festive season, where the mighty Rhine meets the Moselle, Koblenz is transformed into a twinkling sea of Christmas lights. The smell of freshly roasted almonds, mulled wine and gingerbread wafts through the streets. Leisurely browse the numerous stalls, surrounded by beautiful half-timbered houses, with their handmade and original gifts from unique Christmas decorations to Christmas pyramids and scented oils. At Jesusitenplatz it’s worth looking up as the city’s largest advent calendar lights up in 24 dormer windows. Back on board this evening we begin our voyage back to Cologne.
Day 6: Cologne. ARR: 05:00
We disembark after breakfast this morning and travel through Germany and into France for our return journey back to the UK