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2008 Basel to Cologne Christmas Market Itinerary
Day 1 - Basel
Arrive in Basel and be greeted by a Uniworld representative who will escort you to the ship. (D)
Day 2 - Basel
Basel has long been a center for banking, trade and education, all of which are showcased by its striking Medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes, which you’ll see on your city tour. Enjoy Basel’s Christmas Market in the heart of the historic Old Town and visit the illuminated Christmas Street, beautifully decorated with over 100 Christmas trees. And if you are looking for truly unique gifts, visit the shop of Johann Wanner and its array of elegant angels, ornaments, glassblown figurines, and pewter miniatures. (B, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner)
Day 3 - Strasbourg
Cruise through Strasbourg on a canal cruise, viewing Petite France, especially picturesque at this time of year with its festive decorations, the town’s covered bridges, Medieval watchtowers, and the European Parliament. We’ll then visit the oldest Christmas Market in France, located in front of Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral. You’ll also want to take time to stroll the elegant boulevards of Petite France, the city’s prettiest neighborhood. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Speyer
Your guided tour of Heidelberg includes a visit to the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle and a stroll through Old Town, capped by a lunch at the historic Ritter Restaurant. You’ll have ample time to explore the Heidelberg Christmas Market spanning over five squares. Marvel at the Christmas Pyramid with figures from the city’s history rotating inside the tower at the Marktplatz, or take a ride on the nostalgic carousel turning merrily around at the Universitatsplatz. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Mainz and Rudesheim
Take a walk through Old Town and the Mainz city square, where we will see Kaiserdom, St. Stephan’s Church, and the Kurfürstliche Schloss. Stroll through the 200-year-old St. Nicholas Christmas Market with the 1,000-year-old St. Martin’s Cathedral as a backdrop. During the afternoon, we cruise from Mainz to Rüdesheim. Our first stop is Siegfried’s Museum, with its fabulous collection of mechanical musical instruments, housed in one of Rüdesheim’s 16th-century mansions, or we’ll visit the Christmas Market along Rüdesheim’s most popular street, the Drosselgasse. Browse through over 120 stalls with holiday delights and admire Rüdesheim’s life-sized nativity scene. In the evening, enjoy dinner and entertainment at the Rüdesheimer Schloss. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Koblenz
Our walking tour will take you through romantic alleys with
half-timbered houses, decorated for the season. We’ll pass by St. Castor’s Church and the Church of Our Lady, and then we’ll proceed to the market square with the Schaengel Fountain and historic City Hall. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Koblenz Christmas Market. Delight in the dozens of wooden stands with arts and crafts, spicy mulled wine, sweet Christmas cakes, and watch the local children skating on the Christmas Market ice rink. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Cologne
Stroll the narrow streets of Old Town with your guide, passing by tiny squares and little churches as you make your way to the Domplatte, on top of which is one of the most stunning buildings in the world, the Cologne Cathedral. After a tour of the cathedral, browse the stalls at the Cathedral’s Christmas Market, and then visit the markets at City Hall, near the Church St. Aposteln, and in front of a Medieval gatehouse. (B, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
Day 8 - Cologne
Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport in Cologne for your flight home.
Cologne to Basel (Reverse Direction)
Day
Port
Day 1
Colonge (Embark)
Day 2
Cologne
Day 3
Koblenz, Cruising the Romantic Rhine, Rudesheim
Day 4
Rudesheim, Mainz
Day 5
Mainz, Speyer , Heidelberg
Day 6
Strasbourg
Day 7
Basel
Day 8
Basel (disembark), transfer to airport in Zurich or Basel
Basel to Cologne - Departure Dates
Cruise Rates
Ship
30 - Nov - 2008
$ 1, 698
River Queen
14 - Dec - 2008
$ 1, 698
River Queen
28 - Dec - 2008*†
$ 1, 698
River Queen
Cologne to Basel - Departure Dates
7 - Dec - 2007
$ 1, 698
River Queen
21 - Dec - 2007†
$ 1, 698
River Queen
*New Years cruise, no Christmas Markets
†Note: Holiday markets generally open from the begining of Advent until December 23. Uniworld reserves the right to substitute appropriate sights and excursions in keeping with the celebrations of the season.
To upgrade to a higher category, add per person the following price below:
Category 4
$ 150
Category 3
$ 400
Category 2
$ 600
Category 1
$ 800
Suite
$ 1,200
Prices Do Not Include: Drinks or insurance
.
For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the cruise line and the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.
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