This special 9-day Rhine cruise from Amsterdam to Cologne will only happen once-will you be on board? Begin in lively, multicultural Amsterdam, where you tour the city, cruise along its canals and visit some of the highlights. Sail into Germany, where you enjoy spectacular Middle Rhine scenery and visit the country's famous Christmas markets-we will visit at least five, each with its own character and traditions. Sample Christmas cookies, snacks and sausages and savor delicious hot spiced wines as you shop for the toys, gifts and ornaments you can only find once a year along the Rhine River. Includes a tour of Heidelberg Castle.

Day 1 Amsterdam

Fly into Amsterdam; we meet you at the airport and take you to your ship.* After boarding, you have some free time to relax or do a bit of exploring on your own-or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. Dinner is served on your ship. (D)

Day 2 Amsterdam

After breakfast, you have a canal tour by glass-topped boat, the perfect vantage point from which to see the city's distinctive architecture. After lunch aboard, your afternoon is free to visit one or two of the city's museums or explore its charming neighborhoods-as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dine aboard and enjoy an evening at leisure in this exciting multicultural city. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Amsterdam

Spend the morning visiting one of the most important sites in Amsterdam-the Anne Frank House. Tour the "Secret Annex" where a teenaged girl in hiding from the Nazis wrote a diary that became an international bestseller translated into 67 languages. After your visit, return aboard for lunch as we begin sailing along the Rhine toward Cologne. Experience the lovely late-fall scenery along the river this afternoon and evening, and taste some local specialities at dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Cologne

Sail along the Rhine this morning, arriving in Cologne, a cultural center of the Rhineland, at lunchtime. Take a guided walking tour of the city this afternoon, including a visit to Kolner Dom, the city's iconic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a distinctive double spire and spectacular stained glass windows. Here, just across from the cathedral, you will find the first of the Christmas markets we will encounter; the markets open for the season on November 23 this year so you will be right on time to get the best selection. Spend the rest of the afternoon browsing the handcrafted items and delicious snacks, or explore some of Cologne's museums and other landmarks. Dinner is served aboard and we remain docked until midnight so you can see the markets beautifully lit before our departure. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Rudesheim

As you awaken this morning, you find yourself sailing through the beautiful Rhine Gorge area-a UNESCO World Heritage Site dotted with castles and idyllic towns. Arrive at lunchtime in Rudesheim, a winemaking mecca in the middle of this area with a population of about 10,000. Take a mini-train ride to the Rudesheim Christmas market, with merchandise on offer from a dozen countries and one of the largest Nativity scenes in Europe. We spend the rest of the afternoon here and then return aboard for dinner. We depart in the wee hours of the morning, which means you can spend some time this evening in the Drosselgasse, a pedestrian-only street lined with pubs, wine bars and shops. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Mannheim & Heidelberg

Arrive in Mannheim just after breakfast and disembark for an excursion to Heidelberg. See Germany's oldest university, founded in 1386, then visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle, and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city's many red rooftops from its hilltop location. Continue with a walking tour from the Old Town to Heidelberg's renowned gates. Here you find the Heidelberg Christmas market, a surprisingly large and festive event with stunning views of the Castle and a picturesque ice rink on the Karlsplatz. We return to our ship for dinner; we are docked in Mannheim-a fairly sizeable town with its own large castle, a lovely Baroque Jesuit church designed by an Italian architect, and a lively nightlife-until early morning. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Mainz & Koblenz

Arrive in Mainz, a charming town located in the Rhine wine region, this morning. Disembark after breakfast for a guided city walk and a visit to the Mainz Christmas Fair. Breathe in the scent of roasted almonds, hot chestnuts and gingerbread as you stroll through the historic market square, festooned with handmade Advent decorations, wooden toys, candles and much more. Return to your ship for noon departure and lunch aboard. Later this afternoon we dock in Koblenz and visit that town's very traditional Christmas market, complete with horse-drawn carriages. Dinner is served aboard; relax this evening or take an after-dinner stroll to see the famous Schangel fountain. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Bonn & Cologne

Arrive this morning in Bonn and take a guided half-day tour of the city, which was the capital of West Germany from the late 1940s until 1990 and then the seat of government for reunited Germany until 1999. Your tour includes a visit to the famous Beethoven House, where the great composer was born in 1770. Board your ship for lunch as we lift anchor and begin the final leg of our journey to Cologne. We dock later this afternoon and take one last walking tour through Cologne's Christmas markets-enjoy the sights, aromas and flavors as you select handcrafted ornaments and gifts. Dinner is served aboard and you may see more of Cologne this evening if you like. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Cologne

After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* (B)

The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises. Please note, Viking can only offer air to guests traveling from the U.S. or Canada.