Experience a Christmas cruise along the Rhine, indulging in the landscapes of the Rhine Gorge and exploring festive markets along the river

Your festive holiday begins by meeting the Tour Manager at London St Pancras, ready to travel to Brussels on the Eurostar.

On arrival in the Belgian capital, we continue by train to Cologne, where we are greeted with a welcome cocktail as we board our luxurious cruise ship.

Decked out in its Christmas finery, we can look forward to sailing through stunning seasonal scenery. As we settle in to begin our journey, we gather in the onboard restaurant to enjoy our first dinner on the ship. Tonight, we set sail upstream along the lower Rhine.

Sailing amid the landscapes of the Rhine Gorge during breakfast this morning, there's chance to relax and soak up the views. This UNESCO World Heritage site is dotted by centuries-old castles, dense forests and stepped vineyards. Look out for the legendary Lorelei Rock, which soars almost 500 feet out of the water. This monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, which we hear about as we sail by.

This afternoon, we arrive in the town of Rüdesheim, famous for its white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Unique Christmas markets are found in the town's historic centre and offer a variety of goods from across 12 nations.

You have time to wander amongst the stalls shopping for gifts or maybe sample a Rüdesheim Coffee made with local Asbach Uralt Brandy and served with whipped cream. You could stroll along the Drösselgasse, a charming street in the Old Town lined with half-timbered houses, quaint shops and wine bars.

We leave Rüdesheim this morning to set sail for Koblenz. Cruising back through the enchanting Rhine Gorge, we enjoy a gingerbread making demonstration in the lounge.

On arrival in Koblenz, there's time at leisure to explore this historic city. You could admire the Deutsches Eck, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Alternatively, explore the Christmas markets or visit one of the popular taverns.

We enjoy a highlight of the holiday this evening - a Christmas-themed gala dinner on board. You can choose between two delicious menus: one with traditional German food, including duck consommé, braised goose leg, and pear and marzipan strudel. The other menu is traditional British food, including roast turkey, pigs in blankets and, of course, Christmas pudding with brandy butter.

During a relaxed breakfast, we set sail for Bonn, the birthplace of world-renowned composer Ludwig van Beethoven. On arrival, we step back in time with a guided tour of the history-filled streets. We see the Beethoven monument and Hofgarten Park and continue to the minster - one of Germany's oldest churches - beneath which are Bonn's Christmas markets. The markets cast the city in the golden glow of fairy lights. In December, the town hall is transformed into an enormous Advent Calendar with a different window lit up each day throughout the month.

Back on board, we enjoy lunch as we sail before a delightful Christmas-themed afternoon tea of mince pies, stollen, gingerbread, pigs in blankets, turkey and stuffing sandwiches, with mulled wine.

On arrival in Cologne, you have free time to enjoy Cologne's magnificent markets. There are seven to choose from, each with a unique character, with the most popular being near the cathedral. This market has a dramatic backdrop of Cologne's Gothic cathedral and hosts around 160 festive stalls, selling everything from charming wood-carved gifts to local delicacies.

The famous Christmas markets of towns and cities along Germany's Rhine have revealed their seasonal charm as we soaked up the festive atmospheres in Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Bonn and Cologne. Throughout the cruise, we have marvelled at the idyllic scenes of the Rhine Gorge and the fairytale castles and towns that dot its banks.

After breakfast this morning, your cruise comes to an end as we make our way to Cologne railway station. We continue by rail to Brussels and join the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where your festive holiday concludes.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Joining the fleet in summer 2025, the MS Amadeus Amara is the latest addition to the award-winning Amadeus river cruise collection. Combining elegant design with modern luxury, the ship offers 12 spacious Amadeus suites and 70 cabins, all designed to provide a breathtaking experience on the water.

Across its 4 stylish decks, guests can enjoy a range of facilities including a panoramic bar and lounge, elegant restaurant, indoor pool and a wellness centre offering massage services and a fitness room. The sun deck features sweeping views of the riverbanks, the perfect place to relax with a drink and soak up the scenery.

Each cabin is equipped with a spacious ensuite bathroom, flatscreen TV, minibar, walk-in wardrobe and either a double or twin bed. Many cabins also feature floor-to-ceiling windows, letting you soak up the views from the comfort of your room.

The MS Amadeus Riva is a 'masterpiece of design' and offers impeccable cabin spaces with 67 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites. Made up of 4 decks, the ship features several facilities including the panorama bar, restaurant, river terrace, as well as a wellness centre where you can book a relaxing massage, or arrange one of many beauty treatments. Each bedroom onboard comes with a spacious ensuite bathroom, a mini bar, a flatscreen television, walk-in wardrobe, and either a double or twin bed. Some rooms also offer panoramic windows or a balcony.

Designed with the express purpose of navigating Europe's finest waterways, the MS Amadeus Silver II offers a superb cruising experience. In many ways a floating hotel, the Amadeus Silver II truly makes the most of the rivers it sails upon, combining comfortable and tasteful interiors, with the tranquil beauty of the scenery outside. Run by a friendly crew who place your requirements above all else, your time aboard this special vessel should be as carefree and relaxed as possible.

This ship is made up of 4 decks and features a number of facilities including an international restaurant, a panoramic bar, a quiet lounge area, a fitness suite and a salon. On the Sun Deck, there are loungers and deck chairs, perfect for sitting and socialising with fellow passengers. Each well- appointed cabin comes with Egyptian cotton bed sheets, walk-in wardrobes and Molton Brown toiletries, as well as a television, an en-suite toilet, a hairdryer and a minibar.

The MS Amadeus Star is a 'masterpiece of design' and offers impeccable cabin spaces with 70 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites. Made up of 4 decks, the ship features several facilities including the panorama bar, restaurant, river terrace, as well as a wellness centre where you can book a relaxing massage, or arrange one of many beauty treatments. The sun deck on board also provides a fitness suite, which is open all day. Each bedroom onboard comes with a spacious ensuite bathroom, a mini bar, a flatscreen television, walk-in wardrobe, and either a double or twin bed. Some rooms also offer panoramic windows or a balcony.

Upgrade to First Class rail travel for £200pp return

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.