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Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps (Christmas) (Amsterdam to Basel)
Tour Description:
Discover fairytale castles and historic vineyards as part of this spectacular Rhine River holiday fantasy. Explore the canal-laden city of Amsterdam in all its seasonal glory, with its neat rows of buildings and rich history. Wander the stalls of France’s oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg and explore the restaurants, open-air wine gardens, and Christmas Market of Drosselgasse, the cultural heart of Rüdesheim. Sail aboard an elegantly decorated ship through cities and towns brimming with beautiful decor, glittering Christmas trees and holiday spirit. Plus, enjoy festive onboard traditions and an exquisite holiday feast with all the trimmings on every Christmas Markets departure. Encompassing the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, as well as iconic landmarks and majestic mountain landscapes, this distinctive itinerary is truly a Christmas miracle. We are aware of the recent announcement regarding Christmas Markets and we will be providing an update shortly on the current situation.
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Dates & Pricing
| Monday 24 Nov 25 — Monday 01 Dec 25 | Starting at $4,139 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 15 Dec 25 — Monday 22 Dec 25 | Starting at $4,339 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 01 Dec 26 — Tuesday 08 Dec 26 | Starting at $4,449 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 08 Dec 26 — Tuesday 15 Dec 26 | Starting at $4,649 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 15 Dec 26 — Tuesday 22 Dec 26 | Starting at $4,349 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 23 Nov 27 — Tuesday 30 Nov 27 | Starting at $4,779 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 30 Nov 27 — Tuesday 07 Dec 27 | Starting at $4,979 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 07 Dec 27 — Tuesday 14 Dec 27 | Starting at $4,979 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 14 Dec 27 — Tuesday 21 Dec 27 | Starting at $4,979 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1
AMSTERDAM – EMBARKATION. Embark your ship in Amsterdam for your Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps cruise.
Day 2
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam.
Day 3
COLOGNE, GERMANY. Enjoy cruising to Cologne. Join a guided tour through the Old Town. During your free time, browse through the city’s most impressive Christmas Markets, offering 160 attractively designed wooden pavilions. As an alternative, examine the historic architectural styles on display throughout the Cologne Cathedral during a guided tour. This 13th-century Gothic marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion, and the church withstood 14 hits from aerial bombs during World War II. Active guests will want to join a guided bike ride along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten.
Day 4
RHINE GORGE – RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY. Cruise through the captivating UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge, the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. In the afternoon, join a wine tasting to discover the flavors of the town’s iconic vineyards. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the town, perhaps to explore the Drosselgasse, the town’s cultural heart, and the Christmas markets. Or drink up the stunning views by soaring high above the vineyards with a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal and with free time visiting the Christmas markets. For a more active adventure, hike through the town’s beautiful vineyards or join a guided bike tour along the scenic Rhine River. Later in the day, let Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet charm you with its remarkable collection of self-playing musical instruments; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy, coffee and whipped cream.
Day 5
LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY. Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of four excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine cask. Here you can also enjoy visiting some of the festive Christmas Markets. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher’s Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the medieval Old Gate, Altpörtel. In your free time, you might choose to visit the Christmas Markets or Technik Museum featuring exhibits of vintage cars, military aircraft and even a submarine!
Day 6
STRASBOURG, FRANCE. Strasbourg offers flavors of both France and Germany because of its borderline location. Enjoy walking through the iconic “La Petite France” district, lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through charming streets past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. During the tour you will receive free time to visit the Christmas markets. Alternatively, take a guided bike ride through the city and Parc de l’Orangerie.
Day 7
BASEL, SWITZERLAND. Enjoy getting to know Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city. Long an important university, banking and trade center, Basel’s glorious past is still evident in its medieval town hall, richly decorated market square and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Tour the city by foot or on a guided bike tour that takes you through three countries: Switzerland, France and Germany. Alternatively, go on a full-day excursion to Lucerne, or opt for one of the morning excursions and visit Lucerne in the afternoon. With either Lucerne excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to visit its Christmas Markets as well as see its spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours offered this day.
Day 8
BASEL – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Basel as you prepare for your flight home.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
