Fly from London to Basel and transfer to Strasbourg, for free time to explore Old Strasbourg. A charismatic place at any time of year, the city excels itself during the festive season with its fabulous, 400-year-old tradition of the Christmas market. Centred on Grande Île, around the Catholic Notre Dame cathedral and within the stately rectangle of Place Broglie, its baubles, garlands, crafts, and food stalls combine to create an all-embracing Christmas spirit. Meet up with your guide to continue to the mooring and embark on the MS Leonardo da Vinci, your vessel for the three-night cruise. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and introduction to the crew, before dinner and an entertaining evening on a Christmas theme. Cruise through the night to Rüdesheim.
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Cruise through Christmas on the Rhine
France, Germany
3 nights 2 Departures Available
View All Dates & BookA fabulously festive, four days away, this mini break offers maximum comfort and cossetting service, to sail through a stress-free Christmas. Go with the flow of the Rhine to explore splendid Strasbourg, beguiling Rüdesheim, and historic Mainz
Overview
Service, style, and fine cuisine are the hallmarks of the respected CroisiEurope fleet of river cruisers. Aboard the MS Leonardo da Vinci, this three-night sailing covers Christmas with a joyous journey on the Rhine, with all meals and most drinks included, an evening of festive entertainment on Christmas Eve, and a gala dinner on Christmas Day. Largely cruising through the night to maximise your time ashore, the tour is a mix of guided walks and free time to explore. It starts in Strasbourg, famed for its French and German cultures, medieval and modern architecture, illustrious old town on the ‘Grande Île’ river island, and for its Christmas Market, one of the oldest in Europe. Oozing atmospheric charm, medieval Rüdesheim is the home of Riesling wines, within a UNESCO protected landscape of the Rhine Gorge. Mainz marks the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers with picturesque Old Town streets and an iconic octagon tower crowning the Romanesque cathedral. An overnight mooring in Boppard provides the opportunity to attend Midnight Mass; and a leisurely float brings you back to Strasbourg on Boxing Day, where you disembark for the homeward journey.
Highlights
- Celebrate Christmas aboard the MS Leonardo da Vinci
- Cruise the Romantic Rhine Valley
- Discover Strasbourg and its famous Christmas Market
- Explore traditional Rüdesheim
- Walk through picturesque Mainz
Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly to Basel and transfer to Strasbourg for a welcome cocktail
Day 2 - Explore Rüdesheim with a special dinner and optional Midnight Mass
Discover charming Rüdesheim, where half-timbered houses line medieval streets, and the music museum is a ‘must see’. We ride the Winzerexpress ‘road train’ through the narrow alleys to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet. The name says it all, and the array and variety of its 350 instruments is mesmerising, dating from the 18th to early-20th century, and ranging from delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestration. Stroll back toward the ship via the delightful Drosselgasse lane, lined with shops and taverns in characterful old buildings, with free time, perhaps to sample the town’s speciality ‘Rüdesheimer Kaffee’. Enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner and evening as we cruise to Boppard, with the option to attend Midnight Mass there (mass will be said in German). Transfers to the church can be arranged if required, payable locally.
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Day 3 - Cruise to Mainz before a Gala dinner onboard
Spend Christmas Day morning cruising to Mainz, with market squares and Baroque palaces in its atmospheric Altstadt, and the multi-turreted ‘Dom’ cathedral dominating the cityscape. Explore its streets this afternoon, and enjoy a Gala Dinner on-board this evening, as the vessel begins its cruise back to Strasbourg.
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Day 4 - Transfer to Basel for your flight home
Continue sailing south this morning and, after lunch aboard, arrive in Strasbourg in the afternoon. Disembark the MS Leonardo da Vinci and transfer to Basel airport for your return flight to London.
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Vessels
MS Leonardo de Vinci
Launched in 2003 and refurbished in 2011, the MS Leonardo da Vinci is registered in France with a mainly European crew and announcements in French and English. For 20 years Jules Verne has been the main UK partner of the innovative French cruise company, CroisiEurope, established over 40 years ago, now boasting the largest European river fleet (over 40 ships), yet still operated by the same family. All drinks, except premium brands are included throughout the cruise. Enjoy International and French cuisine with a choice of wines in an elegant one-sitting dining room. Breakfast is a buffet, lunch and dinner waiter service with the occasional buffet. The vessel occasionally sails at night. Reception, lounge bar with small dance floor, sun deck and WiFi (free/limited). 72 air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and satellite TV. 23 twin/double cabins with picture windows (129 sq. ft.) on the Upper Deck and 49 twin/double cabins with picture windows (129 sq. ft.) on the Main Deck.
- Travel Guides -
You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.
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Dates & Prices
The below departures are available - please click into the booking process for a quote and to book.
London Heathrow Airport from £ 1395
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 3-night cruise, full board and drinks on cruise vessel, excursions, Jules Verne representative, local expert guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, optional excursions, tipping, porterage, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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