This 8-day Rhine cruise begins and ends in Cologne, Germany. Start with a walking tour of this "jewel of the Rhine" and find inspiration within its monumental cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just outside the cathedral you encounter the first and largest of the fabulous Christmas markets we will visit. Cruise along the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine to quaint Rudesheim, multicultural Strasbourg and picturesque Mainz. You will shop for charming handcrafted gifts and enjoy Christmas cookies and hot spiced wines at no fewer than four Christmas markets along the Rhine before returning to Cologne.

Day 1 Cologne

Fly into Frankfurt; 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.

Day 2 Cologne & Koblenz

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Cologne, culminating with a visit to the iconic Gothic double-spired Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just outside the cathedral you encounter the first and largest of the Christmas markets we will be visiting. Enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas-and the unique handcrafted Christmas gifts-of the Christmas market before boarding your ship for lunch and afternoon departure. We sail into Koblenz just after dinner; join your Program Director for a guided walk through a fairy-lit seasonal wonderland. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Rudesheim

This morning you sail along the most scenic stretch of the Rhine-a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the river is lined with quaint towns and vineyards and castle after castle silently overlooks the river from its hilltop location. Arrive in Rudesheim after lunch and ride a miniature train up the hill for a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum, an amazing house filled with self-playing musical instruments. Return aboard for dinner as we cruise south along the Rhine. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Strasbourg

Sail through more of the glorious Rhine landscape this morning, enjoying unforgettable views of the famous red sandstone ruins of Heidelberg castle along the way. Dock just after lunch in Kehl and proceed to Strasbourg for a canal tour through this multicultural city. After our canal cruise, we go to the Strasbourg Christmas Market. Located in front of the stunning Strasbourg Cathedral, it is the most extensive Christmas market in France, featuring special food and drink like gingerbread, spiced sausages and vin chaud (hot mulled wine) and delightful choir and Nativity performances. Dine aboard and enjoy free time in the quaint little city of Kehl, where we remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Baden-Baden

After breakfast we take an excursion to the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, located on the edge of the Black Forest and known for its healing waters as far back as the Roman empire. We encounter our third Christmas market in Baden-Baden, set against the backdrop of the gracious Kurhaus spa resort. The locals here love to celebrate the Advent period by sharing a glass of mulled wine and admiring their delightful "living creche," a life-sized Nativity scene complete with real lambs, sheep and fresh hay. Rejoin your ship in Kehl this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Alsace Wine Country

After breakfast, disembark for a morning tour of the beautiful Alsatian wine region-see the area's mostly white grapes and visit working vineyards. Return aboard for lunch and departure; enjoy the glorious Rhine scenery and twinkling holiday lights as evening falls. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Mainz

Awaken in Mainz, a charming town located in the Rhine wine region. Mainz was home to Johannes Gutenberg, father of the printing press, and today we will visit the Gutenberg Museum to learn about the history of printing and see two of the master's original printed 42-line Bibles. We then visit the Mainz Christmas Fair, the last of our Rhineland Christmas markets. 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 lunch as we depart for Cologne. (B, L, D)

Day 8 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.