Rhine and Alsace Christmas Markets (Germany, France and Switzerland) OFFER Book by Friday 16 May for £999 (Save £200pp) Saturday 13 December 2025 (6 Days / 5 NIghts) The Magic of Christmas: Savory delights and holiday traditions on a Rhine River cruise (port-to-port cruise) STRASBOURG - SANKT-GOARSHAUSEN - RÜDESHEIM - MAINZ - GAMBSHEIM - STRASBOURG Join us for a cruise on the Rhine River to explore the oldest, most revered Christmas markets in Europe. Let yourself be swept away by the beauty and charm of long-standing holiday traditions that include dazzling lights, soothing mulled wine, and zesty gingerbread delights. Plunge into the holiday spirit on our exclusive European Christmas cruise. EXCLUSIVE OFFER CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS • Experience the magic of Christmas on a Rhine cruise with a special onboard holiday program • The romantic Rhine Valley and the legendary rock of the Lorelei under the winter sky • EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: • Rüdesheim and a tour of its unique mechanical music cabinet museum, a visit to its Christmas Market of Nations, and a hot cup of its local specialty: Rüdesheimer Kaffee. • Mainz, its cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and one of the most beautiful holiday markets in Germany • The Musée Lalique, dedicated to the master craftsman of fine glass • Strasbourg during the holiday season • Tasting of traditional Alsatian Christmas THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE • All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar • Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail • Free Wi-Fi onboard • Headsets are included for excursions • Official welcome from the captain and crew • Onboard activities • Travel assistance and repatriation insurance • All port fees included
Includes
CRUISE PROGRAM (5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS) Day 1 : STRASBOURG You’ll board our ship at 5 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. After dinner on board, join us for an evening celebrating the Alsatian holiday cookies known as bredeles. Our ship will cruise through the night. Day 2 : Romantic Rhine River - RÜDESHEIM We’ll cruise the Rhine to the legendary rock of the Lorelei, following the twists and turns dominated by dramatic ruins, scenic vineyards, and majestic fortresses. Join us in the lounge and tast delicious bredeles! Our next stop is Rüdesheim, a picturesque village lined with narrow, cobblestone streets and half-timbered homes. We’ll board a tourist train(1) for Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, showcasing 350 self-playing, mechanical music instruments dating from the 18th to the 20th centuries and including delicate musical boxes and a gigantic piano-orchestrion. Then enjoy some free time on your own to discover the international Christmas market located in the city's historic downtown area. The 120 wooden chalets set the stage for an authentic German Christmas market displaying artisan objects, great gift ideas, and delicious culinary specialties such as local confections and cookies, and of course, pretzels! The city is also home to one of the largest nativity scenes in Europe. You’ll return to the ship by walking down the infamous Drosselgasse, lined with numerous cafés and bars. We’ll enjoy dinner on board before a quick escape to the city again this evening to taste the exquisite Rüdesheimer Kaffee. Day 3 : RÜDESHEIM - MAINZ - GAMBSHEIM We’ll cruise to Mainz in the early morning. Once we arrive, we’ll set out for a tour on foot of the city to see many of its remarkably restored sites. This excursion includes an inside visit to the magnificent 1,000-year old Saint-Martin’s Cathedral. We’ll then stroll down the picturesque streets of the old city to the Gutenberg Museum, which houses two copies of the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed with movable type in the West. Enjoy some free time on your own before heading back to the ship. Don’t miss the colorful local Christmas market near the cathedral, framed by splendid Renaissance-style buildings. Germany is known for its decorative wooden Christmas carousels, and a larger than life one is usually found at the market in Mainz surrounded by traditional chalets selling handcrafts, souvenirs, and luscious goodies. You might notice that German Christmas markets are more than just a place to buy or sell. In fact, they become a true reflection of everyday life where the locals gather for a quick bite or drink at the end of the winter day. So, join in the