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Overview

This Christmastime river cruise is a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Frankfurt, Germany, then sail up the Rhine River to Basel, Switzerland, passing beautiful views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated. This one-of-a-kind Christmas river cruise through France and Germany takes you on an excursion to Heidelberg, Germany, to visit the fascinating ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city. At this time of year, an ice rink can be found at the foot of the castle and the Christmas market is spread over five town squares. Delight in the holiday cheer with Glühwein (hot mulled wine), bratwursts, and other regional delicacies. You’ll also find an array of crafts, Christmas decorations, and gifts. Strasbourg, located on the border of France and Germany, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—dating back to the 16th century. Take in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cakes, and biscuits. Bask in the holiday atmos-phere as you visit the Strasbourg Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece made of red sandstone, and containing an-cient murals and fascinating astronomical clock.

Your Christmas river cruise along the Rhine River takes you to Breisach, considered the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. There is no better setting than this time of year when smoke curls from the chimneys of the traditional Black Forest houses. Your delightful holiday cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland. Don’t miss this ex-perience to savor the holiday season in traditional and beautiful Christmas traditions of European winter markets and festivities!

Book your cruise with or without flights

Cruise prices are shown without flights included in case you wish to book them separately, or aren't ready to return home when you disembark! Or we can book your flights for you from most UK airports, with overseas transfers and ATOL protection included. The choice is yours!

Book your cruise with or without flights

Itinerary

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are three types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Classic

<p>Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.</p>

Active

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

Discovery

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Day 1 FRANKFURT, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Dinner

Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding
Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER

Day 2 HEIDELBERG EXCURSION. SPEYER

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King

Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg.

Explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board

EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG

Day 3 STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël

Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village.
Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.

CRUISE TO BREISACH

Day 4 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest

Visit to Badische Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany’s southernmost wine country in Baden—ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners’ process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:

Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach’s lovely Christmas market to sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL

Day 5 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.

Questions? Our travel specialists can help with any queries, quotes or special requirements. Request a callback or email us.

Notes

In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Hotels

It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative, similar standard, hotels to those shown

Hilton Frankfurt City Centre

This stylish 342-room hotel boasts an ideal location in the heart of Frankfurt city center, next to the Stock Exchange and just minutes away from the Old Opera House and historic Römer Square. Enjoy fine local and international cuisine in the hotel's restaurant or dine outdoors on the spacious terrace with beautiful park views. Unwind with an American whiskey or cocktail at the sophisticated American-style bar, or simply enjoy a Cuban coffee and delicious bites in the bar and lounge. The health club offers a half Olympic-size indoor pool, fitness equipment, a whirlpool, steam room, and sauna. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property.

Location

Hochstrasse 4, Frankfurt, Germany

Hotel Facilities

Restaurant On-Site
Parking/Valet
Concierge desk
Elevator
Free WiFi
Hot Tub
Pool
Beauty Salon
ATM
Fitness Room
Luggage Storage
Bar/Lounge
Business Center
Spa Services
Laundry Available
Currency Exchange

Room Facilities

Cable/Satellite
Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
Mini-bar
Iron/Ironing Board
Desk
Television
Complimentary Toiletries
Air Conditioning
Hair Dryer
Disabled Access / Rooms
Non-smoking Rooms
Internet Access
Alarm Clock
Phone
In-Room Safe
Climate Control
Coffee Maker
Wake-Up Calls
Voicemail

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Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Southbound)