Set sail on a magical Christmas river cruise into Germany and France, exploring festive markets, charming towns and scenic beauty, with seasonal cheer around every bend

Your festive break begins by meeting the Tour Manager at London St Pancras, ready for a Eurostar journey to Brussels.

In the Belgian capital, we switch rail services and cross into Germany and the riverside city of Cologne. Here, we board our luxurious cruise ship, bedecked in Christmas finery, for a festive four-night cruise along the Rhine to Strasbourg in France.

After a welcome cocktail on board ahead of dinner, we set sail through the night towards Koblenz.

Please note: for travellers departing on the 17th December, this tour will operate in reverse, beginning in Strasbourg and concluding in Cologne.

Reaching Koblenz this morning, there's time to explore after breakfast. Koblenz is a picturesque city at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Famous for its historic charm, its landmarks include the Deutsches Eck, where the two rivers meet, and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress which offers stunning views. At this time of year, the medieval streets, buildings and squares of the Old Town are adorned with twinkling festive lights and decorations.

Our cruise then continues for a highlight of the journey, sailing through the stunning Rhine Gorge and past the famous Lorelei Rock. This part of the Rhine is regarded as one of the most beautiful stretches, surrounded by dramatic cliffs, medieval castles, terraced vineyards and charming villages.

Later, we arrive in Rüdesheim, renowned for its Riesling wines. You have time to wander the Christmas stalls or maybe sample a Rüdesheim Coffee, made with local Asbach Uralt brandy and served with whipped cream. You could stroll along Drösselgasse, a street lined with half-timbered houses, quaint shops and wine bars. Back on board, we continue toward Speyer after dinner.

Seasonal delights await us again today as we moor in Speyer. On a trip to Heidelberg, we enjoy a guided tour of the picturesque town, the home of Germany's oldest university.

Heidelberg is also known for its beautiful Old Town and the ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, which we visit. Perched above the town, the castle is a symbol of Romanticism and provides amazing views of the surrounding forests and Neckar River. Afterwards, there is time to wander the Christmas markets, huddled in Heidelberg's Old Town. You might like to try traditional German treats such as Glühwein and gingerbread or go skating on the ice rink in Karlsplatz.

This afternoon, there is free time for you to discover Speyer independently, which also has a delightful Christmas market. Its imposing Kaiserdom cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most significant Romanesque churches in the world. After soaking up the festive atmosphere, return to our ship for dinner this evening, before we set sail for Strasbourg.

Arriving at our final port of call, you have the choice between two excursions today.

You could join a tour of Obernai, a medieval town at the foot of Mont Sainte-Odile - named after the patron saint of Alsace. Exploring its charming centre of half-timbered houses, narrow alleys and historic buildings such as the 16th-century belfry and corn exchange, there's also time to wander through the appealing Christmas markets. Alternatively, stay in Strasbourg for a guided tour of this attractive city, discovering its imposing Gothic cathedral and the canals of the picture-perfect Petite France district.

After your excursion, the rest of the afternoon is free in Strasbourg. The city sits on the border of France and Germany and blends the best of the two cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses, shops and cobbled streets all aglow with Christmas lights and markets. Our evening is rounded off with a spectacular gala dinner on board.

With twinkling lights, seasonal aromas and enchanting atmospheres, the Christmas markets along the Rhine have provided charming festive memories. Sailing from Cologne to Strasbourg aboard our luxury ship, we have experienced amazing views in Koblenz, admired the fairytale scenes along the Rhine Gorge and explored the picturesque sights of Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, Speyer and Strasbourg.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We head to Strasbourg station and travel by rail to Paris, from where we catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where your festive holiday comes to an end.

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.

The Amadeus Cara joined the Amadeus fleet in 2021. Offering impeccable cabin spaces with 73 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites, each room has a spacious en suite bathroom, a minibar, a flatscreen television and a walk-in wardrobe. Some rooms also offer panoramic windows, balconies, or a comfortable corner sofa. With four decks, the ship features amenities like the river terrace, restaurant, hair salon and fitness centre, where you can exercise or book a relaxing massage.

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.

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.