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German Christmas Markets & Rhine River Cruise

German Christmas Markets on Rhine River Cruise

Thu 12 - Wed 18 Dec 2024: A 6 Night Rhine River Cruise Holiday to the German Christmas Markets with Johnsons Coaches

Thursday 12th to Wednesday 18th December 2024

COLOGNE - KOBLENZ - RÜDESHEIM - SPEYER - STRASBOURG

Christmas markets are in full swing during the build up to the festive holiday season. The smell of freshly baked goods fills the air surrounding the festive wooden booths selling artisan gifts. We will visit several markets during this cruise for an authentic German holiday experience, including those in Speyer, romantic Heidelberg, the Christmas Market of Nations in Rüdesheim, and Koblenz.

Look What’s Included:

One Speedy single departure point from our depot at Henley-in-Arden
Our own Courier Service
Luxury Traveller Coach travel with ‘First Class’ seating & legroom
On board complimentary hot & cold drinks
Return Dover-Calais Ferry Crossings
Overnight dinner, bed & breakfast on Days 1 & 6 in minimum standard 3-star hotels
4 Night Rhine River Cruise -
all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day
all onboard beverages with meals (not including the special lists)
accommodations in a double-occupancy cabin with shower in private bathroom
onboard entertainment
welcome cocktail
gala evening
Headsets are included for those travelling on the optional excursions

What is not included: Lunches on days one, two, six & seven.

Thursday

Depart Henley and travel to Dover for our short sea crossing to Calais. We continue into Belgium arriving at our hotel in time for dinner and our overnight stay.

Friday

Enjoy a leisurely drive to Cologne. Free time to explore this historic city. We will board our ship at 6 pm and settle into our cabins. Meet the crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. Our ship will cruise towards Koblenz throughout the night.

Saturday

We will spend the morning cruising the Rhine River to Koblenz. (Afternoon optional tour of Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress). Located at the crossroads of the Rhine and Moselle regions, Koblenz is a rich mosaic of culture and history. What better way to wrap up the day than to check out the Christmas market in Koblenz? Gingerbread, grilled almonds, cinnamon, and mulled wine scents waft through the air at the city's traditional Christmas market set up at several squares throughout the picturesque old town. We will remain in Koblenz for the night.

Sunday

This morning, we will pass through the beautiful and romantic Rhine Valley, including the Rock of the Lorelei. Each twist and turn of the river reveals another castle atop a peak above the sprawling vineyards. Arriving in Rudesheim, there will be an optional tour of the city by tourist train and a visit to the mechanical music cabinet museum. Afterwards, spend some time strolling through the Christmas Market of Nations, where the 120 wooden chalets set the stage for an authentic German Christmas market displaying artisan objects, great gift ideas, and delicious culinary specialties. After our excursion, we will return on board for dinner. In the evening, the famous Drosselgasse awaits you once again with its numerous cafés, bars, and music.

Monday

We will spend the morning cruising to Speyer. This afternoon, the optional excursion is Heidelberg and its Christmas Market. We will leave by coach for Heidelberg for a visit of the city and its castle (exteriors). Tonight, we will enjoy our gala dinner on board. Our ship will cruise to Strasbourg.

Tuesday

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Rejoining our coach we explore the glorious city of Strasbourg before returning to Reims for dinner and our final night in Europe.

Wednesday

Homeward bound, arriving home during the evening.

Your Cruise Ship

The Layfette

The MS Lafayette is part of Croisi-Europe’s ‘Rhine fleet’ This premier class ‘5 Anchors’ ship has two decks and was built in 2014. She is a smaller vessel at 89m in length and 9.7m in width, offering her 82 passengers a luxury and intimate river cruise along the Rhine. Enjoy the comforts of home onboard with cosy, tastefully decorated cabins. All cabins are tastefully decorated and are equipped with all amenities required for your comfort. The cabins offer guests the perfect view for their large picture window and are very spacious and tastefully decorated with the option of double or single beds. An ensuite is provided with shower, W.C. and a hairdryer. For your entertainment, a satellite tv and radio are provided for you to use at your leisure. There are also four single cabins, and one cabin suitable for passengers with reduced mobility on board.

On-Board Facilities Include: Dining room * Lounge area with a bar * Sundeck * Central heating * Air conditioning * 220V electricity * WIFI available only after paying an additional fee * Souvenir kiosk at the reception.