holiday spirit and top off your well-deserved vacation. After the tour, we’ll have lunch on the ship and spend the afternoon cruising to Gambsheim. Feel free to join us for a bit of onboard entertainment recounting Christmas traditions. Tonight is our festive gala evening. Our ship will cruise through the night. Day 4 : GAMBSHEIM - STRASBOURG Once we arrive in Gambsheim, we’ll leave by coach for Wingen-sur-Moder and a visit to the Musée Lalique to learn about crystalware-genius René Lalique and his successors. Lalique became one of the greatest names of his time, both as a jeweler and a master glassmaker. His instantly recognizable style was a major influence in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements. Discover the company’s wide range of impressive crystal and glass designs, pieces of jewelry, tableware, lights, and vases. Admire the fabulous collections and don’t miss the temporary exhibit just for the holidays! Christmas is the perfect time to showcase the exceptional past and present work of Lalique. We’ll return on board and enjoy lunch as we cruise to Strasbourg. Once we arrive, feel free set out on your own to admire the lights around the city near the cathedral, the Place Kléber, Carré d’Or, and Place Gutenberg. It’s quite a sight! And don’t forget to browse a few of the Christmas Markets set up across the city. We’ll greet you with a hot cup of mulled wine* as you return on board. Enjoy an authentic Alsatian dinner this evening, followed by a quiz to test your knowledge about Alsatian Christmas Markets. Day 5 : STRASBOURG Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
We then transfer you to our hotel in Basel for a 1 nights stay Day 6 Free day for you to enjoy the Christmas Markets in before your return transfer to Basel airport for your flights back to the UK
4* Hotel Spalentor, Basel Hotel Spalentor is located opposite the Botanic Gardens, a 5-minute walk from the Old Town of Basel and the University, and offers free bicycles, free WiFi, a fitness area and a quiet garden with a chestnut tree. Each of the spacious rooms features air conditioning, a coffee machine, a large flat-screen TV, a DVD Player and a large choice of free DVDs. There is also a minibar in each room. You can quickly reach the airport, the train stations and the Messe Basel fairgrounds by public transport, which can be used for free during your stay at the Spalentor hotel. The Spalentor Bus Stop is just 30 metres away. Guests can relax in the hotel's own bar or in the hotel´s courtyard, and can get active in the fitness area. MS Beethoven
Named after the famous German virtuoso, the MS Beethoven sails on the Rhine and Danube rivers. It takes cruise passengers to discover the many wonders offered by these two romantic rivers.
The MS Beethoven is a standard ship that measures 110m long and 11m wide and accommodates 180 passengers in 90 cabins on 3 decks. The size of a cabin is between 11.50m2 to 13m2, offering amenities and providing guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. The refined decoration and the elegant and friendly atmosphere are in perfect harmony with its environment. Located at the main deck, the restaurant, where all meals are served during the cruise, offers a delicate cuisine in a refined setting, where wide windows allow you to fully enjoy the panorama. Situated on the middle deck is the lounge / bar with a dance floor, while a piano-bar welcomes cruise passengers on the upper deck in a cozy atmosphere. Comfortable sun loungers are provided on the sun deck, the ideal place to relax and admire the surrounding landscapes. Upgrade to Middle Deck: £75pp Upgrade to Upper Deck: £90pp Single Supplement: £350pp
Flights from Manchester Outward 07h15 - 10h05 Return 21h35 - 22h30 Flights from Luton
Outward 07h15 - 10h05 Return 11h05 - 11h45 Transfers included from Basel airport to Strasbourg Strasbourg to Basel City Centre (Hotel) Hotel in Basel to Basel Airport Excursions included as shown Door2Door Transfers: £110pp Return (from Sheffield/Rotherham areas only
Luggage
A) Cabin Baggage Only (1 Small Bag 45 x 36 x 20cm) to be placed under the seat in front of you This is included with all bookings. B) Cabin Baggage 2 bags onboard £60 ( 1 Case/Bag Max 56x45x25cm and 1 the included Small Bag 45x36x20cm) C) 15kg Check-In Luggage £75 D) 23kg Check-In Luggage £85
Prices are shown for the return. Door 2 Door Transfers These are currently only available from Sheffield, Rotherham and Chesterfield areas Manchester Airport £110pp Return
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