Magic of Advent on the Rhine

On this excursion we drive through the romantic wintry landscapes of Alsace to discover the village of Gertwiller, famous for its Lebkuchen (Christmas gingerbreads). After an included glass of Glühwein the tour continues to the magical little town of Obernai, where we stroll through the old quarter – delightfully decorated for Christmas. Admire the Christmas crib with its life-size figures of people and animals that has been set up in the market place each year for centuries.

Enjoy a discovery tour through the beautiful city of Strasbourg. After a short coach ride through the city, the tour continues with a walk through the lovely, historic old part of the town and includes a visit to the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster – the symbol of the city (not possible on Sundays and public holidays, sometimes with security check). Some of the charming, half-timbered houses are up to 500 years old. From here you will walk through the historic and festively decorated district ”Petite France”.

Along the way, you will see a variety of Christmas markets, where you can spend some free time before you head back to the ship.

A comfortable coach will take you to Heidelberg, the world famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads also into the castle garden. From the Grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late-gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall. At the end of the tour you may take the chance and stroll around the Christmas market of Heidelberg. During the Advent season, the beautifully decorated Heidelberg Christmas Market invites you to linger. Set against the romantic backdrop of the Old Town, you can stroll among festively adorned stalls, discover traditional handicrafts, and warm up with a cup of hot mulled wine or punch. The scent of roasted almonds and Christmas spices completes the magical winter atmosphere.

Speyer, the venerable emperor’s city on the Rhine, has had a rich and turbulent past. Religious architecture steeped in history, impressive facades of various styles, winding alleys and romantic squares expressthe character of the city. The city tour includes a visit to the Romanesque Imperial Cathedral from the exterior, with its striking twin tower portal, and visits to the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate (Altpoertel) and the Jewish Ritual Bath. Afterwards, the Christmas market will fill you with warmth as the smell of punch and toasted almonds, hot roasted chestnuts and freshly baked apples envelopes your nose.

Enjoy a short ride on the Winzerexpress before beginning your walking tour through the picturesque town of Rüdesheim. In the historic heart of the old town, the world-famous Drosselgasse awaits, charming visitors with its traditional wine taverns and distinctive atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the town’s rich history as you discover the Adlerturm tower and impressive sections of the medieval town walls and fortifications dating back to the 15th century.

Discover one of the most pedestrian-friendly and oldest towns in Germany, with over 2,000 years of history. On our guided walk through the romantic streets between the St. Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of our Beloved Lady) you will discover the most important sights of Koblenz and the town’s landmark, the Schängel Fountain at the town hall. This tour would not be complete without a visit to the Memorial of Emperor Wilhelm at the famous German Corner where the rivers Rhine and Moselle meet. See the cable car that hovers over the Rhine, built as an attraction and ecologically friendly traffic facility for the Federal Horticultural Show in 2011. This is Germany’s first 3-rope cable car with a transport capacity of 7600 people per hour.

Join soprano Bethany Barber on a musical journey along the Rhine! Through the music of composers such as Beethoven, the Schumanns, Offenbach, and more—the real-life legends with connections to the Rhine—she’ll sing you the myths and stories that make this river so special.