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Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise (Germany), a cruise by Riviera Travel

Cruise · 4 nights · with Riviera Travel

Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise

Four nights aboard Riviera Travel’s MS Riviera Resplendence, cruising the Rhine in winter to sample Germany’s traditional Christmas markets and the wintry Rhineland scenery.

Duration
4 nights
Departures
4 dates
Choose a month below
Sails from
Cologne
Returns to the same port
Ship
MS Riviera Resplendence
From
£1,079
per person, sharing

Highlights

What makes this one worth it

  1. Cruises through the famous Rhine GorgeWith steep valley sides and castles

  2. Visit to RüdesheimWith Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet or cable car ride

  3. Guided tour of Bonn’s historic old town and Christmas market

  4. Walking tour of Cologne’s old town and visits to multiple Christmas markets

  5. Onboard entertainment featuring Rhenish folk music

About the trip

This four-night cruise sets sail from Cologne and returns to the same city, skimming the Rhine Gorge twice, known for its steep, vineyard-clad valley sides and ruined castles perched on rocky outcrops. On day two, the stroll-worthy town of Rüdesheim provides a pair of straightforward afternoon options: a mechanical music museum or a cable car to the Niederwald Monument with views over the river and vineyards. The town’s Christmas market offers gingerbread, spiced coffee, and a Christmas shop open year-round.

By day three, the ship reaches Bonn for a guided walk through its old town, including the towering Romanesque minster and the Beethoven museum. The nearby Christmas market occupies the old town square, where a large tree and an Advent calendar on the old town hall set the festive mood. The final day includes a walking tour of Cologne’s historic quarters near the cathedral, before guests take time to explore the city’s seven Christmas markets independently—the cathedral market being the largest, with tens of thousands of lights.

This itinerary aboard MS Riviera Resplendence offers a restful pace to encounter Rhineland winter traditions framed by well-paced river cruising. Even the folk music evening feels appropriately homey rather than extravagant.

50°N51°N
The route in outline: places are joined in the order visited, not by the roads or sea lanes taken.
  1. 1 Cologne
  2. 2 Rüdesheim
  3. 3 Bonn

Itinerary

The route, day by day

  1. Day 1

    Cologne

  2. Day 2

    Rhine Gorge

  3. Day 3

    Rüdesheim

  4. Day 4

    Rhine Gorge

  5. Day 5

    Bonn

  6. Day 6

    Cologne

When to go

Departures and prices

Lowest price each month, per person.

Riviera Travel confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.

Need to know

Before you book

Price based on
Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
Travelling alone
Check with Riviera Travel
Flights
Not needed if you join at Cologne
What’s included
Check with Riviera Travel
Accessibility
Check with Riviera Travel

For full details of what’s included, check with Riviera Travel. See the full details on their site

Questions people ask

How long is Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise?
Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise is a 4 nights cruise holiday.
Where does Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise depart from?
Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise departs from Cologne.
Who operates Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise?
Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise is operated by Riviera Travel aboard MS Riviera Resplendence.
How much does Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise cost?
Prices for Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise start from £1,079, subject to availability.

The operator

Riviera Travel

River cruises and escorted tours

A British operator that began in 1984 with a handful of tents in the south of France. Its tours and river cruises travel with a Riviera tour manager or cruise director looking after the group.

You book with Riviera Travel directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.

New to Germany? Our Germany guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.

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