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

Destination:

France,

Germany,

Swaziland,

Switzerland,

Duration:

8 days

Style:

River/Small ship/Barge,

Travel Period:

November 2027 - December 2027

Overview

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

Start:Düsseldorf, Germany
Finish:Basel, Switzerland

Type:Group tour (max 128)

Tripcode:

333_2027_A

Options and details

Select your preferred date or enquire

Number of Passengers:

Adults16 to 110 Years

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Dates

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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 - Hallo Düsseldorf

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Join your ship in Düsseldorf and settle in ahead of your Rhine river cruise. After meeting your crew and fellow travellers, enjoy your first dinner on board as the ship begins its leisurely journey.

Day 2 - 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 UNESCO-listed 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 3 - Koblenz & Rüdesheim

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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 its twinkling lights, perfect for browsing local treats and gifts. Later, relax on board as the ship sails through the scenic Middle Rhine, passing castles and vineyard-covered hills. Arrive in Rüdesheim in time to join an Optional Experience wine tasting at Eberbach Monastery, a chance to sample local vintages in one of the region’s most atmospheric historic settings.

Excursions

Optional Experience

Visit the historic Eberbach Monastery, one of Germany’s most renowned wine estates. Sample regional varietals in atmospheric cellars and learn how centuries of monastic tradition shaped the Rheingau’s wine culture.

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 4 - Rüdesheim and Mainz

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Climb aboard the Winzerexpress, a mini 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, handmade ornaments and festive treats from across Europe. Then join the Breuer family at their traditional weingasthaus for a Be My Guest experience featuring a lunch of seasonal dishes, local wine and live music. After a scenic sail from Rüdesheim, enjoy a guided stroll through Mainz Christmas market with your Experience Director and Experience Manager, a chance to explore traditional chalets, warming drinks and seasonal stalls set against the backdrop of the city’s cathedral.

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Browse the Christmas stalls in Mainz’s historic square, where half-timbered facades frame one of Germany’s oldest cathedrals and the air is filled with festive aromas.

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.

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.

Day 5 - Explore Speyer

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Spend the day your way in Speyer, with two included experiences to choose from, depending on your interests. You can 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 and learn how this family-run operation supports biodiversity and tradition. In the afternoon, you can enjoy an Optional Experience visit to Heidelberg. Its riverside setting, historic old town and festive market stalls make it a seasonal favourite. Back on board, the ship sets course for Strasbourg.

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

Included Option

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 6 - Down the Rhine 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 7 - Get to Know Basel

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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 8 - Disembark in Basel

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Your festive journey along the Rhine comes to an end in Basel. After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your crew and fellow travellers as you disembark, taking home special memories of Europe’s Christmas markets and riverside charm.

Travel Partner

Get ready for a trip like no other. Since 1947, more than five million happy past guests have discovered our difference. You’ll see top destinations, iconic sites, and get treated to exclusive local experiences – all with our team taking care of all the details. You’ll also discover the ways WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®, and how your journey leaves a positive impact. Do good, feel good, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Price from

$5,099*

per person*

Options and details

Enquire now

Tripcode: 333_2027_A

Start:Düsseldorf, Germany
Finish:Basel, Switzerland

Type:Group tour (max 128)

Tripcode:

147224

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

Destination:

Duration:

Style:

Travel Period:

Overview

Options and details

Number of Passengers:

Your Itinerary

Day to day notes

Day 1 - Hallo Düsseldorf

Day 2 - Discover cultural Cologne

Day 3 - Koblenz & Rüdesheim

Day 4 - Rüdesheim and Mainz

Day 5 - Explore Speyer

Day 6 - Down the Rhine to Strasbourg

Day 7 - Get to Know Basel

Day 8 - Disembark in Basel

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