The Rhine and Moselle at Christmas time!

Departure Date: 2 December 2025

The Rhine and Moselle at Christmas

Beautiful sights and idyllic Christmas markets wait to greet you along the Rhine and Moselle rivers during the festive season. Enjoy the magic of Christmas in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace. Discover Cochem in the Moselle Valley, sprinkled with a thousand twinkling lights, and glide along Amsterdam’s network of canals.

Trip Inclusions

• Seven nights cruising on a contemporary Travelmarvel river ship
• Services of a Travelmarvel Cruise Director, Entertainment & Activities Coordinators, and local guides
• 20 meals - 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
• Onboard water stations, plus tea and coffee, soft drink, beer and local wine during lunch and dinner on your cruise
• Explore 7 towns, villages and cities.
• Ride the Winzerexpress mini-train into Rudesheim and explore its magical Christmas market
• Discover Moselle wines at a historic family winery near Cochem

Detailed Itinerary:

INSIDER EXPERIENCE: Designed exclusively for Travelmarvel guests. Enjoy an included special or unique excursion or event.

DAY 1: Arrive Basel, Embark Ship

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your river ship. Tonight, after enjoying some time to relax and settle in, enjoy a  Welcome Reception onboard. You will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow guests and meet your crew. Perhaps take the opportunity to head into town to experience the atmosphere at the Basel Christmas Market.

Day 2: Breisach

Disembark in Breisach to explore the Black Forest region. Travel by coach, past the sky-bound pine and birch trees blanketing the mountainsides, to the scenic village of Triberg. Return to your river ship for a Welcome Dinner on board.

DAY 3: Strasbourg

Arrive in Strasbourg, the Alsatian city that straddles the border between France and Germany. Fairytale houses mix with cobblestone streets and canals, and Strasbourg Cathedral towers over the World Heritage-listed city centre. Discover the picturesque sites on a guided tour and enjoy the pretty scenery. You will also have time to explore he Christkindelsmärik Christmas market, the oldest in France. More than 300 chalet-style stalls are strung throughout the city’s historic district with a towering Christmas tree at its centre. If you’re feeling peckish, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up a local treat. 

DAY 4: Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim

Continue cruising to experience a true highlight of the holiday – cruising through the Rhine Gorge, considered by locals to be the most beautiful section of the Rhine River. Watch in awe as steep slopes covered in vineyards and dotted with ancient castles drift past, before your ship docks in Rüdesheim, a Rhine Gorge wine town. Here, the Winzerexpress mini-train will take you through the town to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where you’ll discover one of the most beautiful collections of automated musical instruments in Germany. 

Follow the scent of gingerbread to the Old Town, where you’ll find Rüdesheim’s charming Christmas market in full swing. Be sure to call in on the famous Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store for the perfect festive decorations and gifts.

DAY 5: Moselle River, Cochem

Sit back and soak up the scenery as you cruise through some of Europe’s prettiest stretches along the Moselle River. Disembark in the town of Cochem in the Moselle Valley for a special experience.

Insider Experience - Schlagkamp Winery Take a scenic drive to the Schlagkamp Winery. Upon arrival, enjoy a sampling of five typical wines of the region. The owner will take you through the intricacies of each wine and share insights into Moselle viticulture. Later, explore the in-house wine cellar museum and depart with a special souvenir.

DAY 6: Cologne

Having entered Germany, arrive in Cologne and be met by the magnificent Cologne Cathedral on the banks of the Rhine. You will disembark here, learning on a guided tour about the famous twin spires of this landmark cathedral, which took over six centuries to complete.  Later on tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Insider Experiences – Cologne Christmas Market Be immersed in the festive spirit with a visit to Cologne’s impressive Christmas market, backdropped by the iconic Kölner Dom Cathedral. Here, you’ll have the chance to sample mulled wine and some local delicacies.

DAY 7: Amsterdam

With historic houses lining its banks and studded with low bridges, Amsterdam’s network of 17th-century canals lends the city its nickname – ‘The Venice of the North’. Today you will board a glass-top boat and glide past the city’s waterside sights with a local guide. Back on land, enjoy some free time to explore the city’s Ice Village Christmas market at your leisure. Pick up some traditional Dutch Christmas foods and marvel at the magical display of lights strung alongside the canals.

DAY 8: Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam

After breakfast, disembark and be transferred to Amsterdam airport for your onward flight.

Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Rudesheim,  Cochem, Cologne, Amsterdam (overnight)

All fares are displayed in AUD, and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.