8 Nights | Rhine Holiday Markets

About France

Share in the joy of the season while cruising along the legendary Rhine through three wonderful countries. 

Switzerland, France, and Germany provide the perfect backdrop for this true connoisseur’s Christmas-markets cruise. Discover the roots of our Christmas traditions as you explore some of Europe’s most charming towns. Browse for unique ornaments in Basel’s Christmas Market. Sip vin chaud as you stroll to Place Kléber to behold the enormous, brilliantly lighted tree that Strasbourg offers modern celebrants. See how the baroque town hall of Koblenz is transformed into an Advent calendar and find unexpected treasures in the red- roofed stalls clustered around Cologne’s magnificent cathedral.

Savor tantalizing once-a-year treats with Uniworld’s “Taste of Christmas” program, including gingerbread, crepes with cinnamon, and warm spiced wine. Revel in brightly painted carousels and handmade ornaments, medieval squares illuminated by twinkling lights, life-sized Nativity figures, and joyful brass choirs. Sail through castle-strewn hillsides and visit charming towns decked in holiday finery for a holiday season you will never forget.

Who will enjoy this cruise

Shoppers looking for unique gifts, and Christmas enthusiasts looking for the origins of many cherished holiday traditions. Anyone who loves seasonal treats and festive holiday decorations and lights.

Highlights

YOUR CRUISE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

TRAVEL

7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the exquisite S.S. Antoinette

All transfers on arrival and departure days

TASTE

All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners

Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions

Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners

Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water

EXPLORE

3 countries

6 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts

Guided “Taste of Christmas” and “Gentle Walking” programs

3 UNESCO World Heritage sites

Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager

State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all shore excursions

Use of Nordic walking sticks

EXPERIENCE

Captivating onboard local entertainment

Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture: “European Christmas Traditions, from the Nutcracker to the Tannenbaum”

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

You will visit the following 6 places:

Koblenz

Koblenz

Strasbourg

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in north-eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin department. In 2006, the city proper had 272,975 inhabitants and its urban community 467,375 inhabitants. With 638,670 inhabitants in 2006, Strasbourg's metropolitan area ("aire urbaine") (only the part of the metropolitan area on French territory) is the ninth largest in France. The transnational Eurodistrict Strasbourg-Ortenau has a population of 884,988 inhabitants.

Cologne

Cologne

Cologne is the largest city in the German federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the fourth-largest city in Germany. In medieval times it was the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire. It is one of the nation's media, tourism and business hotspots. Cologne is known to be one of the most liberal cities in Germany. Cologne is a traditionally Ripuarian-speaking city, though this has mostly been replaced by German, which is now the main language of the city. English-speaking guides and information are available for many of the landmarks of the city. Cologne's citizens are also very friendly and jovial people, welcoming tourists of all types and with all interests.

Basel

Basel

Basel is one of the important cities of Switzerland. One of Switzerland's underrated tourist destinations, Basel has a beautiful medieval old town centre, a vibrant Carnival, and several world class art museums built by architects like Renzo Piano, Mario Botta and Herzog & De Meuron. Basel is also rich in architecture old and new, with a Romanesque Münster (cathedral), a Renaissance Rathaus (town hall), and various examples of high quality contemporary architecture, including more buildings by Herzog & De Meuron, Richard Meier, Diener & Diener, and various others. Located in the Dreiländereck (three countries' corner), Basel is a gateway to the Swiss Jura mountains and nearby cities of Zürich and Lucerne, as well as the neighbouring French region of Alsace and the German Black Forest.

Mannheim

Mannheim

Mannheim is a city in southwestern Germany. With about 311,350 inhabitants, Mannheim is the second-largest city in the Bundesland of Baden-Württemberg, following the capital city of Stuttgart. Mannheim is located at the confluence of the Rhine River and the Neckar River in the northwestern corner of Baden-Württemberg. The Rhine separates Mannheim from the city of Ludwigshafen, just to the west of it in Rhineland-Palatinate. The border of Baden-Württemberg with the Bundesland of Hesse is just north of Mannheim, and Mannheim is just downstream along the Neckar from the city of Heidelberg. Mannheim is the largest city of the Rhine Neckar Area, a metropolitan area with about 2.4 million inhabitants.

Mainz

Mainz

Contact our travel experts for more details

More Cruise Options

8
Nights
6
Ports

Ports:
Jaipur, Kolkata, Mocha, Kalna, Matari, Baranagar, Mayapur

8
Nights
6
Ports

Splendors of Italy

From Venice

Ports:
Venice, Florence, Rome, Milan, Valpolicella, Chioggia, Polesella, Mazzorbo

8
Nights
6
Ports

Danube Holiday Markets

From Budapest

Ports:
Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg, Passau, Wachau

8
Nights
6
Ports

Alluring Amsterdam & Vienna

From The Convent Amsterdam

Ports:
The Convent Amsterdam, Cologne, Vienna, Nuremberg, Wurzburg, Passau, Regensburg, Bamberg, Miltenberg, Rüdesheim am Rhein, Durnstein, Volkach

8
Nights
6
Ports

Ports:
Arnhem, The Convent Amsterdam, Strasbourg, Rotterdam, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Basel, Oberwesel, Worms

8
Nights
6
Ports

Ports:
Budapest, București, Prague, Belgrade, Vienna, Danube, Melk, Passau, Golubac, Vidin, Ivanovo, Straubing

Uniworld is the leader in all-inclusive luxury river cruising, with a fleet of boutique ships sailing the rivers of Europe,...

8
Nights
6
Ports

Parisian Holiday

From Paris

Ports:
Paris, Rouen, Mantes-la-Jolie

8
Nights
6
Ports

Ports:
Paris, Bordeaux, City of Cadillac, Vernon Township, Normandy, Honfleur, Rouen, Pauillac, Libourne, Mantes-la-Jolie, Bourg

More about Uniworld