Holiday Markets Cruise – The Festive Rhine River

Düsseldorf, Germany to Basel, Switzerland
Main Tour: November 28 – December 6, 2026
Optional Mainz, Germany Pre-Trip: November 26-29, 2026
Optional Interlaken, Switzerland Post-Trip: December 6-8, 2026

Tour Operator: AHI Travel
Main tour price per person begins at $3,395*
Optional Mainz pre-trip begins at $1,295
Optional Interlaken post-trip begins at $1,395

*No single supplement for solo travelers on main tour.

Revel in the magic of the holidays in Germany and France on a seven-night Rhine River cruise. Celebrate yuletide traditions in festive markets with twinkling lights and handmade treasures. Savor the sounds of carolers and bells and the scent of fresh pine and roasted chestnuts in the air. Visit Heidelberg’s castle and enjoy a special musical performance in the romantic old town. You’ll also admire Cologne’s spectacular cathedral and stroll through Freiburg, a vibrant university city. In the ports of Breisach, Strasbourg, Rüdesheim and Düsseldorf, choose excursions that fit your interests, including a culinary tour or cultural experiences. Aboard your first-class ship, take in the scenic beauty of the Rhine Gorge.

Highlights

• Enjoy enlightening lectures from Principia Trip Scholar Susie Ledbetter (C’70) and local experts.
• Admire the impressive modern architecture that defines Dusseldorf, including the bustling Medienhafen riverfront district.
• Visit the Aachen Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring Charlemagne’s richly decorated imperial chapel and his original throne.
• Explore Düsseldorf’s seven delightful Christkindlmarkts.
• Experience the vibrant cultural scene of Cologne, with its awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral, the Dom.
• Sail through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and pass Loreley Rock. This scenic gorge is the most famous stretch of the Rhine River with views of over 40 castles built on the terraced hills along the river.
• Board a tram that takes you along the Drosselgasse, the main street of Rudesheim.
• Tour the “Christmas Market of the Nations,” an international market with holiday items from around the world. 
• Visit Heidelberg Castle perched over the Neckar Valley.
• Enjoy a special musical performance with an entertaining mix of holiday songs, arias and contemporary pieces.
• Discover Strasbourg’s unique blend of German and French influences on a scenic tour including Norte Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art.
• Delight in a guided stroll of historic Freiburg, visit the colorful Christkindlmarkt and enjoy marzipan and chestnuts, popular holiday treats.
• View the Alsatian way of celebrating the holidays in Colmar, France with four markets each offering their distinct specialties.

Activity Level: Mild-Moderate

Activity Level ratings indicate each excursion’s physical expectations. To make the best personal choice, please evaluate each excursion’s rating and your ability to meet the tour’s physical demands. Please note, excursions on this program require: walking on cobblestones, unpaved paths or uneven surfaces; and getting on/off motor coaches and boats.

• Mild:   Walk under 1 mile on mainly flat terrain; navigate under 50 stairs; stand under 1 hour
• Moderate:  Walk 1-3 miles on flat/uneven terrain; navigate 50-100 stairs; stand 1-2 hours
• Active:  Walk 2+ miles on flat/uneven terrain, including up and down inclines; navigate 100+ stairs; stand 3+ hours

Depending on the excursion, more leisurely alternatives may be available.

Main Trip Includes

Program Overview

• Unpack once and cruise for 7 nights aboard the first-class MS Amadeus Cara.
• AHI Connects: Local immersion.
• AHI Sustainability Promise: We strive to make a positive, purposeful impact in the communities we visit.
• Complimentary travel mementos.

Meal Program

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners.
• Welcome and farewell receptions and dinners to mingle with fellow travelers.
• Tea or coffee with all meals, plus soft drinks with lunch and dinner.

On-Site Features

• Enrichment by expert speakers enhances your insight into the region.
• Engaging excursions showcase the local culture, heritage and history.
• Personalize Your Journey | PYJ: A choice of excursions in selected locales.
• Elective activity and free time to pursue your individual interests.
• Tipping of guides and drivers.
• A personal VOX headset to hear your English-speaking guide clearly.

Optional Mainz, Germany Pre-Trip

Delve into the historic grandeur of vibrant Mainz, Germany on an engaging, three-night experience. Visit its impressive cathedral and Christmas market on a guided tour, plus venture off to explore the famous spa city of Wiesbaden. In Bonn, learn about the fascinating life and works of Ludwig van Beethoven at a museum in the house where he was born.

Optional Interlaken, Switzerland Post-Trip

Soak up Switzerland’s enchanting beauty in Bernese Oberland, with two nights in Interlaken and a tour of Bern, the Swiss capital. Enjoy two nights at the deluxe Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa and a guided walk in Bern’s charming medieval quarter.