ABOUT EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS CITIES & PORTS
Enjoy this magical time of year as Europe’s countries hold steadfastly onto Old World holiday tradition and transform into fairy-tale Christmas settings. The sights and sensations of the holiday season are everywhere: locals and guests savor the tastes of chocolate covered Lebkuchen (gingerbread), sizzling grilled sausages and spiced hot “Gluehwein” (mulled wine). People also delight in the festively decorated markets and shopping for ornaments, crafts, candles, nutcrackers, winter hats, roasted nuts and other traditional items.

LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
Visit and overnight in Lucerne, a traditional Swiss town along the banks of Lake Lucerne with an Alpine backdrop.  Enjoy a Lucerne Walking Tour of this me-dieval gem and see some of the city’s lovely cobblestone streets, monuments, fountains, public squares, covered bridges, colorful frescoed buildings and the iconic 14th century Chapel Bridge.  Enjoy Lucerne’s colorful Christmas Market and its wonderful Old Town.

STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Capital city of the Alsace region in northeastern France, Strasbourg is situated on the Rhine at the German border.  Enjoy a Strasbourg City Tour to see Orangerie, the town’s oldest park, the European Parliament, and the Place de la Republique. Take a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood and see the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock.  Then stroll Strasbourg’s Christmas Market, one of Europe’s oldest.  Later join the optional trip into the Alsace region to visit fairy-tale Obernai & its quaint Christmas Market. 

SPEYER, GERMANY
Arrive in Speyer one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its cathedral, nu-merous churches and the 13th-century Altpörtel (“Old Gate”). Explore the city during your Speyer Walking Tour.  Later cruise to Mannheim & maybe take an optional excursion to historic Heidelberg to visit the red-walled castle and get beautiful views of the Neckar Valley. 

RÜDESHEIM – RHINE RIVER GORGE – KOBLENZ, GERMANY
Arrive in Rüdesheim and explore on your own the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants.  If you prefer join an optional Rüdesheim  Tour via Tram Car  including a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.  Later the ship departs to cruise through the Rhine River Gorge, a UNESCO Heritage Site and the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river with hillsides dotted with fairy-tale castles, historic towns and vineyards.  Later arrive in Germany’s oldest city, Koblenz, a charming Rhineland town situated at the confluence of the Rhine & Moselle Rivers.  Enjoy a Koblenz Walking Tour & the popular Christmas Market.  See the famous Advent Calendar at the baroque Town Hall.

COCHEM, GERMANY
The ship makes a detour along the Moselle River to the little town of Cochem. Enjoy a Cochem Walking Tour then visit the Reichsburg Castle, experience a Wine Tasting & stop at the quaint Christmas Market. The magnificent Reichs-burg castle is situated high above the town, dominating the landscape. Down below, the village with its narrow streets, half timbered houses and numerous restaurants is an ideal setting to taste the wines of the region. 

COLOGNE, GERMANY
Cologne is Germany’s 4th largest city and located on both sides of the Rhine.  Enjoy a Cologne Walking Tour featuring the old part of the city and the fabled 13th century Gothic cathedral.  Explore the dock side taverns, cafes, shops and the famous Christmas Market in front of the cathedral.